kangabil
Do It Now, Do It Right
Premium
join:2005-05-15
Australia
| Have I Gone Over the Top?
Have I gone over the top in protection???
Op. Software is XP SP2 with All updates so far.
MS Office 2000 Pro with all updates.
ADSL modem is a NetComm NB1300 plus 4
Running 512 down & 128 up
Protection as follows
Zone Alarm Pro (latest version always updated with absolutely NO problems ever) always on guard
Nod32 (Paid up not free) on duty at all times
Run every so often
Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4
Lavasoft Ad-aware SE Personal (Free version)
Trend Micro Anti-Spyware
Spyware Doctor (Paid up version) only run once weekly and then shut down as it’s good but a dreadful resource hog.
AdSubtract Pro used as & when I feel like it but definitely not in the proxy mode(I know it’s not supported any more but it sure can pick up the stray cookies I do not want that no others will report))
I know that somewhere in here will be a post telling me the optimum MINIMUM that I could use but I can't find exactly what I need so some input from you would be appreciated.
Can come back early am my time Saturday to catch up.
--
Who was that masked man? |
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redwolfe_98
join:2001-06-11
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| i don't see how you could be "over the top" with what you are running..
if it was me, i would want to add an anti-trojan program like either BOClean or TrojanHunter.. i also use IESPYAD and the MVPS winhelp2002 HOSTS file, and i have IE's security settings for the internet zone set to "high" (customized).. and you can block third-party cookies in IE/tools/options/privacy..
you don't want to have too many security programs running in realtime.. there are limitations due to the way that win xp is designed.. |
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Buddel
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Premium
join:2004-03-06
EU
1 edit | reply to kangabil
I don't think you've gone over the top. You use a firewall (ZA), an anti-virus program (NOD32) and a couple of anti-spyware programs. Looks good to me; that's what I call layered protection.
Some people may argue that a good anti-trojan would be another program you should use because I hear again and again that NOD32 catches all sorts of viruses, but its detection of trojans is, they say, not that great. Anyway, I don't think it's "overkill" to use the programs you mentioned in your post. Just my 2 cents.
EDIT: redwolfe_98 seems to type a bit faster than I do. Yes, BOClean is an excellent anti-trojan. It's definitely worth buying.  |
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rotty97
join:2005-06-30
Australia | I suggest as well as what you allready have as another layer:
Firefox
Spyware Blaster
and none of these will use RAM!!
cheers, rotty |
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SpannerITWks
Premium
join:2005-04-22
| reply to kangabil
Surprised no ones jumped in with, LUA or Non Admin lol.
Even so, these days there's some really bad **** around + getting cleverer by the week, so having some Top protection ain't gonna hurt none, in fact just the opposite !
Spanner
--
I Only Know What I Know, But I'm Learning all The Time - Stay Safe - Spanner intheWorks
/SpannerITWks |
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kangabil
Do It Now, Do It Right
Premium
join:2005-05-15
Australia
| reply to redwolfe_98
Thanks redwolfe_98, as you can see I only keep 2 (ZAP and Nod32) resident. The others I use when the need arises.
Hadn't thought about the Trojan aspect. Will look into further.
Likewise Buddel, the trojan aspect I thought was being looked after by NOD.
Dear Rotty, tried Firefox but after being in computers since 1971, and so thoroughly brain washed by you know who with glasses, I couldn't quite get the hang of it so stuck with M$; maybe I'm getting too old and grumpy, at least thats what a certain retired Fire Captain says; (as if I'd believe him anyway).
I think I'll stay with what I've got and tack on a non-resident Trojan sniffer as a final "belt and Braces" fix.
--
Who was that masked man? |
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Buddel
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Premium
join:2004-03-06
EU
1 edit | said by kangabil  :Likewise Buddel, the trojan aspect I thought was being looked after by NOD. I also use NOD32 and like it. However, I don't think that this AV renders anti-trojan software useless. IMHO, its trojan detection still leaves a lot to be desired. Therefore, I also use an anti-trojan, which is another useful and necessary layer of protection. |
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Kilroy
Premium,MVM
join:2002-11-21
Sterling Heights, MI
·WOW Internet and C..
1 edit | reply to kangabil
The better answer is a question.
Are you satisfied with the performance of you system? There is a fine line between security and usability. As long as you are satisfied with how your system works then you're not over the top.
