What is Digg?213 Comments
- chris9902, on 11/13/2007, -13/+176AOL anything shouldn't be on a list of security programs.
- ZZZin, on 10/11/2007, -2/+125Add Spybot S&D to that list.
- wildfire, on 10/11/2007, -1/+59RIP Sygate firewall.
- noodhoog, on 10/11/2007, -0/+50No mention of truecrypt? - www.truecrypt.org - Best encryption program I've found anywhere, and open source.
Never trust any encryption program that isn't open source - you never know what kind of weaknesses it may have. And contrary to popular belief, if an encryption algorythm is strong enough, having access to the source does not make it easier to crack - AndrewDB, on 01/10/2008, -6/+52I knew that this list fails the moment I saw ZoneAlarm.
That software is the biggest pile of ***** this side of the internet. - aapala, on 10/11/2007, -1/+34Seriously... any mention of free security programs, and these two (spybot and ad-aware) should be at the top of the list.
- Baku, on 10/11/2007, -6/+34I wouldn't touch Zonealam with a bargepole since ZA4 screwed my mate's PC over good & proper. And I don't think I'd go for any spyware-infested AOL software.
Other than that... good list. - hiPpymIck, on 10/11/2007, -2/+27plus Ad-Aware SE personal (i mean both)
- elvenseven, on 10/11/2007, -2/+24Actually it is. It's a simple version of Kapersky.
- jayneff, on 03/30/2009, -2/+23http://www.jetico.com - bcwipe
http://www.eset.com - nod32 - Jaaay, on 10/11/2007, -3/+22The most important thing in my experience is a good router. With a NAT firewall even if your system gets compromised a lot of malicious stuff will never make it past the firewall.
- Eddy3oy, on 10/11/2007, -1/+19A compromised PC is a compromised PC. Once the stuff's in there your firewall is pretty much redundant.
- elsJake, on 10/11/2007, -3/+20there is no "security program that works" , they're all just tools , you still have to do the work...and do it constantly.
There is no do that once and you're safe when it comes to computers.
Haven't you played Starcraft ? You can't just build turrets and hope you're safe ...build a ***** army over and over again and use it. - chris9902, on 10/11/2007, -8/+24no thank you. I've not install anything from AOL in over 6 years and there is no way it's going near my new computer.
- chronichyjinx, on 10/11/2007, -2/+17Linux?
- zadadka, on 10/11/2007, -1/+15It surprises me that anyone bothers using a software Firewall anymore.
With almost all A/DSL routers having NAT, it's quite sufficient, since any unrequested packets are simply dropped.
Obviously, if you are prone to visiting"dodgy" sites, you'll still need up-to-date anti- Spyware & Virus. - klinsek, on 10/11/2007, -2/+14Wow, that is a terribly composed list. Zone Alarm? AOL?
It never ceases to amaze me how many "tech journalists" have no idea what they are talking about, not to mention those that take the advice and spread it around like gospel. /sigh - Bigbro69, on 10/11/2007, -0/+11It used to be good.
RIP. - Tippis, on 10/11/2007, -1/+11Well, a decent software FW also tends to monitor *outgoing* traffic, which, if nothing else, tells you you've been hit by something after the fact. But yes, unless you've already been doing something dodgy, you're not going to need that.
- estvir, on 10/11/2007, -1/+11These people fail to realise that AOL Active Shield is simply a glossed version of Kaspersky and it honestly is quite good and rates well.
There are 2 only 2 AOL things you should remotely consider using, AIM and Active Shield. - kaph, on 10/11/2007, -6/+16And I suppose you started off a genius? I suppose you must be 733t then? How do you expect people who don't know much about computers to protect themselves? Hell I'm almost finished studying for my CISSP and ISSEP certs, and I still consider myself a newbie. One thing I have learned and strongly urge you to learn is there is alway a ***** of people that know a hell of a lot more than I/YOU do. Therefore I proclaim that YOU are a n00b, take a chair, quit bitching and learn. Godamn n00b.
- Chewie67, on 10/11/2007, -0/+9I was going to post this as well. TrueCrypt is amazing, fast, and free.
- dr-steve, on 10/11/2007, -2/+11Another vote for ActiveVirusShield. Kaspersky. All updates from the Kasp. site (I've watched the traffic). Low impact, very thorough, catches things my older program missed. Closing your mind to AOL because they're AOL is blinding yourself.
- RichGC, on 10/11/2007, -0/+9An alternative to File Shredder is the generically named Eraser.
http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ or http://sourceforge.net/projects/eraser/
Its free and open source. - enchantedsky, on 10/11/2007, -2/+10Winamp is owned by AOL, which I'm sure most of you guys have on your computer. Let's not be hypocritical about AOL software now..........just because AOL owns software doesn't mean they helped develop it.
- fremeer, on 10/11/2007, -1/+9antivir is a better option for a free anti-virus it holds its own against nod32 and in some areas is superior. nod32 is the best imo but it costing money usually deters some people.
- Mookey359, on 10/11/2007, -11/+19This article should not be getting diggs...
- Tippis, on 10/11/2007, -1/+9Yup, secure by design, just like Safari ;)
- astrotrain, on 10/11/2007, -1/+9You on drugs!?... McAfee is (along with Norton) one of the most bad codded bloated pieces of Security software. You'd have better chances of letting in the spyware then having a stable system with McAfee.
