Re: paranoid user needs new security software
- From: Kayman <enjoylife@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2007 13:43:19 +0700
On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:22:28 -0600, Jim Madsen wrote:
I have Norton Internet Security 2004, which came bundled on my Dell
computer. I just received notice that this software is no longer
supported by subscription (to updates, etc.)
Good, time to rid yourself of this apps.
The reason I never have updated to something else is I'm actually afraid
of trying to uninstall this stuff. The instructions on the web site say
just go to add and remove programs, and click uninstall. But this has
stuff all over my computer -- there's Symantic Live Update, and it's
tied into the Microsoft Security Center -- is that going to complain if
I try to uninstall it?
The retail version of Norton can play havoc with your pc. Uninstall it
using Norton's own uninstall tool
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
and get a refund :)
As suggested on the site, you may wish to print out the directions before
proceeding.
If this doesn't work use this:
Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Remove unwanted programs and traces easily
http://www.revouninstaller.com/
and/or
RegSeeker
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm
Then use NTREGOPT to compact the registry; Follow instructions.
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt
While Norton's removal tool usually gets the job done, you may also want to
go to:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html
and download a copy of winsockxpfix just in case. Rarely, the removal of
NIS breakes the networking components in XP to the point where internet
access is impossible. This little utility will fix it back up.
My ISP offers a free copy of McAffee (which I hate, from the experiences
we've had at work), but it says I must uninstall all security software
prior to downloading the McAffee from the internet (yeah, right).
A number of experts agree that the retail AV version of McAfee, Norton and
Trend Micro has become cumbersome and bloated for the average user. The
average homeuser should avoid these apps.
I might be able to get a free legitimate subscription to security
software from work.
Real-time AV applications (choose one (1) only).
Do not utilize more than one (1) real-time anti-virus scanning engine!
Disable the e-mail scanning function during installation (Custom
Installation on some AV apps.) as it provides no additional protection. In
fact, most of experts (incl. Norton) believe that scanning incoming and
outgoing mail causes e-mail file corruption.
Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic - Free
http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
(Choose Custom Installation and under Resident
Protection, uncheck: Internet Mail and Outlook/Exchange.)
or
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/
or
ESET NOD32 Antivirus - Not Free
http://www.eset.com/
Have you seen these "extra settings for NOD32"?
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=37509
and
On-demand AV application (add it to your arsenal and use it as a "second
opinion" av scanner).
BitDefender10 Free Edition
http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-8-Free-Edition.html
A-S applications (grab'em all).
The effectiveness of an individual AV A-S scanners can be wide-ranging and
oftentimes a collection of scanners is best. There isn't one software that
cleans and immunizes you against everything. That's why you need multiple
products to do the job i.e. overlap their coverage - one may catch what
another may miss.
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
Ad-Aware - Free
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html
Spybot Search & Destroy - Free
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
(I don't use the Immunisation function and TeaTimer application)
Windows Defender _ Free
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Interesting reading:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136195/article.html
"...Windows Defender did excel in behavior-based protection, which detects
changes to key areas of the system without having to know anything about
the actual threat."
Some more useful applications:
Spyware Blaster - Free
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Rootkit Revealer - Free
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Utilities/RootkitRevealer.mspx
Crap Cleaner _ Free
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities
uncheck "Windows Defender"
CW Shredder - Free
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Popup-Ad-Spyware-Blockers/CWShredder.shtml
Use/activate Win XP SP2 built-in Firewall
and uncheck *all* Programs and Services under the Exception tab.
Read through:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfintro.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/winfirewall.mspx
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308127
How to Configure Windows Firewall on a Single Computer
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/smallbusiness/prodtech/windowsxp/cfgfwall.mspx
Troubleshooting Windows Firewall settings in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875357
Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2: Network
Protection => Windows Firewall
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2netwk.mspx#EQSAE
PFW Criticism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_firewall#Criticisms
"Personal Firewalls" are mostly snake-oil.
http://www.samspade.org/d/firewalls.html
Why your firewall sucks.
http://tooleaky.zensoft.com/
"But I quickly realized the truth: The added protection provided by
outbound filtering is entirely illusory."
At Least This Snake Oil Is Free.
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2007/07/19/at-least-this-snake-oil-is-free.aspx
Deconstructing Common Security Myths.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2006/05/SecurityMyths/default.aspx
Scroll down to:
"Myth: Host-Based Firewalls Must Filter Outbound Traffic to be Safe."
Exploring the windows Firewall.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007/06/VistaFirewall/default.aspx
"Outbound protection is security theater—it’s a gimmick that only gives the
impression of improving your security without doing anything that actually
does improve your security."
Windows Firewall: the best new security feature in Vista?
http://blogs.technet.com/jesper_johansson/archive/2006/05/01/426921.aspx
Read, comprehend and implement :)
I've yet to came across write-ups authored by experts with credentials who
refute the content of the above mentioned articles. In fact not even
representatives of the makers of PFW's care (or dare) to comment. I wonder
why?
Additionally:
Seconfig XP is able configure Windows not to use TCP/IP as transport
protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving TCP/UDP ports 135, 137-139
and 445 (the most exploited Windows networking weak point) closed.)
(http://seconfig.sytes.net/
(http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Seconfig-XP-Download-39707.html)
Practice Safe-Hex
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
No, you won't regret it!
My biggest question, is, will I regret trying to uninstall Norton
Internet Security?
Good luck and stay safe :)
.
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