Avast and internet security

Righto, I decided to remove most of the internet security suite that I installed late last year on the computer as I am sure its why I have been experiencing a lot of problems recently (as posted).

Anyhow, I have installed the AVAST A/v freebie, I have windows firewall turned on, and I use Adaware for my spyware, although I still have the other spyware and Antispam going.

Have I forgotten anything security wise for the computer?

Well Swaggie, it looks like nobody else is going to answer your question, so I may as well weigh in with my 2c worth...

1) Windows Firewall is likely all you need if you're on broadband, because most half-decent routers have quite a capable hardware firewall built in to them. If you're still on dialup, I pity you and you really are quite vulnerable, so disregard the following advice, which assumes you are on broadband.

2) Some people don't feel safe unless they have Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software running. Personally, I don't use any of it because it slows a PC down drastically.

3) Most ISPs filter out viruses in e-mail these days, and you should always delete e-mails from unknown people containing dodgy attachments anyway.

4) Secondly, ALWAYS have your Browser's Pop-Up blocker enabled and DON'T go to dodgy web sites looking for cracks, free music/videos/movies etc as well as other dodgy stuff which I'm sure I don't need to elaborate on... Those types of web sites are a haven for all sorts of malware, and you are asking for trouble if you visit them.

By following those simple rules, I have never needed any "Security" software or Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware.

I have seen PCs that were totally strangled by all this sort of stuff, and having installed a broadband router, then got rid of Norton/Ad-Aware/Lavasoft/Avast etc, etc, their owners couldn't believe how much faster all their programs ran.

Many thanks Grant for your thoughts. yes I am on Broadband.

My ISP is Bigpond, they "offer" security for extra $$'s which I have never worried about, with all the other hoo ha that I have installed.
But I would suggest with the Windows firewall and other stuff that I would be ok, and don't visit any odd sites either... but I do know what you mean.

Oh, by the way, while I have you, there was a rumour around about a fortnight ago suggesting looking at You Tube could pass along security problems. As I have a family member who regularly posts blogs on it, how likely is the problem and is it an actual problem, or someone being a tad nasty about YouTube?

quote:Originally posted by swaggie

Oh, by the way, while I have you, there was a rumour around about a fortnight ago suggesting looking at You Tube could pass along security problems. As I have a family member who regularly posts blogs on it, how likely is the problem and is it an actual problem, or someone being a tad nasty about YouTube?

No Swaggie, I have never encountered any problems with YouTube and recently I have been using it quite a lot. So much so in fact, that I will need to upgrade my plan to a higher data cap... []

YouTube is now owned by Google and you can be sure they would never knowingly allow any malware to infect one of their sites.

When you upload a video to YouTube, it is converted into Flash Video format by the servers at YouTube, so there is also no way anyone could upload a malformed video file which could constitute a security risk if downloaded.

The whole system at YouTube seems pretty bullet-proof whereas if you visit some dodgy web site offering free video downloads, you are at the mercy of the people who uploaded those files, which really leaves you pretty vulnerable, hence my warning earlier.

I hope that helps.

P.S. Are you coming across the ditch to Fieldays next week?

Thanks Grant.

Sure are, we are popping in on Thursday (as long as my pre paid tickets arrive today or tomorrow which I am a bit worried about) and we have tickets to the All Blacks V. Canada game on Sat night as well.

Look for the person who will be grizzling about the cold with an aussie accent!