For those of you who are comp. experts I'm interested in getting a security internet software but I don't know which to get....Norton 2006 Internet security or the ZoneAlarm Pro? I've heard mixed rumors about them...I know their both great but I need something for home office use....need some advices..anyone? thanks

 

I've heard good things about ZA Pro.

Norton products are usually memory hogs and bog the system.

Personally, I use NOD32 for my AV and have a hardware based firewall.

 

Yep. A router, an antivirus, Firefox, and an ounce of common sense are all you need.

 

All you need is the built in windows firewall, microsoft anti-spyware, a NAT router, a decent admin password, and antivirus. Firefox offers no security advantage over internet explorer anymore.

 

Combine NAT and some common sense with a decent spyware program and you're quite safe.

 

I've actually seen some pretty awful posts about system stability problems with Zone Alarm Pro so I would avoid it.

I agree that all you need is a router with hardware NAT, the built-in Windows Firewall , anti-virus software, spyware detection, and common sense.

From a practical perspective, I personally still consider Firefox more secure than IE due to no ActiveX controls and no browser helper objects. Those are usually exploited by spyware via user stupidity but why bother if you don't have to?

 

Thats the main beef I have with IE

 

Well...extensions in FF are basically the same idea as browser helper objects from what i understand; both would prompt the user before any kind of install. People being click happy and making stupid choices are the real problem here IMO.

As for active x, it's needed for quite a few sites out there. Yes having no active-x is more secure, but you lose some compatibility with some websites. Again, making smart decisions about what you click on will prevent problems here.

 

 

Mac OS X and Firefox