Question Most Effective Security Software-Plus Which is the best Back up software ?

[stan241315]

Hello Group, and thankfully after a great deal of searching I have found a UK forum to get help.

 

Firstly please advise is there a general consenus between MACAFEE..KASPERSKY OR NORTON, for which one is overall the best to protect a computer against all attacks??

 

I was told just yesterday to change to KASPERSKY, yet I found on this forum a negative report about it. I currently have MACAFEE. I also use ADAWARE , but I have to manually run this daily.

 

I am told I need external back up, which sounds sensible and logical to me, shame my computer helper seemed to think otherwise.

 

Please advise a good product that is reliable and easy to use. I am told I need to go for at least 500GB storage.

 

Please advise a reputable supplier and model make etc.

 

I have PC not a laptop . Windows 7 premium. I think its about 240 GB

 

I am a novice..but willing to learn. Thanks for providing this forum.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Stan and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

There is a tremendous amount of security software now available, so to try and say which is best is actually getting hard to do. However one thing you will find here is that we do recommend freeware of which there is a few good ones that come up to par with the paid for stuff, though in most cases the makers of the freeware do actually make paid for as well, just usually more bells and whistles such as automatic updating and things like that.

However one or two freeware which do automatically update are Avast, and Microsofts own "Microsoft Security Essentials" Plus a few more, though those two are regarded as being among the best.

 

This brings me to the next question, even among paid for, no single antivirus can protect you against everything. It just isn't possible, but as you may know you should never try and run more than one antivirus, two or more will conflict with each other.

So the best solution is to have one antivirus running, but to also install one or more general antimalware program.

These used to be called antispyware, but they are now doing a lot more than just catching spywares. Being static programs and only actually do anything once they have been set to scan, is the reason why more than one can be installed.

You will find our security people regard Malwarebytes as being the top of any list. For my own preference I also have Superantispyware installed.

At one time most folk were telling users to stop using Norton, but they have cleaned up their act a little since then, but all those you mention are maybe well known, but not quite as good as they could be considering you are paying for them.

In the end though it is really down to you and what you feel happy with, providing you take notice of all recommendations and make your mind up from that.

There will no doubt be many more will comment here on this thread, no doubt our security guys will be amongst them, and I would heed their advise above most others.

 

Nev.

[wellies]

With regards to backup, did you know that Windows 7 provides its own function for making a disk image? A disk image backs up the entire system complete with all installed programs, the files you have created and any personal preferences/settings that have been made.

 

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-disk-image.htm

 

To make a W.7 disk image, open the Control Panel and go to 'Backup and Restore'. click the 'Create a system image' link and follow the options. While in that section of the computer, also use the 'Create a system repair disk' function and make a repair disk. It may come in useful one day.

 

Whilst it isn't possible access single file within the created disk image or make incremental backups (as can be done with Acronis and other imaging programs), the W.7 disk image function does make a reliable full system image which I've found adequate without having to purchase any further software.

 

Disk images cannot be saved on the drive being backed up, so it is a requirement that another disk or disk partition is used for saving the image to. This can be an internal or external disk. External is good because if anything goes wrong with the computer, the disk image will be safe and can be used if necessary to return the system to the condition the computer was in before anything went wrong with it. A 500GB USB external drive would be OK for storing the image on. A typical Windows 7 disk image takes up around 25-30GB.

 

The external disk can also be used for storing downloaded files and any folders containing files that have been created by you. This should also be done in addition to storing the disk image (if you decide to make one). Indeed, it is necessary to back up any created files to the external disk before using a disk image to restore the system. The disk image is like a snapshot in time. Any files created since the date it was made will be lost (overwritten) in a restoration process.

 

A scenario:

 

1. Disk image made 28-7-2011.

2. On 28-9-2011 the system develops a serious problem of one kind or another.

3. Think! What files have I created since that date?

4. Take these files and copy them onto the external drive.

5. Use the disk image to restore the system.

6. After restoring, the files can be copied back to the main C: drive, nothing lost.

 

So, in my opinion, it is best to have two kinds of backup on an external drive. One being an entire disk image as described above. The other being your Documents folders full of the files created files created by yourself. These folders can be duplicated (copied) to the external drive with no additional software being necessary.

 

I find it good to have a second internal hard drive and store disk images, downloads and created files on that. This is much faster than using an external USB drive for backup. However, the entire second internal drive contents are periodically duplicated to an external USB drive. This is just in case the computer goes so badly wrong that the condition is unrecoverable.

