Firewall -- "Plus" !!!

Aside from using Firewall, anti-virus, anti-spywares, anti-trojan, etc... what FREE system hardening did you use and why?

Many tnx

 

Not sure how to respond. Let me try as it is a good question imo but is not being asked correctly.

I use all that you listed but they are a mix of free and paid protections.

I have no "exotic" or unknown stuff protecting me. It sounds like you are asking more about the stuff you can get for free.

I keep my MS patches current. I tweak settings to harden up internet browsers.

Hmmm that is about it.

 

Use things like PrevX Home, Winpatrol, System Safety Monitor etc.

And..keep your windows updated...get all the DAMN Patches

 

free system hardening tools include:

Harden-It
BugOff
Windows Worm Door Cleaner
SafeXP

i only use the first three as they havent given me problem (at least that i know of). just do a search and u can find info on thexe programs.

 

Actually... I am just using one... the free Secure-IT hardening system. But still I am worried that it is not enough, and I'm not sure yet if maybe too much or more than one of the above I've mentioned hardening system can affect my internet speed or I'm also worried that it might interfere w/ some of my programs that want to connect to the internet like windows updates and I can't connect to MS AntiSpyware server.

Pls give me some advise what to do or should I rely on the recommended settings on it?

 

I got those above from dyingsun.net

 

Processguard, Arovax Shield, WinPatrol, spywareblaster, spywareguard, Adaware SE, RegDefend, Windows Worm Door Cleaner. Alternative Browser. (Plus Av,At.AS.FW) And the why? They work

 

just use the default settings if u experience problems, just undo the hardening tho dont ask how to find which setting did what. and also each hardening app fixes different computer settings, for example, computer security tool disables the workstation service, uninstalls netmeeting, and puts in its own HOSTS (tho its hidden/unaccessible) etc.

 

Having WinXP Pro SP2 I saw the Resource Kit book from MS for 40% discount + extra 10% for B&N members, so the fix for hardening against DoS attack was in there, and I just had to do it manually, creating a lot of TCP/IP Parameters that did not come with the system. I posted this link at TSG for those who would like to do that manually - Note: I don't necessarily need it, but I felt safer with it than not.

I also am willing to slog through such documents as the Zipped Windows XP Security Configuration Guides from NSA from here and both learn about the security feature set of WinXP Pro and do the hardening manually in order to improve my security score on the Belarc Advisor security assessment additions (2nd page of results) which were pulled directly from the NSA Guides.

-- Tom

 

Im using XP-Pro and i dont use any of the "Hardening" programs.
I think the biggest thing you can do is not to run as an administrator.

Then I harden the various program and file settings manually and document each setting you make. This way I know exactly what is goin on with my system. Then if there is a problem you will have a better idea how to fix the problem with your settings

Michael

 

Hi Michael,

I could not agree with you more! Microsoft has posted the download for DropMyRights about just such an issue on their web page about Code Secure - Browsing the Web and Reading E-mail Safely as an Administrator and the URL to - Browsing the Web and Reading E-mail Safely as an Administrator, Part 2 (from the left-hand panel) which talks about SetSafer.

-- Tom

 

Besides an antivirus and kerio 4.2 free, I have antispyware. I use common sense. I avoid porn, gaming, warez, and other similar places where most of the nasties seem to be.

So far in nearly a decade on the Internet, I've been hit with 5 viruses.

 

5 times That's pretty much in my opinion. I'm online for about 3/4 years now for both work and private, and never got infected...