antivirus and firewall

I just wanted to ask the experts what antivirus programs and firewalls you
use. Are they idiot proof (for me) or do they need an expert to configure
them correctly? I have a cable modem and my Trend Micro Internet Security
subscription will be
expiring soon.

Thanks,
Bonnie

Jack
Fri Mar 18 07:05:18 CST 2005

Trend Micro is a highly rated service, and if its bundled AV/firewall has
been working well for you, I suggest you continue.

I can also recommend the Computer Associates one-year free trial bundle,
available here:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsme/firewall.mspx
This bundle is superb for the casual user.

For a boot-from-floppy and run-under-DOS tool, use F-Prot:
http://www.f-prot.com/index.html
Their Windows tools are very good, also.

These three organizations review and rate AV tools:

The Virus Bulletin
http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/

ICSA Labs - TrueSecure Corp.
http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/antivirus/certifiedproducts.shtml

AV-Test
http://www.av-test.org/


IMO, the most highly rated AV tool for WinME is NOD32.
The free Zone Alarm personal firewall is just fine for almost every user.
I strongly urge you to avoid any Symantec AV tool or firewall due to its
often noted problems with System Restore and Live Update, under WinME.

--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Bonnie" <me@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:uMKdnaWWg4UbL6ffRVn-ug@comcast.com...
> I just wanted to ask the experts what antivirus programs and firewalls you
> use. Are they idiot proof (for me) or do they need an expert to configure
> them correctly? I have a cable modem and my Trend Micro Internet Security
> subscription will be
> expiring soon.
>
> Thanks,
> Bonnie
>

Galen
Fri Mar 18 09:10:04 CST 2005

In news:%23nyuis7KFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
Jack E Martinelli <jemartin_DELETE@NO_SPAM_gis.net> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

> Trend Micro is a highly rated service, and if its bundled AV/firewall
> has been working well for you, I suggest you continue.
>
> I can also recommend the Computer Associates one-year free trial
> bundle, available here:
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsme/firewall.mspx
> This bundle is superb for the casual user.
>
> For a boot-from-floppy and run-under-DOS tool, use F-Prot:
> http://www.f-prot.com/index.html
> Their Windows tools are very good, also.
>
> These three organizations review and rate AV tools:
>
> The Virus Bulletin
> http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/
>
> ICSA Labs - TrueSecure Corp.
> http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/antivirus/certifiedproducts.shtml
>
> AV-Test
> http://www.av-test.org/
>
>
> IMO, the most highly rated AV tool for WinME is NOD32.
> The free Zone Alarm personal firewall is just fine for almost every
> user. I strongly urge you to avoid any Symantec AV tool or firewall
> due to its often noted problems with System Restore and Live Update,
> under WinME.


This is just in addition to Jack's advice as you used a plural. Then again I
don't consider myself anything close to being an expert as there's still
much that I have to learn. I have threaded it under Jack's response just
because it ties in with some of what he said.

I use Kaspersky AntiVirus and Outpost Firewall. I have a collection of links
that I give out when asked for this sort of stuff. I all avoid Symantec
tools other than their Ghost application. I've edited my list to remove the
Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta because, well, it won't won't work on 9x/ME at
this point in time though I hope someday that they make it so that it will.
All of these are free solutions that should provide you with a good degree
of security if properly configured, updated, and used as intended though no
one application or collection of application is better than awareness and
education.

Firewalls:
www.agnitum.com - Outpost Personal Firewall
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm - Sygate Personal Firewall
www.kerio.com/us/kpf_download.html - Kerio Personal Firewall

Virus:
www.grisoft.com - AVG
www.antivir.com - AntiVir
www.clamwin.com - ClamWin¹
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/index.cfm - CA eTrust*

Spyware:
www.lavasoft.de - AdAware
http://security.kolla.de/ - Spybot

Trojan:
www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/ - a²
http://swatit.org/

All of these are free for home use. All of them are acceptable solutions to
your security needs.
¹ Does not provide full real-time scanning engine.

