Opinion: What is the best and reliable computer protection solution? - Overclock.net

ninjinsamax3 · 01-13-08

A Guide For Having The Best And Reliable Computer Protection Solution
Through Understanding Threats.
Understanding Difficulty Rating (UDR): 6.14/10 (cast vote in poll)
Date Created: 13, January 2008
Last Revision: 18, February 2008

Contents
I. Introduction
I.i. Other Thoughts
II. What are threats to our computers?
II.i. What is malware?
II.ii. Malware Glossary
II.iii. My Translations of Malware and Its Forms
III. Why do we need protection for our computers?
III.i. Tip: How to avoid losing data (or any files) when you cannot boot (or load) to your desktop?
III.ii Tip: What to do and what not to do?
IV. What are the actual programs that can protect my computers?
IV.i. Internet Security
IV.ii. Anti-virus
IV.iii. Firewall
IV.iv. Anti-Spyware & Adware
V. Online Scans
VI. Analysis & Comparisons
VII. What are good combinations of programs or a single security suite for having a great protection for a computer?
VII.i. Free
VII.ii. Pay: Bang for the Buck
VII.iii. Free Protection Download
VIII. Contributors & Credits
VIII.i. How to contribute?
VIII.ii. Review Form
VIII.iii. Credits to Contributors & Their Contributes
IX. Revision Log
X. Reference & Sources
XI. Tags

I. Introduction
This guide is for anyone who wants to know a decent amount of information for protecting your computer from what. This guide will roughly provide you programs you can use to free to keep clean, or payable programs that extend these free programs.

I believe--other than myself--there are many other people that are still here trying to find the right computer protection solution; there are always threads talking about this, yet no one actually takes it serious by searching old threads in the forum. Even if they do search and read these old threads in the forum, the information is limited or lacking. Sometimes, these threads are not even helpful at all; this is why I wanted to make a thread that is actually dedicated in providing our forums' members about the best and reliable computer protection solution.

Of course, this is my first FAQ or guide, so I wish to make the best of it. I am still researching on more information, so if there are any mistakes or something I have missed, please post here, or via private message me. I want to contribute the best guide for everyone. Nothing is perfect, so I will need the help of other members who are also much experienced, as well, to back me up. There are some parts of the guide that might need some contributing, which will be explained further more below.

In this guide, my full momentum is to offer other members what the best and reliable computer protection is from my experiences, and from a group poll. This group poll is where experienced members need to contribute. I will have a form to have people fill out, so they can post it up or private message me with their poll form. I will read each and every thing you post or send to me, so there will not be any fanboy or fangirl type of information. Usually, in threads, I can only find information about what the best and repliable computer protection solution is from other members, but I never had an idea of why it is the best; therefore, we, as a group a the overclock.net forum community, have to work together to make the fullest use out of this guide. Thank you.

I.i. Other Thoughts
To me--having a great computer protection solution is truly not needed, because it all depends on what you do. Even though I do have an antivirus protection, firewall, and etcetera, I only keep it just for incase. It is always wise to keep a back up, if worse comes to worse. I honestly have not gotten any viruses for the last few years. Please use your best judgement while surfing the net, or whatever you do. Nothing is full proof, so please do not blame me for any viruses that do get through and infects your computer. I am not liable to anything you do.

Another thought in mind--having one security suite is not as strong and full proof as separate programs protecting you. Most users believe this, but those who know that they are well off without catching any malware, beg to differ, like I.

This whole guide is through my research, experiences, and ideas from other members of this forum. They are neither liable for any threats that occur to you. Thank you for taking an understanding of this; and, for your cooperation.

II. What are threats to our computers?
Before we can actually understand, or think of reasons why we should have our computers protected from these threats, we need to know what these threats actually are. Some of these threats may include: viruses, malware, adware, spyware, and etcetera.

The following definitions for some of these threats were taken through: http://www.dictionary.com. Instead of going through my way of explaining them, I believe these dictionaries have a simpler way of explaining them. If you cannot understand these definitions, then you can choose to private message me, and I will try my best capabilities in order to explain these to you. (RE: I just placed some weird examples to explain these threats.)

