How much virus & spyware do I need?

A firewall is a must.  Surfing without a firewall is asking for problems. Many  financial institutions require you to have a functional firewall to qualify to be exempt from being held liable/responsible for fraud due to online banking.

Welcome to the forums :emotion-21:

Do you have a broadband connection/use a router?  Does it have a firewall built-in? 

That's the second best protection (the first is common sense :emotion-55:), but by all means use Windows firewall as well.

Alternatively - Google 'Free firewall software', and you'll find a number of programs - from the likes of Comodo, Zone Alarm, Kerio etc.

Other than that, Microsoft offer 'Security Essentials', but it's primarily anti virus and anti spyware/malware, which you've already got covered with the McAfee software.

ky331 has a good list that includes WOT and WinPatrol. Perhaps he'll stop by and post his suggestions. If not, I'll post my list later.

I have been happy with Outpost firewall and Online Armor firewall. Both are free and pretty easy to "train" and configure. Comodo Firewall is not intuitive and will give the average user a headache. For antivirus protection I use Microsoft Security Essential and Avast 5...I believe these last two offer some spyware protections also.

BB,

Thanks for the "plug".   Yes:   WOT, WinPatrol, as well as OpenDNS  offer some great security features.  

I haven't really updated a "personal" listing... so what i'd like to do here instead is offer a link to my buddy Joe53's superb web site, which includes a good explanation of what features users need, and offers a refined list of his personal recommendations --- all of which I can heartily second and endorse:

http://naut.homestead.com/files/Free/free1.html

The memebr that said to use a router AND windows firewall is wrong.  You should only use one firewall and a router will provide incoming and outgoing protection whereas windows firewall is incoming protection only and there is absolutely no reaon for 2 firewalls.  It will just add another process in the background and slow the computer down.

If you have a full version of Mcaffee and a router than you are as safe as you can be.  Windows will have Windows Defender in it and will help block malware.  I personally use my router firewall, AVG Free antivirus and Spybot Search and Destroy spyware remover.  I have been a computer tech for over 6 years..  Take my advice.

The memebr that said to use a router AND windows firewall is wrong.  You should only use one firewall and a router will provide incoming and outgoing protection whereas windows firewall is incoming protection only and there is absolutely no reaon for 2 firewalls.  It will just add another process in the background and slow the computer down.

McAfee may slow you down, however. You might want to consider a lighter anti-virus when your subscription runs out.

Bugbatter, I agree. It seems like dsnr had the right idea about software firewalls but those rules don't apply to a hard firewall.  A hardware firewall is added security  that will not add another process and has not slowed my computer down any.

If the original poster happens to read this and  just got a new dell and said that they have McAfee most likely they have the McAfee suit that dell is pushing so the AV and firewall is taken care of, but they was asking what more can they do?,  I would say until the subscription runs out research other AV's and firewalls as many free does just as good or better than the paid. If they like it keep it and if not get rid of it.  And at the top of this forum is some links you can read about some of the free Items you may be looking for ( thanks to BB)  and joe has a very good site with much info. I for one would say secinua pci, wot, winpatrol, sas free and mbam free. some like mbam and others paid running full time may have a conflict with your McAfee. There are others also as I'm still trying to cachup on everything.

Belt and suspenders for me too.

I don't believe a router's hardware firewall will prevent cross-infection from malware on other computers on a home network. Hence the advisability of enabling at least Windows integrated software firewall as well.

Hello rockinQranch,

I would suggest to add Sandboxie and KeyScrambler.

Sandboxie: Find out more from the website provided below.

http://www.sandboxie.com/

Quick  Sandboxie Review by 123zap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmQKWCrYxAA

 KeyScrambler: Find out more from the website provided below.

http://www.qfxsoftware.com/Download.htm

 Notice my signature below, it what I have currently running with my computer. 

Thanks for the tip bugatter. I still don't see why a hardware firewall would be less secure than a software firewall but I will definitely google it.