Would this suite be air tight?

I don't want to have so much security software on my computer that it slows my system down or pevents me from using my computer efficiently. I do want to be well protected from threats. I am considering putting the following on my computer:


1. Nod32 for AV
2. Comodo or Outpost Pro for irewall
3. A HIPS application like SSM to control processes as well as entry point vectors
4. A sandbox utility like Sanboxie (I've never used this before but I'm assuming the main advantage would be to run your browser in the sanbox).

Would that be too much? Would the above suite pretty much protect you from just about everything (even if you had dangerous surfing habits like porn sites, file sharing, crack sites, etc)?

Don't get me wrong, I don't have those bad habits. However, I am interested in knowing what you all would consider an "airt tight-fort knox like" security suite.

 

Hi, it,s a killing combination. I am sure. Go ahead!

 

I think what Ronjor, via the article, is trying to say is, if you want it air tight\fool-proof\impenetrable, turn it off, disconnect from the Internet, pull the power cord, and walk away from it. Not meaning to be a smart a$$ But that is the only way it will ever be air tight.

 

From a non expert nor a paranoia, your setup looks good and should work.

 

Well, the other posts are all correct. There is NO SUCH THING AS AIR TIGHT.

But you plan does seem incomplete or maybe you just didn't record it.

I'd add a hardware router out in front and avoid IE6/7 in favour of Firefox or Opera.

The big thing you haven't mentioned is how you plan to manage your passwords so as to maximize their bit strength.

If you are Wi_Fi that's a security subject over my job grade but there is a vast amount of good advice on that subject on this forum.

Back up? what are you doing there? That is fundamental as well.

 

Understood. Particularly the point about user error. No secuirty suite is infallible and humans will make mistakes. But even considering that premise, you must still have some idea of how safe a security set up is.

With 1 being your low score and 100 being your high score, how safe would your rate this set up:

1. NOD32
2. Comodo Firewall or Outpost Pro
3. Sanboxie
4. SSM

Also, assuming that there is no user error, can you describe a threat that would get past this combination?

 

I definitely use a router. Forgot to mention that. As far as a different browser goes, if you run the browser in the sandbox, does it really matter?

Backup? I agree...my suite is lacking in that department. My suite focuses more on pevention. If you can prevent the bad events in the first place, backups aren't so important. Of course I backup my financial records and customer database, contact lists, important docments, etc. But I simply do that to CD.

Passwords? My network password contains 4 symbols, 4 numbers, and 3 letters (one of them being captialized). But I don't use anything to manage them other than writing them down on a piece of paper and locing that paper in my filing cabinet.

 

with a router, 90 percent, with a router and Greenborder, 97 percent.

 

I'm working on a rollback security setup, too early to tell you how it will work.

 

Erick, it will be interesting to see what you come up with.

 

How many positions does your router allow for a password?

You show 11 in you example. I used RoboForm2 to model yours, here's an example:

LqplXCNPweT, Bit strength =65. Fair, but breakable in time by some tools

On mine I can have 30 positions maximum here is an example:

58DsyYLUOZq41dSBH5uWTq8vuKLb7c, Bit strength =178, unbreakable in our lifetime.

QED

 

I like putting symbols in my passwords. How would this password rate:
%$Sjr@67#89

 

You can check your passwords at these sites. Some of them use javascript in order to keep the password from leaving your computer. (Or just test similar passwords).

http://www.securitystats.com/tools/password.php
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password_checker.mspx
https://cuweblogin2.cit.cornell.edu/cuwl-cgi/passCheck2.cgi
http://www.certainkey.com/demos/password/

 

airtight- a word with many implications. with scores of windows installs to my name, i would say what makes a system airtight, isnt the actual install of windows itself and the setup and configuration of programs, but rather, data backup. if you have a second hard disk, make a folder called "application data backup" then install a folder mirroring utility, and set it to copy, the settings of programs most close to you/those requiring the most careful configuration. then, in an event of a system crash- and it will inevitably come, in spite of your most discerning efforts- you can copy your application data folders back over after you reinstall your programs- saving you the time it takes to make the settings for those programs the way you like them. recently i had to do a fresh windows install- do you think i wanted to reconfigure opera all over again, and setup my bookmarks and customized search engines? no way- but i had a copy of my opera application data folder- i installed opera, overwrote the new application data folder with the saved one- and there it was, everything set like i had it when id saved the folder. learn to do this with each program important to you, and you'll find things arent so bad, you can build upwards, rather than starting from scratch over and over again- and that, to me, is airtight...

 

heh, unless you follow the guidelines in post#4, there will never be a guarantee on the web.

You have chosen well for utilities and know your way around.

Echo that a reliable back-up of at least data (which you have) but also system recovery utility or back up images may well save you a lot of time.
It is not only malware that may cause a crash.
Got an external drive for storing images?

You are informed about safety utilities, but need a carefully structured recovery plan particularly/at least for business stuff.

Think HD fritz, power surge, "damn I didn't mean to click that", visitors to your comp might be worse than any virus.

Are you sure about using your same box for surfing as well as business?.
Keep it well separated imo.

Regards.

 

Total agreement, especially about the "keep it well separated". Basic PCs` are dirt cheap anymore, catch one on sale and the cost drops even more. One for work and one for cruising the Internet is the way to go. The external HDD is another great option. (500 gig external Seagate is included in my future plans)
Or at the very least an additional internal HDD (my current set up in both tower PCs at this time). A separate partition on a single HDD will not save your backed-up data in the event of a mechanical failure. As mentioned, get a router. A two LAN port minimum if you should go the 2 PC route, it will make networking a snap. Last but not least, sense you depend on your PC for business do not let anyone else touch it. Just .02 more of my opinion.

 

Here is another then using symbols as well with 11, (IS 11 YOUR MAXIMUM?)

Po3msp%U2RO, bit strength=67, a bit better than 65.

 

actually....... 2 bit(s) higher. sorry. could not resist

 

good one! 10/10