I am a dba but know nothing about security. I have nortan and symantec, but don't think they are up to date nor paid/registered programs. There is so much advice out there I'd rather first hand experience on what program to use and what settings to have in place...that is if you are kind enough to share with me! Thank you!

YOu can go to download.com, download the free Avast - it is a wonderful scan. I also download free spybot search and destroy.
Then you can go to system tools on your computer desktop, then go to subheading accessories, then subheading disk cleanup, then do defrag.

YOu can go to download.com, download the free Avast - it is a wonderful scan. I also download free spybot search and destroy.
Then you can go to system tools on your computer desktop, then go to subheading accessories, then subheading disk cleanup, then do defrag.

I run Norton 360 (Symantec) on my computer. I have also downloaded Spyware, Ad-Aware and Malware for free.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320))

avg free virus and commodo free firewall also get a router and use that for a hardware firewall.

I do Information Technology for the military and My computers are protected with Avira Anti-Vir. I dont use any other program, not Norton or McAfee or Symantec. Ad-aware actually puts an additional program on your computer. I also Dumped Internet Explorer and started using Mozilla firefox as my web browser. less pop ups. That's where most viruses come from anyway. set your computer to automatically delete cookies and temp internet files every time you close your web browser and go back to using Windows XP. Vista flat out sucks.

I am a dba but know nothing about security. I have nortan and symantec, but don't think they are up to date nor paid/registered programs. There is so much advice out there I'd rather first hand experience on what program to use and what settings to have in place...that is if you are kind enough to share with me! Thank you!

Ultimate security:
Disconnect from any network.
Close the cover and walk away.

You can do all the right things the right way and still get bit. The best things you can do:
Make sure that the OS is patched and up to date. This is more important than people realize.
Use a decent virus program. Most folks I know, and me too, use AVG because it works, and has very little overhead. Doesn't drag down the PC. Makes sure it is being updated daily.
I'm not a big fan of Comodo for firewall, too much interaction and pop-ups asking what to do. I opt to turn on Windows firewall and back that up with enabling the router firewall to it's highest level.
DO NOT EVER subscribe to file sharing services like LimeWire. It's is just opening the door for virus' and Trojans. I had to rebuild my friends computer twice in 2 years because he insisted LimeWire was safe. He ran LimeWire on his wife's laptop and infected that one too. You can imagine the :smack: he got for that.
Enable the pop-up blocker on your browser. FireFox is "safer" than IE and works pretty well.
And finally, BACK UP your data. Copy it to a DVD or CD or an external hard drive. There is no excuse for losing personal data, other than being lazy about it.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320))

avg free virus and commodo free firewall also get a router and use that for a hardware firewall.

I use NOD32, but AVG is my second choice :yay:


I am a dba but know nothing about security. I have nortan and symantec, but don't think they are up to date nor paid/registered programs. There is so much advice out there I'd rather first hand experience on what program to use and what settings to have in place...that is if you are kind enough to share with me! Thank you!


Turn it off :shrug:

Avast is the plague of the internet. NOD32 is the best your going to get. I use a few different programs, including Spyware Terminator and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. As said before, if you really want protection, don't connect to the 'net.

If ya don't want to pay and have a small footprint (memory usage)...

Virus Protection: AVG (AVG Technologies, formerly Grisoft) AVG Free - Download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition for Windows XP and Vista (http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition)

FireWall Protection: ZoneAlarm (Check Point Software Technologies) - ZoneAlarm by Check Point - Award winning PC Protection and much more. (http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/anti-virus-spyware-free-download.htm)

FireWall Protection: Ad-Aware ( Lavasoft) - Ad-Aware Free - Download security software for spyware removal - Lavasoft (http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php)


And, like GWguy says - make darn sure you run your MicroSoft (and all application) updates often!

I am a dba but know nothing about security. I have nortan and symantec, but don't think they are up to date nor paid/registered programs. There is so much advice out there I'd rather first hand experience on what program to use and what settings to have in place...that is if you are kind enough to share with me! Thank you!



Unplug it from the wall ........ it is the only way to 100% secure

:popcorn:

Turn it off :shrug:

I didn't want to be the one that said that. :whistle: