What Internet security do you use on Windows?

[Adrienne]

I gave up trying to keep Windows secure. (I had tried about everything).
I am using Linux now.

[Mez]

iptables + common sense

[RichM]

NOD32.

Your poll is virtually useless given that you have given a limited number of options. Doesn't really enable people to compare. :/

[RichM]

At the time I couldn't think of many.

Which is why it makes sense to do some research.

[Chazel]

Yeah using the least bit of common sense on windows with over 25 thousand viruses on the net.

I would never use windows without an AV.

Maybe Linux as it only has 24 known viruses for it. (Don't believe me? Count for your self: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...mputer_viruses)

You don't get viruses if you use common sense - it's simple. I go to about fifteen sites regularly, and none of them are bad. I only download stuff from vBulletin.org and I even use LimeWire, still no virus.

[Chousho]

I use my router mainly.

I run Windows Firewall on my desktop and don't even bother on my laptop, as I don't see the need.

[Mark K]

Currently use Sophos Anti-Virus and Sophos Firewall, as well as a router built in Firewall. Also use http://www.spywareterminator.com for spyware, as its free and has real-time scanning.


For those using only a router firewall, this does not make your PC safe at all. I would recommend a software firewall as well. (that doesnt mean windows firewall)

[Chousho]

I hope for your sake you only use the internet on the laptop once a year. for 5 minutes.

I run GNU/Linux on my laptop with SELinux and iptables. Why would I need a firewall on top of that?

[xjuliox]

This is free, but its only an anti-virus, its a good "Temporary" solution when you have nothing else.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download...virus/us/frt/0

Thanks Jake,

But i am stuck with norton because the firewall works with my vista 64x

[Mark K]

How is sophos Anti-virus doing? Because I haven't heard of anything new from them recently, well besides the fact its on all the collage computers.

They are still going great, they've incorperated HIPS protection into the Any-Virus scanning now, so anything that runs suspiciously will pop up like a trojan and ask you for permission.

Similar to Spywareterminator, this stops anything being installed on your computer without your permission.

[class101]

Kaspersky is by far #1 on windows

[Player-63]

OS: Windows Vista 32Bit
Protection: Router Firewall + Windows Live One Care

The package works very well together the system can run a virus scan and i can still play wow with 80+ FPS

When i had NIS i had to stop the scan to carry on playing wow.

[Shazz™]

None, Im just careful what I do.

[Shining Arcanine]

I use the Windows XP SP2 Firewall and Firefox with NoScript, Adblock Plus and Filterset.G. I also use Spybot's immunizations. I do not use anything else, unless my NAT router counts.

I used to use an antivirus scanner and third party firewall, but I decided that what I have now is sufficient. Every few years, I scan my PC for viruses with free online virus scanners and it turns out to be virus free.

[Marc Smith]

I also run snitch on osx.

Same here - Snitch is really nice. For my Mac (Mac person since 1986) I've never used any virus protection. I have at least one Mac online 24/7.

But - I also have a PC with XP. It's on a direct connect to the internet with a static IP. Before XP I ran Windows 2000. I used Tiny Personal Firewall when I had 2000 on it but since I did the XP upgrade all I use is the built in firewall. That PC has been connected 24/7/365 for over 7 years now without a problem (other than replacing the power supply twice). I use the PC for some client work, as a 'home server', as a web server for a small personal web site and as an ftp server.

I do keep a series of backups 'just in case', but as long as one is careful with emails (I run all my email through spamcop first) and is reasonably careful about web sites one visits (and using Firefox doesn't hurt), one shouldn't have a problem.

I do recommend using GRC's 'Shields Up' routinely to verify all ports are closed other than ones you know 'should' be open (such as my having ftp and http ports open in my case). I use Shields Up to check my Macs and my PC.