C-Digg wrote:Jesus, if you don't want to get viruses, just get Avast. Best anti-virus imo.
Avast! can only do so well on it's own, though it is the best free Anti-Virus on the market right now.
For a good combined attack I suggest at the MINIMUM to have the following programs on your computer:
Avast! Anti-Virus - Anti-Virus, blocks and stops infections. If this is working that means YOU CAME INTO CONTACT WITH A VIRUS. This can happen either by visiting an infected webpage, downloading an infected file, someone hacking in and infecting you, or plugging an infected storage device into your computer. If Avast! is popping up with virus alerts, YOU COULD ALREADY BE INFECTED. Not even Avast! finds everything.
Malewarebytes Anti-Maleware - This is for the things that cause problems that aren't viruses, and also as a secondary measure against viruses. The free version only runs on demand so I recommend you run it WEEKLY AT LEAST. If it finds threats YOU ARE INFECTED. Still, Maleware threats aren't always severe. Maleware is defined as anything that could be downloaded into your computer that you didn't want in the first place. Everything from cookies to keyloggers to spybots to viruses can be considered Maleware, as well as so much more.
Comodo Firewall - THIS is the key guys. A good firewall that does it's job right (assuming you don't bypass it yourself somehow) should keep you from getting infected in the first place. Firewalls keep hackers and unwelcome visitors of any type from getting to your computer. There are many out there and depending on your style Comodo might not be what you want, however it's probably the best free one out there right now, and it comes built in with it's very own "Paranoid" mode, which to be honest will ask you if you're sure if you want to scratch your own ass before it lets you do it lol. Seriously though, Comodo will stop programs from doing tons of things, ask you whenever a registry is being changed, or you're installing or downloading or connecting to the internet. You can set allowances for certain programs though so you're not constantly bogged down whenever you want to check your email, however you sacrifice a small amount of security for every allowance you make. Even with trusted programs, sometimes even the safest program can be the one infected, which is why it's good to have others to protect you also.
They all have free versions, and if used correctly are some of the best on the market free-wise right now. Other great programs to have are these:
CCleaner - Cleans your cache of cookies and settings and tons besides. Also has it's own Add/Remove programs function and a Registry cleaner. All around useful tool.
Puran Defrag - My favorite defragger program, and MUCH better than the built in Windows one. This even allows you to schedule boot-time defrags so it can do it's job with the least amount of programs running. I have mine set to run every Monday the first time I start it up. Since it runs every week it's only about 5 minutes extra I gotta wait, as opposed to the 2-10 hours (depending on the size of the job I've seen both) a random defrag can take.
FileHippo Update Checker - This program can be annoying however it's very useful. It will check every well known/common program on your computer for updates in it's database, even beta updates. Everything from Flash to Java to Avast! to Internet Explorer to Opera to whatever else. Now uncommon/not so well known programs might not be in FileHippo's range, so you'll have to manually check those occasionally. A great way to keep your computer protected is to keep your programs up to date, because many updates are to close holes that cause security hazards. Also, whether you use it or not, always update Internet Explorer, because if you don't it's a major security hole.
Comodo GeekBuddy - Apparently another useful tool if you have the speed to spare on your computer. It sucks up alot of RAM unfortunately, so I don't use it, but it's supposed to be good for checking and addressing problems on your computer, ranging from update issues to corrupt data to virus and maleware issues. I cannot verify this because my computer is old and was a shitty laptop back in 2k7 so with it running on my computer I can't do anything else. If you have a stronger computer though perhaps it could be useful for you, up to you if you want to check it out.
There are tons of other useful programs out there such as OldTimer Tools, HijackThis!, and other high powered programs for the real big ones, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you only use these tools WITH THE HELP OF AN EXPERT. HijackThis! is good for finding problems but you shouldn't do anything in it unless directed by an expert, as with OldTimer Tools and other high powered programs. Hell there was one program I was told to use by one of the Avast! Forums guys (by the username of essexboy, he's one of the best there and has helped me several times) that literally forced my computer to shut down because I had a major root-kit in my system (I had like 2 seconds notice before everything went black lol) but it fixed the problems. Alot of these programs can seriously harm your computer in the hands of a novice, so only look for them if an expert tells you to and only use them with their guidance (every time I've been told to get high powered programs I was also told to uninstall them when the problem was fixed).
As for the myth about two or even three firewalls or anti-viruses...
NEVER EVER EVER USE MORE THAN ONE FIREWALL AND ANTI-VIRUS ON YOUR COMPUTER!!!!! I cannot stress that enough. Having any more than one each of Anti-Virus and Firewall can cause HUGE problems on your computer, not only by sucking up all your speed as the programs waste everything on checking eachother, but also by creating MASSIVE holes in your security due to the fact that they're constantly stopping eachother from doing their jobs. ONE FIREWALL and ONE ANTI-VIRUS is all you need! If you have too many programs doing live scans all the time it can seriously bog down your computer and leave you open to all kinds of hazards. I don't even have FileHippo constantly running because there's no need, I turn it on every week or so for updates because my computer's slow enough as is.
