SSidlov
Other Things On My Mind
Premium
join:2000-03-03
Pompton Lakes, NJ
 ·Optimum Online
 ·Cingular Wireless
|  Computer going to college....what to have on it?
At home, behind a firewall that I can control, computers have AV or more and we've seldom had a problem.
But, my daughter is going to a college program this summer and needs to take a computer. Right now, I think she's going to take her desktop which is a AMD-64 X2 based unit, running XP Media. (Though the thought of burdening her with a heavy and somewhat slow P4 laptop we don't use much, that has XPP, has occured to me.)
Her current software subscription is expiring, and the possibility of putting different software on it, is available.
I was thinking of changing her to Norton Internet Security or Kaspersky's Suite or ZA Pro.
I run ZA pro on my laptop, and except for a single configuration issue (sharing a non-standard shared folder) it works pretty well- I love it when it alerts me at the airport about all the people with open shares, UPNP, etc. Norton doesn't seem to have a problem sharing any folders when needed. ZA is easy to set to the highest security. I've never used Kaspersky but noticed that Staples has it with a $25 rebate for 3 computers for $75.
When at home, she and I need to share something other than the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents folder.
Which of these (or not) would be suitable for what I assume will be a hotbed of infected computers and possibly hackers on the local network? I don't feel like disinfecting her from afar and I know that it's often to easy to just do a system restore....but she's got a lot of stuff, I'm sure she would be unhappy to lose... (don't tell me about backups, she's got plenty of space to do them, and additional drives.)
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nwrickert
sand groper
Premium,MVM
join:2004-09-04
Geneva, IL | Check with the college. Many colleges have site licensed security software (or at least an anti-virus), and make it available for free to enrolled students.
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SSidlov
Other Things On My Mind
Premium
join:2000-03-03
Pompton Lakes, NJ
·Optimum Online
·Cingular Wireless
| said by nwrickert  :Check with the college. Many colleges have site licensed security software (or at least an anti-virus), and make it available for free to enrolled students. perhaps. But I haven't had good experiences with college IT departments.
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balazone
60 billion
Premium
join:2002-04-01
Wheeling, WV
·Comcast Formerly ..
| reply to SSidlov
I am running Kaspersky on my PC and I like it, I will never use anything from Norton as I find it to be "panic ware" it always acts like the end of the world if you get port scanned etc...
I have not used ZA in years so no comment on that.
When I was in college I would scan the network all day looking for stuff to download. Everyone shared their music/movies folder. Don't be surprised to find she keeps the firewall off so she can grab stuff. My advice would be to configure the firewall to allow the file sharing programs to work so it can be left on.
Another option would be is if the machine has enough ram (1gb+) then install Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and install XP as a VM. She can do all the downloading she wants from the VM and then move it to a shared folder on the C: drive. Anti-virus will keep the C: clean and if the virtual machine gets infected/corrupted then just shut it down without saving changes when it comes back up its all good. |
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joako
Premium
join:2000-09-07
/dev/null
 ·AT&T U-Verse
1 edit | reply to SSidlov
Some colleges will require you to use an AV they specify and also require you to have all the latest Windows updates... its some thing Cisco has going.
I highly recommend NOD32... just the standalone AV not the "internet security;" As quite frankly Norton is crap. It's a resource hog and in my experience leaves some virues undetected.
As for firewall Windows firewall is just fine, no need to use Zone Alarm.
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Justakiwi
Premium
join:2004-11-24
New Zealand
clubs:
| said by joako :I highly recommend NOD32... just the standalone AV not the "internet security" as quite frankly Norton is crap. Not sure what you mean by that statement. NOD32 is definitely not Norton! |
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Ken1943
join:2001-12-30
Brighton, CO
1 edit | reply to SSidlov
My Son at Colorado State had to remove Outpost and NOD32 for Norton. If you want to use their network, you have no choice. |
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Psicop
More human than human
Premium
join:2005-12-21
| Same as in the Australian university where I graduated 3 years ago. Kind of a pest. It's everywhere.
I suggest you to do your own setup. Here's what I would do:
1. Harden Windows. Tons of info out there.
2. Setup Limited account to go online
3. Router
4. Avast/Antivir as free AV options
5. Windows XP fw is good enough
6. Back up partition using Acronis
7. Run a external drive with all the data there in case of hard disk failure |
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grobinette
Premium,Mod
join:2001-01-27
Springfield, VA
clubs:
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Host:
Home Repair & Impr..
Millenicom
| reply to SSidlov
Regardless of your past experience with college IT Departments, go to their website and check what their requirements are for student computers connected to their network.
As others have said, they may mandate a specific AV but they probably have a licensing agreement for use by students, staff and faculty for free.