If there are any other threats that anyone has to share, please tell me; other than that, if I find out anymore threats to my knowledge, I will revise and add these types of threats. I did a lot more research these past days, and malware is like the stem, and everything else is the roots. Malware is what we really have to watch out for and it includes a lot of forms: worms, trojans, viruses, and other malicious software.

Announcements: I will make a diagram putting the stem and the roots of these threats. When finished, it will probably show you how much threats are we trying to fight off for our computers. Not all are deadly, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

This is a very great site to find out about different types of threats: http://www.virusbtn.com/index

II.i. What is malware?

Quote:

Malware (short for malicious software) comes in a vast array of different forms, each of which is designed specifically to damage or disrupt the infected machine or other networked machines. From redirecting your search attempts, to serving up pop-up ads, tracking the websites you visit, or deleting your important documents, malware can sit quietly on your computer without you ever even noticing, or it can slow down, disrupt or even periodically reboot your system. It will often to hide deep inside your system making removing it all the more difficult and may even reinstall itself even after you thought you had deleted it!

--http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/malwareDirectory/index

II.ii. Malware Glossary

Quote:

Bots

Quote:

The term Bot (short for robot) is a type of program, which has evolved from RATs (see Spyware definitions). A bot usually leverages an internet facing port to deliver a program that awaits a further command upon which it can take remote control of the system. Bots are often combined with other infected machines to form a botnet (a network of bot-infected machines). Bots are used to turn an individual machine into a "zombie" that can then be used for actions such as co-ordinated DoS attacks on websites, spamming, or hired/sold to others for such use.

--http://www.westcoastlabs.com/checkmark/glossary

Explooits

Quote:

An Exploit is a piece of code designed to attack a vulnerability on a computer system, or such an attack. Hackers and writers of Malware look for announcements of such vulnerabilities by manufacturers and other sources and then attack machines, which have not been patched against the vulnerability. The code is designed to enable an activity that otherwise could not take place, or to avoid system restrictions preventing such an activity. Various payloads attached to the exploits may provide the attacker with a number of ways into the compromised system.

--http://www.westcoastlabs.com/checkmark/glossary

Placebo Files

Quote:

Placebo files are both clean files and files that may display malware-type tendencies, for example opening local ports, but are entirely innocuous. They are included in custom test sets to provide a control group.

--http://www.westcoastlabs.com/checkmark/glossary

Rootkits

Quote:

Although the term referred originally to Unix systems, the term has come to more widely mean a set of tools or programs that are used, often in conjunction with malware, to allow attackers to exploit a system or a network. Rootkits can be used to hide applications from third party scanners and the term is also coming to mean more generalized cloaking utilities that mask the attacker's activities. Recently the term rootkit has become more publicly known after the security software on several Sony-BMG audio CDs displayed rootkit-like tendencies as part of their Digital Rights Management strategy.

--http://www.westcoastlabs.com/checkmark/glossary

Spyware

Quote:

Spyware is a form of software that makes use of a user's internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually in order to covertly gather information about the user. Once installed, the Spyware may monitor user activity on the Internet and transmit that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers. Spyware is often unwittingly installed when users install another program, but can also be installed when a user simply visits a malicious website.

Types of Spyware

1. Backdoor - A Backdoor is a secret or undocumented way of gaining access to a program, online service, computer or an entire computer network. Most Backdoors are designed to exploit a vulnerability in a system and open it to future access by an attacker. A Backdoor is a potential security risk in that it allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to a computer and the files stored thereon.
2. Key Loggers - A Key Logger is a type of surveillance software that has the capability to record every keystroke to a log file (usually encrypted). A Key Logger recorder can record instant messages; email and any information typed using the keyboard. The log file created by the Key Logger can then be sent to a specified receiver. Some Key Logger programs will also record any e-mail addresses used and Web Sites visited.
3. Financials - A Financial is a program that has the capability of scanning a PC or network for information relating to financial transactions and then transmitting the data to a remote user.
4. Proxies - Proxies are designed to enable an external user to use a computer for their own purposes, for example, to launch DDoS attacks or send spam, so that the true originator of the attack cannot be traced.
5. Password Stealers and Crackers - A Password Stealer is a program resident on a computer, which is designed to intercept and report to an external person any passwords, held on that machine. A Password Cracker has the ability to decode any encrypted passwords.
6. Downloaders - A downloader is a file which when activated, downloads other files on to the system without the knowledge or consent of the user, those other files then carrying out malicious functions on the system.
7. Hijacker - A Hijacker is a file with the ability to change your default Internet home page and/or to create or alter other Web browser settings such as bookmarks and redirection of Internet searches or Internet browsing to commercial sites that could offend the user or breach corporate policies on inappropriate or illegal content.
8. RATs - A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is a piece of malware designed to run and gain access to a remote computer across a network or the Internet in order to carry out a particular purpose on that remote computer, that purpose being malicious and without the consent of the remote system's owner or user. Access is usually gained by use of a backdoor, either already installed or included in the code of the RAT.

