BleepingComputer.com: Am I protected enough?

I use Kaspersky's 2009 and WD and I was wondering if that is enough protection. Kaspersky's has the firewall,virus prot,spyware prot. But should I invest in another program as well? I am a novice at computers and want to stay protected. I have used AVG free and Norton's in the past and am not really fond of these programs.

KIS 09 is a great app, if you use common sense when you use your computer you'll be protected. If you don't you can pile on all the security apps you want and still get infected. For example, don't click on random links/ads and don't download "codecs" from dodgy sites.

What antispyware application(s) is installed?

Well bud, I'm no slouch at anti-virus and anti-spyware. Here's what I reccomend, and its all FREE! Here it is:


Anti-virus: Avast! Free Home Edition 4.8: Automatically updated, Easy-to-use interface and protects against just about every virus there is.

Firewall: Windows firewall. Shouldn't be that hard to figure out.

Anti-Spyware: Ad-Aware Free Anniversary Edition: Free, Thorough, and it's sleek.

boopme, on May 31 2009, 08:24 PM, said:

Kasperskys it does it all, Just wonder if I should put on another program since I just use windows defender and kaspersky's and scan often.

No single product is 100% foolproof and can detect and remove all threats at any given time. The security community is in a constant state of change as new infections appear. Each vendor has its own definition of what constitutes malware and scanning your computer using different criteria will yield different results. The fact that each program has its own definition files means that some malware may be picked up by one that could be missed by another. Thus, a multi-layered defense using several anti-spyware products (including an effective firewall) to supplement your anti-virus combined with common sense and safe surfing habits provides the most complete protection.

While not free, I recommend using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and taking advantage of the Protection Module which uses advanced heuristic scanning technology to monitor your system and provide real-time protection to prevent the installation of most new malware. This technology monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they can infect your computer. The database that defines the heuristics is updated as often as there is something to add to it. Enabling the Protection Module feature requires reqistration and purchase of a license key that includes free lifetime upgrades and support. After activation, Malwarebytes can be set to update itself and schedule scans automatically on a daily basis. The Protection Module is not intrusive as it utilizes few system resources and should not conflict with other scanners or anti-virus programs.

quietman7, on Jun 1 2009, 07:38 AM, said:

IMHO this is very misleading. Yes, of course no product can detect 100% of threats. But with some simple safe practices and common sense, one can easily achieve 99%+ security. For example, along with Kaspersky Internet Security, if you

• disable autorun
  
• switch to Firefox, Foxit Reader and VLC
  
• keep all your applications updated with Secunia PSI
  
• don't click on random links on the web

you'll be practically invulnerable to malware in practical terms. There is no need to follow the "traditional" way of "protection" by piling on layer after layer of signature scanners, which is both inefficient and unnecessary.

I agree to most of them say.

Excellent set of security applications does not assure you of 100% protection. Common Sense / Safe Surfing Practices still play a big role.

If I remember it right it is quietman7 who has this post about safe surfing. I hope he can share it here in this thread since I have lost the link to that post. I have found one of his post though. Here's the link: The ten Dangerous Things Users Do Online

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Since you've mentioned this, maybe this blog might be helpful for you. Mental Fusion

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I did not say pile layer after layer of security scanners. I said a layered defense which includes using anti-spyware scanners to supplement your anti-virus, and a firewall combined with common sense and safe surfing habits provides the most complete protection.

As a general rule most anti-spyware programs like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, SuperAntispyware, Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, Windows Defender etc will not conflict with each other or your anti-virus if using them as stand-alone scanners. In fact, doing so increases your protection coverage without causing the same kind of conflicts or affecting the stability of your system that can occur when using more than one anti-virus. The overlap of protection from using different signature databases will aid in detection and removal of more threats when scanning your system for malware. However, if using any of their real-time resident shields (TeaTimer, Ad-Watch, Spyware Terminator Shields, etc) together at the same time, there can be conflicts when each application tries to compete for resources and exclusive rights to perform an action. Additionally, competing tools may even provide redundant alerts which can be annoying and/or confusing. And yes you can overkill your system with resource heavy security programs that will drain your resources and slow down performance.

A particular combination that works well for one person may not work as well for another. There is no universal "one size fits all" solution that works for everyone. You may need to experiment and find what is most suitable for your needs.

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Do you mean this?

Tips to protect yourself against malware and reduce the potential for re-infection:

• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet.
  
• Your Guide To Staying Safe Online.
  
• Hardening Windows Security - Part 1 & Part 2.
  
• Configuring Internet Explorer for Practical Security and Privacy - How to Secure Your Web Browser.
  
• The Antivirus Defense-in-Depth Guide.
  
• Use Task Manager to close pop-up messages to safely exit malware attacks.

• Keep Windows and Internet Explorer current with all critical updates from Microsoft which will patch many of the security holes through which attackers can gain access to your computer. If you're not sure how to do this, see Microsoft Update helps keep your computer current.

• Avoid gaming sites, porn sites, pirated software, cracking tools, keygens, and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs. They are a security risk which can make your computer susceptible to a smörgåsbord of malware infections, remote attacks, exposure of personal information, and identity theft. Malicious worms, backdoor Trojans IRCBots, and rootkits spread across P2P file sharing networks, gaming, porn and underground sites. Users visiting such pages may see innocuous-looking banner ads containing code which can trigger pop-up ads and malicious Flash ads that install viruses, Trojans, and spyware. Ads are a target for hackers because they offer a stealthy way to distribute malware to a wide range of Internet users. The best way to reduce the risk of infection is to avoid these types of web sites and not use any P2P applications.

• P2P Software User Advisories
  
• Risks of File-Sharing Technology

• Keeping Autorun enabled on USB (pen, thumb, jump) and other removable drives has become a significant security risk due to the increasing number of malware variants that can infect them and transfer the infection to your computer. To learn more about this risk, please read:

• What security risks are associated with USB drives?.
  
• USB-Based Malware Attacks.
  
• When is AUTORUN.INF really an AUTORUN.INF?.

Many security experts recommend you disable Autorun asap as a method of prevention. Microsoft recommends doing the same.

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Microsoft Security Advisory (967940): Update for Windows Autorun

quietman7, on Jun 2 2009, 07:17 AM, said:

If you are referring to the antivirus, 2 real-time antispyware and firewall idea then that is what I meant. When the OP has a full featured suite such as Kaspersky there's simply no need to add other real-time components if he has common sense and safe surfing habits, particularly when it's shareware.

One real-time antispyware with your AV is enough. Any others (like SuperAntispyware) are best utilized as stand-alone scanners. That's why I posted the general rule note with stipulation if using them as stand-alone scanners.

quietman7, on Jun 2 2009, 08:17 PM, said:

Yes, that's what I meant.

Thanks for sharing!

Well I guess I am not protected enough. I just recieved notifications Trojans were being blocked and a backup copy of IE was being made or something like that. I then was on the net thinking it had been blocked but all these windows kept popping up and I had to get off the network to delete them. It seems to only happen when I'm on myspace. I ran scans when I was in safe mode that showed nothing. Now I'm running that blacklight prgm. What's the next step?

DEATHlLINK, on Jun 2 2009, 06:40 PM, said:

Which browser were you using, was it Internet Explorer?

Someones, on Jun 2 2009, 06:35 PM, said:

Yes IE7