I just bought myself a new Dell computer and have connected to high speed internet with a cable modem (I know welcome to the 90's ) -
no more dialup.

Anyway what do I need to do to this thing to protect myself from the evils of the internet. I am guessing I will need a firewall (hardware or software, don't understand the differences?) and virus software (always had that ) and software to protect from adware/spyware (never had a problem before). I have never had any trouble on the internet other than the occational mild virus but I want full protection now before venturing out with my new 'puter.

I mainly want to download music (KAZAA I guess??) and visit this site.

Any information would be welcome - hardware or software/freeware options...

Thanks!!!

 

don't use kazza it's a major source of spyware

use winmx to download music ............ it's a bit harder to find stuff on there but no spyware

spyware programs: (try www.download.com)

adaware
spybot search and destroy

antivirus:

free:
www.grisoft.com

otherwise Norton

Linksys makes good hardware firewall's / routers

 

What OS did your new computer come with?
I am running Windows XP Pro, and it has a built in software firewall. If you have Win ME, or Win 98, you might want to download ZONEALARM. It is a free firewall program.
AVAST 4 HOME EDITION is a good (Free) antivirus program.
Ad-Aware 6.0 is a good (free) program to find and get rid of ad ware and spy ware.

I use both a hardware firewall AND a softwere firewall.

 

I am running Windows XP Home. I found the setting for enabling the firewall in XP in the network settings area and set it. Is this good enough for firewall protection? I was thinking of getting some kind of hardware firewall but I don't know if I need one.

Thanks!

 

You can buy a 4port router, it will have a built in firewall, and jacks for 3 more computers. The software firewall may be enough. Not being a hacker, I'm not sure how good they are. I have never been hacked. YET

 

Having hacker friends, I can say that if they want ou you're screwed either way. Still, I've never found adware or spyware that couldn't be removed with Ad-Aware or Spybot Search and Destroy. I've heard good things about the full version of Zone Alarm, but I've never tried it. I have a router. With viruses, I've never gotten anything with Norten. Still, I've never gotten anything that I couldn't get rid of by either running free software or kicking my friends in the behind.

 

I wouldn't trust XP's firewall. XP has so many holes in it I doubt Microsoft got the firewall right either. XP SP2 is in beta right now so hopefully most of the holes will be closed without having to constantly update with quick fixes.
I use a WiFi/4 port router with a hardware firewall and Zone Alarm software. So far so good.

MikeyB

 

Talked to a few other people and they seem to agree that a "hardware - router/firewall" is the best option. I checked a few prices and they seem to be reasonalbly priced. I think I will go that route!

Thanks for the info!

 

I would take Ray Roton's advice and install a Router. D-Link or Linksys are good choices. They will also allow you to hook several CPUs to the same WAN.

Yes, stay away from Kazza - real bad news.

cheers f

 

I second (or third ) the notion of the hardware firewall. I've got good experiences with the D-Link 604 or 624 series.
One big caveat is there: You'll still have to use reason in using your computer.
Personally I'm using Linux as the only OS at home.

AlpineRAM

 

I fourth it! A virus is bad enough and can cause significant damage, but having someone hack your PC is even worse. That happened to my sister and the guy ruined her computer by deleting the SID's for ALL accounts, making it impossible to log in. God only knows what kind of data he hijacked in the process (she's an accountant ). I set her up with a hardware firewall, antivirus and spyware progs and hasn't had a problem since.

I've had good experience with SMC (barricade) routers in the past and am currently using all Netgear components with great success so far.

I'm a big fan of FREE, so I have been using Avast Antivirus available here: http://www.download.com/Avast-Home-E...ml?tag=lst-0-9

A spyware killer is essential these days... have had great luck with Spybot - Seek & Destroy:
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...ml?tag=lst-0-3

Ad-Aware is another good one. Typically if Spybot doesn't get it, Ad-Aware will and vice versa...
http://www.download.com/Ad-aware/300...ml?tag=lst-0-1

Good luck!

 

Fun thing to be considered is that people who hijack your computer usually do so to commit other crimes. Like e-mailing or posting stuff that isn't appropriate to even mention here. (Read: Anything really illegaly and disgusting) - But it will be your computer where it was sent from, and it will be you who is in trouble. (At least over here, and it's very difficult to prove that you are innocent)

Just my 2c reminding of caution...

AlpineRAM

 

There was a REALLY good thread posted not too long ago that contained a link which gave all kinds of great information for protecting yourself while on the internet. I forget who posted it, but it was in this forum. I wish I could find it again because I'd like to bookmark it. Might try doing a search.

 

May I recomend Panda Antivirus? I use norton at work for all the PC's up here, but alot of the guys I know through my LAN parties are starting to use Panda. It uses MUCH less overhead, and the interface is much smoother IMHO.

DO NOT use Norton System Works, ONLY their antiV. System works is a pig and will hose your system.....(IMHO).

So Norton & Panda get my 2 thumbs up for antiV. And don't scrimp on renewing it when it comes due in 365 days to renew your antiV subscription. Well worth every cent!



For firewalls, I 10th everyone recomendation to get a router. Not only does it offer you pretty good protection (a MUST have on most cable modem networks since they are usually neighborhood nodes), but the ability to hook up miltiple PC's EASILY is well worth the small cost.

If you are ultra paranoid, you can run a software firewall, but they generally aren't needed for home use, since most hackers won't bother trying to hack a dynamic IP, unless they have a real good reason to (like they know you or you have info they must have etc or you **** someone off real good).

If you browse alot, Adaware 6.0 freeware is your best bet. Run it once a week or more RELIGIOUSLY. Start the app, run the update, then have it scan your PC. You will not regret it, as spyware has goten out of controll recently.

Other than that, have fun and enjoy!!!

 

Other good practices would be to turn off your PC, or at least unplug your network cable if you leave your computer turned on and unattended for any extended length of time. In the case of my sister, she actually watched this guy go through her files and delete stuff, etc over the period of a day or two. While she is a very booksmart person, she is not very street smart and didn't think to simply unplug the network cable, which would have stopped the guy dead in his tracks. By the time she told me about it and asked me what to do, it was way too late.

AlpineRAM is right, while some of these people are kids just out to screw around and mess with people, many of them want to use your computer to commit crimes... with identity theft being just the tip of the iceberg. If they are using your computer to do other things, to the law, it looks like YOU did the crime.

Ever hear your Hard Drive start grinding away, even when you are not using the PC? There used to be a neat program from PCMag.com that would tell you exactly what was accessing your HD... http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,91131,00.asp
However, it looks like it is only for Win98 & ME. Maybe someone here knows of a similar program for NT-based systems?

One last thing... users of Kazaa beware... That place is more like a virus-swapping network than a file sharing one. I've rebuild many PC's that were victims of shady Kazaa downloads. Here's an interesting (albiet old) article regarding Kazaa and the likes... http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-885792.html