 Security Software For The Family.., suggestions? |
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 Aug 13 2006, 04:23 AM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 7-August 06 Member No.: 79,858  |
I've been doing a lot of recent research to 'catch up' on things as I prepare to setup two new laptops for the wife and daughter (neither are 'technical' in the slightest, but needed laptops for school/work.. ), but there really doesnt seem to be a whole lot of info/recommendations out there for security software for the non-technical. I dont think it would be wise or fair to force 'my' security software on them (nod32 for av, zonealarm pro for firewall, random spybot/adaware sweeps here and there.. oh, and spyware blaster gets a random run every now and then and was used to initially 'secure' the browsers). Anyway, I really think that zonealarm/etc 'pop-ups' are going to cause the most problems (wife always clicking 'deny' b/c of paranoia and daughter always clicking 'allow' without a thought), and wanted to see if there were any other recommendations you guys had for a 'family friendly' firewall and/or anti-virus (free or not) that will do its job without bothering them too much. I obviously want to give them something better than the windows firewall, but am worried about zonealarm (free or pro) popping up quite a bit. AV wise I was thinking maybe to go with the free version of Avast since other people have said its 'bulkier but fairly user friendly'. I'm open to any suggestions really, and would prefer to go with a freeware version as they wont be doing anything serious (beyond im/email/surfing and basic office work). Thanks for any help. 
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Aug 14 2006, 03:03 AM
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 7-August 06 Member No.: 79,858 |
anybody? =X
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 Aug 14 2006, 05:37 AM
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 Just enough info to be armed & dangerous... Group: Members Posts: 2,020 Joined: 18-March 06 From: St Kilda, Dunedin. South Island. NZ Member No.: 59,805 |
Hi amking.
Those allow/deny questions can be very confusing so personally, I use Kerio Firewall in simple mode, no questions=no wrong answers. For AntiVirus I prefer Avast for its automatic updating and ease of 1 click dealing with what it finds. AntiMalware is up you, my preferences are in my sig below. Good Luck Cheers This post has been edited by rowal5555: Aug 14 2006, 05:41 AM -------------------- |
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Aug 14 2006, 10:52 AM
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 Forum Addict Group: Global Moderator Posts: 20,642 Joined: 11-April 04 From: Chicago, Il. Member No.: 113 |
You might try Sygate Personal Firewall, which allows you to manage permissions by application; you could then quickly and easily set permissions and reduce the number of pop-up requests dramatically.
AVGFree is also relatively easily to use, and seems to be less resource intensive than is Avast, at least on some computer configurations. If your family is going to use computers, however, it seems to me that they are going to have to learn some semi-technical aspects just to keep secure. BC has some excellent Tutorials on using many security products that you can download and then print for their reading. Also are several good pinned discussions about the necessary steps to remain secure. Some introductory reading and discussion will pay big dividends, since the best security device invented is a reasonably informed user. Cheers, John -------------------- Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one should be silent.
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Aug 14 2006, 02:28 PM
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 7-August 06 Member No.: 79,858 |
alright thanks for the replies so far, i'll give kerio a try and look @ avast again..
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Aug 14 2006, 03:16 PM
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 Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,875 Joined: 25-November 04 From: Finland Member No.: 5,870 |
Maybe I should add that Kerio free version in simple mode does nothing but what Windows Firewall does.
This post has been edited by Mr Alpha: Aug 14 2006, 03:17 PM -------------------- "Anyone who cannot form a community with others, or who does not need to because he is self-sufficient [...] is either a beast or a god." Aristotle
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ | ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe | 2GB Corsair TWINX2048-3500LLPRO | Gigabyte GeForce 8800GTX | Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS | ASUS PhysX P1 | Logitech G15 | Logitech MX Revolution | LG Flatron L2000C | Logitech Z-5500 Digital Stubborn attempts to think clearly |
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Aug 14 2006, 04:38 PM
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 7-August 06 Member No.: 79,858 |
thats.. not good D:
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Aug 14 2006, 05:28 PM
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Just enough info to be armed & dangerous... Group: Members Posts: 2,020 Joined: 18-March 06 From: St Kilda, Dunedin. South Island. NZ Member No.: 59,805 |
Thanks Mr Alpha
Didn't realise that. Cheers -------------------- |
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Aug 16 2006, 03:00 AM
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Just enough info to be armed & dangerous... Group: Members Posts: 2,020 Joined: 18-March 06 From: St Kilda, Dunedin. South Island. NZ Member No.: 59,805 |
This would explain why I passed grc.com Shields Up but failed the Leak Test.
Couldn't change the settings in Kerio so have installed SygatePF as recommended by jgweed. Will go and do some testing. Cheers -------------------- |
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