Earthlink's pop up blocker takes good care of me, I run weekly scans with Nortons and use Adaware every now and then to make sure no junk filtered through the cracks. I just wanna make sure that I cover all the bases I can since I'm computer dumb. I pitched for the home networking deal when I got DSL, so I got a router and stuff but I haven't set it up yet. I've been told that a hardware firewall like a router is mo betta, yes?

Reason being, I got a real brief pop up window like a DOS prompt just sitting here a second ago, and it threw a red flag up for me anyways. Ran Norton's again, ran Adaware, nothing unusual at first glance and I'd like to keep it that way.

Heeeellllllppppppp.

 

Been running Norton Internet Security for 3+ years, but I don't think I will renew again next year. The 2003 version was good but this 2005 version is too cumbersome and too intrusive. I no longer have control over certain functions and the auto update feature pretty much locks up my computer until it finishes cycling (2-3 minutes every 3 hours). It slows down my browsing and I have to turn it off to view most video clips. But since I cannot turn it off without also turning off my firewall, I end up switching over to my Mozilla browser to access stuff that Norton won't allow with IE.

Next year I'm dropping the Norton Internet Security and switching over to some of the freeware programs available. I like the Norton Antivirus but the rest is overkill.

 

Oh, and I run SpyBot and Ad-Aware once in a while to see if anything slipped past NIS. Ad-Aware will pick up tracking cookies sometimes, but NIS pretty much blocks everything at the gate. I've never had SpyBot find anything yet. My system is squeaky clean.

 

We are set up behind a basic router.
My roommates dont understand internet security (they run no firewall, no antivirus, and when they have problems guess who gets to try and fix it...I try to get them to run some basic apps but they dont, for that reason one of them has not been able to use his computer for almost a year because of all the crap thats on it)

On my computer, I have ZoneAlarm (firewall) running 24/7, at the highest security settings.

Every night I run a virus scan with AVG Free Edition (updated at least once a week). I also run adaware occasionally and I am also running Microsoft AntiSpyware, MS's new attempt at spyware blocking. I used to run spybot but it always screwed up my settings.

Rather than use plain IE, I run Maxthon (formerly known as MYIE2), it does a pretty good job of blocking popups, but some do get through if the website is bad enough.

 

I have Norton Internet Security also, it is so much better than the McAfee that I had with my old computer. Plus it's got the Firewall and now that I have a cable modem that is a necessity! I need to download SpyBot and Ad-Aware though just to insure my system is clean but Norton is pretty efficient at blocking stuff.

 

Common sense.




It's something I rarely see while working tech support...

 

THANK YOU ! ! ! !

 

Check Point Firewall, Norton A/V & smart surfing. Haven't had a single problem... ever.

The baddest SOHO/personal firewall out there: http://www.sofaware.com/products.asp...Id=23&nsId=143

Model 105 is great for home use. Little pricey but a sweet product, with capabilities for URL blocking & A/V services. I'll hook you up with a good deal!

 

A little bit off topic:

I get a lot of calls were customers are complaining about spam.
If they only knew the main problem with spam is how you use your e-mail, or "WHERE" you use your email.

If you have a VERY simple address (example John.Smith @ hotmail.com ) you will prolly get a lot of spam. If you go to a website, and fill out a registration form and you give out your personal or business e-mail address.......your gonna get spam.

 

Thats why if you need an e-mail for a site just to log on & don't need any e-mails form them I give them joblow@nowhere.com (or some veriation of that). No spam for me.

 

You are correct....however,

Regardless of you email address you will almost certainly get locked onto a spam database eventually.

I've setup yahoo accounts as tests with vvvadderr123 @yahoo.com (example) and within a month or two of no use the spam folder gets a few. Problem is once it gets one or two...the problem grows exponentially. They share lists.

Smart Internet browsing and a good email name does help but almost no one is immune.

 

^^^

True.

But what are the odds of (example) jt5ye@***.net getting on a list if it is never used other then personal friends/business, and never have any forwards sent to me, or send any forwards out.

 

Pretty good now!....

If that is real take it out.....



But yea I agree with you....it is mostly about smart usage.

 

Using Norton Internet Security, Adaware, and Spybot. So far I can say with NIS that I have had no problems with lockups or any other problems as stated by RockyJSquirrel. I made sure I turned off the XP firewall as it only works on incoming anyway.
I use Firefox for a browser, but still some pop-ups were getting through. I then activated the NIS pop up blocker, and those stopped. So far have not had any problems with it blocking too much.

 

It isnt real.