| Maximum security with minimal $$$*disclaimer: I dont mean to promote/bash any product by either mentioning it here or by not mentioning it here. This is just what I tought about when thinking about these issues.* 
Im wondering on how to build my new antivirus/malware package (in couple months or so) and otherwise boost my security in the future. Im concidering the money too so... What I was thinking about was...
1) NOD32. Very reliable and tiny and only 35euros year.
2) KAV-lite. Good for trojans and for second-line antivirus and only 20euros year.
3) TDS-3 (or hopefully TDS-4 when it comes out...which is...when?). Excellent anti-trojan, but costs 50euros year.
4) Spybot S&D, still free and good tool.
5) Ad-Aware, still free and good tool.
6) Hijackthis, still free and good tool for getting info and rid of some clever malware/spying programs.
7) Abtrusion Protector. Free tool to prevent not-allowed code from running in my system. This version (1.1) has caused me troubles (my computer is sooooo slow) but I guess the next version might fix this one out.
8) Script Sentry to prevent not-wanted scripts to be run in one form or in other. Still free.
9) Even more paranoia and common sense about running files on my computer. Absolutely free but can make your head pop... 
10) Hushmail upgrade to 32MB premium user, good spam blocking and maximum PGP-grade/compatible security hassle-free. About 30euros year.
11) Anonymizer Private Surfing 2.1, to protect my privacy and encrypt traffic across my ISP. About 30euros year.
12) ZoneAlarmPlus. Good firewall. About 30euros year.
13) Active Ports. Good tool to monitor traffic etc. Free.
14) PGP 6.58ckt8/GnuPG for encrypting emails to people who dont bother using Hushmail still free.
15) Safeboot Solo for encrypting the HDD (heh, I already have this so it costs me nothing anymore), costs 50euros.
16) Eraser 5.6 for wiping files, still free.
Now, this summs up at about 200euros plus taxes, so lets say in total of some 250 euros per year. Is it worth it really? For my level of paranoia, perhaps. But lets look an other catalog, lets make this one cheap as possible.
1) Kav Lite, 20euros year.
2) Spybot, free.
3) Ad-Aware, free.
4) Hijackthis, free.
5) Abtrusion protector, free.
6) Script Sentry, free.
7) More and more paranoia, free unless you go insane.
8) Hushmail standard account, free.
9) Anonymizer/Megaproxy/similiar free SSL/TLS protected surfing, free.
10) ZoneAlarm, free.
11) Active Ports, free.
12) PGP 6.58ckt8/GnuPG, free.
13) Eraser 5.6, free.
14) Use CompuSecTM to encrypt your HDD:s. Its free.
15) Use AVG as free antivirus.
16) Use Openoffice.org as office tool, its safer than MS Office and its free.
This totals to just about 25euros per year, and security is still awesome!  So, I think the main question is, is my level of paranoia worth 225euros per year or not? Is it for you? Hmmmm....
(edited, you damm yankees dont have euro marks on your server dammit!)
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My computer security & privacy related homepage
»www.markusjansson.net
[text was edited by author 2003-08-28 16:31:42]
[text was edited by moderator] |
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| nice collection.....only concern i would have is how much resources are gonna be consumed by all those products? |
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| said by rockinturbo:
nice collection.....only concern i would have is how much resources are gonna be consumed by all those products?
Most of them are not in use all the time. The only ones Im concerned maybe are Abtrusion Protector and KAV+TDS-3 if they are both on the same time. But if they are typically off and only used every once and while, then these babys dont eat much resources.
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My computer security & privacy related homepage »www.markusjansson.net |
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SchouwPremium
join:2003-05-29
Netherlands | reply to jansson_mark
You are forgetting SSM.
Except for some bugs, (hell it's a beta), I absolutely love it.
About the best protection you can get. |
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| said by Schouw:
You are forgetting SSM.
Abtrusion Protector is VERY similiar to SSM. But Abtrusion Protector really works, SSM doesnt. For example, in my case SSM performed pretty well but after some more testing I figured out that it many times allows the file to be executed regardless of settings or "rules". I cant use such software that is meant to prevent not-wanted programs from executing when its NOT doing that. Besides, SSM uses CRC32 to "know" the files/components. CRC is NOT cryptographically secure, so its easy to create a malwared explorer.exe that has the same CRC as original explorer.exe. With Abtrusion protector you cant do this since they use cryptographically strong hash functions to track files/components.
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My computer security & privacy related homepage »www.markusjansson.net |
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| reply to jansson_mark
thanks for that info,a couple of those products i'm gonna look into. |
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SchouwPremium
join:2003-05-29
Netherlands
| reply to jansson_mark
Thanks for the info, I will check Abtrusion Protector out.
