virus check & firewall

[Sam Dellit]

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?
i have been using mcafee for years but they increasing press for
annual subscriptions and product upgrades and after expiry
the frequency of popup update reminders is more akin to a
virus than an antivirus package
regards
sam dellit

[Michael Fudge]

Sam Dellit wrote:

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?
i have been using mcafee for years but they increasing press for
annual subscriptions and product upgrades and after expiry
the frequency of popup update reminders is more akin to a
virus than an antivirus package
regards
sam dellit

AVG for Antivirus
Sygate for Firewall
SpyBotS&D for everything else.

(All very effective & free for personal use - easily found using Google)

DOwnload all three - Disable System Restore while installing them
(presume you are using XP) and don't forget to re-enable System Restore
once all installed.

AVG and SpyBot will probably wish machine to be re-booted as well
during installation.

Hope that is useful

Michael

--
..\.\-i-k-e... (remove thebacon to reply)
feoh: by? frofur, fira gehwylcum, sceal ?eah manna gehwylc,
miclun hyt dalan, gif he wile, for drihtne domes hleotan.
wic: farmstead

[0_Qed]

Sam Dellit wrote:

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?
i have been using mcafee for years but they increasing press for
annual subscriptions and product upgrades and after expiry
the frequency of popup update reminders is more akin to a
virus than an antivirus package
regards
sam dellit

G'Day M_8,

Add this NG =Host= to your News reader 'list' ==> news.grc.com .
.. Steve Gibson's "GRC" URL ...


Pick & chose a group per your interest ...
grc.test:
grc.privacy:
grc.security.software:
grc.techtalk:
grc.news.feedback:
grc.security.hardware:
grc.spyware:
grc.leaktest:
grc.linkfarm:
grc.news:
grc.security:
grc.news.latestversions:
grc.shieldsup:
grc.spam:
grc.spam.news:
grc.wizmo:
grc.techtalk.cryptography:
grc.techtalk.dns:
grc.techtalk.linux:
grc.techtalk.localproxies:
grc.techtalk.packetsniffing:
.... "is" what I follow . 'More' too.

Allkindza freebie sftwr you mite need ...

HTH
Qed.

[Sam Dellit]

"0_Qed" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Sam Dellit wrote:

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?
i have been using mcafee for years but they increasing press for
annual subscriptions and product upgrades and after expiry
the frequency of popup update reminders is more akin to a
virus than an antivirus package
regards
sam dellit

G'Day M_8,

Add this NG =Host= to your News reader 'list' ==> news.grc.com .
. Steve Gibson's "GRC" URL ...


Pick & chose a group per your interest ...
grc.test:
grc.privacy:
grc.security.software:
grc.techtalk:
grc.news.feedback:
grc.security.hardware:
grc.spyware:
grc.leaktest:
grc.linkfarm:
grc.news:
grc.security:
grc.news.latestversions:
grc.shieldsup:
grc.spam:
grc.spam.news:
grc.wizmo:
grc.techtalk.cryptography:
grc.techtalk.dns:
grc.techtalk.linux:
grc.techtalk.localproxies:
grc.techtalk.packetsniffing:
... "is" what I follow . 'More' too.

Allkindza freebie sftwr you mite need ...

HTH
Qed.

many thanks qed
i wasn't aware of these
i remember steve gibson from spinrite days
got me out of a lot of trouble
whoops showing my age
will lurk on a couple of these lists to get up
to speed again
regards sam dellit

[Sam Dellit]

"Michael Fudge" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Sam Dellit wrote:

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?
i have been using mcafee for years but they increasing press for
annual subscriptions and product upgrades and after expiry
the frequency of popup update reminders is more akin to a
virus than an antivirus package
regards
sam dellit


AVG for Antivirus
Sygate for Firewall
SpyBotS&D for everything else.

(All very effective & free for personal use - easily found using Google)

DOwnload all three - Disable System Restore while installing them
(presume you are using XP) and don't forget to re-enable System Restore
once all installed.

AVG and SpyBot will probably wish machine to be re-booted as well
during installation.

Hope that is useful

Michael

--
.\.\-i-k-e... (remove thebacon to reply)
feoh: by? frofur, fira gehwylcum, sceal ?eah manna gehwylc,
miclun hyt dalan, gif he wile, for drihtne domes hleotan.
wic: farmstead

thanks mike
these look to fit the bill
sam dellit

[J. Hugh Sullivan]

On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 23:33:28 GMT, "Sam Dellit"
<[email protected]> wrote:

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?
i have been using mcafee for years but they increasing press for
annual subscriptions and product upgrades and after expiry
the frequency of popup update reminders is more akin to a
virus than an antivirus package
regards
sam dellit

PC World recommends AVG as the top free AV program and Spybot and
AdAware as the top free spy eliminators. Zone Alarm has always been
the best free firewall but the new Pro package is panned. Popup
Stopper is free and does a good job blocking popups. Mail Washer is
free and allows checking e-mail before downloading from the server.