*My understanding CA is available free for a limited time. Please note that
the page says this:
"Free software offer expires 2/1/05."
The number of times it has been given out as a viable option leads me to
believe that this has been extended. You should, of course, verify this on
your own.

Galen
--
Signature changed for a moment of silence.
Rest well Alex and we'll see you on the other side.

Jack
Fri Mar 18 14:11:50 CST 2005

AFAIK, the Free eTrust AV offer for WinME from Computer Associates has been
extended to August, 2005.
The bundle with the firewall is no longer available to Win9X, but continues
for XP.
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/nichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Galen" <galennews@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eApETy8KFHA.2136@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> In news:%23nyuis7KFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
> Jack E Martinelli <jemartin_DELETE@NO_SPAM_gis.net> had this to say:
>
> My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:
>
> > Trend Micro is a highly rated service, and if its bundled AV/firewall
> > has been working well for you, I suggest you continue.
> >
> > I can also recommend the Computer Associates one-year free trial
> > bundle, available here:
> > http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsme/firewall.mspx
> > This bundle is superb for the casual user.
> >
> > For a boot-from-floppy and run-under-DOS tool, use F-Prot:
> > http://www.f-prot.com/index.html
> > Their Windows tools are very good, also.
> >
> > These three organizations review and rate AV tools:
> >
> > The Virus Bulletin
> > http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/
> >
> > ICSA Labs - TrueSecure Corp.
> >
http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/antivirus/certifiedproducts.shtml
> >
> > AV-Test
> > http://www.av-test.org/
> >
> >
> > IMO, the most highly rated AV tool for WinME is NOD32.
> > The free Zone Alarm personal firewall is just fine for almost every
> > user. I strongly urge you to avoid any Symantec AV tool or firewall
> > due to its often noted problems with System Restore and Live Update,
> > under WinME.
>
>
> This is just in addition to Jack's advice as you used a plural. Then again
I
> don't consider myself anything close to being an expert as there's still
> much that I have to learn. I have threaded it under Jack's response just
> because it ties in with some of what he said.
>
> I use Kaspersky AntiVirus and Outpost Firewall. I have a collection of
links
> that I give out when asked for this sort of stuff. I all avoid Symantec
> tools other than their Ghost application. I've edited my list to remove
the
> Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta because, well, it won't won't work on 9x/ME at
> this point in time though I hope someday that they make it so that it
will.
> All of these are free solutions that should provide you with a good degree
> of security if properly configured, updated, and used as intended though
no
> one application or collection of application is better than awareness and
> education.
>
> Firewalls:
> www.agnitum.com - Outpost Personal Firewall
> http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm - Sygate Personal Firewall
> www.kerio.com/us/kpf_download.html - Kerio Personal Firewall
>
> Virus:
> www.grisoft.com - AVG
> www.antivir.com - AntiVir
> www.clamwin.com - ClamWin¹
> http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/index.cfm - CA eTrust*
>
> Spyware:
> www.lavasoft.de - AdAware
> http://security.kolla.de/ - Spybot
>
> Trojan:
> www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/ - a²
> http://swatit.org/
>
> All of these are free for home use. All of them are acceptable solutions
to
> your security needs.
> ¹ Does not provide full real-time scanning engine.
>
> *My understanding CA is available free for a limited time. Please note
that
> the page says this:
> "Free software offer expires 2/1/05."
> The number of times it has been given out as a viable option leads me to
> believe that this has been extended. You should, of course, verify this on
> your own.
>
> Galen
> --
> Signature changed for a moment of silence.
> Rest well Alex and we'll see you on the other side.
>

Galen
Fri Mar 18 14:19:22 CST 2005

In news:uwM15a$KFHA.1176@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl,
Jack E Martinelli <jemartin_DELETE@NO_SPAM_gis.net> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

> AFAIK, the Free eTrust AV offer for WinME from Computer Associates
> has been extended to August, 2005.
> The bundle with the firewall is no longer available to Win9X, but
> continues for XP.