You have sufficient protection, if combined with common sense. |
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Psicop
More human than human
Premium
join:2005-12-21
| reply to kangabil
OK, what's missing on this list:
1. NAT router
2. Internet access through a limited account
3. SpywareBlaster
Make sure you lock the hosts file with Spybot S & D and there is not need to maintain the Hosts file as long as you keep it blocked and practice "safe surfing."
The original hosts file should read:
# Copyright (c) 1998 Microsoft Corp.
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP stack for Windows98
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
# For example:
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host
127.0.0.1 localhost (and that's it).
Cheers. |
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JohnInSJ
Premium
join:2003-09-22
San Jose, CA
·Comcast
| reply to kangabil
Over the top - sitting in a corner next to your disassembled PC, wrapped in tin foil. Slightly over the top - running MacOS or Linux because "it's safer". Mildly over the top - running behind two NAT routers. You - normal good windows user who is aware of security.
I'd do the no-admin user thing, and putting a NAT router in is pretty darn cheap (under $40) for the extra protection it adds.
But unless you're also wrapped in tin foil, you're fine.
--
My place : »www.schettino.us |
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La Luna
Surviving Ashraful
Premium
join:2001-07-12
Warwick, NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
 ·Vonage
| reply to kangabil
Looks good to me as long as your system is running without being bogged down (which it shouldn't be with what you've got).
I'd also go for a router, and depending on your habits, maybe use a limited account.
Other than that, you look good to go.
--
~~Well, I think you're crazy, I think you're crazy, I think you're crazy, just like me...~~
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Daniel
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-26
Pleasanton, CA
clubs: 
1 edit | reply to kangabil
said by kangabil :Have I gone over the top? Yes.
--
dmiessler.com -- grep understanding knowledge |
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motoracer
join:2003-09-15
Valencia, CA | reply to kangabil
Those are the reasons I'm looking into a Mac. Haven't touched one since elementary school, but they are definitely looking like the way to go now.
Imagine not having to worry about spyware/viruses/etc...yet |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast
1 edit | said by motoracer :Imagine not having to worry about spyware/viruses/etc...yet I don't worry about them now. No, this is *NOT* a Mac or Linux.
____________________________________________________________
kangabil, You should be fine.
--
Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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Daniel
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-26
Pleasanton, CA
clubs:
| reply to motoracer
said by motoracer :Those are the reasons I'm looking into a Mac. Haven't touched one since elementary school, but they are definitely looking like the way to go now. Imagine not having to worry about spyware/viruses/etc...yet Well, it's not so much that you can avoid worrying at all -- it's more like you don't have to live in constant terror.
--
dmiessler.com -- grep understanding knowledge |
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Red_Dog
Premium
join:2003-01-02
Clinton Township, MI
| said by Daniel :said by motoracer :Well, it's not so much that you can avoid worrying at all -- it's more like you don't have to live in constant terror. 2 words....true image --
i'll be done.... when i'm finished. |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ | reply to kangabil
theres no such thing as "too secure" when running windows. |
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JTM1051
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-08
Moorpark, CA | reply to kangabil
FYI:
»What's your security mix? |
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Jeffrey
too dark too early
Premium
join:2002-12-24
Dix Hills,NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Vonage
·magicjack.com
1 edit | reply to kangabil
You're not over the top, you're a user that's taking great proactive steps toward running a healthy, stable, secure machine.
Consider Firefox and perhaps BOclean as suggested in earlier posts.
Remember that the user has the most control/responsibility when it comes to attracting bad crap. It's great to have all those antivirus/antispyware defenses, but it's more important to have educated users on that machine. If it's just you, the same rules apply but then again you'll have more control.
Consider limited vs. admin users.
Good luck.
Edit: I just re-read one of your replies, and saw you didn't like Firefox. Check out Opera, but if you're die-hard stuck on IE, so be it. I won't argue with you there.
--
"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your forsight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [Gallery] |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| reply to kangabil
If you are going to use IE, Spyware Blaster is absolute must! It doesn't run in the background so it will not slow your computer or conflict with other programs.
I agree you should invest in a router and because you use NOD32 get an anti-trojan program.
I also highly recommend imaging software such as True Image.
I also recommend the Proxomitron with Sidki's Sept 2006 configs.
Another good thing to have is HIPS ...such as ProcessGuard or SSM, Prevx, Online Armor, etc.
I certainly don't think you are overboard with what you have especially if you are using IE.
--
"If you want to do DRM on a PC then you need to treat the user as the enemy." Ross Anderson in "`Trusted Computing' Frequently Asked Questions"
»www.ie7.com/ |
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