Would like advice from the pros

[sncacl]

I'm new on this forum and like what I have read, so opinions are requested regarding this situation:

I have Windows XP with SP2 and have added the following to keep it clean:

Bitdefender
Spybot
Adaware
CCleaner

Is this overkill?

[Raptor]

You're actually undermanned.

Firefox
Thunderbird (If you use an E-mail client)
AVG Free

[honvetops]

I am no pro*
My advice would be this........ If you have the hard drive space, no its not.

Just make sure to only keep  (1# ) virus protection running at a  time!
Do monthly scans utilizing the others ( i do like once a week) to catch the most bugs u can. None catch them all from what I have been reading but using more than one specific brand increases your odds keeping your computer as clean as possible. Make sure to do updates with them all , when u get time. Someday , this will be old news , I hope.....

[Fed]

No, that's fine assuming you have a Firewall running and you are running Spybot in Advanced Mode with the Resident Teatimer & IE Tweaks.
If you're using IE & Outlook/Express their settings should be 'hardened' too.

[sncacl]

Thanks all. I do keep everything updated and the Bitdefender 9 seems right on top of catching things as they come in. I formerly used Norton which seemed to miss alot and was a pain. More questions:

1. If I use Bitdefender 9 why would I need to use AVG Free also? Would'nt that cause conflicts?
2. I use IE without problems so what would the advantages be to using Firefox and Thunderbird?
3. How do I 'harden' IE and Outlook Express?
4. Another site advised against using Teatimer on Spybot as it really slows thing down, is this true?

[Raptor]

1. If I use Bitdefender 9 why would I need to use AVG Free also? Would'nt that cause conflicts?
2. I use IE without problems so what would the advantages be to using Firefox and Thunderbird?
3. How do I 'harden' IE and Outlook Express?
4. Another site advised against using Teatimer on Spybot as it really slows thing down, is this true?

1. Isn't BitDefender a spyware scanner? AVG Free is a virus scanner.
2. Internet Exploreer doesn't give you any problems.. Yet.. It's a security risk, Firefox is more secure because it's not as eager to accept everything that's being thrown at it.
3. Via the Internet Options you can change all the security settings. Basically, Firefox is allready hard enough and less work configuring. Fed's just biased, though. He's jealous because he can't download Firefox with his dial-up connection.
4. Fed's the Teatimer expert here, I doubt that it slows down your system if it's fast enough.

[Fed]

I have to leave for work shortly so I'll post about hardening your browser & email client later.
I also read somewhere that the teatimer is heavy on resources but I use it and it doesn't seem to make any difference at all.
It has to use some resources because it's running in realtime but very little compared to the old Microsoft antispyware. Remember, Adaware Free is only a scanner.

[sncacl]

Bitdefender 9 is an antivirus and antispyware program. It warns against using another anitvirus program with it so that's why I asked. I researched several sites such as PC World for the top rated antiv. and B9 is one of them. After I run B9 my Spybot runs clean so I am not sure if I still need to keep it.

I have DSL but still like IE since I'm used to it by now. Raptor, what settings would you change on IE security?

Fed, I look forward to your methods of hardening IE and OE. Thanks.

[Raptor]

Raptor, what settings would you change on IE security?

• Right click
• Delete
• Empty trashcan

 :P

What I'd do is select manual cookie control, it's very useful to control what cookies enter and do not enter your system. Keeps you 100% tracking cookie free but it does take time to get used to and a bit of experimenting with what cookies you can and can't deny.

Internet Options -> Privacy Tab -> Advanced -> "Disband Automatic cookie refining" -> Direct cookies "Ask" -> Indirect cookies "Disable"

Even if you don't want to manually choose what cookies you want to keep and don't keep, you should still disable indirect cookies.

Also, I'd probably turn on java-script. Unfortunately, IE doesn't have any useful plug ins that let you enable Javascript for a certain website or domain name. Firefox does. So I guess you're going to have to leave it on at all times. Which is a huge security risks and also generates more cookies..

Other than that I wouldn't really mess with the settings because IE might stop functioning like it should. If you really want to make use of IE, download Windows Defender (From Microsoft.com) , it comes with a lot of useful tools that keep Internet Explorer clean and also protect it in real time.

[sncacl]

lol....Thanks Raptor. I will check out the windows defender.

[Fed]

Outlook Express is pretty simple.

1) Outlook Express>Tools>Options>Read>Tick...Read all messages in plain text.

2) Outlook Express>Tools>Options>Security>Virus Protection>Tick... the 2 square boxes.
    (If you must open attachments leave the 2nd tick off, not recommended)


IE requires a little more, print this out to make it easier, it's not nearly as scary as it looks.
If anyone uses this to set up IE all input is welcome.

OK, first level the field by setting IE to the defaults.

1. Start
2. Settings
3. Control Panel
4. Internet Options
5. Security tab
6. Reset all 4 security zones to Default
 
1. Start
2. Settings
3. Control Panel
4. Internet Options
5. Privacy
6. Restore 1 Default button
 
1. Start
2. Settings
3. Control Panel
4. Internet Options
5. Advanced
6. Restore 1 Default button

You may need to do the following as well
  
1. Start
2. Settings
3. Control Panel
4. Internet Options
5. General tab
6. Remove cookies, temporary files and history

Kudos to Raptor.


Then tighten the screws up

IE>Tools>Internet Options>Security>Internet>Custom Level

ActiveX controls & plug-ins
Download signed ActiveX controls
Download unsigned ActiveX controls
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins
Initialize and run ActiveX controls and plug-ins not
marked as safe
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting
Set these to Disable
 
 
Microsoft VM
Java permissions
Set this to High Safety
 

Miscellaneous
Access data sources across domains
Allow META REFRESH
Display Mixed Content
Installation of desktop items
Launching programs and files in an IFRAME
Navigate sub-frames across different domains
Userdata persistence
Set these to Disable


Scripting
Active scripting
Scripting of Java programs
Allow paste operations via script
Set these to Disable
 
 
User Authentication
Logon
Set this to Prompt for user name and password
 
    
EI>Tools>Internet Options>Privacy>Advanced
Tick 'Overide automatic cookie handling'
Block to suit your needs (I block 1st & 3rd)
Tick Session Cookies


Last but not least, loosen the screws on your trusted sites.

IE>Tools>Internet Options>Security>Trusted Sites>Sites
Untick the 'Server Verification' box
Type in your trusted address as below
  *.computerhope.com
Press the Add button
Do this for trusted sites to enjoy the IE experience.

[sncacl]

thanx!!!

[Fed]

Let me know how it goes for you
Using these settings and only downloading from trusted websites I disabled all of my protection except my firewall as a test.
I didn't catch a thing, now I only use a Firewall, AVG & Spybot to make me feel good