So I got rid of Norton and AVG...

[PoundingNails]

I was doing some reading and heard good things about COMODO Firewall so I installed it and am really quite impressed. It takes some user interface to get up and running properly but once you get it going it's pretty cool. It allows you easy acess to each individual file trying to connect to the net, and asks if you want to give it permission. You can also access and block any file on your computer and block it via a browse list. Maybe I just hadn't fucked with Norton enough but this thing is really easy to use.

My first question is about Limewire. When you see how much of your system resources are being used by it even though it's not even open you can't help but be scared. What in the fuck is it doing that it's using 97% of my resources?

I also installed NOD32 anti-virus. I ran a scan and it picked out 23 trojan viruses that Norton was allowing. Is this all the protection I need? When you really dig into virus protection there are all sorts of tools and scanners. Do I need anything else?

And, finally, which program is best for spyware, malware, and adware? I had AVG but it really wasn't working very well I don't think.

I spent about six hours working on my computer yesterday and it's runing better than ever. If one of you could help me fill in some of these gaps it would be greatly appreciated.:smile:

[BBFFC]

stop looking at shady porn sites!

[grouchybastid]

stop looking at shady porn sites!

But those are the best kind!

[Loathe]

Sounds like you have it pretty well dealt with.

Better than most people at least.

[Kaiser109]

Snip

Seems I can post in this section too.

Personally the spyware/adware programs Im using are "Spybot-S&E", "Ad-Aware" and "SpywareBlaster". These are all free, easy to use and are updated regularly. In my personal opinion the free ones work better than the paid ones, but thats just my experience.

The only anti-virus programs I use are Avast! and AVG, both are free although I find Avast! a bit difficult to use.

Im not too knowledgeable about Firewalls though.

This site is pretty useful if your going to download anti-virus and anti-spyware. Its a little outdated (maybe somebody has a newer or updated list?) but its still pretty useful.

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

[RuneDK]

http://www.bullguard.com (http://www.bullguard.com/)

All you'll ever need. Plus it has a cool logo...

[PapaSkin]

If I were ever going to 'buy' a personal desktop firewall - I'd get the ISS blackice firewall
http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_dynamic.main?SP=1&PN=10&sid=26412

One because I work for them, and two because I've used it for over 8 years and it kicks ass and is the reason I wanted to work for them. lol

[Ben Hate]

how exactly do you delete norton? i appearantly dont have the authorization to do so. and it hasnt been active on my machine for about 9 months.

[Tokyohoon]

Log in as administrator or under an account with admin rights.

Ah, and for anyone reading back into this thread, AGV is no longer free.

[Ben Hate]

Log in as administrator or under an account with admin rights.

Ah, and for anyone reading back into this thread, AGV is no longer free.

thank you sir, ill give it a shot.

[PapaSkin]

Actually - if you have a corporate install of Norton (stolen or otherwise) they can be password protected and you can not just uninstall it - It's a pain in the ass and has to be done by hand - I've done it a few times

I've never used this removal tool, but might do the trick for ya
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039?Open&src=&docid=2001092114452606&nsf=nav.nsf&view=docid&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=

Otherwise google manually uninstalling Norton - Last one I did I had to follow this:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ent-security.nsf/docid/2000120111571948?Open&src=&docid=1999111609485148&nsf=ent-security.nsf&view=docid&dtype=corp&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=

[Ben Hate]

I havnt tried to get rid of it since Hoon made his sugestion. The computer came with it installed. Its a HP.

[PapaSkin]

It's very possible the password could be symantec on a default install ;) but more than likely it's a single user license if it came with a new pc - and you should be able to add/remove programs to kill it.

[weknowhowtolive]

BI is an advanced firewall, it confuses my little networking knowledge. Plus i liked it better when it was free. Still, its what I would buy.

However. I dont buy most software.

I run COMODO and Avast!

Norton is supposed to be DoD approved. That scares the fuck out of me. I ran Bullguard after uninstalling an updated norton and found 5000+ strings of 40+ viruses and countless pieces of spyware.

Avast! has worked great. Never a problem with it. NOD32 is good but has some issues on malicious attacks from the inside.

COMODO is good, the best free firewall. Beats ZoneAlarm by a mile. But it also annoys the fuck out of me. Programs randomly use different parent programs and you have to allow every single one every time the program is altered. It takes a good couple full days of use to get it all set up, even with the component scanner. Still, best free firewall.

[PapaSkin]

Ah, and for anyone reading back into this thread, AGV is no longer free.

Ya it is - I install it on all the pc's I work on...although they are getting better at hiding it and moving it around - sometimes you have to really dig thru their links...today it is: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff

[grouchybastid]

COMODO is good, the best free firewall.

Not by a longshot. Netfilter (iptables) or pf are way better.

Oh wait, you meant best free Windows firewall? Then sure, why not? :rolleyes:

[Loathe]

hardware firewalls ftw!!!1111!

[weknowhowtolive]

Not by a longshot. Netfilter (iptables) or pf are way better.

Oh wait, you meant best free Windows firewall? Then sure, why not? :rolleyes:Yeah I dont really dig the penguin dude. Not enough compatibility for shit.

[grouchybastid]

Yeah I dont really dig the penguin dude. Not enough compatibility for shit.

pf isn't Linux, it's BSD. And we weren't talking about compatibility or desktop apps, we were talking firewalls.

Me, I don't run "personal firewall" software on any of my machines at home. I'm sitting pretty behind a box running netfilter and that's all the firewalling I need. Motherfuckers have tried to get to me, shit ain't happening. :cool: