Couple Hundred To Spend, Help Build My Computer Security

I am looking to spend a couple hundred dollars to help put together an excellent computer security platform. I have been the victim of a few virus attacks lately and I am tired of it.

If you had a couple hundred to spend, how would you build your security?

I have a Dell Inspiron Laptop with 2GB of RAM. Feel free to recommend both free and paid programs. Obviously if a free and paid program do the same job, I would prefer the free one

Thanks!

 

I don't understand why a mod moved this here all this topic will do is Create a A vs B

 

- Prevx Edge 3.0
- Comodo Firewall (free) or Online Armor
- Norton AV 2009 or NOD32
- DefenseWall Hips (if you don't mind playing around with program rules and permissions)

- Shadow Defender or Returnil
- Sandboxie
- VMWare (free)

- Acronis True Image & an external HD

- Malwarebytes Anti Malware (free)
- SUPERAntiSpyware (free)
- a-squared (free)
- Avira Antivir as a backup on demand AV (free)
- Hitman Pro

- Secunia PSI (free)
- Spyware Blaster

 

I'm fine with free.

 

you haven't stated what OS Vista 32bit or maybe 64bit or XP !

you can try plenty of free trials and see what works for you and doesn't conflict or drag your machine down.

you could start with a all in one Internet security app and add to that.

or a stand alone AV and build round that add a HIPS, Sandbox, Antispyware prog, Behaviour blocker, basically there are lots of options to choose from.

spend a few days checking the forums and reading reviews then trial some of the apps and go from there.

 

I would check out some programs to see how they run on your particular system.

Here are a few I would try:
Online Armor.
Avira.
Prevx.

They each have free and paid versions.
Check the free versions to see if you like them.

 

You don't need to pay to achieve good security. If you simply use common sense (not saying you don't of course), keep regular image and file backups, keep Windows and your applications up to date and disable Autorun you will almost never get infected.

Then add a free AV (e.g Antivir) and a behavioural blocker (personally I like Prevx) and you're completely safe.

 

If you will give details of these attacks, we can know what you need to protect against.

----
rich

 

How about Kapersky for a firewall?

I believe the majority of my infections have been due to browser hijackers. I treid Sanboxie before but it always seemed to lag or cause my browser to lock up. Maybe I was using it wrong?

 

Also, what Operating System are you running? What do you do with your machine? Only surfing or online gaming? Do you use peer to peer programs?. You'll get better answers with more details.

Check out the link in my signature and run an online scan to see if your running any potentially vulnerable programs and then update them. Run the Secunia scan at least once a month. Keeping updated is a good first step in remaining secure.

 

KIS 2010 has a Release Candidate available. It also has a built in sandbox, maybe you can give it a try and see how it looks.

ds

KIS 2009
Defensewall
Primary Response SafeConnect

 

Even if you still have a couple hundred to spend, I can't stress enough that you should trial the software first. It's much better to find out if some software will cause problems on your computer before you pay for it, so that way you don't feel cheated when something goes wrong and support can't fix it.

As you can probably tell, this has happened to me before .

Anyways, how about giving PrevX 3.0 a try? It seems to have gotten a boatload of positive reviews.

 

Avira (Free)
Avast! (Free)
Comodo Firewall (Free)

 

Best Setup IMO:

Free:
Avira AntiVir Personal (now includes antispyware component)
Outpost Firewall Free

Paid:
Avira AntiVir Premium
Outpost Firewall Pro (lifetime license currently available)


http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/ <--unbelievable deal

 

Foxfired,

whatever you do, don't omit image/restore software. It's a very nice feeling to simply restore a backup image within an hour, compared to the sinking, depressing feeling of having to re-install Windows and all your programs and user settings, accounts, and so forth over the course of 5 hours+ along with the probable loss of valuable data.

You had mentioned being the victim of a few virus attacks; this means you might be engaged - just my guess - in risky surfing and/or behind on security updates. Without suggesting you visit them, steer clear of those crack sites.

 

I wouldn't spend several hundred dollars for anything else but a good imaging setup.

For example, external harddrive (connect only when making and restoring an image) plus good imaging software, and a bootable CD (make sure the BIOS is set to check the CD or DVD drive first at startup.

I use Acronis version 8, and am very pleased with it.
The most recent version(s) of Acronis are more bloated, and perhaps more difficult to use.

About the rest: it shouldn't have to cost much money, things like an AV +firewall or suite, HIPS, sandboxing or virtualization etc are fine when properly set up and when you know how to use those.
A quality router can function as good firewall for inbound traffic and is more stable than a software firewall, I believe it's best to use a router plus software firewall.

 

Another vote for a good imaging program and an external USB harddrive + you could add Returnil free or Shadow Defender (not free, both are 'vitualizers), and
a free antivirus.

 

shadow protect desktop,prevx,sandboxie............

 

Free decent user friendly protection

a) Outpost Free as FW and HIPS (HIPS module is easier than D+ of CIS, protects also on bootup/log-off (Online Armor free does not)
b) Avira Free (apply as a beta tester and you get the free version with pro-active protection), AV is better than AV component of CIS
c) EdgeGuard Solo Free (run Office + Webbrowsers as limited user)
d) Consider IRON as your browser (google for SWare and Iron or search this forum)

 

So if I get Prevx does that mean I am all set as far as firewalls?

 

Strongly vote for good imaging program and an external USB harddrive. For Firewall/HIPS/Antivirus/Antispyware there are many good free and paid.

 

What imaging software do you recommend?

 

These are few good paid imaging software. ShadowProtect, Paragon Drive Backup, Image For Windows/DOS, BING, ATI etc. I myself used Paragon Drive Backup and BING.

 

I'd recommend ShadowProtect.
It got a v good reviews in Magazines and on threads here.

I have ATI and its a bit buggy and slow for me. ( 2 hours for a 60GB copy on a usb transfer , XP laptop )

 

Alright excellent. And just to reiterate, if I get Prevx will I still need a firewall? Should I combine that with something like Online Armor?