Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
January 8, 2006

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Volume 1, Number 30 — Sunday, January 8, 2006

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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5.  My Computer Security Software Recommendations

Antivirus:
For your anti-virus needs (and, yes, you do have anti-virus needs!) I recommend anti-virus software from Trend Micro or Panda Software. Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2006 offers anti-virus, anti-spam, and firewall for your PC and PDA. TrendMicro provides an easy-to-use product that is from one of the big names in the anti-virus world. Alternatively, Panda Software's Platinum 2006 Internet Security offers anti-virus, anti-spam, firewall and more. Read more about anti-virus programs on my web site.

Firewall:
If you get either of the above, you are covered from a firewall point of view. Just don't count on the Windows firewall to provide your needs — it's better than nothing, but you need better than that. If you don't get either of the above, ZoneAlarm Pro or the ZoneAlarm free firewall may be a good choice for you. ZoneAlarm is my choice for a firewall. Read more in The Internet Versus You.

Anti-Spyware / Anti-Adware:
CounterSpy, from Sunbelt Software, is getting the kudos from the computer press this year for its always-running and periodic full system scans. I use CounterSpy on my notebook, my wife's computer and my son's computer. I highly recommend this program.

Panda Software's Platinum 2006 Internet Security also includes anti-spyware. Anti-spyware is one situation where more than one scanner actually is better. (Only let one program do the real-time, always running protection, but periodic scans with two different programs are a better solution to adware & spyware than only one scanner. No one anti-spyware program catches everything. Also, different companies differ in their criteria for classifying programs as adware and/or spyware.

Anti-spam:
In today's Internet world, the question is not "if" you will get spam, but when and how much. I recommend Mailwasher Pro, or the free version of Mailwasher (www.mailwasher.net) to handle spam before it ever gets into your computer's Inbox. Mailwasher Pro uses online Realtime Black Lists mail servers sending spam recently, "training" by you of what you think is spam, and your own "friends" and "blacklist" lists. Mailwasher Pro can even bounce spam messages, as if your email address was not valid, although the usefulness and appropriateness of this is questionable. The free version can do many of the same things. Mailwasher Pro also has "learning filters," can handle multiple email accounts, can access the Realtime Black Lists, has technical support, accesses the "FirstAlert! global spam database," and can access IMAP, Hotmail, MSN and AOL email accounts. PopFile (www.popfile.org) uses a different approach to spam — it does nothing to reduce spam but does a good job, after training, of identifying and segregating spam. PopFile, however, is not a good choice unless you are an advanced PC user.

Cable/DSL Router:
If you have a cable modem or a DSL modem, you need to have another layer of inexpensive protection between you and the Internet. A cable/dsl router isolates your computer from direct connection to the Internet. Your computer can easily request your email, web pages, etc. through the router. The responses come back to the router and are smoothly routed to your computer. But, someone on the Internet side of the router can not initiate a connection to your computer — they can only respond to your request.

This will prevent you from falling prey to many worms that try to attack security holes in Windows itself. My pick is the Linksys WRT54G 802.11g wireless router, available from Amazon.com for $44.99 after rebate, and it is eligible for free "SuperSaver" shipping, too. If you don't want wireless now, or at any time, the function is easily turned off in the router's menu. You may be able to find a wired (that is, non-wireless) Linksys router on sale. Either way, based on my experience, I recommend Linksys routers. Read more on my Wireless Security web page.

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6.  Cyber-Security Webcast Presentation Archive

In my December 3rd newsletter, I wrote about the upcoming Cyber Security Webcast sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security US-CERT and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. The topic of this session from the National Webcast Initiative was "Cyber Security Tips During the Holiday Season - Son't let the Cyber Space Grinch Steal Your Holiday!"

The National Webcast Initiative has placed an archived webcast to which you can listen at the MSISAC's web site, and also the presentation they used is archived. It's in Powerpoint format, but don't worry if you do not have PowerPoint -- just download the free office suite OpenOffice.org, from the website of the same name.

[If you want to read more about OpenOffice.org suite, see my OpenOffice.org web page.]

There is also a link to a good, short article at www.staysafeonline.org, from the National Cyber Security Alliance, called Shopping Online for the Holidays: Twelve Tips to Protect Yourself From Cyber Grinches, Scams and Schemes

So, why am I even mentioning this presentation, recording and article now, after the holidays?

I know you probably didn't make time to watch the presentation when it was live in mid-December. But, everything it talks about is just as applicable in January and July as it is for December shopping.

Now, you can plan some time to listen to the audio and read the PowerPoint presentation that it uses. Make time for the "Twelve Tips" article, too. The article will make a great print-out that you can share with your less computer-savvy friends and relatives.

The National Webcast Initiative's home page has links to the earlier presentations last year, also, including October's "Protecting our Children on the Internet" and July's "Wireless Security" web casts.

I have not seen their schedule for the 2006 webcasts yet.

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7.  Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends

If you like my  Terry's Computer Tips email newsletter or the online edition, you can help me increase the number of subscribers to my free emailed newsletter.  Recommend it to a friend.

Don't forget — the email newsletter has special Just For Subscribers articles that are available only in the email version. I also send occasional Special Edition Newsletters, too.

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The current issue and the newletter archives are available online at http://www.terryscomputertips.com/archives/, and, of course, via a link from the navigation bar on each Terry's Computer Tips web page.

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8.  Send me some email!

I always have time to read emails from you — the readers of Terry's Computer Tips.  I can not promise a personalized response, but I reply to many of the questions, tips, comments and feedback emails.  I also may use your email in my newsletter!

Send me your comments, send me your tips, send me your questions, and send me your feedback!

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Volume 1, Number 30 — Sunday, January 8, 2006

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Copyright © 2005 Terry A. Stockdale.  All rights reserved.