Security Poll.

[Albion]

As we all know the majority of the security problems on the internet lie within the home user arena. Most IT professionals, in their own workplace, make sure their networks are somewhat secure while more home users have no idea what a firewall is.

I think there are four problems when it comes to home computer security; 1) People don't see the problem until it's too late, 2) People don't understand how to secure their machines, 3) people don't want to spend $29.95 each on 4 or 5 pieces of software to keep their machine secure, and 4) People simply don't want to waste their computer time downloading, operating and updating software that doesn't interest them.

At my company I have written up a document explaining the importance of security on a home computer for my end users. In it I explain some of the steps that are necessary to keep their computer free of all the junk that proliferates internet hell along with a list of free software they can download to help. The problem is that my list is getting somewhat old. Some of the software products on that list (AVG, Sygate Personal Firewall, Spybot, AD-Aware, etc..) are no longer functioning as promised. AVG seems to be missing virus' even with it's latest signatures. Spybot and Ad-Aware aren't catching nearly enough ads and spys.

So I pose this question to all the IT Professionals out there... What do you think is the best in the catagories below given that the software must be free? Not shareware, adware, recipe-ware, pay-ware, etc.. It must be freeware or donation-ware.

1) Anti-Spyware & Anti-PIware
2) Anti-Popup
3) Anti-Virus
4) Anti-Spam
5) Firewall
6) Content Proxy
7) Content Cleaner

Thanks.

-Al

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

1) Spybot Search and Destroy ( New version just out)
2) Depends XP SP2 will have its own, Googlebar
3) AVG Home Edition. Online scanning

http://housecall.trendmicro.com

4) ISPs need to start using RBL lists :-/ can only wish.
5) XP own getting updated with SP2, ZoneAlarm.

Last 2 not sure.

You have to remember alot of the free products do have things missing that you would get with products you pay for.

 

[jrbarnett]

1) Spybot S&D / Ad-Aware together, neither is perfect.
2) Done through a suitably locked down Hosts file.
3) AVG 6 Free edition
5) Kerio Personal Firewall.
6) Would have recommended the Proxomitron, but it is no longer being developed.

John

 

[GovTech2004]

Just a few replies from a humble geek. . .

1) Anti-Spyware & Anti-PIware
Spybot and Adaware
2) Anti-Popup
Use Crazy Browser, it's got built in GOOD pop up blocker. Haven't gotten a pop up that I didn't want since installing it. Other than that, the Google pop up blocker or the blocker from Earthlink are ok.
3) Anti-Virus
Macafee, Norton, AVG (this one's totally free)
4) Anti-Spam
I use a white list program. What it does if you're not familiar is if you are in my address book, you can send me e-mail. If you are a known spammer, you're blocked automagically, if you're not a known spammer and you're not in my address list, you will be sent a letter asking you to fill out a form. You are then put in a temp queue till I accept or deny. Haven't received a piece of spam that I didn't want.
5) Firewall
Black Ice (not sure if you can get this free), Zone Alarm
6) Content Proxy
Use PIX firewall
7) Content Cleaner
Use PIX firewall

Any questions on any of the above, let me know.

Thanks

_______________________________
Norm White
Certified IT Suport Specialist
********************************
The probability of someone watching you is proportional to the stupidity of your action.

 

[jbrackett]

Reading the previous posts, I would only make one additionaly comment. Regarding the pop-up stopper, you might suggest that your users switch to Mozilla Firefox for internet browsing. It is free, ans has many more features than IE6, (including its a built in pop-up stopper).

 

[Securalon]

1) Anti-Spyware & Anti-PIware
Webroot Spy Sweeper
2) Anti-Popup
MyIE2 Built-in
3) Anti-Virus
Norton AV
4) Anti-Spam
Hush.com
5) Firewall
ZoneAlarm
6) Content Proxy

7) Content Cleaner
MyIE2 Built-In

Brian G.
Securlon Consulting, LLC

 

[vop]

1) Anti-Spyware & Anti-PIware
Rated (who's who) freeware tools.
Very reputable download site.
Screenshots and concise functional abstracts.
Some user reviews.
Alternate links to shareware equivalents (end of page).

http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwantispy_r.html

 

[Albion]

Brian G. wrote...

1) Anti-Spyware & Anti-PIware
Webroot Spy Sweeper
3) Anti-Virus
Norton AV


---

I was unaware that Norton and Webroot had fully functional freeware versions. Can you point me to the web page so that I can update my reviews?

-Al

 

[octothorpe]

1) Firefox (haven't had any spyware since switching).
2) Firefox.
3) eTrust Innoculan/Vet
4) None (happens ISP side).
5) Sygate Personal Firewall.
6) None.
7) None.