What is your security setup these days?

Stijnson, I briefly went over your setup and the recommendations others gave. No one recommended Online Armor Free as a Windows Firewall replacement and it also includes HIPS. Online Armor is very easy to use and I highly recommend it.

dja2k

 

added
changed
removed


XP setup 1 & 2

Resident:

avast! antivirus
Comodo BOClean
Comodo Personal Firewall
NOD32
Online Armor free

Other Security / System Hardening:

nLite'd Windows XP SP2 (with service tweaking based on TweakHound's guide)
RyanVM's Post-SP2 Windows XP Update Pack
Seconfig XP
SocketLock
xp-AntiSpy
Process Explorer
Firefox extensions: AdBlock Plus, Permit Cookies, RefControl, and Secure Login

 

I am still using whats in my sig and its the same three main security apps I've used for a while. I dropped Returnil though.

dja2k

 

REALTIME
Router / Hardware Firewall: Linksys NAT Router with SPI Firewall
Software Firewall / HIPS: ZoneAlarm Pro 7.0
Antivirus / Anti-Spyware: NOD32 v2.70
Antiexploit: LinkScanner Pro 2.6
Non-Signature Anti-Malware: Threatfire 3.0

ON-DEMAND
Reduction Of Privileges:
- Drop My Rights
Antispyware:
- ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware (included in ZA Pro)
- SuperAntispyware Free
- AVG Antispyware Free
- a-Squared Free
Anti-Rootkit:
- AVG Anti-Rootkit Free
- BitDefender Anti-Rootkit Beta 2
- DarkSpy
- Panda Anti-Rootkit
- Sophos Anti-Rootkit

IMMUNIZATIONS
SpywareBlaster
Spybot-Search & Destroy


SYSTEM HARDENERS
Bug Off
Seconfig XP
X-Setup Pro
Windows Worms Doors Closer

STARTUP MONITORING
Start Right
Startup Control Panel
Autoruns

CLEANERS
Ccleaner
RegSupreme Pro

REGISTRY OPTIMIZATION
NTREGOPT

BACK-UP
ERUNT
Acronis True Image

DEFRAGMENTER
Perfect Disk

BROWSER: Firefox 2.0
Add-Ons: Adblock Plus, NoScript, NetCraft, WOT, Firekeeper, SafeCache, SafeHistory

DISABLED TEMPORARILY: DefenseWall 2.0 - Unique concept of protection with first class support and low memory use but causing a system slowdown, delayed context menu appearance in Windows Explorer, Firefox crashes, disables updating of Firefox extensions and conflicts with Keyscrambler and Menu Editor. Will probably try it later again, but for now, will just use Drop My Rights for programs using the internet.

 

Hi dja2k, thanks for your input. Two questions: is Online Armor available in a Dutch version and if I install this FW would that be a proper replacement for ThreatFire/Prevx?

 

NOD32 2.7
Vista Firewall
ipTime G204 Router
ThreatFire
FireFox (Adblock Plus, NoScript, CookieSafe)

This is my setting, trying to make as simple as possible.
Is this an okay setup?

 

I think it depends upon whether or not you go looking for trouble.
I have a Netgear Router and run Firefox with the same add ons as you and have, but no AV, no software firewall, no hips and no AS and no problems that I can see.

Some people need layers of protection like those who walk to the south pole need an extra jacket and a good pair of gloves. In my view, however, most people live in warmer more temperate climates and don't need half of what they wear - just in case the temperature drops below freezing in July.

 

Setup going lighter and lighter...

See my sig

 

Not to sure if its available in dutch but I can find out or you can post over at the Online Armor forum. As a replacement for ThreatFire\Prevx1, I personally say yes, but its a personal choice of what works best for you. Online Armor with its Firewall and HIPS is sufficient. If you are paying for ThreatFire or Prevx, why not purchase Online Armor and get the added features.

dja2k

 

It is not available yet in Dutch, but we are starting translations into various languages...

