Effective
12-14-2005, this page is no longer updated due to the loss of ChiChi.
Although this page is no longer updated, we believe the
basic information contained in it can still be useful.
We've put a new download links page
here
which will be regularly updated.
last updated 11/15/05
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Security Topics:
firewall
antivirus
trojans
spyware
browser hijackers
popup blocker
A firewall
is a must for anyone using the internet, no exceptions. The best protection is a
hardware firewall, such as a router, but a software firewall is better than
nothing. For a dial up connection a software firewall should be adequate.
We recommend Zone Alarm Pro
($50), however, there is also a free version available. Trial and free versions
here.
Zone Alarm
also makes a special firewall for wireless users. For first time users of
Zone Alarm
please use the tutorial included with the program, it will help you resolve any
issues you may have upon your first connection to the internet after the
install.
Windows XP comes with a built in firewall that you
can configure, however, we do not recommend relying on it alone. For help
configuring XP's firewall, a useful site with screen shots of the configuration
screens is
here.
You should be aware that DSL and cable are always online, even if you're not using the internet. With these connections, if your computer is on, your system is open to invasion. We strongly recommend a hardware firewall (a NAT router) for such connections. We personally would never rely on a software firewall with these types of connections. Also, the price of DSL or cable is not that much more costly than many dial up connections, and once you have been on DSL or cable we believe you will not go back to dial up. The increase in surfing and download speed is tremendous.
One problem with DSL however, is that most DSL and ADSL is PPOE (Point to Point Over Ethernet). Windows XP supports and is easily configured for PPOE, however, if you use any other version of Windows, you will need a router if you want to avoid using the software that DSL/ADSL PPOE providers distribute. The problem with such software is that it integrates many items into your browser, is commonly a branded version of Internet Explorer, and it will use up a great deal of your resources as there are many processes that run when you use that software. That means it will slow your computer down. A lot. We have substantial experience troubleshooting problems occurring after installation of such software. Routers have built in support for PPOE, so you can avoid unwanted branded versions of Internet Explorer, and have a secure connection. Considering that a router is really an essential for any high speed connection, and you can buy one for about $60, it only makes sense to use one.
Depending on your DSL/ADSL service provider, you may need to run their installation disc in order to activate the account. In such a scenario, we strongly recommend turning on system restore and backing up your registry before running the disc, so you can roll back your system after activating the account. And try to avoid installing any components, just do the activation process. We plan to expand this information in the near future, in the meanwhile you can email us and we'll help you out. Once the account is activated, you can connect without the provider's software.
Cable internet access most often does not require any special software, although your provider may give you an installation disc. You should not need that.
Anti-virus
protection is
also a must. Anti-virus is protection from viruses, worms and
trojans. Everyone
has most likely heard of virus, worm, and trojan.
The differences between them are defined
here.
We're still testing freeware AV to find one with adequate protection
and which will not drain a computer's resources. Be aware that no anti virus is flawless, it depends on your OS platform. So far we've
had good results with H+BEDV Anti-Vir on Win 98, 2K and XP. We have been
testing it since March 2003. It is currently running on a large number of our
friends' computers, on our test box, and on several clients' computers. So far
we have not had any problems. The program provides real
time protection and yet has a very small footprint on system resources,
free
Anti-Vir download
here
and also
available on our downloads page.
The program runs very well and appears to provide good
protection.
There are several
free online
scans available. We recommend
Symantec's
scan, available
here. Be advised
that if you are on a dial up connection, you may as well not attempt an online
scan, it could take days to complete on a dial up. Also, the
Symantec online scan will
not scan compressed files and folders.
We use
Symantec's Norton
Anti-Virus to protect our own
computers, in our opinion it
is the best anti virus protection. It is not free, but it is well worth the
investment to protect your computer. You can buy the standard retail edition for
about $50.
Many Trojans are not caught by anti-virus programs, and we recommend a separate program for protection. We have yet to find a free anti-trojan that satisfies us. We recommend TDS, about $50, link to TDS here.
Spyware
protection
is also a must for everyone.
Spyware includes
tracking cookies and
keyloggers.
Tracking cookies
record every site
you visit, and can also take snapshots of the pages you visit and even system
snapshots of the programs you are running. Keyloggers record every
keystroke, so every thing you type in is recorded, and this means your passwords
and other log in information, and worse, if you do online banking or pay bills
over the internet your accounts can be accessed by the party responsible for
installing the keylogger on your system. The information is written to a text
file that is hidden, and each time you access the internet it sends that file to
the person who infected your computer with it.
Keyloggers are how many
people become victims of identity theft.
Keyloggers are commonly
installed via email.
For some more very brief info on spyware and other threats go
here.
For spyware defense,
we recommend Spybot Search &
Destroy (some real time protection when
using its immunize feature, and it is the best freeware removal tool we've found).
Spywareblaster
prevents spyware from ever being installed by protecting the registry keys where
the spyware would install to.
Spywareblaster
uses no system resources, and it should be used in
conjunction with Spybot. Both
Spybot
and Spywareblaster
continue to release improved versions of their programs. Spywareguard has also given good results, but
we've noticed a tendency for Win 98 to bog down and freeze up when run with
Spybot and
Spywareblaster. If you have 128 Mb of RAM or less, we recommend
only running Spybot and
Spywareblaster.
These
programs are available on our downloads page.
If you are willing to pay for anti-spyware protection, we recommend
Webroot's
Spy Sweeper,
go
here for info on the product,
and a little more explanation of why anti-spyware is a necessity, and download
of the program.
We use Spy Sweeper in addition to
Spybot S & D and
Spywareblaster.
NEW 8/11/05:
Spybot v. 1.4 has been released! The folks at
Pepi MK and Spybot's author, Patrick M. Kolla, continue to provide the best
freeware anti-spyware program on the internet. ChiChi gives
Spybot v. 1.4
two paws up!
Browser Hijackers are yet another serious threat. These threats are created by browser helper objects (BHO). BHO's have virtually unlimited access to your computer and because they do not need a user interface they can run on your system without your knowledge. For removal, Hijack This is the best removal tool we've found, available on our downloads page. More info on BHO's here
UPDATE all programs after download, and keep them updated. The protection is useless unless you keep the definitions current.
Also, we continue to recommend the Google Toolbar Pop Up Blocker. We are always hesitant to use anything that integrates into our browser, but this tool has had no adverse effects. Google's toolbar does an outstanding job. To download it, go to http://toolbar.google.com.
Disclaimer:
Although we recommend using these programs,
and use them ourselves,
we did not build them,
and the use of them is expressly at your own risk.
We do not provide support for these programs, however, if you have any questions about these programs or have internet security questions you can email us here and we will try to help you.
