What computer protection is needed?

sugar_fl

15 years ago

I have AVG 8 & SuperAntiSpyware.. what other protection programs should I have on my computer?

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Comments (6)

owbist
15 years ago
Computer safety becomes a very personal thing. There are those who run about almost naked while others are so paranoid they get little enjoyment from their machines.

I run Avast A/V, Superantispyware, Malwarebytes, Spywareblaster and Zonealarm on one computer. The same on another except I replace Malwarebytes with Spybot Search & Destroy and the MS firewall (which will soon be replaced by PC Tools firewall.

On a third computer I loaded Threatfire but cannot comment as the whole computer is giving me a big headache - perhaps that is how I got the P4 for free in the first place, haha.
grandms
15 years ago
I would definitely recommend Spywareblaster. Just keep it updated. You do not scan with it; it keeps the bad stuff off your computer. Also be sure you have a good firewall. If you are using Vista, I understand the Windows firewall does a pretty good job. If XP or older use something different. I also use Zone Alarm, but there are several other free firewalls.
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If the firewall is still running the computer will probably run slower. It's possible you now have 2 firewalls running. Not a good idea! Lets check and see. Do you have time to follow the instructions below: Click Here to download HJTInstall.exe Save HJTInstall.exe to your desktop. Doubleclick on the HJTInstall.exe icon on your desktop. Right click the Hijackthis Icon and Run as Adminstrator if you use Vista or Windows 7 By default it will install to C:\Program Files\Trend Click on Install. It will create a HijackThis icon on the desktop. Once installed, it will launch Hijackthis. Click on the Do a system scan and save a logfile button. It will scan and the log should open in notepad. Click on "Edit > Select All" then click on "Edit > Copy" and Paste the entire contents of the log into your next post. DO NOT use the AnalyzeThis button, its findings are dangerous if misinterpreted. DO NOT have Hijackthis fix anything yet. Most of what HJT lists will be harmless or even required by your Operating System. Then do this, Double click the hijackthis Icon on the Desktop, Scroll down to Open the Misc Tools section" Click it at the bottom under System tools click "Open Uninstall Manager" over to the right click "Save List" Save it to your Desktop so you may find it, copy and paste it in your next reply.. ************************************************************ O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [cafwc] C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Personal Firewall\cafw.exe -cl O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [capfasem] C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Personal Firewall\capfasem.exe O23 - Service: HIPS Configuration Interpreter (UmxCfg) - CA - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxCfg.exe O23 - Service: HIPS Firewall Helper (UmxFwHlp) - CA - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxFwHlp.exe O23 - Service: HIPS Policy Manager (UmxPol) - CA - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxPol.exe The items above are what we will look for in your log
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Thanks for the info. I am in no way stupid, but my skills are heavily in language and anything related to math can easily sandbag me. I am afraid of making my computer problems worse if I try to fix them, because that is exactly what has happened in the past. I don't open suspicious files but I still get an occasional worm or virus. I live in the country, precisely, among many Mennonite farmers, and technology has not found its way very deeply into this area. Getting technical help out here from Syracuse is expensive. MY ISP, TDS, whom I hate because I believe they gravitate toward underserved areas and then exploit their customers, offers an expensive monthly "service" to keep my computer fast and clean, but it is expensive and I am suspicious od TDS. I am fortunate that I can get DSL because many of the people out here are still stuck with dialup service. Few dare to try satellite service and I have heard nothing good about it. As I said, I research anything and everything that crosses my mind or which I want to buy and I am certain I am encouraging problems that way. I will ask the guru who is eventually coming about imaging. I have Asperger Syndrome and don't deal well with change and that is why I cling to MS products--I got started on them with an ISP employee sitting next to me, who set them up, and instructed me in their use. I have tried different browsers and mail programs in the past but the differences in them were extremely annoying. Another thing--I don't "intuit" very easily and things that seem obvious to others never dawn on me. I can and do learn but I need to find a tutor who can figure out how to explain things so I can grasp them. Still, I have compelted two MS degrees and theses with high honors since computers took over the libraries.
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First thing I might have done was feel the surge protector to see how warm it might be. Perhaps for some reason it overheated and tripped the internal breaker. My APC protector has 2 banks of plugs with one bank offering better protection than the other. Is yours a surge protector or a power bar with built in protection? Might still be under warranty?
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UPS computer protection
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UPS's constantly monitor the battery and have a small charger built into them to keep the battery juiced perfect. They charge up their batteries after they run down, unless of course the battery has reached its end of life cycle. Some battery types are good for two years, some for longer. Its not a real fast charger, just a little trickle job. The UPS offers surge protection even with a near dead battery. Mine beep like the dickens when their batteries get about 5 years old and one cell dies, as a reminder to go buy some new ones. At power failure every few seconds they beep here - I have several.. its funny - a beep from here where my laptop ac adapter is,, a beep over there on a desktop server, others from behind a door, still another from the router area. Almost like synchronized music that drives me nutty Power failure in the dark of nite - there's so many flashing lights you dont need to worry about bumping into walls.
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sugar_fl
Original Author
15 years ago
I have XP so guess I need zonealarm.. I see that isn't free.. There's a lot of places to download Spywareblaster is any place safer or are they all fairly safe. I have a friend once get a virus from a virus detector download. This computer world has gotten to be a danger world.. just like the real world. I have never had a virus so I figure it is about my turn :(
Dar
owbist
15 years ago
Zonealarm offer a free version Dar, I have linked to the download site below. Spywareblaster is available from Javacools, the creaters of the program, Spywareblaster

Regarding where to download, I try to use the program creator's site if possible. Other than that I like Majorgeeks, Tucows, Download.com or Filehippo. These four - and a few others of course - have been around a long time and I feel are very reliable places to use.

Here is a link that might be useful: Free Zonealarm download site
genes
15 years ago
There is also a free version of Kerio Personal Firewall. I beleive it is now Sunbelt Personal Firewall.
sugar_fl
Original Author
15 years ago
Some time ago I took Spybot-S&D off my computer.. it kept giving me popups with questions about things I wasn't sure how to answer. I want to put it back on now but I found bits & pieces left which I don't know how to delete. Most but not all are shorts cuts...Below is a picture.
will it be OK to just install it. I sure want it to work correctly. {{gwi:1506167}}

What computer protection is needed?

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owbist

grandms

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What computer protection is needed?

Comments (6)

owbist

grandms

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sugar_flOriginal Author

owbist

genes

sugar_flOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sugar_fl
Original Author

sugar_fl
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