ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAMS

Anti-virus programs are your main protection from worms. trojans, viruses, and even email hacks. With one of these programs installed, your system raises its level of protection from downloaded hack attempts.

By "downloaded hack attempts", I am referring to ANY files which may be placed upon your computer or network. The newer programs have "on access" checking, which means that when opened or run, the file is checked for potential harmful inclusions. This is generally done by Heuristic Analysis and data base comparison of known "signature" inclusions [specific known coding] in the files, and - virus-like - activities.

Without a firewall installed, you are much more open to the installation of hacks, but even with one, you may still have some placed in your system by servers on the Internet. These can be spyware related [see the firewall and spyware links on this page] or potentially harmful coding run by the server itself, which has access because your browser, email, newsreader, ftp, or other program is accessing the server and the Internet.

SEE: PART 4 of YOUR LAYERED SECURITY - INSTALLATION OF SIGNING AND TRUST CERTIFICATES

No one can tell you which program is "the best" on the market. Though you will find dozens of sites which rate them, some do so by user rating [which brings personal preference to play], while others do so by testing only certain types of viruses, trojans, worms, and the like.

On the other side, there are services/sites that show the number of successfully reported attacks that a certain program has shown to be effective against. That is not the scope of this presentation.

Before you even begin to think your protected or don't need protection, check these links and elsewhere on the Internet:
http://www.threatchaos.com/archives/spyware/ - Spying on the Internet
D.I.R.T. - older government grade spying program

Carnivore - older government grade spying program

http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm
MVP Gary Terhune's Security
http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php
http://www.safer-networking.org/ - SPYBOT Search and Destroy

INTERNET USAGE - SECURITY - NETWORKING

Using the Internet requires you to provide your own local security since you become part of the INTERNET network. It has always been recommended to use LAYERED security.

The first is your ISP and its security which you have no control over other than complaints or suggestions.
The second is the modem router or router if possible. This device wil provide a form of hardware firewall. When properly configured, it will only allow access to properly assigned addresses unless hacked, generally by something which the user allows, though determined hackers can and will hack through.
The third is the software firewall. All computers accessing the Internet must have a good software firewall installed, particularly if on dialup. A good firewal will help protect against attacks from outside {Internet hackers} and some of the software/coding which might be unwhittingly installed while on the Internet by browsing.
The fourth is your anti-virus, spyware detection software, and removal tools. The first two [router and firewall] will protect you from blatant attacks, but provide little protection from problems which you might install or which are installed via Internet usage on websites or via their coding. Also, the addition of "browser bars" adds direct input to the Internet accessing computer, since they are generally connected to the "service" upon contecting to the Internet..
The fifth is your local security settings. How much control you have placed upon the Internet usage via the Browser, Email, FTP client, and News Reader programs will determine how hackable you are. Java, Windows Scripting, ActiveX, DirectPlay, Flash, RealPlayer, Quicktime, and like "enhancements" provide potential additional hackable access points. Also see: PART 4 of YOUR LAYERED SECURITY - INSTALLATION OF SIGNING AND TRUST CERTIFICATES
The sixth is sensible usage. If your P2Ping, going to _ography sites, or other questionable activities, you are obviously more open to attack and compromise. You will be required to pay much closer attention to your system.
The seventh is monitoring usage, network traffic, and reviewing logs. Using your: firewall logs; system control logs [like in XP, NT, and the like]; and specialty monitoring programs, you can occassionally review those logs created to properly control the potential issues that might occur do to the Internet usage. With these you can create host and/or lmhost files, and adjust firewall and other security settings to control access.

Other Parts of Layered Security necessary for Internet usage.
SEE: FIREWALLS - WHY YOU NEED ONE AND WHAT TO DO
SEE: Anti-spyware programs as part of Layered Security