help with security

Hi

currently I am using Kaspersky AV 6.0 and Outpost 3.5 Firewall. I feel as if the firewall is really slowing down my startup time. I now also have Panda Internet Security Suite 2007 and Panda AV & Firewall 2007 and the Kaspersky Internet Security Suite 6.0 available to me. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I switch to one of the 3 I just named off or stay with my current aresenal of protection. Thanks! Oh and I'm just a college student using these on my laptop. So if that helps in your comments, thanks again!

 

you don't want to run multiple security suites. pick one and run with it.

 

i didn't say i was running multiple ones....
i said i had them available to me. does anyone who actually read my comment have any suggestions. which one might be best for me for using fewest resources. and is it better for me to just stay with my original configuration of kaspersky and outpost or switch to one of those security suites. i'm basing this on resource usage because i like a fast running computer. which one to you guys recommend the most out of those three if i should switch to a security suite?

 

your question was "Should I switch to one of the 3 I just named off or stay with my current aresenal of protection..."

which i answered by saying by saying "pick one and run with it"

your sarcasm is unappreciated

 

Turn off logging in Outpost and see if that helps.

 

does anyone think i should switch over to a security suite instead of staying with two separate programs? i guess that's my main question first

 

Kaspersky Internet Security is an excellent suite. Both its AV and its firewall are good, so switching to it would be a good choice. Outpost is also a good firewall, but if you are experiencing problems, you should probably switch, see if you like KIS better, and if you don't, switch back. Panda is weaker than both Outpost and Kaspersky, and switching to it isn't worthwhile unless you are having problems.

 

thanks omneus. that's just the answer i needed!

 

A security suite has a cost advantage but thats about it. It will not neccessarily have the best of breed of everything. Im currently experimenting with Comodo Firewall and AntiVirus because its free. So far its an intereting offering.

 

I have been using Comodo FW for 3 mo now and have had no problems. Does not seam to slow the my LT down. I'm use Avira AV, it free.

 

so does a security use up less resources than having two programs? comodo firewall actually has a problem with the internet at my school so i don't really use it.

 

On Sept 18, Comodo will release a new free version of their Anti-Virus product which will also do Anti-Spyware. I am very curious about this and see if this could work for me. For the time being I am using AVG and Spybot. Lately I have read several reviews that Spybot is quite mediocre.

 

Depending on what you need, I actually really like Windows' integrated firewall (make sure yours is turned off if you are using another solution...). Windows is great at blocking incoming connections, and keeping programs from opening ports for listening without your knowledge (mail server, etc.). It will NOT tell you if any program is sending data as a non-server without your consent like many other firewalls, but that's really only protection against spyware-type software. Especially if you have a single-core system, I'd choose the Windows firewall, and only do manual virus scans. That depends entirely on who uses the computer though, and what kinds of safe-surfing practices they use. If you have anyone between the ages of 10 and 15 using the machine, by all means lock it down and turn up all the virus scanning settings

 

What if not Spybot is a good spyware? And also is should i keep outpost or switch to comodo? Your thoughts? I read somewhere that comodo doesn't run well with KAV 6.0.

 

I've tried Outpost and like it a lot. I using Comodo because it was free and PC Magazine rated it very highly. I believe Outpost is more flexible but its too early for me to say. As far as KAV is concern, I know nothing about any problems but my experience with Comodo on their forms indicate to me that they are very responsive to issues like this and release updates frequently.

Most sources say that for spyware you should have more than one app although not running at the same time. Anyway I am experimenting and will see.

 

so Luar would so i'm guessing you like comodo more since you switched to it? or is it only because it's free

 

I use Comodo Firewall, Grisoft's AVG Free Edition, and WinPatrol for spyware. All are low-profile, practical, and effective. No fancy crap.

 

So far I can say it works well and is very simple to configure. I notice no drain on my system unlike Zone Alarm or Norton. I tried using Jetico but that was a horror in terms of the number of popups. Comodo has a database of several thousand apps that it knows should have access and thus you are not prompted as much. One thing is not clear to me and have yet to test is whether is masking my ports. I've not had time to test this but will do so next weekend. Outpost did this very well.

 

You know I am starting to understand why there are ppl who simply stick to XP's firewall. The whole security market is so convoluted and misleading. The fact is that if you are using a network router, that has to be you first line of defense. The personal firewall (ZoneAlarm, Comodo, Outpost, etc.) is really your 2nd line of defense. This is why the commercial products are so big on suites because thats the only available growth market for them.

 

thanks Luar. Once you find out about masking with comodo keep me updated! if comodo uses less resources than outpost then i might have to change!

 

i think i've decided to stay with outpost. it really is a great firewall to have

 

Cool.

I finally decided to stay with Comodo for the time being for several reasons, most of which have nothing to do with technology or it being the "best", whatever that means. They are:

1. It's frree and full-featured. I've been spending too much money lately (mostly on a new laptop) and I rather at this time cut back on my expenses.

2. Comodo's commitment to this product and making it free for everyone won me over. As they are a security company, they have avested interest in using their free products to enhance their name. Their user forums are quite good and responsive to questions.

3. Its not a resource hog and I don't have to maintain it constantly.

4. And most importantly.... I've concluded that I don't really need that "great" of a product. Allow me to explain...

In my tests using websites such as ShieldsUp and PCFlank, I realized that they were constantly doing leaktests on my router rather than on my laptop. I put my laptop on the DMZ to expose myself some more and still I was not seeing any differences. I soon realized that that my ISP was also doing some filtering.

What I took away from this is that the only way I was ever going to fully test a personal firewall was if I was willing to fully expose my laptop. This is going to be highly unlikely as 95% of the time I will always be behind my router's firewall. I occasionaly do go to the local cafe but even then you are behind their firewall.

Upon further discussion with the developers on the Comodo forum, the only real-world reason one has a personal firewall is mostly to help prevent malicious outgoing traffic because most routers do a good job of protecting you. Software firewalls are your 3rd line of defense with web surfing habits being 1rst and routers being 2nd.

So the reality is that Windows XP firewall does provide ample protection. If however you are really concern about outbound traffic which XP firewall cannot do (not unless you purchase OneCare), then any of the other freeware packages should do the job. As for the commercial products such as ZoneAlarm, Outpost and Norton, those products have to distinguish themselves with unique features to not only make them stand-out but also justify their cost. Eventually this causes a lot of bloat.

Next week Comodo will be releasing a new AntiVirus/Spyware product for free and full-featured. I will check it out but until then I will continue to use AVG and Adware/Spybot.

Good Luck

 

wow thanks luar! the only reason i have a firewall is because my school requires it. or else i would never even think of fiddling with firewalls. but you saying all this really makes me think about switching to comodo