 

Choosing a security program is a matter of reading lots of reviews, getting opinions and studying AV testing sites. When totally confused, stick a pin in one and hope for the best. :) OK just joking but as well as taking the good advice you'll find here about security programs, also do lots of searching and reading before deciding on what you think is best.

[_8042Warrior]

If you are looking for decent security software, I would seriously recommend Comodo Firewall with Defense+. I have been using it for about 3 years now, even in leiu of AV (sounds stupid, but hear me out), and I haven't been infected once. Comodo is an excellent, industry grade firewall (for FREE mind you), that is easy to manage and configure. Comodo requires a proactive attitude towards computer security however. It has frequent pop ups (non intrusive however) until you get it configured. For example, if there is a game you play (lets say Borderlands), the first time you run it, Comodo will ask you a few questions about it. Namely, Borderlands will try to connect to the internet. You have to set the option to Allow, then check the Remember my Answer box. You may have to select the More Options button first (it tries to apply the KISS policy at first for rookie users, but you should go with advanced so you gain more control). After that, you won't hear from it again, unless the game tries to do something suspicious (IE. it tries to modify your registry). And, if a strange connection tries to hit you from the internet, it will tell you, "Hey, this IP address and this Port are trying to connect to you. Do you want to allow this?". It gives you options as well to always block, allow or deny. And itll always block it. A lot of firewalls now do this, but thats not the impressive part. There is another side to the Comodo coin, called Defense+. This is an extremely powerful piece of software that watches your computer closely. It detects any suspicious actions by all programs, and asks you what to do. For example, say if you torrent a piece of software, but it turns out to be fake. You install it, the installer melts (deletes it self) and you think its broken. In fact, you have just been infected. The GREAT thing is, Comodo will SEE this, and find that program that was installed (if it tries to internet connect, or copy itself, or whatever its doing) and ask you what to do with it. It'll even tell you the path name of the program, so you can find and delete it! And, even if you don't download antivirus, Comodo has a built in Cloud scanner that finds fishy programs running on your computer. Comodo gives you complete peace of mind over what is happening on your machine (at least it does for me). I've never once been infected because of it. If it finds something fishy, and I agree, I delete whatever I don't like.

 

Sadly, there is no security program that replaces your own mind. YOU need to be proactive as well. If you see a fishy process running in your Task Manager, kill it. Find out where it came from, and delete it. Pay attention to what you install, and watch what it does when you run the program. Memorize how your computer operates, it will save you so much trouble. But again, I seriously stand by Comodo.

[RandyL]

No AV?

For anyone reading this if you do not have an antivirus program I suggest you keep your Windows installation disk ready to use.

[_8042Warrior]

As stated, Comodo DOES come with an antivirus program. I just choose not to use it. I do not believe in AV, as it is, by definition, a virus itself. They eat resources, are a pain to uninstall in a lot of cases, and can be hijacked by sophisticated viruses (McAffe comes to mind...). Plus, they cost an obscene amount of money. The best way to avoid viruses is to be smart while browsing the internet. Most "Cracks" for programs, aren't. Any porn sites that ask you to download stupid ActiveX objects to "view their movies" or "video.exe" are also viruses. Avoid these. They are just installers that melt as soon as you click them, and they end up infecting you. Most of these are quite easy to kill manually, a few aren't. One %TEMP% exe, and another usually placed in your system root. Delete these files after killing their processes, and done. If you are frequently torrent, pay close attention to the number of seeds and comments. If its a virus, someone will expose it for being such, and people will stop spreading it around. Just use your judgement, and pay attention. Antivirus is not the final answer to computer security. It takes some software, yes, but people who rely on it are often disappointed (I myself used to rely purely on software...stupid choice really)

 

I do repeat, Comodo (even if you opt out of the Antivirus part of the three part internet security suite), does come with a cloud scanner. It will be protecting your computer from viruses, even if you think its not.

Edited August 5, 2011 by _8042Warrior

[Starbuck]

I do not believe in AV, as it is, by definition, a virus itself. They eat resources, are a pain to uninstall in a lot of cases, and can be hijacked by sophisticated viruses

A virus it's self??

Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation.

A virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your email program to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk.

 

Doesn't quite sound like any good AV i know of.

 

Plus, they cost an obscene amount of money.

I have never paid for an AV program in years.... but am always protected by one.