--http://www.westcoastlabs.com/checkmark/glossary

[u]Trojans

Quote:

Trojan Horses or Trojans are destructive programs that pretend to be benign applications. Unlike Viruses or Worms, Trojan Horses do not replicate themselves; they can be damaging to networks by delivering other types of Malware.

--http://www.westcoastlabs.com/checkmark/glossary

Trojans also come in many forms; they come as: Backdoors, PSW Trojans, Clickers, Downloaders, Droppers, Proxies, Spies, and Notifiers.

To find information about them, visit:
1. Backdoors - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma.../index.xml?TY5
2. Clickers - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma.../index.xml?TY7
3. Downloaders - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma.../index.xml?TY8
4. Droppers - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma.../index.xml?TY8

Viruses

Quote:

A Virus is a program or piece of code attached to a file or diskette's boot sector; it is loaded onto a computer without the user's knowledge. Viruses are manmade (though they can be corrupted in use to form new variants of the virus) and replicate themselves by attaching themselves to files or diskettes, often soaking up memory or hard disk space and bringing networks to a halt. Most recent viruses are internet-borne and capable of transmitting themselves across and bypassing security systems. Minor variants of the same virus are classed as families of viruses.

--http://www.westcoastlabs.com/checkmark/glossary

Viruses also come in different forms; they come as: File and Boot Viruses, Macro Viruses, and Script Viruses.

To find information about them, visit:
1. File and Boot Viruses - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma...index.xml?TY13
2. Macro Viruses - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma...index.xml?TY14

Worms

Quote:

A Worm is an insidious program or algorithm that replicates itself over a computer network or by email system and usually performs malicious actions, such as using up the computer's resources or distributing pornography and possibly shutting the system down. Unlike Viruses, Worms copy themselves as standalone programs and do not attach themselves to other objects.

--http://www.westcoastlabs.com/checkmark/glossary

Worms also come in different forms; they come as: E-Mail Worms, IM Worms, Internet Worms, and Network Worms.

To find out about these worms, visit:
1. E-Mail Worms - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma.../index.xml?TY1
2. IM Worms - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma.../index.xml?TY2
3. Internet Worms - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma.../index.xml?TY3
4. Network Worms - http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/ma.../index.xml?TY4

Adware

Quote:

Adware is a software program that is, more often than not, packaged along with free software. Entrenched under the veil of this free software like search programming, games, desktop utilities like screensavers or timepiece, these appliances are used to track your internet habits and log the user’s password details. More often than not removing adware may lead to a consequence where the host application also ceases to operate.

--http://www.pcsecuritynews.com/spyware_definitions_terminology.html

If I have missed anything, it is due to the fact that there are too much different threats, malwares, to be specific, and since I am only quoting from them. Below this, I will explain them with some live examples using what relates to life to show how it threatens us and our computers.

II.iii. My Translations of Malware and Its Forms

My translation of a malware: a malware is like a stalker; he or she may come and have excessive abuse or harass to you, as you want to be alone. Even if you try to tell him or her off, he or she keeps coming back to you. Within this stalker's room, he or she may have studied all about you, having much personal information on you; in which he or she might send to other people, a group of stalkers. As it is very hard to know the capablities of stalkers, and what they know of us, all we can do it just becareful and have keen eyes.

My translation of an adware: an adware is like an advertiser (advertising person); he or she may stick some papers at you and want you to join them for some kind of survey or group of activity. Some of them may be too talkative and start digressing in which they can access information through whatever you say, even if you do not directly tell them about you. Most con-artists has some kind of technique to manipulate people; advertisers are the same. Some are gullible enough to actually fall for such, but some are not, as well.