- PlaceboNation, on 10/11/2007, -2/+10This is obviously an article for windows based computers. Even with up to date spy ware and virus definitions you are only truly fixing a problem that is already discovered. Imagine the viruses and Trojans undiscovered. Hidden well behind the scenes. There are virus detection software that can predict that something is off base, but you are never truly safe. The best thing is to run an environment that not only is superior after learning the ropes, but also faster and unaffected by 99% of the viruses out there. I leave that 1% open to Linux users that run their systems in root. System files cannot be altered or installed or uninstalled unless the root password is provided. Without my root password, the script kiddies are out of luck. This is not a bash against windows users.
- MrLunar, on 10/11/2007, -0/+8I like to use a software firewall to directly control whether something is able to connect to the internet.
- Darkkish, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8I'm going to download and install everyone of these right now so my computer doesn't slow down!
- bbjohnnyt, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8ZoneAlarm is on the list and TrueCrypt is not? Buried.
ZoneAlarm used to be the best until it was bought out by another company and made into the most destructive pile of garbage I've ever encountered. A list of free security apps that doesn't include TrueCrypt is simply a sin. - JamesWilson, on 10/11/2007, -2/+9Whenever I have to use AOL owned software (such as Winamp) I justify it in my mind as "Its ok, its 10% Google"
- Trebek, on 10/11/2007, -7/+14Buried for AOL
- rdmty, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6I remember using Zone Alarm once a looong time ago... I uninstalled it via Add/Remove programs and what happened was Zone Alarm's rules before I uninstalled were still in place, and there was no way for me to add new rules. Was pretty awesome.
- AndrewDB, on 01/10/2008, -1/+7Ok, the flipping was fun for about.. 30 seconds, the trends dead. Move on.
- Xzion, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6From my experience, hardware firewalls, at least the ones that are built into average NAT routers only really work against incoming threats. Threats that are already on your PC, such as viruses, trojans etc are generally able to get past a hardware firewall since its outgoing from your PC. The way I understood it in its simplest explanation is that average NAT router firewalls act more like a one-way valve in and out of your PC/LAN, which is why if you want incoming and outgoing protection most tend to use both a hardware and software firewall, the software providing the outgoing coverage.
- astrotrain, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5Nice pic... but I'd remove the Microsoft security is as useful as a screen door on a submarine. And why would you put a Toolobar as security. Toolbars are very evil (and annoying) no matter who makes them. "The new combination of a search bar, RSS feed, a spell checker, safer browsing capabilities, automatic form filler, and much much more..." the words "Security" and "Automatic Form Filler" should NEVER be in the same sentance, that means its storing your credentials someplace...
- natebob, on 10/11/2007, -2/+7I am I alone here Diggers? Am I the only one who does not run an anti-virus, does not run Spybot, does not run Adaware, has no software firewall, and is still not plagued by malware?
- Miche1987, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5Can't believe it took this long for someone to bust out the infamous "all you need for security is Linux" line...
- bigpeeler, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5I use Bonzi-Buddy.
- thecraigmcrae, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5ClamWin - http://www.clamwin.com/
- mattmac24, on 10/11/2007, -3/+8...u do
- mrBitch, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5LOL - you think OS X is not a real OS - now THAT is funny...
You obviously don't know that OS X = BSD Unix kernel on top of Mach micro kernel + aqua as the gui interface.
I develop and code software running on RH Linux, on AIX, on Solaris, on SCO Unix, and also on Windows Server editions.
After running into endless security issues ( only on servers running Windows Server editions as their OS ). I can say ( with a lot of painful first hand experiences ) that Windows is NOT a real OS. Windows is great for games, but that's about it. - docjeff, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4This article fails. There are some really good (and free) tools that aren't even mentioned. The worst problem with the article is that it leads off with mention of ZoneAlarm which, frankly, shouldn't be in ANY list where security is involved. Buried as inaccurate. Wish I could also bury it as lame but since this is a PC World article that much should be assumed by default.
- qumiku, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5According to detection rate kaspersky and nod32 are one of the best and also when include their tiny size and few process running behind they are the best antivirus out there. They are not free but not expensive either so paying few bugs for great software i think is not too bad. Worst firewalls out there is those which comes along with something, like Norton antivirus ( ~ running 13 process and eating ALOT of computers powers, everyone who knows about firewalls agrees on this, not recommended at all ). I'm using nod32 and i can recommend it for everyone!
- joklem, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Karspersky isn't free, but AOL Active Virus Shield, which uses the same engine, is. Also, the only thing AOL in AVS is the logo at the top and the bottom, no crappy ***** like the rest of their software.
- aliguana, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4wish Sygate worked with Vista. Hell, I wish I could find ANY firewall that worked with Vista. First person to say "the inbuilt vista firewall" gets a virtual-slap lol
- jason469, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, Comodo Firewall is a great program, which is free. AntiVir is a decent anti-virus program that doesn't take up a lot of resources and it's free. If you're going to pay for a anti-virus I'd recommend BitDefender.
As long as you know where to download files from, you don't have to worry about being infected. A lot of those warez and underground sites are the ones that will get you infected.
I don't use Java on my system and won't touch IE for the simple fact that ActiveX can try and do a run-by download onto your system. Firefox and all the extensions are good enough for me. -
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