Is My Computer Protected?

Welcome to BleepingComputer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.

Click here to Register a free account now! or read our Welcome Guide to learn how to use this site.

2 Pages
1
2
→

You cannot start a new topic
You cannot reply to this topic

Is My Computer Protected? Free anti-virus and firewall

#1 lilachamster

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 54
Joined: 07-January 06
Gender:Female
Location:Warwickshire, UK

Posted 21 March 2008 - 09:11 AM

I am unable to re-install Norton Internet Security on my pc because you are only licenced to use it 3 times, and I have installed it on my pc 3 times already. (I had to do this because I had to re-install Windows twice due to computer problems.)

Therefore, I downloaded the free edition of avast! anti-virus and the free edition of Zonealarm firewall.

Do these free programs give adequate protection?

*edited to add*

I also have spybot search & destroy and ad-aware

This post has been edited by lilachamster: 21 March 2008 - 09:13 AM

Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

I used to think I was indecisive.... but now I'm not too sure

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same......

"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard

#2 jgweed

Forum Addict

Group: Global Moderator
Posts: 27,222
Joined: 11-April 04
Gender:Male
Location:Chicago, Il.

Posted 21 March 2008 - 10:41 AM

Yes.
The difference between paid and free versions is generally that the former have more "bells and whistles" and does not degrade essential protection. Many of us have used freebies for years without malware problems, so you should not be overly concerned, especially if you are a careful internet surfer and downloader.
Regards,
John

Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one should be silent.

#3 Teenage.Zombiee

Distinguished Member

Group: Members
Posts: 828
Joined: 25-October 07
Gender:Female
Location:Western Sydney, Australia.

Posted 21 March 2008 - 10:41 PM

You are indeed protected. I use the same protection on my system and haven't had an infection in a long time.
Although, Im changing my firewall to Comodo.

Might I suggest adding a few anti spyware apps if you haven't already?
Check out the Freeware Replacements For Common Comercial Apps topic for some good programs

Teenage.Zombiee is back :)
Posted Image

#4 david28

Forum Member

Group: Banned
Posts: 1,614
Joined: 20-September 07
Gender:Male

Posted 21 March 2008 - 11:19 PM

It would be wise to follow Teenage.Zombie's advice. I recommend SpywareTerminator, SpywareBlaster and SUPERAntiSpyware.

Regards,
David.

#5 Teenage.Zombiee

Distinguished Member

Group: Members
Posts: 828
Joined: 25-October 07
Gender:Female
Location:Western Sydney, Australia.

Posted 21 March 2008 - 11:43 PM

Yeah they're good recommendations. They will not cause any conflict with Avast or ZA either.

Thanks david for backing me up :thumbsup:

Teenage.Zombiee is back :)
Posted Image

#6 david28

Forum Member

Group: Banned
Posts: 1,614
Joined: 20-September 07
Gender:Male

Posted 22 March 2008 - 12:09 AM

No they don't cause conflict. I have been using them for a long time and have never had any conflict problems.

#7 Josho

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 60
Joined: 10-December 06
Gender:Male
Location:Sydney

Posted 22 March 2008 - 02:54 AM

I also reccomend Comodo Firewall Pro 3 & SUPERAntispyware 4.

Wow! Have you seen Comodo's new beta? See HERE

Josh.

This post has been edited by Josho: 22 March 2008 - 02:55 AM

Chess, Outdoor Sport, Games & Computers.

#8 Teenage.Zombiee

Distinguished Member

Group: Members
Posts: 828
Joined: 25-October 07
Gender:Female
Location:Western Sydney, Australia.

Posted 22 March 2008 - 03:10 AM

Josho, on Mar 22 2008, 06:54 PM, said:

I also reccomend Comodo Firewall Pro 3 & SUPERAntispyware 4.

Wow! Have you seen Comodo's new beta? See HERE

Josh.

While Comodo is a terrific firewall lilachamster already has a firewall program (ZoneAlarm) and it is a security risk to have two firewalls running at one time.

Teenage.Zombiee is back :)
Posted Image

#9 david28

Forum Member

Group: Banned
Posts: 1,614
Joined: 20-September 07
Gender:Male

Posted 22 March 2008 - 03:23 AM

Yes what Teenage.Zombie said is right.

#10 Josho

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 60
Joined: 10-December 06
Gender:Male
Location:Sydney

Posted 22 March 2008 - 04:31 AM

david28, on Mar 22 2008, 07:23 PM, said:

Yes what Teenage.Zombie said is right.

Yes, I know! lol

Only an suggestion :thumbsup:

Chess, Outdoor Sport, Games & Computers.

#11 lilachamster

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 54
Joined: 07-January 06
Gender:Female
Location:Warwickshire, UK

Posted 22 March 2008 - 07:42 PM

jgweed, on Mar 21 2008, 03:41 PM, said:

so you should not be overly concerned, especially if you are a careful internet surfer and downloader.

I am careful, but as for my 14 year old daughter :thumbsup:

.....

#12 lilachamster

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 54
Joined: 07-January 06
Gender:Female
Location:Warwickshire, UK

Posted 22 March 2008 - 07:52 PM

Teenage.Zombiee, david28 and Josho... Thanks for the recommendations.

Is it ok to have a few anti-spyware programs on my pc, or might they conflict with each other? I already have Spybot S & D and Ad-Aware.

#13 boopme

To Insanity and Beyond

Group: Global Moderator
Posts: 46,271
Joined: 10-September 04
Gender:Male
Location:NJ USA

Posted 22 March 2008 - 09:32 PM

I run 1 A/v,1 software firewall and 3 antispyware apps. No problem

How do I get help? Who is helping me?
Staying Updated Calendar of Updates.
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear....
Become a BleepingComputer fan: Facebook

#14 Teenage.Zombiee

Distinguished Member

Group: Members
Posts: 828
Joined: 25-October 07
Gender:Female
Location:Western Sydney, Australia.

Posted 23 March 2008 - 12:03 AM

lilachamster, on Mar 23 2008, 11:52 AM, said:

Its definatly okay :flowers:

On my system I have Sybot S&D, Super Anti Spyware, Comodo BO Clean, Spyware Guard, Spyware Blaster, AVG Anti Spywaren and I still want more :thumbsup:

Teenage.Zombiee is back :)
Posted Image

#15 lilachamster

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 54
Joined: 07-January 06
Gender:Female
Location:Warwickshire, UK

Posted 23 March 2008 - 05:15 AM

boopme, on Mar 23 2008, 02:32 AM, said:

I run 1 A/v,1 software firewall and 3 antispyware apps. No problem

Teenage.Zombiee, on Mar 23 2008, 05:03 AM, said:

Its definatly okay :trumpet:

On my system I have Sybot S&D, Super Anti Spyware, Comodo BO Clean, Spyware Guard, Spyware Blaster, AVG Anti Spywaren and I still want more :thumbsup:

In that case, I will download a couple more anti-spyware programs. Thanks boopme and Teenage.Zombiee :flowers: