Currently I'm running Chrome for quick access and videos because its so fast, and FireFox for extra features like RSS feeds and bookmark synchronization. The security in Mozilla based browsers is the best in my opinion. So here are my top tips of what to use.
1: Choose a browser.
Kick IE to the curb. I've had this computer over a year now, and very seldom used IE. I only needed it occasionally when a piece of software was directly dependable on it or didn't recognize that FireFox was my default. However in that short time of usage, there seemed to some sort of "bombard Gigi with useless toolbars" conference because I've never installed anything into the browser, and yet it takes at least 5 minutes to load up because so many toolbars have found their way into it.
If you're looking for performance, I hear Safari is the one to go for. Its based on the Mozilla engine, widely compatible, and I've used it on many occasions and I can honestly say the interface is beautiful. Load time is excellent but I've never really monitored how fast it loads web pages. As with most good browsers out there, it supports Tabs and Tab-Tearing, so you can pull a tab into its own window. It does get a little sluggish now and again when you have a few tabs open with streaming content. Even on my 2GB of RAM and dual-core.
Another excellent browser for performance is Google's Chrome. Although the browser lacks features (Safari is pretty basic too), it has all the basic things you need and maybe one or two extras the others don't have. Load up time is excellent and I've made it my default browser for that reason. As with the other Mozilla based browsers, the security is excellent. The popup blocker works to some extent, but the browser will automatically show a red screen when you're about to view an unsafe page. You do have the option to continue to the page, although I wouldn't recommend it.
My final choice here, which I will write about in more detail than the others, is FireFox 3. I've been a fan since the first release and I have been using it ever since. For most of my Internet experience, FireFox has been my default (until recently when it became too bloated and sluggish in the loading department). Not just because it was secure, but because it did load faster than IE and as far as i can remember, IE was the first one to support add-ons. And these add-ons are the reason I still stay close to FF.
2. Get FireFox.
Also Mozilla based, firfox supports a wide range of features. Add-ons, plugins, skins and with a few tweaks, you can make it even more useful. Think of it as the swiss army knife of browsers.
3. Get FireFox Add-Ons.
I've discovered a host of Add-Ons for Firefox. I've been using this computer for about a year and a half now, and never ever had a problem with it. I only recently started using a software firewall and yet, i've never had a problem with viruses and malware. The only viruses i've had are the ones i purposely downloaded. I've never had to restore windows from a backup, and never had to format my drive. Knock on wood!
The following add-ons are highly recommended by me and are all FREE.
- WOT (Web Of Trust). This is an add-on which is sort of based on a small social network. You can participate if you want, or just use the add-on. What it is basically, is a rating system. The WOT members surf the web and give the different websites ratings in four categories. Child Safety, Trustworthiness, Vendor Reliability and Privacy. If a website is deemed unsafe, WOT will automatically block the website with an overlay displaying information as to why the website is unsafe. Again, you have the option to continue to the page, but this is not recommended. You can get more info here. WOT Demo
- Ad-Block Plus. If you get sick of those ads that show up on all the sites with flash animations, this is the perfect add-on. Most of those ads display false messages telling you that your computer is infected. To the average person, this looks legitimate and they end up downloading what they believe to be an Antivirus or cleaner. This is just a piece of malware to turn your computer into a bot and/or steal your personal information stored on it. You have the power to block these ads, and entire domains so that non of their ads show up. You can even block any content you want. And you always have the power to disable the blocker and removed items from the black list if you make a mistake. When you download this add-on, make sure you subscribe to one of the servers so your black list is kept up to date with what to block.
- This last add-on beefs up FireFox's popup blocker. Yes Popups makes the built in popup blocker more aggressive. NO website is able to open a popup unless you whitelist it first. This can easily be done by clicking a link on a site, waiting for the bar to show up informing you of a blocked popup, and clicking the options button where you can select the option to allow popups from that domain. This is recommended for websites you trust, because Yes Popups is so aggressive that it will even block you from opening links if they try to open in a new tab. You can always turn it off and remove sites from the white list if you do make a mistake.
These are basically the only three security add-ons i use with my FireFox, and like i said, I've never accidentally downloaded and installed malware, trojans or anything of the sort.
4. Get an anti-spyware program.
There are a few out there, and the best I've come across so far are Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and Spyware Terminator. Please note that these ARE NOT alternatives to an Anti-Virus. Some Anti-Virus programs have malware removers built in, but a few don't, and this is for the people that don't have that feature. Ad-Aware comes in a very basic package that you can only scan your computer with and clean. If you want the background monitor, you need the full version which will cost you a bit. It is a good program though.
Spyware terminator is free and this one actually does give you the option of installing their own antivirus to go with it. I've never tried it out though because I'm happy with Avast Home Edition. Spyware Terminator also gives you the option to immunize your web browsers against certain bugs and loopholes in the browsers and your system. This will prevent your browsers from launching malicious code in the background.
You also have the option of using the Real Time Scanner, which works in the background. A useful feature, however it does get annoying at times. It basically monitors every action your computer makes. If it deems something unsafe, it notifies you and asks how you would like to proceed. If it is a program you purposely launched, it is added to the database and you will never be asked again. If its something you didn't launch, just click the block option and it will be blacklisted and never allowed to run. You do have the option of changing the levels of security. Disable does just that, the monitor is turned off. Allow mode, which i would only recommend when you're installing software from a secure source, i.e. a retail CD or a trusted piece of software from the official website. Game mode will allow you to play your games without the interruptions, and Normal mode prompts you for every unknown action.
As with all security programs, updates are frequent and scans should be run just as often. Again, you have the option of editing you white and black lists.
5. Avast! Home Edition.
I remember going out and paying 50 Euros for Norton Internet Security 2007. Not only did it slow down my entire system and hog my resources, but it let a piece of malware through MSN which destroyed my system. This was two years ago, and since then I've never touched anything with Norton on it again. I've never paid for an antivirus since then either.
Avast! comes in two versions. Home Edition and Professional. The Home edition will cost you nothing, and you'll get all the features you need PLUS a licence key that's valid for one year. And when it expires? Just renew it or, if you're feeling generous, pay for the Professional licence. This will unlock small extra features like a Script Blocker, PUSH Updates, the ability to store scan results and a few more other things. I still say Home edition is fine for everyday use.
6. Firewall.
Most Routers have built in firewalls, and company networks too. But sometimes an extra bit of protection does help, and the Windows Firewall doesn't cut it. I'm using COMODO Firewall. Another free program. Just like Spyware Terminator, updates are frequent and it will prompt you about every action you make if it finds it unsafe. Unlike Spyware Terminator that only prompts on local actions (starting of programs and services without connecting to the Internet or network), it does it's job of monitoring EVERY connection you make to the Internet. Every time a program tries to access a port or an outside I.P. address tries to communicate with a port, you will be notified. Its up to you to decide what's safe, but the program will help you if you don't know. As for security levels, it's much the same as Spyware Terminator, with the addition of Safe mode which will prompt for absolutely everything, and Training mode which learns which actions to allow. Network and Local actions have separate security levels, so you can adjust them independently.
7. Don't download just anything.
There are so many programs on the internet that are available for download, and most seem to good to be true. If you don't need it, don't download it. Theres countless weather applets, so called spyware removers, and little gadgets to add to your desktop to make it look fancy, but so many are full of malware and trojans. Instead, Google the software first and see what comes up. If other users deem it safe and reliable, go ahead and install it. This method has saved my skin countless times.
You can get more info on these programs by visiting the following websites:
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