Jack,

That's how I had understood it as well though for the life of me (not ME by
the way ;) sorry, it's a good day for puns) I can't seem to find
confirmation on the page(s) at eTrust's site. More important, to me, is that
I avoid recommending suites for protection. I'm of the opinion that if one
component goes down due to malware of some sort the rest become moot. A
number of people seem to like them though but I am grateful for the added
information and will save that too and amend my posts where needed.

Much thanks.

Galen
--
Signature changed for a moment of silence.
Rest well Alex and we'll see you on the other side.

Bonnie
Fri Mar 18 18:06:44 CST 2005

Thanks Galen and Jack. Lots of stuff to learn from your links, and post's.

Bonnie

"Galen" <galennews@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eApETy8KFHA.2136@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> In news:%23nyuis7KFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
> Jack E Martinelli <jemartin_DELETE@NO_SPAM_gis.net> had this to say:
>
> My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:
>
> > Trend Micro is a highly rated service, and if its bundled AV/firewall
> > has been working well for you, I suggest you continue.
> >
> > I can also recommend the Computer Associates one-year free trial
> > bundle, available here:
> > http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsme/firewall.mspx
> > This bundle is superb for the casual user.
> >
> > For a boot-from-floppy and run-under-DOS tool, use F-Prot:
> > http://www.f-prot.com/index.html
> > Their Windows tools are very good, also.
> >
> > These three organizations review and rate AV tools:
> >
> > The Virus Bulletin
> > http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/
> >
> > ICSA Labs - TrueSecure Corp.
> >
http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/antivirus/certifiedproducts.shtml
> >
> > AV-Test
> > http://www.av-test.org/
> >
> >
> > IMO, the most highly rated AV tool for WinME is NOD32.
> > The free Zone Alarm personal firewall is just fine for almost every
> > user. I strongly urge you to avoid any Symantec AV tool or firewall
> > due to its often noted problems with System Restore and Live Update,
> > under WinME.
>
>
> This is just in addition to Jack's advice as you used a plural. Then again
I
> don't consider myself anything close to being an expert as there's still
> much that I have to learn. I have threaded it under Jack's response just
> because it ties in with some of what he said.
>
> I use Kaspersky AntiVirus and Outpost Firewall. I have a collection of
links
> that I give out when asked for this sort of stuff. I all avoid Symantec
> tools other than their Ghost application. I've edited my list to remove
the
> Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta because, well, it won't won't work on 9x/ME at
> this point in time though I hope someday that they make it so that it
will.
> All of these are free solutions that should provide you with a good degree
> of security if properly configured, updated, and used as intended though
no
> one application or collection of application is better than awareness and
> education.
>
> Firewalls:
> www.agnitum.com - Outpost Personal Firewall
> http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm - Sygate Personal Firewall
> www.kerio.com/us/kpf_download.html - Kerio Personal Firewall
>
> Virus:
> www.grisoft.com - AVG
> www.antivir.com - AntiVir
> www.clamwin.com - ClamWin¹
> http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/index.cfm - CA eTrust*
>
> Spyware:
> www.lavasoft.de - AdAware
> http://security.kolla.de/ - Spybot
>
> Trojan:
> www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/ - a²
> http://swatit.org/
>
> All of these are free for home use. All of them are acceptable solutions
to
> your security needs.
> ¹ Does not provide full real-time scanning engine.
>
> *My understanding CA is available free for a limited time. Please note
that
> the page says this:
> "Free software offer expires 2/1/05."
> The number of times it has been given out as a viable option leads me to
> believe that this has been extended. You should, of course, verify this on
> your own.
>
> Galen
> --
> Signature changed for a moment of silence.
> Rest well Alex and we'll see you on the other side.
>
>

kb
Sat Mar 19 00:28:03 CST 2005

For what it's worth, I've used AVG along with Zone Alarm=20
(both free) without incident for several months. Manual=20
update is required (in my opinion) for AVG. Those=20
combined with ie spyad, spyware blaster, spyware guard, Ad-
Aware SE Personal and Spybot - Search & Destroy have kept=20
my system clean for months. Regular update and scan is my=20
paranoid method of choice <g>.

