how much is enough?

I have AVG-free, updated daily -run once a week; Spybot S&D-free-updated daily-run once a week;and Ad-Aware SE personal-free-updated daily and run once a week.

Query: Am I covered or am I leaving a hole. I don't know much about this stuff, but must use this computer for work. Work picks up the first of the year, I am feeling paranoid about my coverage. I had a tough time with Admilli Service a couple years ago. Been paranoid since.

Mike

This is part of my all clean speech:

• Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
  
  1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  2. Click once on the Security tab
  3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
     
     1. Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
     2. Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
     3. Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
     4. Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
     5. Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
     6. Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
     7. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
     8. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
     
     
  5. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
  
  
• Use an Anti Virus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future. See this link for a listing of some on line & their stand-alone anti virus programs:
  Computer Safety On line - Anti-Virus
  I recommend AVG Anti-Virus (Free Edition)!
  
• Update your Anti Virus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Anti virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your anti virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
  
• Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. For an article on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
  Computer Safety On line - Software Firewalls
  I recommend ZoneAlarm (Free Edition)!
  
• Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
  
• Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option.
  This will provide real-time spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an anti virus software. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  Instructions for - Spybot S & D and Ad-aware
  
• Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. You should also scan your computer with the program on a regular basis just as you would an anti virus software in conjunction with Spybot. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  Instructions for - Spybot S & D and Ad-aware
  
• Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs. A article on anti-malware products with links for this program and others can be found here:
  Computer Safety on line - Anti-Malware
  
• Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

That only thing you need to know is that 2 av programs won't work and 2 firewalls won't work!

Greets, John.

Remember to backup your data. Also get a firewall. And get the latest MS patches .

Being behind a router makes a big difference and is worth the peace of mind.

A few more points that you may consider:

1) Do not open email attachments unless your are 100% sure the source is safe
2) Do not download/install applications from unknown sources - only from sites you trust implicitly
3) Avoid file sharing from unknown sources (if you use those programs)
4) Avoid sites that are unsafe, I would recommend sitehound by Firetrust:
http://www.malwareremoval.com/recommended.html which can help keep you safe when surfing.

No AV or anti-spyware is perfect, but be vigilant and careful and you will be a lot less prone to becoming infected.

I will get a firewall. I feel much better now. Thank you all.

Mike

you could also add a squared to you protection list

A2program


this gets updated virtually daily


and the stand -alone stinger program

STINGER

this only gets updated occasionally but is a useful handly tool nevertheless; you need to check the web occasionally for the latest version as this program does not haver an automatic update download facility; I used it recetly on a pc that refused to work ,as the exe will fit on a floppy disc ,ran the program and found a load of nasties; I think it a tool worth having in ones armoury



( all of them are on my pc along with other protection)

thought it worth just saying that, with the A 2 program it sometimes brings up results that are called "false positives" so it is adviseable to know what is on your machine and , when the scan is complete, to read through what it finds as some of it will probably be legit (as in my own case where a lot of what is produces is completley legit)

if; when you have done a scan with it and are unsure of a result, there is no harm in asking either on here or on a non malaware forum for advise as to whether a result IS worrying or not;far safer and wiser NOT to remove it unitl you have had it confirmed as a nasty

it can be treated sometimes like an HJT log; just because a line LOOKS suspicious does not mean that it IS

if in doubt ask about the results