Build your own Free Internet Security Suite

As you may know, computers running Microsoft Windows require Anti-virus software and other security software to protect it. The sheer amount of malware out there makes it a requirement that users protect themselves from these emerging threats. However, security suites from the likes of Symantec, McAfee, and others ,while they may do the job, they can cost the user anywhere from 49-70 dollars a year to subscribe to those services. I know many people just simply don’t have the money to afford this, and these security software packages can put an unnecessary drag on  system performance.

Recently, I did some research since  my security software was due to expire next week, and I have found that there are tools out there that can be used for free that when combined together can offer the user an exceptional amount of security for free. In fact, this combination of free tools sometimes offers more security then their paid for counterparts, and they don’t use up as many system resources. In a two week period, i tested a vareity of different application combinations as its important to find the right combination of free security applications that:

1. Play nice together with no conflicts.

2. use the least amount of system resources possible.

3. do not require too much technical user interaction on the part of the end user.

I finally have came up with what I feel is the best practical combination of freely available tools that will secure the users computer at a reasonable computer resource usage level. The free software is as follows:

1. Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Security Essentials is a basic anti-malware application from Microsoft. It can be used for free for home personal use. It replaces Windows Defender that comes with Windows Vista/7, and it also includes anti-virus and anti-malware protection. It also employs the anti-spyware definitions and protections of Windows Defender as well. It is a free download and works on Windows XP, Vista 32 and 64 bit, and Windows 7 32 and 64 bit. It is a nice lightweight anti-malware application.

2. PC Tools ThreatFire- PC tools Threatfire is a unique application. It actually supplements your Anti-virus software. It is a behavior based malware blocker that relies on limited signatures, and community input. It identifies malware by its behavior, and querying the community rating of files based on what other users label the file as. It does download signatures for the known most popular threats across the ThreatFire network, but its behavior based monitoring of your system allows it to detect malicious software before any signatures are available. In the event a behavior based detection is a new malware, then ThreatFire reports this to the ThreatFire community for further inquiry. In this way, all ThreatFire users gain the benefits of the protection via the community collaboration + Community signatures and behavior monitoring. Overall this is a great application to supplement Microsoft Security Essentials real-time protection.

3. AVG LinkScanner-  AVG LinkScanner is offered as a free stand-alone download and install from AVG. LinkScanner integrates with Microsoft Internet Explorer,FireFox, and other popular web browsers. It rates your search results in real-time from Yahoo, Bing, and Google putting shield ratings next to them. It also includes active protection to protect you from sites hosting malware and exploits. AVG LinkScanner works by downloading signatures updates at regular intervals from AVG. However, unlike tools like McAfee’s Site Advisor, it visits every site for you in real-time before you actually click the link checking it for exploit code and other nasties. Since web sites can be clean 1 hour and hosting malware the next, this protection is better then web rating systems that rely on bots crawling a site every now and then like the most popular ones out there. AVG real-time testing of web sites via its signatures of exploit code means you will be protected against the most emerging threats out there. AVG LinkScanner combined with Internet Explorer 8’s Smart Screen Filter or FireFox Google Safe Browsing security will offer you fantastic protection against real-time web based threats.

4. Firewall – In most users cases, The Windows Firewall included with Windows Vista and Windows 7 should be sufficent for most users. It seems many of the software firewalls on the market are pretty bloated in my opinion. If your willing to invest money in firewall software, then I suggest that you save that money, and head to your local Walmart and buy a cheap Linksys or Belkin router. These routers are firewalls themselves and will protect your computer from Internet based attacks. A router with Windows Firewall is more then enough for most users. If you must have a software firewall then PC Tools Firewall Plus  is a free firewall you could use. A person could also use ZoneAlarm Free Edition as well.

However for a firewall I highly recommend spending 30 to 40 bucks on a cheap router from walmart. The router will be a one time purchase, it will last for years under most circumstances, and it will provide much more protection for your computer then a software firewall will.

So there you have it, a free security suite that will provide you tons of protection for a zero price. If you don’t have a router, I must insist you go to walmart and buy one. It will not require a subscription, its a piece of hardware that sits between the Internet and your computer, its a firewall, and it will protect your computer. Its a one-time purchase, everything else is free.

Take care, if you have any other suggestions, leave comments as they are always appreciated.