Want to Buy a Good Recommended all in One Monitor

[lancekidd]

Hi,
I currently have all of the free versions of the best anti-everything software. I have AVG, SuperAntiSpyware, MalwareBytes, Zone Alarm Firewall, etc.

I've noticed that with MalwareBytes (I have the full version) that it comes up a lot and tells me there's an IP intrusion. Sometimes I'm just surfing the net when this happens. What does this mean and is it all bad?

Back to my question though, I'm looking for something that you guys who deal with this stuff on a regular basis can help me with. I'm tired of the free firewall, virus fighter, spyware monitor and all of this working independantly.

What is a good, jam up all in one that you would suggest. I would like for it to have a good firewall and anti-virus protection, but most important to me is real time protection when it comes to malware or trojans and other crap like that. I've tried the full version of SuperAS, and although it has a very extensive database, it occassionaly finds entries that I've never heard of and can't find anywhere on the web except for their website. I would only assume they are false positives of some sort.

It doesn't matter which ones you suggest. I will appreciate any that you can provide some unbiased feedback on. Thanks a bunch for you guys help. My kids are old enough now to surf the web and I've got to have something that I can maintain control of without being downright annoying and without me having to worry all of the time.

Thanks again!

 

[BadBigBen]

Now, I am far from being unbiased here, as I don't like the AIO (All In One) solutions, but I've liked the Comodo line of products and used them for some time, in other words I would recommend Comodo Internet Security...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[lancekidd]

Thanks Ben. What do you run in addition to the Comodo?

In your opinion, if I continue to run the paid version of MalwareBytes, real time protection and then the Comodo Suite, could I be pretty confident that I had an all around decent protection from the worst threats?

Thanks for helping.

 

[BadBigBen]

Here is my set-up (all FREE versions):

First line of defense:

NAT (hardware) firewall build into my router.

Second line:

Comodo Firewall (with the NAGGING screens, as I like to know who or what is trying to communicate with the outside world)
AntiVir Anti-Virus Personal (personal preference, others may just be as good or even better, but it has never let me down in the past)
Spyware Blaster (preventive maintenance to keep certain threats from even infesting my machines)
MalwareBytes AntiMalware (as the ON DEMAND scanner (when I need it))
SpyBot S&D (also more for the immunization and HOST file parts)

nothing else, and I have had a whole of three malwares in the past 5 yrs. or so, of which only one was gotten when I went behind a router (and that was due to my stupidity, then anything else, I wasn't paying attention when I opened up my emails)...

now for cleaning up other peoples PC's, I use a whole plethora of tools, which does include SAS, MB, S&D, Gmer, and other rootkit detectors, as well as CCleaner to clear out junk, and two or three Portable and Online Anti-Viral scanners (ClamWin, TrendMicro Housecall...) etc. ...

it more or less boils down to being personal preference nowadays, as the AIO Suites have gotten better over time (separate components working more flawlessly with each other)...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[kjv1611]

lancekidd,

I'd say, software-wise you're fine, except for the firewall which is where your intrusions would be getting through, primarily. As Ben mentioned in his setup - if you don't have a router, unplug from the Internet, and go get one. Practically any router made will have sufficient enough of a firewall for a home user. If you do look for anything, looking for the NAT would be good.

For your software firewall, you could use Comodo Internet Security, or use Online Armor. I personally prefer Online Armor right now, though in at least one test (security-wise), Comodo tested better. Online Armor was just behind it. Zone Alarm was down further... was either on par or less than Windows built-in firewall, if I remember correctly.

Any of the software firewalls will give you annoying pop-ups at times. To my memory, the last time I used Comoodo Firewall - haven't tried their ...Security, it drove me batty, b/c even when you had already told it to "allow this, and make it a rule," it'd ask you the same thing the next day or maybe even next hour. I hadn't had issue with Windows firewall, ZoneAlarm, or Online Armor since going with that.

But either Comodo or Online Armor should be fine.

For the AV part, Antivir, Avast, or AVG should work fine. It just depends upon your preference. Also, using the other tools in association with your AV is adviseable. One that people forget is Windows Defender - it's worth keeping around, I think. If you have Vista, it's already installed by default; if you have XP, you have to download it separate. It practically runs silently, and rarely have I noticed ANY performance issues on any machine that had it. Though, as with any other program, on older machines, I have noticed some slowdown, but not much.

From the reviews I've read, Comodo Security Suite is NOT good on the Antivirus side of things, so bear that in mind. It wouldn't be the best all in one solution.

Possibly the best paid AV program is Nod32 by Esset, from reviews and their users, but I've not found the need nor desire to pay money when I can get what seems fine and dandy for free.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kjv1611]

Oh, again, I've not tried this, but have read good things, historically, about Khaspersky. They have an all-in-one offering like Norton and McAfee as well:

http://www.kaspersky.com/

Norton's suite has been reviewed much better of late, as in not taking as much system resources, but I pretty much personally gave up on Norton and McAfee long ago for their home/personal setups.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[MasterRacker]

I'm also using an all free solution.

NAT router
Comodo Firewall
Avast! anti-virus
On-demand Malwarebytes

In addition I have the router configured to use OpenDNS. You can simply point to their servers or set up a free account that allows you to choose various levels of filtering. This would be a good extra layer to keep the kids away from porn and known malware sites.

Jeff
[small][purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day
"The software I buy sucks, The software I write sucks. It's time to give up and have a beer..." - Me[/small]

 

[kjv1611]

OpenDNS - true, that's good.

Oh, if you have children, especially, and you want to add some web browsing protection in any way, I did find one really good program (FREE):

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/index.php

You can't get around this program via Google or any search engine tricks like many others, to the best of my knowledge. Though I've not tried it since BING came out.

It is VERY VERY strong, and very customizeable. It uses no system resources.

The only drawback(s) at all is that it can only be set up PER COMPUTER, rather than PER USER. So if you want to have everyone have the same protection on one PC, then it's great. Or if you want more protection for some than others on the same PC, then you can just enter a password (or give it to those who should have more access) on the same PC.

Also, I've read where at least one person (on a forum) stated they used a combination of OpenDSN (what MasterRacker mentioned) along with the k9 web protection for a great amount of protection.

But that's veering off into whole different area of "protection", I suppose - at least portions of it.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Servamatic]

Take a look at NOD32 from ESET, I have been using this for several years and have had zero issues, their suite is the best I have tried. They are very good about automatic updates.

http://www.eset.com

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[kjv1611]

Ah, so they do have a suite? I only knew for sure they had an AV..

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[MasterRacker]

You may find more to look at in the latest Windows Secrets Security Baseline:

http://windowssecrets.com/2009/08/27/02-Security-Baseline-provides-basic-PC-protection

Jeff
[small][purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day
"The software I buy sucks, The software I write sucks. It's time to give up and have a beer..." - Me[/small]

 

[manhunter2826]

What of Microsoft Security Essentials ?? I still have not tried installing however, as I have Avast and Spybot.

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1564532&page=1