SP2 for Win XP has a firewall and a popup blocker. Mozilla Firebird
has even more, is free, and recommended over IE as a browser by PC
World since it is not attacked as much.

MS now recommends inactivating Java Script in IE according to PC
World.

Since this is off topic perhaps the thread should not be continued
here.

Hugh

[Sherry]

[email protected] (J. Hugh Sullivan) wrote in
news:[email protected]:

PC World recommends AVG as the top free AV program and Spybot and
AdAware as the top free spy eliminators. Zone Alarm has always been
the best free firewall but the new Pro package is panned. Popup
Stopper is free and does a good job blocking popups. Mail Washer is
free and allows checking e-mail before downloading from the server.

Actually, it's not just the ZA Pro that's been panned. I updated to
the latest ZA Free and had all sorts of problems so had to go back to
the previous version. If anyone is interested, I'll try to find the
link for the earlier version - actually, now that I think about it, it
was posted in the ZA forums.

For blocking pop-ups, I have the Google Toolbar - multipurpose and
stops pop-ups pretty well.

Sherry

[Dave Hinz]

On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 23:33:28 GMT, Sam Dellit <[email protected]> wrote:

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?

ZoneAlarm free edition doesn't suck as a firewall.

Dave Hinz

[Doug]

Sherry wrote:

[email protected] (J. Hugh Sullivan) wrote in
news:[email protected]:


PC World recommends AVG as the top free AV program and Spybot and
AdAware as the top free spy eliminators. Zone Alarm has always been
the best free firewall but the new Pro package is panned. Popup
Stopper is free and does a good job blocking popups. Mail Washer is
free and allows checking e-mail before downloading from the server.



Actually, it's not just the ZA Pro that's been panned. I updated to
the latest ZA Free and had all sorts of problems so had to go back to
the previous version. If anyone is interested, I'll try to find the
link for the earlier version - actually, now that I think about it, it
was posted in the ZA forums.

For blocking pop-ups, I have the Google Toolbar - multipurpose and
stops pop-ups pretty well.

Sherry

Hmmm ... I have been using ZA 5.1.011.000, the latest version, since it
came out on an XP Pro system with no problems.

FWIW, I also used the purchased Ad-aware with the Ad-watch module which
warns of Malware/parasites that try to install on or modify your system.

I ran Norton A/V, arguably the best A/V program on the market, until the
installed program got corrupted, I discovered that the CD was also
damaged, and Symantec wouldn't give me a key to download and install
another copy from their website ... for $$ they would send me a new CD.
Symantec used to be pretty good about such things, but apparently
they've shifted their customer support to India (like HP and pretty much
everyone else where I've had occasion to call customer/tech support)
where all you can get is what's on the script the support people are
provided. Now I'm using another program that I had available at least
until Norton comes out with a 2005 upgrade.

Doug

[J. Hugh Sullivan]

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 16:30:03 GMT, Doug <[email protected]> wrote:

Sherry wrote:

[email protected] (J. Hugh Sullivan) wrote in
news:[email protected]:


PC World recommends AVG as the top free AV program and Spybot and
AdAware as the top free spy eliminators. Zone Alarm has always been
the best free firewall but the new Pro package is panned. Popup
Stopper is free and does a good job blocking popups. Mail Washer is
free and allows checking e-mail before downloading from the server.



Actually, it's not just the ZA Pro that's been panned. I updated to
the latest ZA Free and had all sorts of problems so had to go back to
the previous version. If anyone is interested, I'll try to find the
link for the earlier version - actually, now that I think about it, it
was posted in the ZA forums.

For blocking pop-ups, I have the Google Toolbar - multipurpose and
stops pop-ups pretty well.

Sherry

Hmmm ... I have been using ZA 5.1.011.000, the latest version, since it
came out on an XP Pro system with no problems.

I'm using 4.5.538 because the next upgrade required me to purchase or
do without some features I already had. I thought they used trickery
with the upgrade. Perhaps I should check the site again.

In any event should one run both ZA and the MS firewall? The MS
firewall does not stop outgoing, only incoming. I don't want my data
fed back to someone.

FWIW, I also used the purchased Ad-aware with the Ad-watch module which
warns of Malware/parasites that try to install on or modify your system.

