15 Great, Free Security Programs?

I find Zone Alarm to be useful. Easier to configure then most hardware solutions.

I disagree. I don’t think the 5 you mentioned are the only ones of the original 15 worth looking at, even though I use all of the five expect HijackThis.

HijackThis is not your type anti malware application. It is most often used after more conventional security software (i.e. antivirus, anti spyware…etc.) have failed to remove the malware. In addition, it is not the easiest application to use. It generates a report which requires someone of considerable computer aptitude to interpret and use effectively, well beyond your typical computer owner.

Rootkits are a scary new form of malware but they are hardly mainstream. They make up less than 1/1000 percent of malware infection. The number of incidents of rootkit infections are drowned out by the much more common virus, spyware, Trojan and worm infections. While it is nice to have an anti rootkit utility, it is far better - at least from the numbers - to concentrate on installing an antivirus and anti spyware applcition(s).

You seem to concentrate on the more exotic anti malware applications rather than the day to day applications you need like a firewall and antivirus. I disagree with you that Windows firewall is sufficient since it is unidirectional and not bidirectional. Further, a computer should utilize both a software and hardware firewall which offers the most protection.

As for purchasing an antivirus over using a free one, I find that many free antivirus programs are on par with their commercial counterparts. In fact, AOL Active Security Monitor was created by Kaspersky, a venerable security software maker. Antivir did not only beat out Avast and AVG in virus detection but Trend Micro as well.

If one should spend money on any security software, I would recommend buying an anti spyware application since even the best free anti spyware program comes nowhere close to removing the number of spyware removed by the likes of Spyware Doctor or SpySweeper - usually 60% versus 90%.

I agree with Orphen Saiyuki, above. Anti-virus and firewall are very much needed. My hardware NAT router, as you so recommend, has stopped very little, and Comodo tends to keep the stuff away from my PC. And this is after three hours of configuring it to work…

As for anti-virus, Avira not only nags you to upgrade, but it also lacks a real time protection that AVG and Avast! both have.

While I can’t say that I agree with paying for anti-spyware, that’s because I find Ad-aware 2007 and Spyware Blaster do the protection and finding well enough.

The fact is that while Windows firewall “can” be set to exclude traffic to your PC, it is not easy to allow non-standard ports to access the OS. It also does NOTHING to stop traffic leaving your PC. Zone Alarm will flag every strange connection attempt and at least let you know you might have a malware problem.

It is time we took responsibility for what we allow onto the net, and not just what we allow from the net.

I’m surprised that PC World didn’t mention Spybot Search & Destroy, one of my weapons of choice and also a free program. Anyone who’s serious about PC security should also read my security-focused Lockergnome Nexus blog Ask The Geek, Too.

My computers seem to be doing just fine with Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, and ZoneAlarm. Of course that does not mean its the best protection…

In defence of Zone Alarm, Several years ago I had a machine severley damaged by DVD industry vigilanties. Because I was running Zone Alarm I know the trojan was brought back by allowing ” Inter actual Player ” access to the internet

I’ll agree with you that on the 15 PC World listed, you could knock it down to those 5, but quite frankly, PC World left out some free programs that definitely deserve more attention than those 15. Sandboxie, Startup List, Regmon, just to name a few. I agree with you that a router coupled with Windows Firewall provides excellent protection. I’ll also agree with you that NOD32 is the only antivirus worth actually recommending.

However, in my opinion, the best free security solution is just switching to linux. I’ve been using linux for over a year now after switching from Windows and I’ll never go back. The distro I’m using now is Linux Mint 3.0.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMsV_ZtTk_A&mode=related&search=

If you have a NAT router a software firewall isn’t necessary but is a good backup just in case. A NAT router will stealth all ports from prying eyes on the internet but if you are on a network you are still vulnerable from attack within the network, but for home users this is not usually a concern. If you use public WiFi hotspots then a software firewall is a must or a VPN is even better.
As for free anti-spyware apps not being good I have to disagree. I use Spyware Terminator and it does a good job of keeping crap off my system. If it doesn’t get on you don’t need to worry about removal rates. It’s the only free app. that includes real time protection. Spybot claims to but it’s not as effective. Of course where you go and what you download has an effect on that as well.

If you have a desktop pc that never leaves your home/work domain, then I can just about agree about the firewall. If, like me, you use a laptop and you travel a lot, using wireless and other networks in hotels etc., I think not having a firewall is not very clever …