antivirus/firewall advice, please

[lazarus]

I've got custody of my 13 year old daughter, who doesn't know how to be even remotely careful online.

I've managed to go for years without ever picking up a virus, but I doubt that will last.

What's the best antivirus program out there?

Also, has anybody played around with Kerio Personal Firewall? It's an alternative to ZoneAlarm that I'm trying out.

[Berserker]

1. I have used several different

Firewalls and I am now using Kerio and I think it's great. Norton will never be installed on any of my computers again. Click on my link and it will show you several different ones.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=242x1314

[gulfcoastliberal]

2. I personally use AVG for antivirus and Zone Alarm for firewall

Since I bought a "newer" laptopoff Ebay, I upgaded the versions to pro, but both products are available as freeware.

[trotsky]

3. What operating system does your computer run, laz?

If 2000 or XP, you should definitely set up a separate login ID for her, and make sure that ID only has "User" level (not Administrator level) access. That will restrict her from being able to install most software and make system changes.

I would also recommend AVG for its being free and pretty good. (http://www.grisoft.com) I've only worked with ZoneAlarm for a software firewall, so I can't comment on any others.

And finally, try installing the Firefox web browser. It's immune from most adware/spyware/hijackings that afflict Internet Explorer, plus it's got a built-in pop-up blocker and other nice features.

[lazarus]

4. Using XP

I've got her on a separate login. I think it's on User level, I'll check and see.

I personally can't stand Firefox. I presume I can set it up as a browser and still use IE on my loging, right?

I'll try AVG again. I tried to load it a while back, and it never would. I was thinking I'd need to go shell out for Symantec or Norton or something.

[trotsky]

5. Yes, you can make it her default and keep IE for yours.

Delete the IE icons for her, too, so she'd really have to know what she's doing to launch it. :)

[lazarus]

6. AVG worked this time

So I'm loading it up now. Back in a bit.

Thanks!

[Angry Girl]

10. Wait! Buy Norton's Antivirus for CHEAP!

I use AVG *and* Norton's AV together as my main antivirus programs. The two together have been pretty good for me.

But PLEASE don't spend $50 for Norton's AV!!!!

Go instead to http://www.half.com and look for "Norton SystemWorks 2003 Professional Edition w/ Norton AntiVirus 2003 w/One Year Free Update" or plain old "Norton's AntiVirus" but MAKE SURE it says "ONE YEAR FREE UPDATE".

You can purchase such a CD for a *fraction* of the cost of the current Norton's AV, including shipping. And the year of updates brings you completely up-to-date!

That's what I did and I ended up spending only $15 for my Norton's AV.

If you get SystemWorks with AV, be sure to install ONLY the AV part, btw.

[RoyGBiv]

13. There's no reason for that ...

The two work *together* well because AVG makes up for Norton's deficiencies, but it would work just as well and use fewer resources with only AVG running.

AVG is an excellent program. If one is going to pay for a full-featured anti-virus program, this is the one to use, but even the free version beats commercial version of anything with the Norton title.

[lazarus]

14. what is the difference

between the free and pay version of AVG?

[RoyGBiv]

16. Not a lot actually ...

The basic functionality is the same in both versions, and for most home users, the free edition is all you need. It's what I use. I realize now my previous message didn't make that clear. I meant that to indicate that if you're actually going to pay for a virus program, get a good one, and Norton isn't a good one. But, with AVG, you get a better free version than the Norton commercial version.

I'll sometimes pay for a pro-version of something I've been using for free even if I don't need the pro features, just because I appreciate the quality of the program and want to encourage further development. I'll probably end up doing that with AVG.

Anyway, the major difference is who the intended audience is. AVG Professional is intended for organizations and small businesses, often with networks. In that, the main difference is a licensing thing, that is what's legal for you to use. The pro version also opens up some options that are pertinent to networks and program settings for specific users.

The two other main differences that most people would notice are the addition of multiple language support in the pro version as well as the ability to perform tests tailored to your needs and at your own schedule. As it stands now, you don't get to choose whether to do a "full system scan" or a partial scan or to run different kinds of scans at different times, etc. All these things can be important to system administrators of networks or those running businesses with their computers or to people who just want that much control, but to the average home user, this is merely a convenience that might never be used.

I've got mine set to run a full system scan every day when I'm at work and to update itself an hour before it does this scan. With the pro version, I could tweak this, and it would be more convenient for scheduling changes, but all in all, I barely notice.

[lazarus]

18. thanks!

We're getting a second computer in a month or so, and networking. Would the pro version be worthwhile at that point?

[RoyGBiv]

19. Probably not ...

Home networking is a whole different ballgame than networking when you've got users on your system you don't really know. And, the pro version is only licensed for one work station anyway. What you'd actually need for it to have increased functionality with a network is AVG for Networks, but that is truly directed toward companies and organizations with detailed needs. It's also much more expensive.

By networking, I assume you mean you'll be getting two computers and connecting them together for the most part so they can share a broadband Internet connection, possibly a printer. If that is the case, just get the free version and install it on each system.

My earlier comment was sorta muddled on that point, in part because since I don't run a network at home, I'm not really sure myself how it works on a network. Judging from the information on their website, the only real difference is that the pro version has settings you can use to keep it functional while restricting access to some of its settings for specific users. There's not a lot of call for that in a home network environment. We're talking about preventing corporate sabotage here. But then again, who knows what kids are capable of doing. ;-) Seriously, though, what I'd do in your situation (what I did on my daughter's computer actually) is install it, then set the task bar so that this icon stays hidden always. That way, there's not the obvious temptation to play with that little icon and see what it does or how one can mess with it. It'll run in the background probably without her even realizing it.

Also, I forgot to mention the other two things the pro version has that might be important to some users. (I forgot.) The pro version has 24/7 tech support and guaranteed access to their high-speed servers for updates. The latter is not usually a problem, but I have had instances of not being able to download a virus update immediately because the servers were crowded.

BTW, since I'm talking up the program, I'll mention the thing that really sold me and the reason I'm considering buying the pro version just to say thanks. Its e-mail virus scanner integrates perfectly with e-mail programs other than Outlook Express, in particular Thunderbird. It acts as a barrier that detects when any program you are using calls for a POP connection. Some virus scanners I've used worked fine with OE but didn't with other programs, in part because they don't act as that barrier. They merely integrate themselves into OE itself. I tried, and quickly stopped using, ZA's virus scanning for this reason.

This is what I did: Downloaded and installed the pro version with the 30 day free trial for all the pro features. Then I reverted to the free version and used that for another month. Afterward, I asked myself if I really missed any of the features of the pro version. I didn't.

Do something like that, or since you only have one computer at the moment, do it in reverse and see if the pro version is any more helpful. I suspect it won't be, just more convenient if you want to control every aspect of the program's settings.

[lazarus]

7. a question about AVG

What's the difference between the free and pay versions?

[_NorCal_D_]

8. ZoneAlarm,

AVG, and Spyware Blaster are my main computer defense programs. I would say that these would be enough to adequately protect your computer (plus they are free too B-)).

[lazarus]

9. I had to drop ZA

For some reason, the newer builds prevent programs like Agent from decoding yEnc-encoded files from Usenet. Nobody knows why, but it's been going on a while, and ZA hasn't seen fit to fix it.

Actually, we know sort of why. ZA adds a line to yEnc files that the decoders can't handle. No idea why they'd do that.

[Berserker]

11. List of reasons to use Norton products

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

[RoyGBiv]

12. I use ZA and Agent ...

And I do not have that problem. I never have had it, so I don't even know what to suggest on how to fix it.

I do use version 1.93 of Agent. I hate version 2.x as it currently exists and refuse to spend money for it until the promised multiple server support actually works correctly. If you're using version 2.x, it might be a problem specific to that version.

[lazarus]

15. I've got 2.x

I went ahead and sprung for it because it was discounted since I had 1.93 already. Multi-server support is coming soon, of course. :eyes:

Funny thing, I've about dropped off Usenet the last two or three months.

[RoyGBiv]

17. Agent ...

Ironic, eh. I used the free version for years, finally bought the full version, and the same thing happened. My Usenet presence dropped dramatically. It had nothing to do with Agent, but it was still funny.

The lack of multi-server support in 2.x angered me because from early in the 1.x series, the whole rationale of the 2.x upgrade, and charging people for it even if they'd paid for a previous version, was to include multiple server support. That didn't happen, but they promised it was coming "soon." That didn't happen either, unless "soon" means over a year later.

I've heard of other bugs in 2.x that weren't present in 1.93, and I guess the yENC/Zone Alarm problem can be added to that list.

I was once an Agent fan. I now use it simply because I already have it. For text-based groups, I've started using Thunderbird. I don't really love it as a Usenet client, but since it is open all the time anyway for my e-mail, I've just sorta naturally gravitated.

[WLKjr]

20. Use AVG antivirus and Sygate Personal Firewall

both free, and Sygate is a really good free firewall.