My security set-up

Since I lost some very important personal files after two virus attacks on my PC I have so aggressively pursued computer security that my colleagues say I am becoming paranoid. My main hobby is browsing the internet, (using a wireless modem) but there are some sites I scrupulously avoid! I use Firefox with WOT and Adblock Plus add-ons.

Below is the security set-up on my PC (all free tools):

Real-time Antivirus: AVG Free
ThreatFire
On Demand Scanner: Dr WebCureit
Real-time Antispyware: Spyware Terminator
Background Antispyware: Spyware Blaster
On Demand Scanners: SuperAntiSpyware
Malwarebytes’ Anti-malware
Firewall: Comodo
USB Protection: USB .exe

I wish to add 2 anti-rootkit scanners for scanning once in a while.

What are forum members’ opinions? You know better.
And what else may I add ?

 

i don't think you need any more software

 

- I would ditch AVG Free for either Avast or Avira; those are lighter and better at detecting viruses. Avira also has some level of spyware protection, and both have rootkit detection capabilities.

- Threatfire may just be weighing you down. Different people say different things about behavior blockers though.

- Spyware Terminator isn't very good at actually detecting stuff IIIRC, and with Comodo's Defence+ its HIPS is redundant. Ditch it.

- Don't quote me on this, but I don't think it's necessary to have both SAS and MBAM installed. On the other hand neither are active protection, so not a big deal.

- What the heck is USB.exe? (Did you mean Panda's USB Vaccine?)

As for rootkit scanners... ThreatFire has a rootkit scanner, as do Avast and Avira. If you want a second one, try GMER or IceSword, depending on your level of expertise... GMER is easier to use (somewhat), IceSword is supposed to be better at detecting some very exotic things. Neither are for novices.

(FWIW Avast's rootkit detection system is based on GMER.)

Personally I think your colleagues may be on to something but then I'm not in much of a position to judge.

 

this is very heavy configuration use only comodo security suite and for ondemand antivir superantispyware and malware bytes maybe wot and noscript in your browser you dont need anything else..... try these and make your pc running smoother. if you install antivir as ondemand scanner dont forget uncheck realtime protection and when you scanning with antivir temporarly disable comodo antivirus to avoid conflicts

 

Research LUA (Limited User Account). Consider using Sandboxie for your surfing. Try out Returnil free or test and purchase Returnil or ShadowDefender. It is quite possible that with those methods you can let much of your aresenal decompose quietly somewhere. LUA is a large step towards not having these things happen again if you can swing it.

As always, listen to others opinions, try them yourself, and make your own judgment call.

Good luck.

Sul.

 

I second what Gullible Jones said, Avast or Avira are better if you wish to stick with free, both are better than some paid AVs as well. Avast free has more features, both are lighter than AVG and detect more, some say Avast also cleans better than Avira, but Avira has better heuristics and generic detections.

 

just use avira or avast free. AVG free is ~Snip~ . thers no need for threatfire if ur running comodos HIPS so use either or. dıtch spyware terminator since u have comodo which has a HIPS thats a million times better so it just makes it all redundant plus ST has a ~Snip~ scanner as well but ye just get rid of ST and keep EITHER threatfire OR Comodos HIPS but not both thers no need. everything else is fine since all of it is just on demand which means thers no harm the more the merrier. having both MBAM and SAS doesnt hurt so keep them both like i do.

 

The "Noscript" add-on for Firefox would be a good addition.

http://noscript.net/

 

not many are running in realtime so not really... ondemand apps dont do anything to complicate or slow things down so they arent anything negative to have. only positive. just get rid of ST and EITHER TF or turn off the HIPS ın CIS and it shuld be good to go.

 

I'd suggest you make sure you have backups of important files - backing up is part of any security strategy.

 

Dittos to what TonyW said. Backing up your computer will save you loads of heartache in the event that something bad happens - AND IT WILL!

I would choose 1 Anti-virus ,1 Antispyware and 1 firewall.

Example:
Avira
Malwarebytes’ Anti-malware
Windows Firewall

 

Yep, endorse that

Buy an external harddisk which is offline 99% of the time, when on 32 bits and non-raid you can get enough freebies for image backup (e.g. Paragon free) and intelligent data backup (Syncback free) aslong as you split your harddisk into two (best) physical partitions.


For easy rootkit protection I would use

Regrun free (with partizan boot-time remover)
OSAM free
Hitman Pro free
Panda ARK free (heuristics)

 

Take regular backup of your important files and that is it
as kees1958 suggested

 

See what practical advice I've got! Thank you,folks. I shall take time to go through all the posts and respond.

In the meantime, as my people say: much meat does not spoil the soup.
Any other opinions? I wish to settle this matter once and for all.

 

yeh definately avast/avira, and a good antispyware like mbam paid version, a good firewall, and your pretty much set..
if you ever visit the "dark side" of the internet which is adult sites and things your mum wouldnt approve of, then sandbox is for you, sorry if its been posted cus i didnt read all..

 

I just plug holes and keep the malware protection to a minimum in terms of the number of software as long as I consider myself completely secure. See my sig.

 

I also agree with the suggestions of using AntiVir/Avast.

And you should keep Windows and apps updated with Automatic Updates and Secunia Personal Software Inspector.

 

Update Notifier here... Believe me, I've been a long-runner of Secunia PSI, and it still has bugs and runs on inconvenient times. Inconvenient time being when I'm busy, and Secunia PSI doesn't give a crap and starts a scan making me lag! Update Notifier seems to have better insight on things and only does what you install such a program for; update your software. PSI is adding more and more functions not related to that core functionality, and together with the other stuff I've experienced with, it's personally not for me. Just my two cents.

 

do u have a link to the update notifier site?

 

Google is your friend. It's a part of CleanSofts.org; http://cleansofts.org/view/update-notifier.html

 

Realtime: Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 (FAV= File AntiVirus) and Windows Defender (Realtime scanner)
On-demand: Windows Defender and KIS 2009 scanner
all Security Systems are on and Fully protecting