Computer Virus Protection

[graham]

I have just had broadband installed and have downloaded a firewall from "Zone Alarm" (free download) This seems to be doing the job. Zone Alarm also do full Virus Protection for about £25 .Anyone know if it is any good .NTL are recommending it.

 

[BrendanS]

Zone Alarm is excellent
However I don't use them for virus protection. I use Avast, which is not only excellent, but happens to be free as well!
www.avast.com

 

[pvb]

I reckon if you're going to pay for virus protection you should go with Norton or McAfee - the big boys are more likely to have the better resources. I'm not sure how well free virus checkers work, or indeed the economics of their service.

Since a memorable virus attack a few years ago, I've used Norton AntiVirus, running automatic updates. It works very well, and also features pop-up blockers, etc. It's made for a much more relaxed interweb experience.

 

[DaveNTL]

firewall and anti-virus are different things

keep free zone alarm for the firewall (mainly anti-hacking not anti-virus) and download AVG for free anti-virus from grisoft.com - in my opinion as good as norton or mcafee

if you have XP service pack 2 installed the built in popup blocker is normally sufficient, but i have the google toolbar (find it on google.com) for quick searching without having to go to google every time, and that includes it's own popup blocker

 

[mainmarine]

Most viruses come through Internet Explorer, we use Mozilla Firefox to get onto the internet dont get any pop ups etc.
down load from Mozilla.com

 

[Colin_S]

My subscription has just expired with Norton so I've ditched it and downloaded Avast. Brendan, does it update regularly or does this need doing manually?

 

[BrendanS]

AVG is OK, but it won't scan internet email like yahoo, gmail etc, which is very limiting, which is why I use Avast

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,113462,00.asp

 

[DaveNTL]

avg version 7 scans email too

 

[poter]

McAfee is the same price for a full Anti virus, Spam killer, & firewall including free web updates for a year. Great bit of kit

for £25 pa why go for a freebe with no backup.


poter

ps the Mozilla interface is way better than IE it has one brill feature - tab, where you can have all yr recent pages in a tab for instant recall.

 

[Ships_Cat]

Not many realise the limitation with respect to Webmail attachments. AVG warn about this in their documentation (at least for AVG 7) and advise scanning attachments. But perhaps you can clarify something about this for me.

I had assumed that an attachment to a Webmail email would be scanned at some subsequent stage (perhaps when opened?) in exactly the same manner as if the file had been simply downloaded off any internet site (eg a .doc, .exe, or whatever).

Perhaps the same difficulty exists with them too? Can you clarify?

Regards

John

 

[VicMallows]

Have just this evening downloaded AVAST (after being remended by Brendan!). Its had good reviews in several mags and certainly seems to have a nice interface and features. According to the 'help', updating takes place every time you connect to the internet; but then under the 'update connection' setting it enables you to say that you are permanently connected so a little confusing. Observation will soon tell!

It's replaced F-Secure, which although expensive (had a free trial) gave me quite a bit of trouble; and E-Trust, which has not had good ratings in the mags.

Vic

 

[BrendanS]

If you've ever used Norton, you'll be amazed how quickly Avast updates download. They take seconds!

Use the permanently connnected option if you are on Broadband, and are permanently connected. If you aren't permanently connected, don't use this option

 

[BrendanS]

Most anti virus software will scan files on your computer when you open them. However, if you open an attachment from webmail, and your antivirus is not scanning webmail in realtime, then it won't catch the virus. If you are unsure, save the file to your hard drive before opening it - your antivirus will then be able to catch it.

Much better to have an anti-virus package which genuinely scans webmail and attachments in real time. Avast definitely does this

 

[Ships_Cat]

Thanks Brendan.

I hardly ever use webmail so my main concern was just generally if any implication with files saved off the internet. I guess if any doubt in a webmail session about the virus scanner one would be wise to just save the attachment and open it outside the session.

Regards

John

 

[Stemar]

I've used:
PCCillin Software's OK, but website's crap - couldn't pay when the free registation ran out. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
AVG, As recommended on this forum. It certainly did the job, but my PC slowed down /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Avast, Also as recommended here. Seems to work. My PC runs a lot quicker than with AVG /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Macafee At work, so the cost doesn't matter to me. Again, seems to do what i says on the box with no fuss. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I have a friend in the business who reckons that Norton slows everything down dramatically and causes more trouble than it's worth /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[webcraft]

Internet security is a bit of a minefield . . . below are my thoughts, for what they are worth:

A client's business has just been all but destroyed by using Macafee with Win 98 - Outlook Express became corrupted across the network. Maybe an isolated instance, but I would never recommend Macafee after this.

Other clients report endless problems with the full Norton Internet Security package . . . though never when running the standalone AV package.

I run Norton AV on all my machines and have done for five years with no problems. Have twice had to remove a virus after it bacame established, once with a tool downloaded from Norton's (Symantec's) site and once with step by step instructions from the same source. Have also once (recently) had to use System Restore after something unidentifiable started causing potentially serious chaos. (Went back three days and all was sweetness and light again).

I have never run other Norton apps or 'full monty' packages, as all my clients who do seem to experience problems at one time or another. One friend has just (last week) had to reinstall XP after attempting to install the latest Norton restore utility (I forget what it's called).

Used to run the free version of Zone Alarm with Win 98, mostly a good experience but a few hassles. Since XP (esp. with SP2) I find the XP firewall is more than adequate.

So my total protection (and I'm online - with dial-up - 14 hours per day usually) is bog standard Norton AV, XP firewall, Windows System Restore (bloody brilliant IMHO, never thought I'd say it about a Gates thing) and a couple of different adware/spyware scanners.

Norton costs me about £25 a year for my subscription, the rest is free. I don;t personally believe 'free' antivirus is worth it, although there are many good reports here and elsewhere.

Hope this helps but suspect it will just add to the confusion . . .

- Nick

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I know someone who had zone alarm. He was chatting to a mate in a chat room type environment. His mate then just to show, turned off the first guys zone alarm remotely.

I don't know if this loophole has been addressed, but it certainly put me off.

Just thought I would mention it.

 

[BrendanS]

One thing to be aware of. Many people are now using webmail via POP into mail clients like Outlook and Outlook Express to read their webmail. This includes hotmail, yahoo, google gmail etc.

These often connect via a security protocol called SSL, and often change the default ports. As SSL is encrypted, it is meant to be secure, and antivirus packages cannot therefore scan them!!!

There is a work around which means decrypting the mail before it reaches the mail client. One very good example of how to do it is here...
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=8775.msg73539#msg73539

 

[BrendanS]

I've worked in security software field, so know a bit more than average.

Going to have to disagree once more.

Free anti virus for home users, if chosen wisely, more than match up to commercial equivalents such as Norton.

XP firewall is quite weak, and is not up to the standard of ZoneAlarm. Security pro's recommend turning it off, and installing a good firewall

The MS beta anti spyware, based on the product they bought, Giant, comes out ahead of all others in a comprehensive test (I don't like recommending MS products, but what the hell, the had the sense to buy the company!)and again it's free (for now)

 

[Sui Generis]

I've just installed the MS beta antispyware and my problems on that front are solved. For how long I know not but Spy Bot is out.