Internet Security
In the past my recommendation for this area was a combination of the Windows Firewall and AVG Anti-virus Free.
That configuration served me well for many years. Unfortunately times have changed. These days it is no longer a matter of repelling the odd intrusion attempt or stopping viruses. The entire landscape of of who and what is trying to get at your computer and the data within it and how they are trying to do it has become far more complex.
The only effective strategy possible at this point in time is a multi-layered defense with each program overlapping the functions of the other. In truth there is just about nothing on the market that will give you 100% protection short of just not connecting to the internet. Take a look below and I will show you my setup and why it is that way.
First Line of Defense
Your first line of defense is not digital, it’s analogue. You have an often overlooked analogue hardware device at your disposal and it is your first line of defense.
The hardware in question comprises a set of analogue optical devices called “eyes,” they are located (usually) in the upper region of the front of your head facing forward. Take a moment to locate them perhaps in a mirror. Notice you are using your optical devices (eyes) to locate your optical devices…how clever!
Now the most important part of this set up is actually hidden from view. It is called a brain. It is a large grey mass located inside your head but its physical structure is not important here.
What is important is that if you use your analogue optical devices (eyes) in conjunction with your brain you can make excellent decisions, evaluations and all sorts of computations.
When you see that email in your inbox, from a bank you have never heard of, asking to simply click the link below and provide that unknown bank with your current credit card details including all passwords and PINs, judicious use of the “eye to brain observation and thinking device” should draw you to the conclusion that perhaps doing that is not such a good idea!
Of course it’s not always that simple due to another software program running constantly in the background within the brain. This program is called “Curiosity v1.2.” Unfortunately Curiosity v1.2 has a habit of overriding many of the logical functions of the “brain.”
This is a constant problem but in the order of seniority the brain, at any time, at the request of the brain operator (let’s not get religious here so we shall simply call this part, “the person.”) can override the command functions of Curiosity v1.2.
Keeping Curiosity v1.2 fully disengaged is not practical or even desirable. Until such time as the manufacturer decides to issue an upgrade to Curiosity v1.2 a simple awareness of Curiosity v1.2s presence and potential flaws should be sufficient.
Second Line of Defense
Your second line of defense is a little more conventional. It should be made up of two effective programs one of which is a Firewall and the other a stock standard “nasty-checker.”
To put it bluntly the Windows inbuilt firewall is no longer an option. It has more holes than a cheese grater and in conjunction with Internet Explorer is the most obvious target for the majority of clowns who would seek to compromise your computer.
Unfortunately for Microsoft, and even more unfortunate for you, being the biggest means being the biggest target.
Two of the most prominent names in security software are Norton and McAffee. I choose neither. They are both bloated beyond belief with programs and functions I do not want and did not ask for and I personally dislike any software that displays poor manners.
Just try to remove either of them from your system and you will get the idea, they simply will not leave the party when asked to. Additionally whilst both score as well as any for the detection of nasties they both score poorly in the firewall stakes.
My recommendation in this category is Kapersky Internet Security 2010 which is the current version. The firewall part of the program is one is the best performing around and they also have one of the best virus detection standards. The combination of the two is a winner and unlike many competing programs it is not a resource hog.
Click here to See Kapersky Internet Security
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