| program |
site - click to download |
comments |
| 1. Zone Alarm |
http://www.zonelabs.com/
|
This is a Firewall program which prevents
a) 'people outside' from accessing your computer
b) software on your computer from accessing the 'outside world'
The only traffic that crosses the firewall is what you consent
to
Firewalls seem a much bigger potential problem to me than
viruses.
It is still free - if you search the download section, the
'firewall only' is available free - you can get other protections,
but you pay for them
|
| 2. Computer Associates eTrust EZ antivirus |
http://www.my-etrust.com/ |
This costs $ 25 / year, including all updates.
(renewals are $ 10, I believe). I haven't had many virus problems,
but I am very careful about opening attachments to emails. If
what the person has written seems out of character, I check
it with them before opening the file |
| 3 SpyBot |
http://www.safer-networking.org/ |
SpyBot is a program that specialises in removing
spy-ware - programs that get into your computer and potentially
can send information about you back to their owner. Much of
this is harmless commercial stuff, but, why allow even that
to happen. It seems to derive from pop-up adverts. |
| 4. Ad-Aware |
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ |
This is a similar program to Spybot, the standard
version is free, and it finds lots of cookies that could potentially
misbehave |
| other options : |
|
|
| 5. Norton |
http://www.symantec.com/ |
Norton Utilities - can do everything you need
in one package |
| 6. McAfeer |
http://www.drsolomon.com/ |
McAfee also provide a complete service with Dr
Solomon antivirus |
| 7. F-Secure |
http://www.f-secure.com/ |
F-Secure provide a similar service |
| 8. Net Nanny |
http://www.netnanny.com/ |
Net Nanny prevents young persons accessing the
'wrong parts' of the internet, accidentally or not. My friends
17-year old son and his mates soon worked out how to crack it,
but younger kids would ne OK |
I think it is absolutely essential to either use the mix of free
services that I use, or to buy a professional package.
On my domain, the service provider filters emails for viruses and
spam. I have found the Firewall more essnetial than a virus program,
but I would be uncomfortable if I didn't have the security of both.
