Computer Security

right my lovely new laptop came with a trial of mcafee internet security vaio edition and its about to run out and its £45 for 1 years subscription?! the normal mcafee IS is £25 so I am lost as to where the other £20 goes!

Iv been reading the Security and AV software thread but I'm slightly confused...what's the difference between the anti virus/spy ware and various other programs on the free section?

And are these free programs going to be as good as a premium security software? because I don't want my lappy to break in a couple of months time just because I was to cheap to get a paid for security program XD

 

tbh there is no great security program. Some allow 1 type of malware to get through others a different one. You always need to have a av software & something like mbam or sas (or both). A lot of people are happy with free av software, but others think they are rubbish. Either way, here are some reviews Top Standalone Antivirus Software for 2010 - PCWorld

I'd personally recommend Norton products as I've been using them for few years now, they are very light and I've never been infected

 

Chances of it breaking due to a security infiltration is highly unlikely, however in the events that it does happen, you can always just use system restore, or reformat your OS.

Getting to the recommendations, I have been using Symantec AV on my Server, because, well It was recommended for servers. On my laptop and desktops I use ESET Smart Security, because the reviews were too good to be true, I wanted to test it out for myself, I have been using it since that day, and by golly gosh is it good! Great detection, really light, and updates daily.

I has also used Norton 360, another great product, but just not right. I used McAfee for a while, and it was great, though the detection rate was not that high, when a free scanner would pick up on viruses, etc.

It is completely up to you to decide what kind of security you want to get, as after all, it is your computer. Use the link that cinek2 gave you, and have a read through.

 

OK so just looking at the Norton products and I have heard good things about them before. And I've also heard good things about ESET so ill probably have a poke around one of them see what's what.
On both of the manufactures websites they both seem to have several different versions, what is the difference between AV and IS? and is Norton 360 and ESET Smart Security just a combination of these two and a few more add ons?

Cheers!

 

IS = Internet Security, AV = Antivirus.

TBH I would not know what IS actually included, but I know it does have Antivirus... Antivirus, is well, just Antivirus, with maybe a few extra's that the manufacturer will include, like email scanning etc.

Norton 360 and ESET SS is just a combination of all the security you would ever need, so no need to go out and buy little bits of software to get your systems security up to scratch. ESET SS includes;

• Antivirus
• Antispam
• Firewall
• Antispyware

Which for the average user is enough to keep them secure almost everywhere they go.

 

So basically 360 and SS or something similar will be good enough...thaaaaaaank you very much.

+rep

 

Essentially, 360 and SS are the same, they both have the same components, I haven't used 360 as my main one though, and did not have a real good go at it, but it seemed to do the job. Also if you want, you could download the trial versions for them and see if that's what you want...

Thanks,

 

Actually, Norton Internet Security (NIS) and ESET Smart Security (ESS) are comparable products - these are security suites, basically an antivirus coupled with antispam, identity theft protection, a firewall, possibly parental controls, and/or other miscellaneous computer protection bits.

Norton 360 is NIS plus other tools that Symantec included, including other so-called optimizers and features that are little more than pretty front-ends for features already available in Windows. ESET does not have a Norton 360 equivalent.

 

so basically what you are saying is that Norton 360 is a lot better than SS? Does that also mean you think Norton is the best? or where you just making a point?

 

I didn't really look into that far, so thanks for clearing that up for me... I was just going on what was on the top of my head... Which was obviously not alot.

Depends really. I personally would still prefer SS.

 

So now as long as you go with a fairly highly rated one you should be OK? just down to preference?

I've read some good things about G Data and after looking on their site they look quite cheap to, but they have 3 different versions, Anti virus, Internet Security and Total Care.....am I right in thinking IS is just AV with some extras to help make surfing a bit safer etc etc but then what is total care?!

I wish there was a simple way to layout all these different security programs, like a score out of 100 in terms of over all protection that is then broken down into key areas with a simple colour and bar chart to show how good it is in that area specifically, and then a comparison chart that showed exactly what was in the software so you could look at two different ones and say "well X has this and that but Y comes with this that and a free walrus so therefore Y is better, ill take five"
Oh it would be so much easier!!!

 

If you don't mind spending money and you want a 'total package' that offers full protection and runs light (G-DATA is not known for running light), I'd recommend to buy the Norton Internet Suite/NIS 2010.

Make sure to look around on the web for a good price (because for instance, it's much, much cheaper in the US then in Europe).

Edit;
Then again, if you don't mind learning a bit on how to use a HIPS, you could also simply use free Avast antivirus and combine it with a strong firewall+HIPS like free Online Armor.
See my sig for download- and help file links

 

There ARE AV comparative tests and sites on the internet, it's just that like most comparisons, there is no magical roundup number on how safe it is.

At the end of the day, YOU are the prime factor in your computer safety so act smart on the internet and on your computer. Don't go on shady websites or download random things or open random emails. These basic steps probably eliminate 90% of the infections you could get.

 

Deeply agree with forever melody
there is no magical roundup number on how safe it is and YOU are the prime factor in your computer safety
I would had to that antivirus and user habits are just a part of what to take into account in computer security matter
for instance :
your machine : computer, OS, other software installed, router/firewall, internet provider, updates, internet browser, mails etc
habits : where you go, who you talk to, which internet site you go, how and how long, wireless or wire internet connection, passwords, how you deal with your firewall popups etc..

for basic security I would add :
any internet security suite + HIPS/sandbox (safe'n'sec, sandboxie etc)
security add-ons for your internet browser (WOT for firefox...)
update your OS and your software
install only the software you need in your computer
avoid p2p software and any software/email you don't know
avoid using your computer with administrative privilege
try shields up website to check if your firewall software works fine
if you have a router/firewall use WPA2 + 5 words of 5 digits each min passwords
avoid wireless connection if possible
choose an internet provider who offer antivirus check
different passwords for different softwares 12 digits min with space, number etc
don't use the same password for several internet websites
avoid automatically answering yes without reading all the popups your firewall software is throwing you
don't forget to scan your computer regularly with your antivirus software and sometimes with another one (drweb cureit/MBAM for instance if you think your computer is infected)
turn off your computer when you don't use it
back up your data
don't turn off your internet security suite
stay alert ( if your computer start being slow or doing strange things...)
stay informed, keep learning best practice
etc...

 

That still leaves 10% which is still a massive number of malware.

My recommendation:
Software restriction policies+limited user account+ No Autostarts for Users + On demand scanned new exe's (hitman pro or MBAM)+ Sandboxie+ Firefox with NoScript+windows scripting host turned off + DEP + SEHOP turned on = Free security solution which will stop 99.9999% of all malware (maybe more). And it is prompt free. And super light weight. Lets see some sucker breach this setup. Bring it on.
TechWatch Forums • View topic - Security for Windows users...RANDOM NOTES

Of course, if you deliberately install malware by not being careful in what you explicitly install, then nothing can help you.
But with this setup you can visit shady websites, open random email and stuff

Just dont install random stuff.