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I just installed Verizon DSL on my home PC that came with a Westell 2200 Modem/Router. I was gonna download EZ Armor to protect my pc, but after speaking with a Verizon representative, I was told that the 2200 has a built in firewall that should be all I need and that she doesn't really recommend a software firewall too because there might be problems between them both. So I think I am just gonna get a free AV like AVG, and a spyware program. My questions are, which spyware program is the best, perferably free? Other then the AV and spyware, What other programs should I download to fully protect my pc? Last, is there a way to check the Router/Firewall, AV, etc.. to see how secure they are and make sure they are performing like they are suppose to. Not to computer savvy, so ignore my ignorance. Thanks for all the help
DO NOT LISTEN to the idiots over at Verizon. A firewall will not protect you from viruses, spyware/malware and broswer hijackers.
Get Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, SpywareBlaster and make sure you get a good pop up stopper. Google offers a free one called the Google Toolbar.
You should also download ZoneAlarm which is a firewall. Again, do not listen to the idiots over at Verizon.
I'm sure they are not all idiots but whoever you spoke with was.
KTTD
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http://www.grc.com/
You can check the firewall here...As for progs for spyware you
definately need SPYWAREBLASTER
and Spybot,AdAwareThe best thing you can do is to use Opera or Mozilla instead of IE as a browser...
These work for me.
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Kevin the T.D has the programs all laid out for you AND they are all free!! His language might have been a bit strong BUT he is absolutely correct!! A Google search for them by name will give you the download sites.
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Being a computer professional it bugs the hell out of me when people get this kind of advice. Verizon is not going to pay the bill when spyware screws up the system.
Firewalls are great things but do little to stop spyware from infecting your system. Yes, the language was strong but I was severely irked when I read the post. Being ignorant is one thing, being an idiot is another.
KTTD
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Unbelievable what the service rep recommended, I hope it was not a Verizon service tech that provided the advice. Get the EZ Armor package as you originally planned. It comes with Zone Alarm pro version 3.7 and ETrust antivirus that is fully supported. You can get it for free for a year at http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/index.cfm Then go to http://wilders.org and get all the spyware programs that KTTD recommends.
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Kevin The Tech Dude: "Firewalls are great things but do little to stop spyware from infecting your system."
--------- WRONG --------------They do quite alot IF and only if you know how to configure them properly.
There are two points to a well configured firewall1 - It should stealth service ports which will certainly NOT make you pc a highway for anyone ... much less spyware that installs when you hit a page.
2 - Should you get spyware, a PROPER firewall
should let you know that something is trying to phone home or going outbound from your pc.If you configure your firewall properly, your use of all those spyware scanners mentioned above will be reduced greatly. Then you won't find yourself in here crying for a fix for some pest on your pc.
And one last thing, since you have a router, it is recommended that you get a rules based firewall as opposed to the preconfigured rubbish like zone alarm, it will give you way more flexibility and they are generally lighter on your system that a preconfigured wall.
Mind you, the spyware scanners are still needed but not 40 of them.
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Thanks for making me laugh and for showing how much an ignorant person you are when it comes to spyware.
--------- WRONG --------------
Go and download Kazaa and install it and then let me see how your well configured firewall will stop the spyware from infecting your system, good luck. Install some other types of software that install spyware onto your computer and then show me how your firewall will stop it.
I deal with spyware and other kinds of computer problems day in and out first hand. I do not call myself Kevin The Tech Dude for nothing. I am in the brown stuff everyday.
Folks like you will never learn that a firewall does not keep out spyware. If you want to step into the ring, at least bring some gloves next time.
KTTD
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hmmm downloading and installing kazaa (KNOWINGLY INSTALLING) vs a web page attacking your pc ?
Where did you go to school, the moon !!!
Ignorance is bliss mate i have and still run networks too, i have 3 computers at home now running "MY" setup. No infections from spyware on any none on work pcs none on friends pcs ... why ... firewall and proper security.
If you are stupid enough to install the software/spyware then nothing will "SAVE YOU" .. you will be cleaning all day.
god help your ignorance.
There is a saying i give to people like you "engage brain before opening mouth"
have a nice day.
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That is your best defence? I see you do not deal with the public on a daily basis.
I will say it again. A firewall WILL NOT stop a PC from being infected with spyware.
"engage brain before opening mouth"
Maybe you should follow your own advice once in awhile, eh mate?KTTD
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Thanks for the replys. I must have worded it wrong, the Verizon Tech only mentioned that she did not recommend adding a software firewall since i already have a built in hardware firewall in the Westell 2200 Modem/Router because sometimes they don't work together correctly and cause problems. She did however recommend that I get a good AV and Spyware programs on my pc to fully protect it and that is why I posted here, to find out what are the best free AV and spyware programs that I can get. So from the advice previously posted, I should download AVG for the AV and also SpywareBlaster, Spybot and Ad-Aware, Correct? Are these the only programs I need to keep my pc pretty well protected? What is the difference between Spybot and SpywareBlaster? And Last, how do I go about configuring my hardware firewall on the Westell 2200 to make sure it is protecting me like it should? Thanks again for all the help.
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s7m7r
I think that what you said was clear enough..To put it simply
Spywareblaster don't let spyware to enter your PC.
Spybot and Adaware remove installed spyware
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lol :) STOP vs HELP , must be a hearing problem ?
keep cleaning ... :) maybe someday you will see the light ... not :)
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No one said this, most most spyware is downloaded with active x controls. As far as I know, firewalls do not stop acive x controls. If I'm wrong, someone correct me :)
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I almost forgot about this. One of the tech support guys for my DSL provider told me I didn't need a sofware firewall because the DSL router has a hardware firewall. I corrected him saying the hardware firewall does nothing to stop spyware, trojans etc. from going out of my computer to the internet.
He didn't know what to say after I said that. He just said "0h". I couldn't believe he wouldn't know that.
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Outpost firewall from agnitum can filter activeX, and quite a lot of scripts
have a look ..
http://agnitum.com/products/outpost/features.html
Privacy Features
New: Banner ad blocking (including Flash ads) and pop-up window blocking keep frustrating ads off your screen;
Cookies blocking maintains Web privacy and protects personal information;
Web history (referrers) blocking conceals surfing habits;
Active elements blocking for ActiveX, Java, Visual Basic scripts, and Java applets protects your system from malicious programs
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