I ran Norton A/V, arguably the best A/V program on the market, until the
installed program got corrupted, I discovered that the CD was also
damaged, and Symantec wouldn't give me a key to download and install
another copy from their website ... for $$ they would send me a new CD.
Symantec used to be pretty good about such things, but apparently
they've shifted their customer support to India (like HP and pretty much
everyone else where I've had occasion to call customer/tech support)
where all you can get is what's on the script the support people are
provided. Now I'm using another program that I had available at least
until Norton comes out with a 2005 upgrade.

Doug

Symantec (Norton) AV is now rated behind several other programs - and
I have been a user of Norton since the old Norton Commander for DOS. I
even have a Windows File Manager which works like the old NC.

If you are using AVG I would appreciate pro or con comments by e-mail:
[email protected].

Hugh

[singhals]

Dave Hinz wrote:

On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 23:33:28 GMT, Sam Dellit <[email protected]> wrote:

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?


ZoneAlarm free edition doesn't suck as a firewall.

Dave Hinz

ROTFL! Tell me, is "doesn't suck" as good as "kind to his mother"?

Cheryl

[GSS]

I have used AVG for the last 5 years starting with Windows 95 and now on a
PC running 98SE and a portable with XP. I have always updated AVG whenever
an update became available and I have never had any problems and (touch wood
or whatever superstitious move you favour) I have managed to keep clear of
all viruses, trogons and all other nasties. I also use Zone Alarm firewall.
I am extremely mean and do not like to pay out for something when I can use
something for free.

Further I help with some of the computer problems of our members of the
local FHS and Norton appears to be a real problem with conflicts with some
websites, hardware etc. I think in the hands of an expert or someone with a
bit of computer knowledge it is fine as they can configure it to work but
unfortunately the people I am helping have very little computer know how and
have real problems. AVG is very simple and as long as you make sure you have
the latest updates appears to be very user friendly and does the job.

Regards
Gillian


----- Original Message -----
From: "J. Hugh Sullivan" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: virus check & firewall


"snip"

Symantec (Norton) AV is now rated behind several other programs - and
I have been a user of Norton since the old Norton Commander for DOS. I
even have a Windows File Manager which works like the old NC.

If you are using AVG I would appreciate pro or con comments by e-mail:
[email protected].

Hugh

[Dave Hinz]

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 20:22:20 -0400, singhals <[email protected]> wrote:

Dave Hinz wrote:

ZoneAlarm free edition doesn't suck as a firewall.

ROTFL! Tell me, is "doesn't suck" as good as "kind to his mother"?

Well, it's more of a "I don't use it because I have something better
(hardware firewall), but I don't have any reason to not suggest it
to someone who doesn't use anything" kind of an endorsement.

Technically, all software sucks, and all hardware sucks, but in
ZA's case, the suckage is so subtle that I have not yet been able
to detect the nature and degree of suckiness. Some other products
(cough MS cough) wave their suckage like a flag, only to be a problem
when the obvious sucky parts mask the less obvious but more troublesome
sucky parts.

Dave "Feeling a bit silly at the moment" Hinz

[J. Hugh Sullivan]

On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 11:48:28 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] ("GSS") wrote:

I have used AVG for the last 5 years starting with Windows 95 and now on a
PC running 98SE and a portable with XP. I have always updated AVG whenever
an update became available and I have never had any problems and (touch wood
or whatever superstitious move you favour) I have managed to keep clear of
all viruses, trogons and all other nasties. I also use Zone Alarm firewall.
I am extremely mean and do not like to pay out for something when I can use
something for free.

Further I help with some of the computer problems of our members of the
local FHS and Norton appears to be a real problem with conflicts with some
websites, hardware etc. I think in the hands of an expert or someone with a
bit of computer knowledge it is fine as they can configure it to work but
unfortunately the people I am helping have very little computer know how and
have real problems. AVG is very simple and as long as you make sure you have
the latest updates appears to be very user friendly and does the job.

Regards
Gillian

Thanks for the info. I'll probably give AVG a chance when my McAfee
expires soon. I do keep a-v programs updated and I updated ZA today.

Seems to me the basic trick to avoid viruses is to delete any e-mail
with attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting the
mail. But now it seems that opening certain web sites and following
instructions can place a virus on one's system.

Hugh

[J. Hugh Sullivan]

On 24 Aug 2004 16:27:43 GMT, Dave Hinz <[email protected]> wrote:

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 20:22:20 -0400, singhals <[email protected]> wrote:
Dave Hinz wrote:

ZoneAlarm free edition doesn't suck as a firewall.