Best of luck, Bonnie!
>-----Original Message-----
>Thanks Galen and Jack. Lots of stuff to learn from your=20
links, and post's.
>
>Bonnie
>
>"Galen" <galennews@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:eApETy8KFHA.2136@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>> In news:%23nyuis7KFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
>> Jack E Martinelli <jemartin_DELETE@NO_SPAM_gis.net> had=20
this to say:
>>
>> My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:
>>
>> > Trend Micro is a highly rated service, and if its=20
bundled AV/firewall
>> > has been working well for you, I suggest you continue.
>> >
>> > I can also recommend the Computer Associates one-year=20
free trial
>> > bundle, available here:
>> >=20
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsme/
firewall.mspx
>> > This bundle is superb for the casual user.
>> >
>> > For a boot-from-floppy and run-under-DOS tool, use F-
Prot:
>> > http://www.f-prot.com/index.html
>> > Their Windows tools are very good, also.
>> >
>> > These three organizations review and rate AV tools:
>> >
>> > The Virus Bulletin
>> > http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/
>> >
>> > ICSA Labs - TrueSecure Corp.
>> >
>http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/antivirus/certifi
edproducts.shtml
>> >
>> > AV-Test
>> > http://www.av-test.org/
>> >
>> >
>> > IMO, the most highly rated AV tool for WinME is NOD32.
>> > The free Zone Alarm personal firewall is just fine=20
for almost every
>> > user. I strongly urge you to avoid any Symantec AV=20
tool or firewall
>> > due to its often noted problems with System Restore=20
and Live Update,
>> > under WinME.
>>
>>
>> This is just in addition to Jack's advice as you used a=20
plural. Then again
>I
>> don't consider myself anything close to being an expert=20
as there's still
>> much that I have to learn. I have threaded it under=20
Jack's response just
>> because it ties in with some of what he said.
>>
>> I use Kaspersky AntiVirus and Outpost Firewall. I have=20
a collection of
>links
>> that I give out when asked for this sort of stuff. I=20
all avoid Symantec
>> tools other than their Ghost application. I've edited=20
my list to remove
>the
>> Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta because, well, it won't=20
won't work on 9x/ME at
>> this point in time though I hope someday that they make=20
it so that it
>will.
>> All of these are free solutions that should provide you=20
with a good degree
>> of security if properly configured, updated, and used=20
as intended though
>no
>> one application or collection of application is better=20
than awareness and
>> education.
>>
>> Firewalls:
>> www.agnitum.com - Outpost Personal Firewall
>> http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm -=20
Sygate Personal Firewall
>> www.kerio.com/us/kpf_download.html - Kerio Personal=20
Firewall
>>
>> Virus:
>> www.grisoft.com - AVG
>> www.antivir.com - AntiVir
>> www.clamwin.com - ClamWin=B9
>> http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/index.cfm - CA=20
eTrust*
>>
>> Spyware:
>> www.lavasoft.de - AdAware
>> http://security.kolla.de/ - Spybot
>>
>> Trojan:
>> www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/ - a=B2
>> http://swatit.org/
>>
>> All of these are free for home use. All of them are=20
acceptable solutions
>to
>> your security needs.
>> =B9 Does not provide full real-time scanning engine.
>>
>> *My understanding CA is available free for a limited=20
time. Please note
>that
>> the page says this:
>> "Free software offer expires 2/1/05."
>> The number of times it has been given out as a viable=20
option leads me to
>> believe that this has been extended. You should, of=20
course, verify this on
>> your own.
>>
>> Galen
>> --=20
>> Signature changed for a moment of silence.
>> Rest well Alex and we'll see you on the other side.
>>
>>
>
>
>.
>