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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 833
Features Writer
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OP
Features Writer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 833 |
So, my roommate just got himself a pretty spiffy Laptop, and he's asking about any free ant-hacker software.
Now, me, I could do a search and probably come up with something, but I wouldn't know what's good and what isn't.
So... anyone know about anything?
Mmm cheese.
I vid, therefor I am.
The hardest lesson is that love can be so fair to some, and so cruel to others. Even those who would be gods.
Anne Shirley: I'm glad you spell your name with a "K." Katherine with a "K" is so much more alluring than Catherine with a "C." A "C" always looks so smug.
Me: *cries*
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 910
Features Writer
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Features Writer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 910 |
I don't know how much help this is, but I would check CNET.com, they have comprehensive reviews (I don't know what's 'hot' right now in terms of protection software). Someone else might give you more specific info.
alcyone
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Top Banana
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Top Banana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,208 |
AVG. We have it here at work and its free and works great. Not a computer hog like Norton and some of those other anti-virus softwares.
Labby uses it too.
I have absolutely no complaints about AVG.
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always
depend on the support of Paul.
-George Bernard Shaw
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,445
Kerth
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Kerth
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,445 |
Check that it has a firewall enabled. The Windows XP one works but isn't brilliant, there are plenty of alternatives. Also check that it is up to date with service patches etc. The page below offers a list of various free utilities that should have any security capability you need. http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm If it's a Mac there's much less need for this stuff, but check Apple's site for utilities if you're feeling paranoid.
Marcus L. Rowland
Forgotten Futures, The Scientific Romance Role Playing Game
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
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Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362 |
Yup, and I'd recommend it to anyone. It's never given me a moment's trouble in all the years I've been using it and just works away quietly in the background, getting on with things. It updates automatically every day, too. Best program I ever encountered and absolutely free. LabRat 
Athos: If you'd told us what you were doing, we might have been able to plan this properly.
Aramis: Yes, sorry.
Athos: No, no, by all means, let's keep things suicidal.
The Musketeers
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 145
Hack from Nowheresville
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Hack from Nowheresville
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 145 |
Kaspersky Internet Security has been doing well for me over the last several months.
Did is a word of achievement
Won't is a word of retreat
Might is a word of bereavement
Can't is a word of defeat
Ought is a word of duty
Try is a word of each hour
Will is a word of beauty
Can is a word of power
--Author Unknown
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 843
Features Writer
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Features Writer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 843 |
I have ZoneAlarm firewall (free edition), AVG AntiVirus (free edition) and also AVG Anti-Spyware and LavaSoft Ad-Aware 2007 (both free). ZoneAlarm firewall AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition AVG Anti-Spyware LavaSoft Ad-Aware 2007 Do you see a theme here?  I haven't had any problems with viruses, trojan horses, spyware, etc., for a long time (that I am aware of). I run the anti-virus and anti-spyware at least once every two weeks just to make sure. ZoneAlarm can be a little annoying in the beginning, with all the warnings about new programs accessing the Internet, but then it slows down significantly and just keeps working in the background, keeping my laptop a little bit safer. malu
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Pulitzer
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Pulitzer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,569 |
I use AdAware , Spybot S&D , and Spyware Blaster , in conjunction with the McAfee suite (firewall, antivirus, etc) that my ISP provides. And the firewall built in to my router. With all that, I haven't had a problem in years. But that link Marcus posted looks interesting to me. I'm going to have to try out some of those programs...
When in doubt, think about penguins. It probably won't help, but at least it'll be fun.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362
Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
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Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,362 |
Thanks for those links, malu - I wasn't aware that AVG had that second program. The most annoying thing about ZoneAlarm for me is the hassle it takes to update whenever it sends you a reminder to do so. I seem to spend a ridiculous amount of time having to click through options that I don't want as they take the opportunity to try and sell me other products. Irritates the heck out of me. But apart from that, it's another hassle-free program for me. Does the job nicely, doesn't cost anything. LabRat
Athos: If you'd told us what you were doing, we might have been able to plan this properly.
Aramis: Yes, sorry.
Athos: No, no, by all means, let's keep things suicidal.
The Musketeers
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