ROTFL! Tell me, is "doesn't suck" as good as "kind to his mother"?

Well, it's more of a "I don't use it because I have something better
(hardware firewall), but I don't have any reason to not suggest it
to someone who doesn't use anything" kind of an endorsement.

Technically, all software sucks, and all hardware sucks,

I presume it's not a problem in the case of vacuum cleaners...

Hugh

[Dave Hinz]

On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 17:28:21 GMT, J. Hugh Sullivan <[email protected]> wrote:

Seems to me the basic trick to avoid viruses is to delete any e-mail
with attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting the
mail. But now it seems that opening certain web sites and following
instructions can place a virus on one's system.

....and the Slammer and similar worms don't need you to do _anything_
to take hold, they come in an open port into an insecure application.

[Don Kirkman]

It seems to me I heard somewhere that J. Hugh Sullivan wrote in article
<[email protected]>:

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 16:30:03 GMT, Doug <[email protected]> wrote:

Sherry wrote:

[email protected] (J. Hugh Sullivan) wrote in
news:[email protected]:

PC World recommends AVG as the top free AV program and Spybot and
AdAware as the top free spy eliminators. Zone Alarm has always been
the best free firewall but the new Pro package is panned. Popup
Stopper is free and does a good job blocking popups. Mail Washer is
free and allows checking e-mail before downloading from the server.

Actually, it's not just the ZA Pro that's been panned. I updated to
the latest ZA Free and had all sorts of problems so had to go back to
the previous version. If anyone is interested, I'll try to find the
link for the earlier version - actually, now that I think about it, it
was posted in the ZA forums.

For blocking pop-ups, I have the Google Toolbar - multipurpose and
stops pop-ups pretty well.

Hmmm ... I have been using ZA 5.1.011.000, the latest version, since it
came out on an XP Pro system with no problems.

There have been many reports that ZA 5.1 breaks binaries, particularly
those with yEnc encoding, making it useless or worse for those with that
particular bent. There are reports that the problem does not exist in
5.0 or earlier.

I'm using 4.5.538 because the next upgrade required me to purchase or
do without some features I already had. I thought they used trickery
with the upgrade. Perhaps I should check the site again.

I use Kerio Personal Firewall, which has some free versions that meet my
needs. My currently installed one is 4.0, which looks like a
soon-to-expire shareware, but IIRC 2.15 is totally free.
--
Don
A KIRKMAN Tree: home.covad.net/~donkirk/gen/index.html
Updated March 1, 2003 - added a number of individuals and sources

[Sam Dellit]

g'day again mike and listers

thanks again for the recommendations
all three now installed on each of three different
home machines that i am responsible for
my small business will drop mcafee shortly and run with
paid versions of them, that's the best way of saying
thanks to the guys who produce and distribute this
excellent freeware
grisoft AVG found a trojan that mcafee seemed to have missed
hadn't even thought of a spybot checker before
as i said i have been out of touch with computers and genealogy for some
years
spybotS&D found 30, 28 & 11 installed spybots on the three machines
scary stuff eh? particularly given the sensitive personal data we
invariably collect and store on our computers.

regards

sam dellit


"Michael Fudge" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Sam Dellit wrote:

g'day listers
can someone recommend a freeware / shareware / low cost
antivirus and firewall package or individual programs?
i have been using mcafee for years but they increasing press for
annual subscriptions and product upgrades and after expiry
the frequency of popup update reminders is more akin to a
virus than an antivirus package
regards
sam dellit


AVG for Antivirus
Sygate for Firewall
SpyBotS&D for everything else.

(All very effective & free for personal use - easily found using Google)

DOwnload all three - Disable System Restore while installing them
(presume you are using XP) and don't forget to re-enable System Restore
once all installed.

AVG and SpyBot will probably wish machine to be re-booted as well
during installation.

Hope that is useful

Michael

--
.\.\-i-k-e... (remove thebacon to reply)
feoh: by? frofur, fira gehwylcum, sceal ?eah manna gehwylc,
miclun hyt dalan, gif he wile, for drihtne domes hleotan.
wic: farmstead

[Rick Merrill]

Dave Hinz wrote:

On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 17:28:21 GMT, J. Hugh Sullivan <[email protected]> wrote:


Seems to me the basic trick to avoid viruses is to delete any e-mail
with attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting the
mail. But now it seems that opening certain web sites and following
instructions can place a virus on one's system.


...and the Slammer and similar worms don't need you to do _anything_
to take hold, they come in an open port into an insecure application.

Get a Router (e.g. BEFSR41) - it's the poor man's firewall! - RM