Hello, Avast seems to be an excellent solution for anti-virus, anti-malware of all(?) kinds.
I am wondering what other areas of security are not covered by Avast for which other software is needed – for example, Firewall (obviously Avast is not a Firewall).
Any recommendations of free software solutions for those security areas would be welcome.
Does anyone have thoughts also one whether there are any anti-malware type security applications which compliment Avast particularly well?
Thanks!
Strongly recommend the use of Malwarebytes. → http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php If you are thinking about paid software too, I and several members on this forum recommend you to get the Pro Version of Malwarebytes… Believe me: worth it. 
You can always download SuperAntiSpyware (optional). → http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
For your browser , i also recommend the use of AdBlock Plus (http://adblockplus.org/en/installation only for Firefox, Chrome and other browsers) and NoScript (http://noscript.net/getit Firefox and other browsers).
Talking about a Firewall: I’m actually testing several of them (Free versions).
Did not realize there was another poster. :-\
Hello greylander and welcome: Malwarebytes is an excellent compliment to Avast and specializes in specifically Malware and as a result is very effective.
You can Download free http://www.malwarebytes.org/ (the blue button) for an on-demand scanner.
Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
After install, click update so you have latest database before scanning.
This is a free program but can also be registered for a very reasonable one time fee of about $25.00
As far as Firewall Avast Internet Security is a good security program and has a very useable and effective firewall: AIS, 5.0.677 http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_ais.exe and can be trialed for 30 days
Free firewalls are Online Armour Free and possibly Outpost Internet Security with the Anti Virus component not installed. I understand when installed it will automatically disable components once it recognizes Avast AV is installed already.
Just some thoughts as there are many ways and programs available…obviously to many to get into.
schmidthouse if someone submit a post when you are creating post, it gives you a warning you after you click the ‘Post’ button.
And just a little something…
It’s Outpost Security Suite Free not Outpost Internet Security (paid).
Well the OP has alot of information, which is a good thing ;D
i would also recommend comodo firewall free which i use and works like a charm with avast…just make sure you dont install the antivirus…i think it asks you if you want it with the antivirus…just select no and everything’s gonna be ok
Comodo is not recommended.
Please read:
Melih Abdulhayoğlu: genius, madman, or just purporting another cloud scanner?
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=68145.msg575311#msg575311
Read the whole topic for what Comodo is doing.
Hello,
Considering you’re asking for free security software to complement avast! free AV, I’d like to make emphasis on a little thing: Prevention.
This should be your main concern.
Based on this principle, you could make use of EMET (Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit) by Microsoft. (Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=c6f0a6ee-05ac-4eb6-acd0-362559fd2f04&displayLang=en)
More useful info on it:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2010/09/02/enhanced-mitigation-experience-toolkit-emet-v2-0-0.aspx
http://www.h-online.com/security/features/Damage-limitation-Mitigating-exploits-with-Microsoft-s-EMET-1102501.html
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/windows-emet.html (Don’t mind the recommendation advising not to use antimalware apps, like antiviruses. I, generally, disagree with it (depends on the user))
Note: EMET will not provide the same protection scope for Windows XP (Service Pack 3 required) as it does for Windows Vista and 7; still is does provide a few protection.
In the first link I mentioned (More useful info on it:), there’s a video you can even download and watch whenever you want. I’d advise you also to save the URLs, to keep them offline. I find it a great practice.
My experience is that it should be easy for you to understand what EMET aims to do and how to operate it. But, unless you assimilate what you need, before applying it, don’t do it, and you can ask for more info, which I’ll do. I’d just like to keep focus on other stuff, as well.
But, go easy on EMET at first, don’t go changing the “System Status” as you please. Under “Configure System”, there’s a Recommend Settings option. If I well remember, that’s the default.
Under “Configure Apps”, add the applications that are most likely to pose a threat, like web browser, pdf reader, media player, office applications like Word, Excel…, e-mail client.
For example, for Internet Explorer, you’d add the process “iexplore.exe”. Every plugins like Flash Player would be automatically added under EMET’s protection, since it is started by “iexplore.exe”.
For Firefox, you’d also need to add the executable that handles the plugins… I’m not a Firefox user… I do not recall what’s its name. Maybe someone could shed a light?
If you’d like to a have a sandboxing feature, you could make use of the Sandboxie free version. You’d need to manual execute the programs under a sandbox, and only one sandbox at a time, though.
There’s more that could be said, but without knowing more like what web browser you use and operating system version, it would be a shot in a dark.
Regarding firewall, if you’re using Windows Vista/7, Windows firewall is just fine. There’s a great article here: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?s=75a7037ac6787aa7783dcdd5d69a279c&t=239750
Any doubts regarding Windows Vista/7 firewall, you can always ask at that thread. There’s a lot useful info there, though; including the rules that would be needed for certain apps. It’s an ongoing thread, I’d say.
Anyway, if you could mention your web browser and operating system, it would be great. A great prevention starts, excluding the user, with these two factors.
Kind regards
greylander, malwarebytes free would be good but the pro version is highly recommended for it small one time fee. Online Armor is my choice of firewalls and there free version is very simple to understand and very strong.
Some knowledge of what your system spec’s are though could be helpful for those wishing to give any info, you dont want to load up on so much stuff that your system cant handle it