My translation of a spyware: a spyware reminds me of a hacker. One word says it all!! Hackers is the number one type of threat, as they can do almost anything.

My translation of a keylogger: a keylogger is like a person who finds your keys and makes a copy of it, and then return it, or not, but has access to your house and can take anything he or she wants from it. (A very known type of spyware is a keylogger; a keylogger is a program that keeps track of your keystrokes and keeps track of what you do, as well. I find a lot of complaints from people who get keylogged, saying that their game accounts get keylogged; this is why, you should never use hacks for games!!)

My translation of a virus: a virus is like a cold, if you are lucky enough, the cold will vary by getting better or getting worse, making your body system bad; sometimes it can weaken your body so much that you might even get a fever; and, if high enough, you might put yourself at danger. (This might be exaggerated.)

More to come... and, I will also try to make them sound better and more realistic without too much exaggeration.

III. Why do we need protection for our computers?
We need a protection for our computers because if God forbid, or if Devil forbid, some sort of threat may come in contact with our computers, and if we are lucky, nothing too bad would happen to our files, but if not, our computers could be obliterated, losing all our precious files. That was a bit too exaggerated, but it does happen. I remember when I caught a virus ages ago, probably more than 7 years ago, I could not log back into my desktop. That time I was using Norton Security Suite, guess what? It did not protect me at all; could have been better without it. Anyhow, since I could not get back on, I lost all of my files; since most of my files were on the desktop, nothing could be saved. Therefore, here is a tip:

III.i. Tip: How to avoid losing data (or any files) when you cannot boot (or load) to your desktop (WINDOWS ONLY)? (Pre-condition)
To avoid losing data when you cannot boot to your desktop--to avoid such agony--you should always keep your files within My Documents, and keep them organized, within folders, as well. Other than keeping it inside your My Documents, you could save it anywhere in the C: Drive, or in which ever hard drive your system files are located in. By keeping inside such folders, besides the Desktop, you can always access the files that are in the C: drive. You just have to use that hard drive as a secondary hard drive, or an external hard drive; there, you can access these files. This has always worked for me, when ever anything happened to my hard drive. This usually works for when not abled to load Windows (including defective hard drives). I usually put all my files, neatly organized inside My Documents, and have shortcuts on my Desktop.

Please note: I am aware that it works for me, but if it does not work for you, try at your own risk. I am not liable for any harm to your computer; though, it should not harm your computer, since you basically just put all your files inside My Documents. Just for incase, anyone says that I lied or anything, it works for me, and I am just giving a tip that I have experienced and tried. I have only used this technique on having a Windows operating system, and no other operating system, even though all operating systems use a hard drive, I am unaware if it works the same for other operating system. Therefore, please do not ask me anything about that; unless you have tried or know that it works else where, please contact me posting here, or via private message. Thank you for your cooperation.

III.ii. Tip: What to do and what not to do?

IV. What are the actual programs that can protect my computers?
I have separated these protection solutions in three groups, they are also shown below. For the third group, I included adware, malware, spyware, and others together because some of these programs that are directly for these also check for the others. Even so, for each of these groups, I will include what will these protection takes care of, so you do not have to worry. I have also placed each of the protection in order, so that there is no confusion about which is number one; trying to avoid any misunderstandings for being taken as a fanboy; avoiding fanboyism and fangirlism. I will only give my own ratings to the protection solution that I have actually used, if I ever try the ones that I have never used, I will rate it.

Note: I will not include the business versions of any anti-virus software. I may do so later on, but nothing is guaranteed on this. Thank you for your cooperation. I will put all the STANDARD and/or HOME Editions for now. Security suites will be included, professional versions will not be included, since they have only more features, but does not affect the actual protection.

IV.i. Internet Security

IV.ii. Antivirus

alwil software avast 4 Home Edition

Quote:

VALUE: FREE

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

My Reviews

Quote:

Performance: 8/10
Ease of Use: 8/10
Scan Speed: 9/10
Boot Speed: 10/10
Effectiveness: 8/10
Features: 7/10
Price Value: 10/10

TOTAL SCORE: 8.6/10

PLUS: I am actually pretty fond of this product, as I have it installed on 2 of my family's computers. The interface can be skinned, that I really like. The speed of the scan is very fast, and it does not take a lot of resources from your computer, unlike some other protection programs. It is very fast; as it loads onto Windows, it does not take along time. I own a lot of very old computers, so they are very slow. I use to use Kaspersky on them, and it takes ages to scan and run. The updater does not slow down the computer either. I barely scan my computer, but when I do, I am always clean. Great product as it is FREE to use.

