What software programs are essential to insure security on your computer. That is what programs (your favorites) would you not be without to prevent spam, viruses, Fire Door, etc. I am currently using W2k Pro but will soon be upgrading to XP Pro. Thanks much for your suggestions. LSandersSr

To start with PC-Cillin for Viruses. Second I would use ZoneAlarm for Firewall. Third I would use a number of programs from AnalogX.com. That is what I load on every computer no matter what. Now comes the debat on which is better. Just watch and you will see.

You are right about the debate :) everyone supports one programme that they think is great and runs well on their system. I love Pc-cillin but it causes problems with my windows ME so i stopped using it. However if you are looking at a cheap way to keep your computer protected i would recommend AVG virus scanner, Kerio Firewall and Tauscan Anti-Trojan scanner ... you only pay for the Tauscan which is $29 but well worth it. i also have SWAT IT for back up. These 4 programmes will run on waaaay less resources than the resource hogs like NAV and Zonealarm, which by the way 1 in every 3 people have some problem with thru either installation or uninstallation ... i would never touch that again from personal experience.
The entire security thing is left up to the PC user but simply get a good virus scanenr, a good firewall and a good trojan scanner and you are ok... :0

Let me extend the opinion polls a little...

There are three absollute MUST have programs...
1. Antivirus...All of them are good and do an effective job...some may not work as well as others for any specific situation...
Whichever one you choose, keep this in mind...They all have fixes for the various virus's...Company A may have the fix today, Company C will have it on Friday, Company B will work better than Company D on ANY SPECIFIC VIRUS...and then for the next virus outbreak, that order will be completely mixed up and where Company A was the best, now Company G has the best solution, but they all catch up...

We use Norton, both on the desktop and in the networks we support...we find it to mosty effective, although we have seen more KlezE variants slip thru than we would like...

We are also evaluating AVG...

2. Firewall, another MUST HAVE if you have broadband...
Zone Alarm seems by far the most popular...I have it on my home system and it is very effective and has caused no problems...
There are many others...most of them are free downloads for personal use, so try several...and if they all seem effective, use the one that seems easiest to set up...

3. Spyware removal...especially if your downloading MP3, video stuff etc...all kinds of garbage gets on your computer with this stuff...We use Ad Aware, but again, there are other products that I'm sure are as effective...

On another note...why are you going to upgrade to XP???....

W2K is VERY stable...XP still has some issues...

Good Luck
Steve

I am upgrading to XP to be more in line with my son's computers. He and I both will be using Office XP Pro also. I have been experienceing problems with WordPerfect and wanted to go with MS Word, and other programs that come with Office. I have to say I have had very good luck with W2K Pro. It is very stable. I won't upgrade to XP until after I have had a look at the SP due out next month, I believe. Thanks for you contribution. LSandersSr

LSandersSr ok first of all i would first do some research on products like firewalls, virus scanners for trojan i would have to agree with one of the posts here tauscan or the cleaner. not all products act the same on everyones system. for firewalls check out zonealarm for cost effectivness. free. can't beat that. or sygate. get the updates for the OS and the Office there is a huge security flaw in Outlook 2002.
pc cillin is ok but doesn't detect all of the viri. some good articles are from .. www.zdnet.com or www.cnet.com. they do reviews on products and give you the low down. i have also looked at some of the sites on the board that people post as being something to say great things about products . im finding out they are all that great. do some research first guy. this is coming from an IS major ( information Security)

I have 2 more questions.

1. When I read about tauscan, they mention that it protects from almost all Trojans. Do they say it this was for leagal reasons, because this Trojan and Virus thing is so fulid and changing all the time?

2. I have noticed a strange behavior when I empty my Recycle bin. It takes a few seconds to do this. I don't recall it taking so long to empty the trash. Am I being overly suspicious? LSandersSr

to answer your question LSander sr 1.that's correct for what you said. it's sometimes hard to keep up with trojans. new ones are usually coming out ever day or week or modifid.

2. just depends on how many files you have in the recycle bin

Regarding the Recycle Bin, it takes 7 seconds to remove a 13 KP Jpg from the recycle bin. I think that is way to much time. If you are using W2K Pro, time it to see if you get the same results. Before, I think it didn't take so long. I did install the try out version of Tauscan and it found no Trojans on my system. I am running Virus scanner and Firewall programs.

I am running W2K pro updated entirely with SP and Windows Update. Also, hardware are as follows:

AZZA P4XA-AV with Pent4 1.6 Mhz Processor
512 Meg Memory
nVidea Riva TNT2 AGP 2x/4x
IBM IDE 20 Gig HD 7200 RPM
12/10/32A CDRW
NIC

Thanks for your assistance. LSandersSr

LSandersSr
how full is your hard drive? 1.6 pretty nice. as for XP goes it's not to bad of an OS really, despite of what you might have heard from other people it does need a little redoing for some code. hope there SP will correct some errors. other then that there is really no reason why people should need a dual boot with win Xp and other systems.

Hi Jon, I am waiting for SP1 or what ever it is, for XP. If it looks good I will install then.
Current hard drive is filled as:

C: 1.73 Gig Used 4.10 Free
D: 1.01 Gig Used 4.34 Free
E: 1.05 Gig Used 4.30 Free
F: 360 Meg Used 2.2 Gig Free

Win2K user:
Proxomitron (freeware) for ad removal, anonymous surfing.
AnalogX POW (freeware) additional ad blocking
CookiePal for control of cookies
SpamPal (freeware) for eliminating spam.
Agnitum's OutPost 1.0 (freeware) firewall
Norton Antivirus 2002.

Excellent results with all so far, web pages load much faster, 90% less spam. Outpost is far better in user control of what is allowed and has passed with flying colors every security test on net.

you have four hdd's i have about 320 gig full and im needing more kind of sucks when you have to much stuff back ups become a pain