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quatrix
Premium
join:2005-02-11
Davie, FL | reply to SSidlov
How about passing on some of your computer knowledge/sense so she won't need any "security" software running at all? |
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jouno53
Palin 2012
join:2006-03-04
United State
 ·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to SSidlov
The best free antivirus in my opinion is Avast
If you want to go with a paid security suite, I recommend Norton Internet Security (2008 has the new system where viruses are detected based on activity) or Norton 360 (I have it and love it).
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Jean_22
join:2005-08-27
Quebec, QC
·Videotron
| reply to SSidlov
Yeah I like NIS 2008 and my subscribtion just expired, we switched to Avast because all the computers at home are running Vista 64 so no need to pay yet imo.
Avast is good one, discovered it during the Vista beta, because it was the only 64bits AV outside of Norton for Servers (since XP 64 requiered server security software) I believe.
Many colleges used Cisco LEAP but it is getting removed since
A) It sucks hard, less secure than WEP since they found the hole. Cisco says to not use it anymore and Microsoft blocked it from Vista on purpose
B) Requiered XP PRO softwares |
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dustman81
join:2002-05-28
Tallmadge, OH
·AT&T U-Verse
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to SSidlov
When I went to college (this was a few years ago) had a site license with McAfee to allow registered students to use McAfee. The dorm's IT people gave out McAfee on CD and if you needed help, you could schedule an appointment for them to help you with your personal computer.
If the college she's going to doesn't do that, I'd recommend AVG »free.avgsoft.com for antivirus and ZA for the firewall. Both are free and you need both antivirus and a firewall as college networks are hostile environments. Also, enable Automatic Updates on her machine.
I was in college when Blaster hit and it spread like wildfire to students who didn't have firewalls and patched machines. It crippled the network for a few days. As soon as they plugged in, there were infected. Luckily, I wasn't infected, but I could go through my firewall logs and see who was.
Also, you should give her some word processing software. Microsoft Office is recommended as that is what most colleges use. Luckily, most major colleges have purchasing agreements to allow students to purchase Microsoft software at extremely cheap prices. She should be able to purchase the software at the college bookstore, but she is limited to only one copy. If she doesn't want Office, she can use OpenOffice, which is free. |
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Jeffrey
Merry Christmas
Premium
join:2002-12-24
Dix Hills,NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FIOS
 ·Vonage
·magicjack.com
| reply to SSidlov
As other people have echoed, check with the IT dept at the school, or look on their website. It should tell you some information.
From my experiences with my own school, friends, family, etc., the schools require you to use their own antivirus package (whatever it is; McAfee, Trend, Norton, etc.) in lieu of whatever you're currently using. |
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mikenolan7
Premium
join:2005-06-07
Torrance, CA
| reply to SSidlov
Definitely check with the school before you spend any time or money on it. My son brought his laptop home with him for spring break (he handles his own security). When he plugged it into my network I started teasing him, because my network monitors showed something was trying to connect out on some non-standard ports. He said it was the software that the school requires them to load, that checks in and verifies that his laptop is up to date before it allows him to connect. He shut it off & proved it to me. Some schools are getting very corporate with their security. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL
·Comcast
| reply to SSidlov
Main thing is to make sure that it is covered for loss by your Home Owner's Insurance under a Rider on the Policy. Other then that, there is really nothing that can stop the user from messing up the machine, or dropping it.
I would just let her know that she is going to have to take responsibility, and that there are some good references out there to teach safe computing, and also she may want to look into learning how to fix simple software & hardware issues, and stay away from places like Best Buys Geek Squad, Circuit City's Fire dog service.
There are reputable companies out there that are small mom & pop shops such as Computer Deli in Springfield & Champaign Urbana that have better service then the nationals. Point is, look for personal service, and smaller shops if needing something, then walking into lala land in the retail. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | reply to joako
My niece had to give her laptop to the Un of Alabama IT dept. to allow them to set it up for their Domain, and install the proper A/V & policies. Same when she transferred to SUI Edwardsville. |
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BinaryXtreme
join:2004-04-20
Sparks, NV
1 edit | reply to SSidlov
A little different than discussed but Open Office would be great learning utensil. AVG anti virus! |
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koam
Pink Pecker
Premium
join:2000-08-16
East Puddle
clubs: | reply to SSidlov
If you had Windows Live OneCare and her computer was in your circle, you could keep track of and manage her security settings from your home. It would also report to you the last time her system was in contact. |
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jayco437
Premium
join:2001-08-11
Lincoln, NE | reply to SSidlov
OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
*runs for cover*
I wouldn't buy any new software suites. Students frequently get good deals while at school, or as mentioned, free even. |
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