How To Choose Security Software

It shouldn’t have to be this way, but it is. Your Windows PC or laptop can’t protect itself from the viruses, worms, spyware, and other threats on the Internet. In short, you need to install security software.

What You Need

Buying an Internet security suite is cheaper than buying separate applications. Most suites are licensed for use on only one computer, but you can sometimes pay more for a multi-PC license. You can also piece together a security lineup with standalone utilities, including free ones. Apart from a lack of tech support, free editions typically don’t have particular features some users want. The only real danger with free standalone apps is that there might not be enough overlap among features to catch every threat. Conversely, overlapping features between two utilities may conflict with each other, and you’ll have to choose which one to disable.

In general, antivirus, antispyware, and certain other utilities come with free updates
and upgrades for a set period. After that you need to renew your subscription. If you choose not to renew your antivirus/antispyware update subscription, your software will continue to protect your system from the threats that were addressed in the last update you downloaded. However, with every passing day, your PC will become more exposed to new malware appearing on the scene. Finally, Windows 98/Me users should check for compatibility before buying security software. Here’s what to look for in individual components.

Antivirus.

Using its own detection smarts and regularly updated virus definitions, antivirus apps protect a computer against viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Viruses, after the user activates them in some way, hide themselves in other files on the PC, often making the OS, apps, and files unusable along the way. Worms can do similar damage, but they spread themselves automatically over networks. Trojan horses, or Trojans, allow the creator to spy on and/or control an infected PC over the Web. Controlled PCs, called bots, often are forced to send spam email or launch attacks on other computers without revealing the real bad guy’s identity.

Also, newer antivirus apps guard against rootkits, a major and growing threat. A rootkit can take over an OS at the most basic level, making itself difficult to remove without completely formatting the hard drive and reinstalling everything.

There’s no easy answer as to which is the best antivirus, as this title could change hands every day as new malware emerges and companies make updates available. Independent testing entities, such as Virus Bulletin (www.virusbtn.com), generally show the major antivirus titles for home users (such as McAfee [www.mcafee.com], Norton [www
.symantec.com], and Trend Micro [www.trendmicro.com]), to be highly effective.

Nearly every current antivirus utility will automatically update itself over an Internet connection, and you should verify that this feature is enabled. Also, most examine email for threats, although you should double-check for support of Web-based email such as Hotmail and Gmail. Finally, if anyone in your family uses IM (instant messaging) software (such as AOL, ICQ, or Windows Messenger), make sure your antivirus
watches this avenue.

Antispyware.

Antispyware is just as important these days as antivirus. Broadly speaking, spyware installs itself on your PC or tricks you into installing it; makes itself difficult to uninstall; and “phones home” with various data it finds on your system, including your surfing and purchasing habits. Adware can be similar, although its primary purpose is to show you advertisements. Because the spyware/adware scene has been so volatile the past couple of years, the rule of thumb has been to assume that no antispyware utility is 100% effective. Keep your antispyware program updated and run a scan every few days. However, passively scanning your system is not enough. Because some threats are nearly impossible to remove without damage to Windows and other software, we recommend using antispyware that actively protects your system so the malware can’t install itself in the first place. The free Spybot Search & Destroy’s (www.safernetworking.org) TeaTimer feature provides active scanning, as do most retail Internet security suites and standalone antispyware utilities, such as Webroot SpySweeper (www.webroot.com). So does Microsoft’s free Windows AntiSpyware beta/Windows Defender, which is free to licensed Windows users (www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx). On the other hand, the longtime standby Ad-Aware SE Personal (www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware) doesn’t actively scan in its free version, although it’s still good to have Ad-Aware on your PC for a second opinion.

Firewall.

Firewall software is like a gatekeeper, letting approved types of data in or out of your PC, yet slamming the door on hackers and Trojans phoning home. Windows XP with Service Pack 2 has a firewall built in, but Windows Firewall isn’t powerful or tweakable enough for many users. A good firewall will ask you whether it should let new applications access the Internet and will remember your decision to avoid bothering you later. The better ones, such as Zone Labs ZoneAlarm (www.zonealarm.com) and Norton, will give you enough information to make an informed decision. Look for one with wireless network support.

Antiphishing.

Phishing attacks try to lure you to fake Web sites to get you to type in sensitive information, such as bank account and credit card numbers. Generally, the phishing spam tells you that you need to click a hyperlink to go to a site to confirm your personal information. Of course the link doesn’t really go to eBay or PayPal, instead it takes you to a look-alike page belonging to the scammers. Some email clients, such as Outlook 2003, will show you the link’s real destination when you hover your mouse pointer over it. Phishing protection is usually bundled into security suites and certain standalone apps these days. You should see a warning message when a site or email has some phishy characteristics.

Antispam.

Antispam software can reduce the number of ads, offensive pitches, and unsolicited communications you receive via email. And, because many worms mass-mail themselves this way, updated antispam definitions can provide an extra layer of defense to stop known
threats from reaching your inbox.

Others.

It’s even more crucial to update your Microsoft products with the latest security patches than to use any of the software we mention in this article. In Internet Explorer, click Tools and Windows Update. If you use Office, click the Office Family link to find updates for Word, Outlook, and other apps.

Recommendations

Whichever security software you choose, make sure to create any rescue discs or diskettes the installation routine recommends. If a new threat does breach your PC’s shields, these rescue media might provide the only easy way to fix the damage.
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by Marty Sems