what apps are need to keep your pc safe?

I use these programs to keep my computer safe and secure and there FREE!

You need Anti-Spyware to get rid of mail-ware I think (Check out the links below)



ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION
Windows onecare Antivirus BETA - (Still in devlopment but offers up-to-date protection) It takes over the firewall thats windows SP2 with its own, and automatically downloads and installs microsofts updates.

Link: http://www.windowsonecare.com/ Size: 106 MB

ANTI-SPYWARE PROTECTION
Windows Defender Antispyware BETA 2 - (Again in devlopment but now in version 2) This is a very popular anti-spyware that does quick easy scans. One of my fravoutes.

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx Size: 10.04 MB

ANTI-ADWARE PROTECTION
Lavasoft Anti Ad-ware - This is Good I remember I had aload of ad-ware popping up from after my family used the computer this managed to get rid of all those nasty pop-ups.

Link: http://www.lavasoft.com/ (Check out the downloads section) Size: 3.09 MB

There is also a new Windows Toolbar BETA that is very similar to MSN toolbar that includes a Anti-Pfishing dectection (Gives warning on spoof websites and helps protect you from entering sensitive information) I wouldent recommend this software yet as its still in devlopment because I experience a problem with this. After connecting to the internet, when it was time to shut down the computer It still thought IEXPLORER.EXE is still running and you have to manually end process.

I suggest using the orginial MSN tool bar and download the Anti-Pfishing Add-on @ Microsoft.com windows SP2 should still block your pop-ups but you can add the MSN block pop-ups if you wish. (There are many other add-ons but require you to select to your prefered state)


Please note some validation may be required in order to download to check your using genuine Microsoft Operating system.


Also check this safety center by Microsoft Windows Its gives a free virus, spyware, and tune-up scan (Requires a small download)

Link: http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm Size: 10.11 MB



Hopefully this helps


K-Ma

Thill, are you sure that emails are actually being sent from your machine, or are they being sent from one of your accounts? Unfortunately, it's possible to forge an email address in a piece of email, so it's possible for someone anywhere in the world to forge a piece of email with your return address, making it look as though it came from you. It's also possible but less likely that someone has compromised the password for an online account like Hotmail or Yahoo mail, so it's worth changing your passwords.

I'm very happy with AVG, it's served me flawlessly for a little over a year now.

In addition to the usual anti-spyware apps, I use Spyware Blaster. It doesn't clear your machine of malware, it prevents malware infestation and works very well.

whats AVG?

a free antivirus software. in my opinion (and experience having to clean up numerous machines that have had AVG running and updated and viruses getting through easily) Avast is much better

Try it, thill. I think if you find malware now when you run your checks, later you'll see quite a decrease with SpyBlaster installed.

I ran avast for about 4 monts before AVG. After realizing it diddnt work as well as i read i switched to AVG and havn't looked back.

But really though, the difference is marginal and you should be happy with either

i dont use any programs just the windows firewall becus i find that all other system/internet monitoring tools just slow it down. im just careful where i go and every few months ill put norton or spy spweeper on and i alwayz have 0 viruses and like 1 or 2 spyware. just be careful where you go

Antivirus - I've been using Avast and seems to work decent for a free application. http://www.avast.com/
Although I hear many people have been switching to NOD32, which is not free but if it's worth it, then why not. http://www.nod32.com/home/home.htm
For spyware and the like - I have been using hitman pro which uses several programs at once to detect. Here is a good readup on what it does and how it works. http://www.hardwarexl.com/index.php?...=183&Itemid=53

I used to use ZoneAlarm (firewall), but since one of its updates last year went haywire, I haven't trusted it since. I'm trying out Tiny on my 8790 and like it, but the trial runs out soon, so I'm not sure what I'll try after that. I've got Kerio on my desktop, but it seems like a PITA. While it's probably a good thing, it seems to ask a lot more about programs being allowed to access the internet than ZA or Kerio.

SpyBot- Search & Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/ Use in conjunction w/ Ad-Aware for battling nasties from creeping into your system.

For A/V, I've used AVG for a few years now. Still have it on my 8790, but have Trend Micro PC-Cillin on my Dell 9300 and Avast! on my desktop. AVG seems to be the lightest of them all and doesn't hog system resources, but have heard bad things, so have been trying Avast! on the home system for about a year or so. Haven't really found much of a difference as of yet.

Definitely do the Windows Antispyware beta. It caught a keylogger on my VAIO once that AVG, Spybot & Ad-Aware never blinked an eye at. Other than that, I've never had it find anything else. That one thing was enough to have sold me on it, though.

And one security item is that I use Firefox instead of IE. How much different it is security-wise, I'm not sure. But tabbed browsing and tons of extensions make it the choice for me while surfing.

I don't know if 'common sense' counts as software, but that's what I rely on mostly. Stay away from unknown downloads, don't click pop-ups, filter your spam,,,you know, practice 'Safe Hex'...

I also dont use anything to protect my computer as it slows it down.. I also use that stuff called common computer geek sence lol.. there are times I suspect a virus after downloading gigs of applications and games and run my anti virus and nothing, ever!