Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Greetings,

Thanks for your thoughts.

Would like recommendations for three types of software...

#1: Backup. Software that will run once a day, say 2am or something, and will BackUp new and altered files to a Disk/Location of my choice such as a second hard drive or an external hard drive.

#2: Anti Virus. And not Norton or Mcaffee. Something more along the lines of AVG or Avast.

#3: Firewall. Something else besides Zone Alarm.

Michael Ross

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Micheal, here is a back up offer. I haven't used it yet, but it looks interesting.
http://mozy.com/

Mack

Here's #2 on Your List.
 

Hi Michael,

Thanks for ASKing about Anti-Virus Solutions.

Here is MY Number 1 ALL-Time Pick for an Anti-Virus program:
http://www.bitdefender.com/bd/site/p..._id=25&n_id=58
(Explains a bit about it)
Bottom of URL above has the following link:
http://archive.bitdefender.com/bd/site/mirrors.php

Just download the ISO (and MD5) files.
IF You know how to burn an ISO file (image) to a CD,
then You'll have Yourself an AWESOME Boot CD.

You will use this CD to boot to a Linux Operating System called Knoppix.
( http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix52-en.html )
and, MOST IMPORTANTLY,
You will be able to SCAN Your PC for virii
WITHOUT
Being
Booted
to Windows!

What an AWESOME CD!!!

Anyway, Hope that Answers Your Q.
(and that You try it out successfully... it works and it's what *I* Use.)

Christopher

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Hi, Michael,

I use NOD 32 from Eset.com for my anti-virus. It updates daily and silently then notifies you, which you can ignore (it goes away after awhile) or click on to make disappear. It can be programmed to do it your way and when you say...that's just my choices above.

I have Webroot Spysweeper but only activate it occasionally as a doublecheck. It's a terrible resource hog, however, so I don't keep it activated.

I use Spybot occasionally, especially if the system starts to slow down.

Kerio from http://www.sunbelt-software.com is an excellent firewall.

For backup, check out Acronis. You can do all kinds of backups and other things with it to various media. They're nice folks to deal with, too. I got a prompt, pleasant, and appreciated reply to my inquiry. My husband has my original now as I use Nero for my backups to disk since I set my new system up differently.

Hope this helps.

Sandi Bowman

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Thanks for asking Michael. Here are the softwares I use:

1. Backup: SynchBack
http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/freeware-hub.html

I have a 250GB hard-drive for backup.

2. Anti-virus: Clamwin
http://www.clamwin.com/

I don't use a Firewall. With my ISP, a firewall leads to more problems than its worth it. But if I had to use one, I would use Comodo.
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

All of these softwares are free.

I do run Ad-aware once a month too.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Michael,

Since you've already got some Great recommendations...

Here's another related piece of the puzzle...

Excellent Free or by Donation must have/use software & Tools...

Over 85 million downloads...
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Phil

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Michael,

The best (and most restrictive, tamper proof) firewall I've found is from a company called NetVeda, and the product is SafetyNet. Setup is not trivial, but it's not so hard you can't figure it out. (Hint: If something's not working right, check App Trust.)

The thing won't let ANYTHING out without your specific approval. That means even if you contract something malicious just by surfing, it can't call home without your express permission. A password can be set, so that only you can change the settings.

I think it was Norton I had that was altered by a bug, but I caught accidently it before any damage was done.

A product I use on my FreeBSD box is fwbuilder. You build the firewall yourself. I intend to try it on Windows, since it doesn't try to be a catchall like Norton or the others. You specifically allow or deny what can and cannot get into your computer.

With respect to virus software, a recent report I read indicated that most of those were as vulnerable as the machine they're trying to protect!

I use AVG, the free edition. The only virus' I've had are those I got when I was downlo--er, I was doin' stuff I oughtn't.

I also have a hardware router that doesn't have built in virus protection, but the network address translation effectively shields my computer from drive-by crap.

I've been toying with the idea of putting together a cheap report explaining what needs to be done BEFORE surfing with a new or reloaded computer. Root Kits, trojans, emails, viruses, and the "Storm Botnet" thrive because of what people "think" they know.

But who am I kidding? Most people very proudly proclaim their ignorance, or just as proudly declare crap that's just . . .

Well, didn't mean to get on my soapbox.

Hope the stuff before the rant helps.

marye

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Sorry, I didn't mention backups. I just keep Windows on a physically separate drive, and everything that doesn't INSIST on being on the C:\ drive on another one. Then I just back up whatever I can't easily restore via copy to my Unix box (a separate computer.)

SHEESH! (was Re: Back Up, yadda..)
 

I wasn't logged in, so no name on my post.

But I read the recommendations from Sandi, Ankesh, and Phil, and realized that their picks were also on my short-list. After researching, I just happened to pick what I did.

You won't go wrong choosing my recommendations or theirs, or mix and match.

There! Got that settled for ya!'

marye

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Michael, from someone who has been through the fire, here is my absolute guaranteed solution.
Back up Acronis Will do everything you want it to do.
Anti-virus Pc-Cillin from Trend Micro
Been using them for around 5 years. Reliable and (so far) never a problem.
Has a built in firewall.
I'm pretty anal about viruses after the nasty attack a long time ago.
Pc-Cillin is real time protection. Mine is set to check for updates every couple hours. I do a full scan of my hard drive twice a week automatically.
That said, I also manually use Adaware SE from Lavasoft, Spybot S&D, SuperAntiSpyware as well as . These are all free and I only run these every week or two.
I've gone through about 5 backup programs and Acronis is the best I've tried. Worst? Norton Ghost.

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

A couple of additional thoughts:

I tried to install SafetyNet as it looked great but I couldn't get to first base with it so gave up. Marye, thanks for the offer of help but I was soooo lost with that one, it would've taken waaay too much time to help me through it.

Now about online backups. I've had two very negative experiences with online backing up. In one, the company closed down without warning and I lost several programs. Then they had to gall to open up under another name and invite me to use their 'new' service! Unbelievable after what they cost me.

The second one was an excellent service BUT, when the big blackout occurred several years ago, it took me over a week and a half to get my backup because their servers were overwhelmed with everyone else wanting to retrieve their backups, too.

Recommendation: use online backup only for a secondary resource if needed because it may or may not be available when you need it. Also be SURE they have sufficient resources to make your backups available if there is an area-wide problem. NEVER depend on online backup as your primary.

Sandi Bowman

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

Uh, my Unix machine is in the closet a few feet from me - - it's my home network. It gets care and feeding every day.

I'd NEVER trust my stuff to some system I know only as a URL that could be located Lord only knows where and run by whoever.

Yeah, Safety.net can be a PITA. Having an obsessive-compulsive nature does help. (hungry, angry, lonely, tired and sleepy - By God, Ah'm gon' make dis work!)

marye

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

I agree. CCleaner is a very useful software.


Haven't used Acronis.

But have used Norton Ghost. And as Larry says - stay away from it.

Thank you ALL (DNO)
 

Much Appreciated

Re: Back Up, Anti Virus, Firewall Software Recomendations?
 

I too have finally had my fill with Norton Internet Security. Has anyone tried the Comodo Antivirus (free) or any of the other free suite of products like the anti malware, etc. It appears everyone has had good experience with their free firewall product. Their list of free offers are here Comodo free offers