[text was edited by author 2003-08-28 16:55:45] |
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 gkweb
join:2003-06-09
76800 | reply to jansson_mark
about SSM, on my XP pro it works very well.
When an app seems to be allowed to be executed despite his rule which say "ask me", it doesn't mean that it doesn't work but that the "caller" app has in his rules something like "always allow executing other app".
After, if your pb isn't this kind of thing but really a bug, like said it is still beta, but i doubt that SSM has such huge bug, all test are good on my comp, even malware done to escape stealthly (leaktests).
I remember that it has prevented, while browsing with IE, a page to exploit an IE security hole to make IE execute an other executable downloaded by the site ! (i was up to date).
Since i don't use IE anymore but Mozilla Firebird (free).
But i admit never gived a try to abstrusion, so i can't say which is better.
gkweb. |
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SchouwPremium
join:2003-05-29
Netherlands | reply to jansson_mark
Abtrusion Protector automatically allowed all the files on my drives..I did not like that, I couldn't delete those permissions either, permit or deny only..
And also some other things that I find that SSM handles better, I think I will stick to SSM. |
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| reply to jansson_mark
Alternate firewall idea: Kerio 2.1.5
Because it's good, and it's free. |
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 SparrowCrystal SkyPremium
join:2002-12-03
Sachakhand | reply to jansson_mark
Webwoot Spy Sweeper How about Webwoot Spy Sweeper? There is a free version, and full for $29.95. The free version picked up 145 traces not detected by Ad-Aware or Hijack This. I think that is a good start for Spy Sweeper.
»www.webroot.com/wb/products/spys···0f420e2a |
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 DarekPremium
join:2000-12-04
Chicago, IL
kudos:3 | Is Spy Sweeper rally free? I cannot find free version...
Maybe you talk about free Spy Audit??? |
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 jarib7End User
join:2003-04-06
Lake Cowichan, BC | reply to jansson_mark
Re: Maximum security with minimal $$$ Hi Markus, I was just wondering how come you're not considering avg for av? Can't beat the price.
»www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php |
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SparrowCrystal SkyPremium
join:2002-12-03
Sachakhand
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Re: Webwoot Spy Sweeper said by Darek:
Is Spy Sweeper rally free? I cannot find free version...
Maybe you talk about free Spy Audit???
Hi Darek12.
Scroll all the way down to the end of the link: »www.webroot.com/wb/products/spys···0f420e2a
Ok? Got it?
EDIT: Or look at the very top right hand corner of the page! I missed that one until I checked the link here!
[text was edited by author 2003-08-28 23:15:03] |
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| reply to jansson_mark
Re: Maximum security with minimal $$$ Read, read, read, read then read some more. Learn. That is the cheapest form of security.
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"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house." - George Carlin |
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 tehGekke KraaiPremium
join:2003-03-21
Malaysia
| reply to jansson_mark
Personally I think the 2nd choice is enough. I mean you have an Antivirus software and a well known freeware firewall(easy to get support). By the way do you use a router? I mean if so then to me its more than enough to complement choice number 2.
Just my $0.02.
Edit: If you have a mini network you could use network freeware tool called Expose, I seen it on TechTV Screensavers Here I never used it b4 so I won't know.
[text was edited by author 2003-08-29 03:56:12] |
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| about safeboot solo, im not familiar with it, but from what i can see this product: »www.ce-infosys.com.sg/CeiNews_Fr···uSec.asp
does exactly the same and is free. just thought id mention it |
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| reply to jarib7
said by jarib7:
Hi Markus, I was just wondering how come you're not considering avg for av? Can't beat the price.
True, but AVG is free only for residents of US or Canada (If I recall correctly.
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My computer security & privacy related homepage »www.markusjansson.net |
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| reply to flabberface
said by flabberface:
about safeboot solo, im not familiar with it, but from what i can see this product: »www.ce-infosys.com.sg/CeiNews_Fr···uSec.asp
does exactly the same and is free.
Hmmmm... Looks good to me. I remember that I tryed to install it but I couldnt get it to work with my computer somehow.
Altought the password thing bothers me, they only allow up to 16 letters passphrase with alphanumeric marks. That means only about 2^100 alternatives, while AES-256 has 2^256 alternatives. If you select the passphrase wisely and make it very complex, then it should have pretty good protection. Computing throught 2^99 alternatives is a heck of a job to do...
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My computer security & privacy related homepage »www.markusjansson.net |
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 Lucky5Premium
join:2002-07-24
Desert Floor | reply to jansson_mark
said by jansson_mark:
8) Hushmail standard account, free.
How about using your current email account with OE and spampal (free)(great anti-spam »www.spampal.org) and PGP freeware (find them here »www.pgpi.org/products/pgp/versions/freeware/ ). No cost, and no worry about changing your email addy.
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Tact...for those who lack the creativity to be sarcastic. |
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