Internet Security Software - Do I need protection?

[Earlybird]

I need some advice on internet security. I keep getting popups on my screen about various internet security software programs......McAfee, Norton Antivirus, Spyware Stormer, etc. I did the trial scan with Spyware, and it said I had 193 possible infections.......well, it would do, wouldn't it??

Do any of you have internet security? Is it a good idea, or just another unnecessary way to spend money? What's the best one to get? Also have hesitated as they all charge initially for the software, and then seem to charge periodically to "renew the subscription". I have always vaguely felt these ongoing charges were a way to sting for more money, but appreciate there are constantly new viruses that need to be dealt with.

Oh - and if it matters, I am still in the dark ages with dial up, but will switch to broadband once I get my computer capacity upgraded.

DO NOT GET AN INTERNET SECURITY PROGRAMME!

They are pointless, they often make websites unusable, and more importantly they often conflict with either Windows or other programmes and your computer self-destructs. I know, as dp has had to fix several people's computers for this very reason.

However an internet security programme is not the same as a virus scanner, and you should get one of those. Norton Antivirus is the best one, but the home use version doesn't cost much (Norton Internet Security on the other hand is useless and a waste of money as I say). You could also get PC cyllin (or something like that), which is free, but not as good. It will be able to tell you when you get a virus, but won't always be able to remove it. There again if you're careful with your mail you shouldn't get one anyway. My computer is online all the time, I get 100s of spam emails a day and I've never "caught" a virus.

Spyware says you have 193 "spyware" objects (not infections). The vast majority of these will be tracking cookies, which are placed on your computer when you click on an ad like the ones on this site. They are "spyware" in that they let a central system know that you clicked on site a from site b, but they are no real danger. Without them, sites like Mumsnet wouldn't exist.

If you're getting pop-ups though you also have a real spyware programme which is creating them. This is also not an infection - they are usually installed as part of another piece of software that you have downloaded (eg. kazaa, go-zilla or other file-sharing/downloading/music programmes). It will have said in the "terms and conditions" that it was going to install the other programme too, but nobody reads those.

Your Spyware stormer thing should say somewhere whether the objects it has encountered are cookies, programmes or other. Tell it to remove the programmes and "other" things - remove the cookies too if you like, but like I say, they're harmless unless you're an out and out paranoid loon, or you've been clicking on lots of ads from dodgy sites.
If the trial version won't let you do this, download ad aware (www.ad-aware.com) which is free.

I have Norton. I never used to bother but when my PC went in for repair, they put it on and now I wouldn't be without it. I've just renewed the subscription for the next 12 months.

About 6 months ago nearly every spam mail I received had a virus. Norton tells you when you've been attacked, then automatically deletes or isolates the problems. It updates itself too with any new threats every time I log on.

There are probably cheaper versions out there but I'm not techno enough to know what I'm looking for.

Most of the spam emails I receive have viruses attached. I just don't open them.

We picked up Norton Internet Security and like it (we got one which gave you the antivirus stuff as well). For goodness sake, DON'T click the popup stuff - chances are you've just GIVEN yourself loads of spyware. Pick it up from a reputable store.

I disagree that you shouldn't get internet security software. In particular if you get an always on connection with a single IP address, are using Microsoft Outlook or IE. You should have at the very least a firewall (ZoneAlarm is a free one you can use) or at least get WinXP service pack 2 which has a built in one which is good enough. If you're interested in keeping your pc much more secure it's worth considering switching to more secure mail software and web browser (Mozilla Firefox, for example).

You can get also Grisoft antivirus software which is completely free (you'd need to google it).

It also depends to a certain extent what you keep on your PC. If you have financial or personal information on it, then I certainly wouldn't leave it open to the wilds of the internet.

For a quick demonstration of how a firewall can be useful, google the file extension of a money or quicken file. Old versions of windows put file sharing on by default - you had to know to turn it off.

As a result, it can be ridiculously easy to pick up on someone's careless mistake and get at all their financial details... If they'd had a firewall on their PC as well, it would have prevented that.

Meant to say, to remove spyware, Adaware is a good free program that does the job admirably.

If you keep your version of Windows and IE up to date (with XP this is automatic, with 98 you need to visit windowsupdate.com periodically), there really is no need for an internet security programme. For a money file to get into Google a website must have linked to it at some point - hardly likely to happen to your personal files, and it must be on a fixed IP address (most UK broadband connections are not fixed IP - in fact you'd have to ask for one.)

I maintain, Norton Internet Security is unneccesary and kills computers. In fact it can do more daage than a virus. They play on paranoia to sell products and annoy me in the extreme.

I agree completely that ensuring Windows, IE and Outlook Express are updated automatically. I also agree that you should be running Antivirus software such as Norton AntiVirus or GriSoft's AVG.

In general Norton's Internet Security (NIS) does not kill computers for most people. A quick Google doesn't show any widespread reports of problems with it. One thing you should be aware of is that NIS has multiple applications in one: firewall, anti-spam email and "privacy" features. The Anti-spam email and privacy features are a complete waste of time and should be turned off. The privacy feature in particular can make some websites behave "oddly". The firewall is very good and the rules are updated regularly.

If you only need a firewall, then a standalone firewall, such as the one built into XP Service Pack 2, ZoneAlarm or Tiny Personal Firewall are excellent alternatives.

In my opinion, running without a firewall is taking unnecessary risks given the volume of malicious attacks against IP address blocks.