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Consider these recommendations by US-Cert
Task 1 - Install and Use an Anti Virus Program
Task 2 - Keep Your System Patched
Task 3 - Use Care When Reading Email with Attachments
Task 4 - Install and Use a Firewall Program
Task 5 - Make Backups of Important Files and Folders
Task 6 - Use Strong Passwords including your Hotmail password
Task 7 - Use Care When Downloading and Installing Programs
Task 8 - Install and Use a Hardware Firewall
Task 9 - Install and Use a File Encryption Program and Access
Controls
Most of the above are free in Linux
A new page has been added for children about the Internet and staying safe online.
The number of vulnerabilities discovered is still on the rise with an increase of more than 70% over the past two years.
Online tester that checks if you have the latest patches installed or have any end of life programs installed.
Windows software security tester
This checks all your software so far more effective than Microsoft update. Also available as a download.
Use the free Secunia Online Security Inspector to get a feel for the Secunia Software Inspector technology, then upgrade to the free Secunia Personal Security Inspector or Network Security Inspector, which scans more than 7,000 programs compared to this online version covering less than 100.
Advantages of Internet Security Suites 2009
The Tasks 1 and 4 are included in these programs along with anti spam, parental controls, phishing and email checker. All are integrated into one package that works seamlessly with each component.
Currently, there is not any solution that offers a 100 percent effectiveness rate for detecting viruses and malware. You may become a victim of misleading advertising, if you buy such a product under those premises. More details on Viruses page
Zone Alarm includes Kaspersky anti virus engine
Kaspersky 2009 version now available - A major British bank to make available to online customers,
Norton 2009 improved to be less of a system hog, also best performer in Secunia October testing for in the wild virus examples. Weak on Firewall ports open
Norton 360 V2 and McAfee to be field tested by IS4 shortly
Should you switch
Internet browser and email client?
Almost all attacks on your PC will come through your internet browser or email client. If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer as a browser which is only needed to get Microsoft Windows Updates, or either Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express for your email, then it's a good idea to switch to something more secure.
Current browser usage
2008 IE7 IE6 Chrome Firefox Mozilla Safari Opera
Sept 26.3% 22.3% 3.1% 42.6% 0.5% 2.7% 2.0%
2008 IE7 IE6 IE5 Firefox Mozilla Safari Opera
Aug 26.0% 24.5% 0.1% 43.7% 0.5% 2.6% 2.1%
July 26.4% 25.3% 0.3% 42.6% 0.5% 2.5% 1.9%