MINUS: I actually dislike the interface of the whole product. Though it can be skinned, but I rather not have it skinned. I rather choose something with an easy interface to use, something like AVG or Kaspersky's interface.

OTHER THOUGHTS: Well, I like free stuff and this works; it is worth it. The professional edition is just a bit extended, but as a home user, it is more than enough to be used. I have already made a review on this for the forum, you can check it out here: http://www.overclock.net/hardware/sh...hp/product/656

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic

Quote:

VALUE: FREE

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: http://www.free-av.com/

My Reviews

Quote:

Currently, I have not made any reviews on this.

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

ClamWin Free Antivirus

Quote:

VALUE: FREE

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: http://www.clamwin.com/

My Reviews

Quote:

Currently, I have not made any reviews on this.

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

Comodo AntiVirus 2.0 beta

Quote:

VALUE: FREE

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: http://antivirus.comodo.com/index.ht...ica&country=US

My Reviews

Quote:

Currently, I have not made any reviews on this.

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

ESET Smart Security Home Edition V3.0

Quote:

VALUE: $69.99

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: http://www.eset.com/products/nod32.php

My Reviews

Quote:

Performance: 10/10
Ease of Use: 10/10
Scan Speed: 10/10
Boot Speed: 10/10
Effectiveness: 9/10
Features: 9/10
Price Value: 8/10

TOTAL SCORE: 9.4/10

PLUS: Does its job well. Good and simple interface. Can scan without affect computer's process. Check my other thoughts.

MINUS: Does not really get rid of everything, but come on, not everything is full proof. Price, but I guess the price level is normal for these anti-virus programs.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

Nod32 is one of the best that I have used; though I did catch some kind of malware, which it was only able to delete and not quarantine, but it has this function to tell them about these malware so they can research about it. From this chart, it shows that Nod32 can scan very quickly and yes it is very true. It also does not affect the computer when you are scanning and updating.

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

Quote:

VALUE: FREE

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/us/frt/0

My Reviews

Quote:

Performance: 9/10
Ease of Use: 9/10
Scan Speed: 9/10
Boot Speed: 9/10
Effectiveness: 9/10
Features: 7/10
Price Value: 10/10

TOTAL SCORE: 8.9/10

PLUS: This program is free to use and it does its job just like avast!'s. I like the skin, but for some reason, I still like avast! better. Both of them are similar, so I will not repeat my reviews, since it will be redundant.

I had to make another review on it, since I started to install this on every computer I have reached that needed one. It was better than I thought. I actually like the interface now, and it does have good boot speeds, and it kept the computers really clean after a scan. I have installed in computers that never had any anti-virus programs. Very good.

MINUS: I do not really like how it is organized, but other than that, that is not really important.

OTHER THOUGHTS: Free, and many other people recommend this program. I have not really thoroughly used this, but only for a few days, so I am not that familiar with it. When I install this into another computer, I will redo my review.

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 4.0

Quote:

VALUE: FREE

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

My Reviews

Quote:

Currently, I have not made any reviews on this.

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

Symantec Norton Antivirus 2008

Quote:

VALUE: $36.99

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: [url]http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/overview.jsp?pcid=is&pvid=nav2008/url]

My Reviews

Quote:

Performance: 5/10
Ease of Use: 9/10
Scan Speed: 5/10
Boot Speed: 3/10
Effectiveness: 5/10
Features: 8/10
Price Value: 2/10

TOTAL SCORE: 5.28/10

PLUS: I use to use this before 2008, and it did not work as well as it was suppose to be and I bought Norton when their prices were sky rocketing high, so it was not worth it to me, as it could not do its job. The only thing I like is that it has a lot of features.

MINUS: Resource hogger, very slow. Scanning is slow, everything is slow. After I switched from Norton to Kaspersky, Kaspersky picked up so many malware which Norton only fiddled around with. This is junk.

