Security
I recommend
Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus coupled with
Immunet Protect. Immunet is a cloud antivirus designed to work with many real time antivirus programs and provides an extra layer of immediate cloud protection when viruses are discovered, rather than wait for virus updates. Those two programs along with the Windows firewall give you very good protection while being the lightest suite on resources and least intrusive. Load them and forget them. If you practice safe-hex, this is adequate protection.
If you want more control though much noisier, use
Comodo Firewall (without the antivirus) or
Online Armor's Firewall instead of Windows firewall.
Threatfire adds additional behavioral based detection and runs from the box without the need for additional configuration. Automatic updates are not provided with the free version if you elect to opt out of the ThreatFire Community.
For occasional manual scans and removal of malware use
Superantispyware Portable,
Malwarebytes,
Dr.Web CureIt and
A-Squared (highest as a Trojan Scanner/Remover).
Paragon Backup and Recovery has many new features, including support for Windows 7, cyclic backup - complete infrastructure for establishing a self-acting data protection system, support for the latest hardware and back up and restore of GPT entire disks. Restore an entire disk, separate partitions or only files you need from the previously created backup image.
News and Information
Probably the Best Free Security List in the World...This outstanding list has been compiled by one of Gizmo's senior security editors, Antti Koponen. The products are listed with the best free products first (non-free products are always at the bottom of each category).
Alt.comp.virus information pages...Topics on this site range from anti-virus software, viruses, virus removal and virus myths to spyware, firewalls and general computer security..
How to crack a Windows password with Ophcrack Live CD
Virus test files are available from EICAR and are harmless but provide a means to test your security suites' effectiveness.
Trojan test files For years you have been able to test your virus scanner with the harmless Eicar test file. Using the just released Trojan Simulator you can now test your trojan scanner in the same manner, using a harmless demonstration trojan. This is a risk-free way to see how your security software behaves in a real-world situation.
Safe Hex
Wireless Home Network Security
Advanced Malware Cleaning Tips
Up to date security tips.
Blackviper Tips
Disable the nag screen on AntiVir
Other tips for AntiVir
Dr.Web CureIt! should be re-downloaded each time you wish to scan as the downloaded file doesn't update, though the new download will be updated. It is a very good deep system scan for malware and repairs what it finds. It starts it's scan in quick mode, therefore, I recommend stopping that scan and selecting a complete system scan. It takes a while but very effective.
Dr.Web LiveCD is an anti-virus emergency aid disk that would restore a system that became non-operational due to activities of malware. If a workstation or a server running Windows\Unix will not boot from a hard drive, Dr.Web LiveCD will clean a system of suspicious and malicious files and will also try to cure infected objects.
