Pls help me to protect my PC

[chesstango]

I run windows 7; i tested many paid internet security suites (ESET, Panda, etc), and many other free ones (AVAST, AVG, etc.) and many antivirus with antispywares, with their best settings.
But I Notice that none of them protect me when they are as resident icon, i mean they "allow" many spyware to pass through, and i see that only whenever i run the complete prog it detects them...... My question so as u can help me to work this problem out is: why resident programs dont detect anything? Which program (paid or free) or mix of programs should I install to be protected against virus, spyware, firewall, and antispam?
Thx a lot in advance!!!!
Dr Wesler

[meschle]

I would recommend you use Kapersky 2010 it has a sandbox feature that isolates your browser from the rest of the system - pretty much as secure as you can get - or use sandboxie if your system is 32 bit.
I also use WOT (web of trust) that seems to do the best job of keeping me away from sites that have malicious software.
Out of the free ones i am most impressed with microsofts security essentials.

btw my job is a PC technician - and i deal with alot of malware

In the future most browsers will operate in a sandbox - development is underway.

[chesstango]

Thx a lot, Mark; i will wait for more opinions to make a decision.

[Roman Hartmann]

Switch to Linux.

Seriously, I don't think that you can make Windows safe unless you don't connect the computer to the internet at all. Just recently I had to reinstall Windows XP again as it became corrupted due some sort of malware which was not even found by any malware-scanner I tried.
Anyway I reinstalled XP again and did only connect to the I-net to update Windows. This was already enough time for a keylogger to creep through an unfixed security-hole somehow. The keylogger was found a day later when the anti malware program (Microsoft Security Essentials) called home and got news of this new threat. It doesn't seem to matter what you're using to protect your computer, you're always lagging behind and fixing holes when it's already too late ...

Those who think their computer is safe are either using Linux or they just have no idea how infected their computer in fact is ...

If you have to use Windows:
-don't install any plugins
-this means no flash-player!
-disable Java in your browser
-disable Java-script in your browser
-update windows regularly
-use some up to date virus and malware protection
-visit only safe sites

Your computer is still not safe but safer as compared to doing nothing about it.

You could also use a virtual enviroment when you connect to the I-net and intend to visit some unsafe sites and delete it afterwards when you're session is done, of course. Depending on the safety belts on the virtual machine this might even be safe.

best regards
Roman

[chesstango]

I am scared to change to Linux; thx anyway!!!

[DomLeste]

http://www.techsupportalert.com - The site has great reviews for freeware programs for anit virus, malware, firewalls & more. Help you find out which is the best free programs for your PC security.

[Roman Hartmann]

Well, I was scared to keep on using windows

But I still I need to use Windows regularly as Linux has its shortcomings as well, unfortunately ...

Roman

[Richard Allbert]

Funny you should say that, I've bought a book with Ubuntu for those reasons.

Another option.... Mac. My wife has one. Never had any crashes or security issues. Runs exactly as expected, and fast.

Richard

[parrish]

...
Out of the free ones i am most impressed with microsofts security essentials.

..

Yes, use Microsoft's Security Essentials. That way, when it fails, you can bitch and complain to Microsoft directly. If they aren't able to keep their own OS safe and secure, what are the chances anyone else can?

[kingliveson]

If you have to use Windows:
-don't install any plugins
-this means no flash-player!
-disable Java in your browser
-disable Java-script in your browser
-update windows regularly
-use some up to date virus and malware protection
-visit only safe sites

You don't need to do any of the above bold statements. I run both Linux and Windows and am quite comfortable with both environments and would say I know the dos and don'ts. One thing you need to definitely do is Never Run As Administrator. Create a restricted user account and when you need to install apps or do administrative tasks, use the 'Run As' function. Avast and Windows firewall is all you need.