 

Well Stijnson, there you go, the answer to your question from the man himself, Mike Nash!

dja2k

 

I have dropped Pro Security from my list; will wait for the final version to be available and maybe consider installing it again. Only running two programs now, they are listed in my sig.

dja2k

 

Hi dja2k,

I'm curious as to why you have been using Pro-security. Isn't the HIP's in OA sufficient protection or does Pro-security add additional features not provided in OA.

As you are a member of the OA Beta Test Team, I would value your opinion as to whether an additional HIP's program is necessary.

 

No additional HIPS is needed with Online Armor, it is sufficient. I was just testing ProSecurity on the same windows image. Actually, I would have ProSecurity in "Learning Mode" most of the time and once in a while I would set it to "Normal". It was just installed as a second layer of protection somewhat because I don't run a resident active Antivirus.

dja2k

 

Yes OA is very easy to use in the "Standard" mode and letting OA make all firewall rules/setting automatically.

Unfortunately not that easy to use beyond as noted above unless one already knows how to use/make firewall rules even in the Standard mode, and especially trying to use OA's Advanced mode features being there's no "how to use" documentation yet available. Current Help is sorely lacking any info for some features, and the help that is available mainly provides only a description of the features with very little to no "how to use" the features/settings.

Main item from preventing me from buying OA. Know nothing about making/using firewall rules (i.e., UDP, TCP, ports, etc.) -- only other firewall I've used been ZA since version 2.0 released. I've done some Google searching, but have not yet found anything as to basic help/tutorials on making/using firewall rules.

Too bad in OA's Standard mode does not have a simple interface similar to ZA's (and Sunbelt/Kerio Personal Firewall) "Programs Control" to control programs access, and only had to use/make firewall rules (if needed) in OA's Advanced mode.

 

After playing around with tons of security applications, I've decided to stick to the basics. My set-up won't likely change now unless something comes along to replace my current setup or unless new security issues arise that require it.

Realtime:
1. Router
2. OA Free
3. Avast! (Web and P2P shields on High)
4. SpywareTerminator (HIPS off)
5. SandBoxIE

On-Demand
1. A-Squared Free
2, SAS Free

Extras
1. Script Defender
2. SafeXP recommended settings
3. SpywareBlaster
4. CCleaner
5. Peerguardian (when P2P)

Browsers
Firefox (Noscript, Adblock+ and WOT (may change to Finjin)
IE7 with Quero Toolbar

I feel like I will be just fine with this setup, even if I hit the darkest corners of the net, and best of all, no more unexplained slowdowns or freezes and not knowing which security app may or may not be causing it. Simple, secure, and convenient, see ya around the net!

 

Davidw_426, that is an excellent free setup you have going there!

dja2k

 

Jon_T, all I have to say about your post regarding Online Armor is that once you use a firewall that uses rules, you will learn how to do them in any application no matter the maker. Online Armor's #1 goal is to make it as easy to use in "Standard Mode" and still have some flexibility in "Advanced Mode" for the more experienced user. If you have more questions, comments, or feature requests, please go and post them in the Online Armor Forum.

dja2k

 

Thanks, I just got tired of messing with a lot of programs, adding this, removing that, lol.

 

Yes I know that feeling; been there and done that!

dja2k

 

Hi Jon

We're workin' on help - internally, and a few people have also volunteered their time to help us with it. Don't want to take this thread O/T,, so will bid you all a good morning and go get some coffee

 

Have you tried Comodo v3? Just select the option for Basic Firewall during installation.

 

BitDefender Total Security 2008 has been excellent on my laptop; I'm very pleased!

 

Hi all,

Changed GesWall for Defensewall
After some days using the GAOTD license and Ilya's generous offer, i bought a license.
Another things that make me change is the total silence of Gentle Security about their product

Regards,

MaB

 

Your setup is identical to mine, minus the Ad Muncher.

OA2/DefenseWall/Avira Premium