FIREWALL PROTECTION: I recommend that you have a strong firewall(free Zonelabs won't hold up--you need a STRONG firewall. if you don't have one up now to protect yourself from hackers. (i had to subscribe with $70 for 2 years for the professional zonelabs firewall.
I've looked at the reviews at Download.com and it seems the versions AFTER 4.5 for ZoneAlarm are a pain in the neck with bad connections/downloads/compatibility with other programs like AV programs. If you go with ZoneAlarm, stick to the earlier versions. Good thing i never updated past 4.0. Hehehehe After downloading many programs off the web and then updating when the program "notified" me of the latest "update," I'd get burned with worse features, features i didn't even need that were resource hogging nightmares, and slower performance with computer crashes. I now never update on a program that doesn't really need an update (with the exception of Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware programs) ----->>>I like that old phrase "if it ain't broke, why fix it??" There are other good free firewalls out there like Sygate.
Other firewalls which can be downloaded off Download.com or www.Nonags.com for free:
- Sygate
- Kerio
- Tiny Firewall
- SoftPerfect Firewall
- Bart Firewall
ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION: Everyone on the internet should have Anti-virus protection with regular subscription for updates. AGAIN, KEEP YOUR ANTIVIRUS UPDATED DAILY OR WEEKLY. Anti-virus software will protect you against alot of viruses, trojans, worms out on the web. If you don't have one, get one. I used to use Norton Antivirus (and paid subscriptions like a DUMMY!! )but it was too heavy with dipshit programming, slowed & crashed my computer again & again and didn't even delete the viruses my computer had. You think they would have gotten their act together with all the complaints they had in the beginning years. Now, I've switched to AVG which works great and is free.
Here are a few other free ones:
SWITCH TO WEBMAIL: Another reason i use webmail instead of my computer email is because most viruses, worms, etc. go thru emails. With good webmails, there are already well-built-in antivirus softwares and your computer isn't effected as much.
CHANGE YOUR BROWSER: There are too many security flaws with Internet Explorer. Switch to another browser like Mozilla, Safari, Avant, etc.
ANTI-SPYWARE PROTECTION: You'll have to have good anti-spyware software also: http://www.Cexx.org/noadware.htm talks about the main anti-spyware MINIMUM you should have on your computer to block or uninstall spyware. Even if you don't download "freeware" on the web, you can encounter them by being directed to websites or clicking on items on websites or auction ads.
ALSO, BE CAREFUL OF SCAM LOOK-ALIKE WEBSITES THAT MIMIC THESE POPULARLY KNOWN ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARES.
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR ANTI-SPYWARE UPDATED DAILY OR WEEKLY!!
These below are optional anti-spyware and you have to pay but they're also good if you still suspect problems even after using Spybot and Ad-aware:
**BE CAREFUL OF ANY ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE NOT LISTED HERE SINCE MOST OF THE ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE OUT THERE IS ACTUALLY MADE BY THE SPYWARE COMPANIES!!
Links to spyware forums if you need help, especially if the spyware removers won't remove it:
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