Re: Do I need Norton?

From: Richard Urban (richardurbanREMOVETHIS_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 06/05/05 

Date: Sun, 5 Jun 2005 12:32:55 -0400

"figaro" <mail@umfleet.net> wrote in message
news:el4PyMUaFHA.1384@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>I will soon be getting a computer and for the first time have XP home. Been
> using ME. I have always had Norton Utilities and Antivirus. I mostly used
> utilities to defrag, scan disc etc. Looking at the XP web site it looks
> like
> there are plenty of maintenance tools that come with it so I wonder if the
> Norton utilities are worth it. I do like having the Anti-virus that warns
> me
> when one is coming in the email. Does XP have a feature that will do this
> and update virus definitions each day? Any program better and if so why?
> What about the firewall that you can get with service pack 2. Is that all
> I
> need?
>
>

Make sure you have a firewall up and running prior to plugging in your
internet
connection? If you don't, you will likely be "infected" within seconds to a
couple of minutes after you turn on your computer - even though you never go
to a web site. If you are on a dial up connection as opposed to DSL or cable
you are a bit safer - marginally!

Install a GOOD firewall - one that blocks unwanted outbound traffic as well
as unwanted inbound traffic. Then when something tries to connect, out of
the ordinary, you will be flagged. At that point you can disallow that
particular instance either once or permanently.

If you want a better firewall than the one that is supplied with Windows XP,
ZoneAlarm (free) from
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?lid=nav_za

You will want to keep your system free of infestations of viruses, spyware,
dialers, key
loggers etc.

HINT: Don't ever go clicking things just because a web site, e-mail, popup
or
rogue desktop background tells you to! If you are not 101% certain what an
action will
do - don't perform that action.

Download, install, update and frequently run the following:

If you don't have any antivirus installed, AVG Antivirus (free) from
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

Ad-Aware (free) from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

SpyBot Search and Destroy (free) from
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Microsoft Anti Spyware (free) from
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

And exercise control over your clicking finger! 

-- 
Regards,
Richard Urban
aka   Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Antivirus Programs
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    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers)
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    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: what configuration can block most of the attacks form hacker and trojan?
    ... > using cable modem with built in firewall. ... > I have also installed norton antivirus and zone alarm for security. ... (Scan for updates, Review and Install) ... Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Do I need Norton?
    ... I have always had Norton Utilities and Antivirus. ... The Windows XP Firewall is OK. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
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