Ever heard the term 'Free Anti Virus'?

 

The best way to avoid viruses is to be smart while browsing the internet.

Not being nasty when i say this, but how many 'Smart' teenagers or 'Smart Facebookers do you know?

Any idea how many PC's i've had to sort out for irate parents who have let their 'I know everything and will click on anything if it pops up' Teenagers use their system?

I'd say at least 50% of Facebookers have no idea of anything past 'Farmville'.

 

If you are frequently torrent, pay close attention to the number of seeds and comments. If its a virus, someone will expose it for being such, and people will stop spreading it around.

What world are you living in??

Most people that use torrents what something for nothing.

If that means that getting the latest movie for free and getting a little infection to boot.... then they'll take the chance.

Believe me, i see it every day.

 

One %TEMP% exe, and another usually placed in your system root. Delete these files after killing their processes, and done.

and a lot of people wouldn't have a clue what you are on about.

There's a lot of people that use a computer that know nothing about it..... just that it gets them online.

The truth is that most people want to use their system to access the internet but don't want to be bothered with the actual workings or operations of a computer.

They need protection of an AV so they can just get on with what they want to do.

And to be honest.... that's how it should be.

[Plastic Nev]

8042 Warrior, everyone has a right to their own opinion and beliefs, although your methods work for you, fine, but to advocate that antivirus software is no use or should be avoided, is not to be recommended to any other computer user.

I will also point out that the full Comodo suit does contain antivirus anyway, but to disable that section, for most folk, would be rather silly.

Nev.

[_8042Warrior]

@Starbuck

Honestly, a large chuck of free AV is terrible. Avast and AVG are god awful. For the good stuff out there...great, use that. But consider this: Viruses - Most designed to eat resources, although some are stealthy, Get unallowed levels of access to your computer and files, and perform actions that are far outside the norm. AV does all these things and then some. It can perform whatever actions it wants on what ever files it "thinks" are dangerous, including deleting it, and even blacklisting it from your PC. That is why I say they are viruses themselves. They sure act like it, even if good in nature. And as you say, most users are dumb as a brick, so how will they be able to take those files off a black-list without knowing how to use their machine's AV? False positives up the yahoo, all for "protection", that stems from completely exaggerated paranoia. About the torrent thing, I shoulda prefixed that with MOST, because you are right there, a lot of people will do anything for free, even risk infections (which is why I use demonoid, 99% clean there). As for your last stament, I 100% disagree. Why should you want people to live in ignorance? "Most people" as you put it, should stop being lazy and learn. Humanity as a whole is suffering a severe decline in intelligence for exact attitudes like that. Ignorance may indeed be bliss, but it causes far more problems than it fixes. So no, that is not how it should be.

 

@Nev

I just think promoting some use of the brain is a good idea mate. Relying on other people to do it for you (in this case the other people being AV programmes), you end up either getting screwed over, or becoming a cross-eyed little nitwit who has to scream for help every 5 seconds. In the case a users AV is unable to sucessfully kill a virus (or even detect it for that matter), what then? Spend tons of money taking it to a tech for cleaning? Sit and suffer while it pilfers data on your computer, or acts as a bot-net for someone else? What good does that do? Do some research (heaven forbid), and learn how to kill it with google. Learn to use your computer. Thats all I am saying.

[Plastic Nev]

A very large number of people obtain a computer purely for the purpose of accessing the internet, they are at best technically challenged and further more have no intention of going any further than learning how to use the basic functions of their computer, they just aren't interested. It is folk like them who need decent AV, Firewall, and antimalware protection. Not everyone wants to be a geek you know.

 

Nev.

[Starbuck]

I wasn't going to reply as i have a lot more important things to deal with.

But all i will say is, if it works for you then so be it.

You are obviously more intelligent than 95% of members here. :rolleyes:

So you stick to your theories and we'll see you when your system goes belly up.

 

I 100% disagree. Why should you want people to live in ignorance? "Most people" as you put it, should stop being lazy and learn. Humanity as a whole is suffering a severe decline in intelligence for exact attitudes like that. Ignorance may indeed be bliss, but it causes far more problems than it fixes.

That may be so, but we live in a real world and this is what people are like whether we like it or not.

Things will never change, so deal with it as best we can and if that means recommending an AV be installed then we will.

 

Note:

This persons ideas on computer security are his own and i for one wouldn't suggest anyone follow his theories.

 

My time is now better spent elsewhere.