Advanced Internet Security
For those computer users who are experienced and have some knowledge about the internal workings of Windows. This section serves to provide useful hints and tips for adding extra layers of defense on your computer to prevent malware from invading your system. Many experts agree that defense in depth is the best approach combinig many layers of protection to filter out malware.
While we agree with this approach do bear in mind that security programs can often have a significant impact on computer performance so we recommend that you pick and choose carefully, finding the combination that suits you and your computer well.
Where possible, FREE tools will be listed for their purpose, however this isn't always possible so purchase software may be listed.
Advanced Security Programs
- This program defends against malware by detecting certain malicious behaviours. It is configured "out-of-the-box" and acts as a complement to your Antivirus software, but you can add your own personal custom rules to best suit you.
- This program is FREE for home use. Professional/Corporate users must pay for registration.
- WinPatrol - by BillP Studios
- This program monitors what software starts with Windows. You can delay start-up for some programs and stop malicious programs from starting up. It can also view some hidden files and shows some keylogger behaviours.
- There is a FREE version and a purchase version which has more features. The developer supports the online anti-malware community.
- Sandboxie intercepts changes to both your files and registry settings, making it virtually impossible for any software to reach outside the sandbox. Sandboxie traps cached browser items into the sandbox as a by-product of normal operation, so when you throw away the sandbox, all the history records and other side-effects of your browsing disappear as well.
- This program is FREE
Advanced Browser Defence
- Rapport - by Trusteer
- This is browser plugin desinged to prevent phishing attacks when you bank online. With many US and UK based banks as partners the software provides keylogging protection and webpage hijack protection. It can also be configured to protect other websites like Ebay, Paypal, Twitter and Facebook.
- This program is FREE
- WOT - by Web of Trust
- "WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website."
- SpywareBlaster - by Javacool
- This excellent, FREE program blocks installation of many known malicious ActiveX objects. Run the program, download the latest updates, "Enable All Protection" and you're done. Although it won't protect you from every form of spyware known to man, it is a very potent extra layer of protection.
- Don't forget to check for updates every week or so. Also see this tutorial by Grinler
This program for both Internet Explorer and Firefox watches what updates you visit and compares them to a list of malicious sites that are regularly updated. If you try to visit a bad website, it blocks access and warns you and asks if you want to continue.
There is a FREE version and a subscription version which has more features. The developer supports the online anti-malware community.
- SiteAdvisor - by McAfee
- This program for Internet Explorer and Firefox by McAfee is similar to Sitehound. It adds safety ratings to your search results from popular search engines (like Yahoo!, Google, and Live Search).
- There is a FREE version and a subscription version that includes blocking of malicious sites.