Any Recommended Changes to the Security Programs I Use?

General Topics
1

I know having multiple layers of security is good, but I feel like I have too many programs right now. I need to know if any are redundant, or if you recommend any programs that consolidate some of the layers into one program. Also, running Win 7 Pro 64bit

Resident AV - Avast! 5 Free
On-Demand AV/AM - Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
On-Demand AS - SUPERAntiSpyware
Firewall - PC Tools Firewall PLUS
HOSTS Manager - HOSTSMan (am looking for an alternative)
HIPS - None (will have GeSWall when v3 comes out), offer an alternative HIPS if you want
Zero-Day Protection - PC Tools Threatfire
Miscellaneous - NoScript with Firefox
Miscellaneous - WinPatrol to monitor startup programs

I’ve seen how good Comodo Firewall with Def+ is at blocking malware, maybe it as a firewall and HIPS? Idk.

Please make suggestions. Thank you!

2

What more to add?

OpenDNS

3

Sure… a must have…
and obviously Spyware Blaster.

4

lol, more to add? :slight_smile:

5

Hope you have disabled your autoruns…
You can use this app to stop usb related infections
http://download.cnet.com/USB-FireWall/3000-2239_4-10817831.html
Alternative:
http://research.pandasecurity.com/panda-usb-and-autorun-vaccine/

6

Moreover you can use any Virtualization software like Returnil Virtual Systam, Sanboxie etc

7

Hm…avast as antivirus already good!
Demand scanner can use only malwarebytes if you want!
Firewall is okay
Adding another monitoring like threatfire and winpatrol
I can say too much!

8

looks like a rather good config…! :slight_smile:
i, won’t tell u, what 2 drop, since i’m shure u allready thought bout it.
but maybe u want 2 add adblock plus, better privacy (4 lso cookies) and some kind of cookiemanager (eg. cs lite) 2 ur firefox.
asyn

9

How about adding Immunet Protect so I will have Avast!, Threatfire, and Immunet Protect as my frontline of defense?

Also, has anyone tried Panda Cloud Antivirus? I noticed it did very well on AV-Comparatives other than the false positive rate. I know computing is making a move to the cloud, and a cloud-based antivirus seems good. Please give a response not influenced by the fact this is an Avast! forum. In a couple years I will be removing malware from computers, and the users will be looking to me as to what security programs they should use.

Lastly, is there a browser add-on that performs the same as a HOSTS file? Some of my friends have had problems with HostsMan.

10

brandon, Are you finding that SAS works OK with Threatfire installed?
I had some problems with the combo. At the SAS forums they said it was a conflict caused by TF.

11

@ brandonn2008

What are the problems your friends are having with HostsMan ???

12

Well for a light protection:
avast! Free antivirus
Malwarebytes demand scanner
Any other firewall(except ZoneAlarm I guess)
Spywareblaster

For Mozilla is scriptblocker

13

@Tarq57 - I don’t actually use SAS anymore since Malwarebytes seems enough for now.

@YoKenny - HostsMan isn’t too bad but I was just wondering if there was some URL blocker already built in to something to make it easier for friends and family to deal with.

@Shiw Liang - I’m not sure about changing my firewall, it seems to work well and is recommended on this forum quite a bit. Also, I had SpywareBlaster and it seemed only necessary if you use IE which I don’t.

14

SpywareBlaster works with IE and Firefox:
Secure Your Browser
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html#Browsers

HostsMan can be set to work automatically and I installed it on a neighbor’s system yesterday that I had to work on her system that got hit by one of those rogue “Anti Virus” applications prevalent on today’s malware infested Internet and I am going to buy a MBAM licence for her as well.

Stick with the firewall you like.

Clean the system before powering off with CCleaner.
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download <== make sure you do not install the Yahoo Toolbar.

15

I’ve got CCleaner, and love it. I’m still wondering if you think Immunet Protect would be good?

16

Immunet Protect is OK but I do not use it as the other protection is equal or better.

17

I was wondering how you use Avast! and Mbam Pro at the same time, since both have resident protection?

18

MBAM Pro is an anti malware application and works very well with avast!
Join MBAM forum to see:
http://forums.malwarebytes.org

19

Something is telling me that Threatfire is more effective than Immunet… Although different technologies.

20

Immunet sounded good since I’ve seen a lot of people using it, and as soon as someone else’s Immunet Protect detects a threat, it sends an update to everyone else that has Immunet Protect to protect them from it.