OTHER THOUGHTS: Stay away!!

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

ThreatFire AntiVirus Free

Quote:

VALUE: FREE

Overview & Specification
Operating Systems:
System Requirements:
Features:

For more information, please visit its official website: http://www.threatfire.com/

My Reviews

Quote:

Currently, I have not made any reviews on this.
Other Thoughts:

This product looks very interesting; you can check the main website for more information, but I will review about it from what I have read: This company claims that is different from other anti-virus programs because it uses a new system where it needs not to update to get rid of unknown or new viruses. This anti-virus program acts like a slave for another anti-virus program, the master. You can think of it like two walls, blocking everything else. It insures that anything that is not detected by the other anti-virus will be detected by this. To me, I really think this might be a new and good deal, but I have not tried it. I would suggest other to try it as well, I will when I have another computer to install to. Anyone that already has an idea what capabilities this have, please send me your reviews. Thank you.

Your Reviews

Quote:

Currently, there are no other ratings.

OCN's Reviews This is the total rating of the product.

Quote:

Currently, there are no community ratings.

IV.iii. Firewall

IV.iv. Anti-Spyware & Adware

V. Online Scans
Though online scans are not programs, but they can scan for viruses, adwares, spywares, and etcetera. There are different types of scanners, and they can for different threats, obviously. Some people are careful and they do not have any protection programs, but they do use the online scanners to scan their computers for incase. Everyone has a choice, but some people choose to do this than having programs. To me, this is not the best solution, as it is not as thorough, but if you are a careful computer user, you may really be near clean. I included this because of some suggestions; but I will thorough as I can about online scans.

ESET Online Scanner
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

Kaspersky Free Anti Virus Scan
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner/

Trend Micro House Call 6.5
http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/

Please note that even using online scans are not full proof, to be closer to 99% protected, you should have yourself an anti-virus program or security suite for your own sake. Nothing is ever full proof, we can only use aspects of others to create one better protection.

VI. Analysis & Comparisons

More graphs should be added soon, as time and good graph permits it.

VII.What are good combinations of programs (customize security suite) or a single security suite for having a great protection for a computer?

VII.i. Free
To download any of the free protections, please go to the download section of this guide. Thank you.

1. AVG Free Edition + Zone Alarm Free Firewall + Ad-aware 2007 Free
2. Avast! + Zone Alarm Free Firewall + Ad-aware 2007 Free

Currently, from what I have read and seen, these two seem to be the most popular.

VII.ii. Pay: Bang for the Buck

VII.iii. Free Protection Download
This below is a compilation of what Miki had up; with his consent, I will be quoting directly from him. Whenever his update, these will update. I will notify you, if I have changed anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miki

Free Security Download

I decided to gather up a list of useful free security downloads. Enjoy.

(If you have more you want added post them in this thread and I'll add to the list. Also, if you notice something needing update before I do, just post what program and I'll update it)

1 - Free Antivirus

2 - Free Firewalls

3 - Free Email Protection

4 - Free Rootkit Detection & Removal

For those that don't know what this is: A rootkit is a set of utilities which can run hidden
on a computer system, often with the intention of providing secret access to (and control over)
the computer's operating system. Usually hackers, viruses, worms and other malicious entities
use rootkits to hide their presence on infected systems.

5 - Free Anti-Spyware

6 - Free Cleaning & Tweaking

7 - Free Encryption

VIII. Contributors & Credits
This section is where all who have contributed to this guide; this part of the guide will give credit to them. I thank all the contributors for helping me make this guide and contributing to it. For each product, have a different review.

VIII.i. How to contribute?
There are a few ways you can contribute to this guide. In order to contribute, you will have to post in this thread, or via private message.

If there are:
1. Any mistakes in this guide
2. Any information has been left out
3. Any reviews that you can give
4. or, anything else, will add later, but not sure yet.

You can post it here, or via private message me.

VIII.ii. Review Form
Answer all that applies to the product that you are reviewing on. Rate on a scale from 1-10 (1 is the Worst; and, 10 is the Best).

Code:

PROTECTION SOLUTION: //This is where you put the product you are reviewing
TYPE OF PROTECTION: (Internet Security, Antivirus, Firewall, or Others)
USERNAME: //Your USERNAME

(For Internet Security, Antivirus, and Malwares)
Performance: //The performance of the program (how well the program performs, overall: updates and etcetera)
Ease of Use: //The ease of use of the program (how easy is the program to use? recommended for all users?)
Scan Speed: //The scan speed of the program (how fast does the scan take to check your computer for any threats?)
Boot Speed: //The boot speed of the program (how fast does it take to boot this program up?)
Effectiveness: //The effectiveness of the program (how effective is it protecting your computer?)
Features: //The features of the program (is it too your liking? or not?)
Price Value: //The price value of the program (is it worth it?)

TOTAL SCORE: //Calcuate the total score of your rating; estimate to the nearest TENTH and put it out of 10

PLUS: //Give your pros about the product, explaining about your ratings as best as you can

MINUS: //Give your cons about the product, explaining about your ratings as best as you can

OTHER THOUGHTS: //Give any other thoughts or comments you have for the product

(For Firewall)
Performance: //See above
Ease of Use: //See above
Boot Speed: //See above
Effectiveness: //See above
Features: //See above
Price Value: //See above

TOTAL SCORE: //See above

PLUS: //See above

MINUS: //See above

OTHER THOUGHTS: //See above

This form is to be filled out wholly, or completely, with your fullest intentions and knowledge about such source (protection solutions). Please note that there can be more than one answer to be filled.

VIII.iii. Credits to Contributors & Their Contributes
oobe - I had taken graphs that oobe had once posted: VB100 Tests Passed, Missed In-the-Wild Viruses in Virus Bulletin Tests, Scanning Throughput of Executable Files, and Antivirus Scanning Performance (Average Throughput kB/sec)
Miki - I am quoting Miki's "Free Security Download" thread.

IX. Revision Log

Code:

No Revisions Has Been Filed Yet.

X. Reference & Sources
1. http://reviews.cnet.com/Labs/4520-66...0.html?tag=txt
2. http://www.overclockers.com/articles1260/
3. http://www.pcworld.com/article/124475-1/article.html
4. http://antivirusdepot.com/products/
5. http://www.checkvir.com/index.php?CN=30&CIE=0
6. http://www.av-comparatives.org/
7. http://www.eset.com/products/compare...ompetition.php
8. http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
9. http://www.westcoastlabs.com/
10. http://www.virusbtn.com/index

************************************************** ********************
XI. Tags

Code:

top good best reliable computer cpu protection solution antivirus anti virus firewall fire wall internet suite pc spyware adware malware key logger

ninjinsamax3 · 01-13-08

Reserved Spot.

HatesFury · 01-14-08

I'm kinda unsure what you're looking for here ninji. Are you looking for our input on your article, C&C, or just some input on how "user friendly" this is. Being that this is OCN i think the write-up is entirely to simple, but i get the impression that you intend to publish this elsewhere, and probably for the sake of much less educated users. That in mind i think you've done a pretty good job of "dumbing down" the article to make it easy to understand, the graphs are a nice touch, and providing free alternatives to the $$$ antiviures\firewalls that most consumers are dupped into buying is also a very good touch.

phospholipid · 01-14-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by HatesFury

I'm kinda unsure what you're looking for here ninji. Are you looking for our input on your article, C&C, or just some input on how "user friendly" this is. Being that this is OCN i think the write-up is entirely to simple, but i get the impression that you intend to publish this elsewhere, and probably for the sake of much less educated users. That in mind i think you've done a pretty good job of "dumbing down" the article to make it easy to understand, the graphs are a nice touch, and providing free alternatives to the $$$ antiviuresfirewalls that most consumers are dupped into buying is also a very good touch.

Very good indeed.

Around the forum we have many threads compiling the best anti spy/malware and best firewalls, look them up and add them to your list!

Also, input "online" scanners, fo

View Poll Results: Understanding Difficulty Rating (UDR) [Note: PUBLIC POLL]
1 (Hardest)	0	0%
2	0	0%
3	2	18.18%
4	1	9.09%
5	2	18.18%
6	0	0%
7	0	0%
8	2	18.18%
9	0	0%
10 (Easiest)	4	36.36%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

		Overclock.net - Overclocking.net > Software, Programming and Coding > Networking & Security
Opinion: What is the best and reliable computer protection solution?