My Windows Security Software Recommendations

I can agree with most of your suggestions, however, I feel I must speak out when it comes to Comodo Firewall.

I have tried, without success, to use many of the different revisions of Comodo Firewall. This is one of those products where free is still too high a price.

The product gets great marks from many - apparently those who don’t keep the product on thier machines long enough to see that without fail, every revision at some point loses its ability to recognize previously allowed accesses through the firewall. The firewall is also so difficult to set up sometimes because it will swamp all but the most powerful cpu’s with too many pop-up boxes asking to verify this and that, or telling the user that something previously allowed is no longer. Another trick it has been known for is disallowing local network traffic after being explicitly configured to allow a range of IP addresses without restraint.

As someone who works on computers for a living, and has tried every revision of this (hoping for improvement) since 2.0, on machines ranging from a k6-2-500, to a Celeron M laptop, to a dual core Athlon64, I can safely say it is not a hardware problem - in each case the removal (which used to be a nightmare, they finally got that knocked) and replacement with Sygate Personal Firewall has resulted in a faster, better performing machine, with no further problems.

This is the sort of thing that MUST be shown for what it is, an effort to be helpful to the average user, that will confound even the most stalwart computer veteran. A piece of software that should never have been released until these bad behaviors were gotten under control.

Mark sorry you had such a frustrating time with Comodo. Wondered if you were using the beta for the 3.0 release or the current release as I am?

Normally the moderators are very helpful and patient with user problems.
Little Mac helped me setup Comodo so the current version of Qnext would work as it should and not get blocked,

As for as the popups go the High security setting will give you the most popups (some users want to know everything that is happening so even if you allowed IE to download every tune you click on new link within IE you will get a popup but if you look closely it will be slightly different.

Medium is what I have and still get popups low would cut it down even more but I have Comodo set for learning mode.

Also they are still learning that there are new software conflicts that are found. Working with the moderators they try to help to many times getting the programmers involved to solve the problem.

As an example when I first loaded Qnext, one of the tools they suggested I use was SuperScan. I downloaded the newest version and it Would NOT load. I eventually found (remembered) that I had run SocketLock from GRC.com , When I turned it off SuperScan installed,

Not sure what I will find when the next release comes out of beta? Do hope that the Network Security rules that are now in place can be converted over. The protection level will be Hardened even more.

Just as when (unknown) the next release of Qnext comes out, the universality of the IM portion improves. That and the music area is at least what we think they are enhancing, till Qnext evolves again.

UncleDoug

I love Comodo. I used to be fan of Zone Alarm so I’ve moved to Comodo. My list of protect software can be found knowthenetwork.com

It should be mentioned that sophos doesn’t support Windows Vista and will not run on the system (at least it didn’t for me, got a dialog box telling me it doesn’t currently support vista)

Kat thanks for a great blogpost and the link you gave in #Chris on Monday night. This will help with my “side job” of helping other friends computers from bad internet choices. While I’m not the most “technical” person around I enjoy removing spyware and cleaning up files in PC’s. This will help to show my friends why some things on the net are not what they appear to be and which applications are safe.

what about ad-aware 2007 kat?

Harwood123: I don’t feel that AdAware or Spybot either one warrants a “spotlight” here. Neither are as good as they used to be. While both companies are working hard to bring them more up-to-date, they just don’t rival the programs I’ve suggested here.
Neither are “BAD”… they just aren’t as good as they used to be… and hopefully will be again.

Hey I agree with these. I love using AVG and ad-aware. I have tried all of thos you named and my favorite’s are avast, avg and ad-aware. Well if you need any help please email me at crazykid400@hotmail.com

Kat I refer everyone to this page. But the one link people tell me that they cant believe is the rogue_anti-spyware most of them have allot of that software.

Dear,
Who ever read this.
Ever since the computer was really made for the public, there has been trouble with people getting virus’s on there computers and lots of spyware and dont forget about computer hacks.
But now most people dont have that people. Thanks to a wide range of companys that made anti virus, anti spyware, and fire walls to protect your computer. Now a day those programs are a most have unless you dont connect to the internet and even then you have to stay saff.
To my liking i like to have all in one programs that cover every edge of my computer. My favorite program to use i would have to say is Norton 360. That programs thoses everything to keep everything running. The type of computer user i think should have this program is for the public.
But if you have a company and have alot of computers in your running then i would have to recommand for you to use Sophos internet security.
But I cant forget about the cheap people, if you dont want to use your money on programs then you should get AVG Anti Virus, then Zone Alram for A Fire Walls, and then for your spyware i think you should use Ad-Ware.
Also test at least every two weeks or so!

I would also include a well-prepared router to this list for anyone with broadband, even if they only have one computer. Why have a firewall sitting on your computer when you can have that level of security between you and “them?” Good router isn’t too expensive, takes minutes to setup, and runs for a really long time.

What do you think about ESET’s Smart Security? as a all rounder..

upthevolume.

Great stuff, Kat.

It helped me alot.

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I’ve always read nothing by great reviews about CCleaner and this is the first I’d ever heard that CCleaner could actually hose a machine - please expound!

Thnx,
DB

Thanks Kat
For the advise because I’m a newbie

Thank you for your recommendations but anything for windows Vista for Temp File Cleaner, All around Malware Scanner & Remover.