Yeah, nice stuff (copy-n-paste for the lazy):
Based on the latest published findings, the best
four products to give your PC comprehensive protection against hackers
are:
1. a Linksys hardware firewall,
2. ZoneAlarm Security Suite,
3. Webroot Spy Sweeper for antispyware protection, and
4. Shavlik NetChk Protect for update management.
See details below.
1. Hardware firewall.
For small-office networking, the most affordable secure firewall is the Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GL router (left, about $70 USD street), which offers 802.11g Wi-Fi and also includes four wired Ethernet ports.
To cover more than a few adjacent rooms, consider the Linksys WRT54GX ($160), which doubles the usual "g" range. Be sure to enable WPA or WPA2, either of which provide strong Wi-Fi security. The WRT54GL (previously named WRT54G) and the WRT54GX are PC Magazine Editors' Choice winners.
2. Security suite. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite
(left, $60 street) has long been rated as the best all-in-one software firewall, antivirus program, and antispam filter — now with antispyware scanning and Windows OS kernel protection.
It has Editors' Choice awards from PC Magazine and CNET as well as being rated "the best all-around protection" by Consumer Reports Magazine. (Turn off ZA's real-time spyware protection so this can be handled by your antispyware program, shown below.)
3. Antispyware program
. For individual PC users, the most effective remover of spyware is Webroot Spy Sweeper (left, under $35 per year), according to comparative tests published by PC Magazine and PC World. (Note: PC Mag has also given an Editors' Choice to Encore's PC Tools Spyware Doctor.)
For businesses that are looking for a centrally managed solution for 10 or more seats, Webroot's Spy Sweeper Enterprise ($240 per year for 10 users) has won the latest comparative review by Windows IT Pro and was rated a Best Buy by SC Magazine.
4. Update management.
Windows Update and Microsoft Update are no longer recommended. To protect against questionable Microsoft downloads, knowledgeable users should configure Automatic Updates to Notify me but don't automatically download or install. Then read our free and paid newsletters to learn which patches not to select. Home users and small-business networks should deploy critical patches using Shavlik's NetChk Protect (free with registration for one year for up to 10 PCs).
The technology has won top honors from Redmond Magazine and SC Magazine. The product is complex, so be sure to read our tutorial and workarounds. For larger businesses, GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner ($495 for 32 machines) is top-rated by WindowSecurity.com and MCSE World.
Home
Pages: 1
