DBR_ONIX 0 Posted February 22, 2006 If you don't like Firefox, theres themes etc to change it to look like Internet Explorer As for decent firewalls, a bunch of friends seem to like ZoneAlarm Pro, but I use Sygate Personal Firewall, and have used it for years, and had no problems with it.. I disliked Zone Alarms alerts (Too big/much writing), SPF has a fairly small box, with an expandable info tab (Which gives way more information than the huge ZA Alert) Though it's slightly harder to configure, it's still simple, and feels less obtrusive Though Sygate was bought by Symatec, so it's been discontinued (Still avalible though)... Grrr Anyway, SPF + Avast + AdAware + Firefox + Bit of common sense + PC that isn't used by rest of family == no need for system restore Which is another point.. If your going to let kids use the internet on your PC, protect it with fire- I mean use.. http://www.vmware.com/products/player/ and http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/vm/browserapp.html Basicly cut down Ubuntu liveCD ISO, with Firefox, an the VMWare Player runs it in the current OS.. Then just put it full screen and they'll never know/care.. Which would stop things like finding "friends.exe" on the desktop of my parents PC after my nephew was online.. Oh, and VMWare have released the VMWare Server thingy which lets you create/run virutal machines (Like cutdown VMWare Work Station), which looks nice.. - Ben Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tovarish 0 Posted February 23, 2006 On a related note, has anyone here done anything to "pimp" their Windows XP? Myself, i've borrowed some functionality from Mac OS, as well as Vista. See my desktop: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Placebo 29 Posted February 23, 2006 Not really appropriate for a mixed forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ade_mcc 0 Posted February 23, 2006 Not a huge amount to add... Starforce: Seems to alternate between being just another copy protection program (on desktop pc), to being a right pain in the arse (on laptop with removeable DVD drive). Just the way it operates seems a bit dodgy, but if you want to play Trackmania for example, it cannot be done without Starforce. Heard that it dosn't uninstall when uninstalling the game. hmmmmm. AVG: Works for me but then I probably wouldn't notice if it tunred itself off till it was too late. Cheers CrashDome, I had the option of operating systems at start up and couldn't remember where boot.ini was located - Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shadow 6 Posted February 23, 2006 I see alot of people complaining about IE's security and read alot of news about it. If it was even half as bad as you make it out to be my computers should have been hacked to death a long time ago  Firefox might be safer than IE, but IE still is safe enough for me. I use the Maxthon front-end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EiZei 0 Posted February 23, 2006 I see alot of people complaining about IE's security and read alot of news about it. If it was even half as bad as you make it out to be my computers should have been hacked to death a long time ago I suggest that you take up fixing screwed up windows computers. They ARE hacked to death.. with spyware and viruses. So far recommending firefox, enabling firewalls and setting autoupdates on has worked wonders on more chronic cases fortunately. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shadow 6 Posted February 23, 2006 I suggest that you take up fixing screwed up windows computers. They ARE hacked to death.. with spyware and viruses. Its funny you mention that. You just described my job Apparantly its not your job or you would'nt have spread that kind of lies. Some computers have alot of spyware and virus in them, but I dont see Firefox having built in anti-spyware or anti-virus either Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Delirium 0 Posted February 23, 2006 I am using Firefox but purly out of being used to it. Using this ir that browser has little or nothing to do with PC infections. Only proper security apps can minimize the threat. The only solution to secure PC is unplugging it from the net. BTW, I advice not to use ZoneAlarm as it is very malitious with some applications and it is also very sensitive to other software malfunctions. The result is a complete net lockdown. Uninstalling doesn't solve the problem. Similar case is with Symantecs NAV application. I can say that from My and some other peoples' experience the following setup is pretty safe and low resource consuming: 1. Outpost Firewall 2. NOD32 + several anti-spyware applications. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M4XSs 0 Posted February 23, 2006 I wonder who would ever defend or recommend Internet explorer or anything that uses it in any how? Millions of people been infected with all sorts of malicious codes and many of them got hacked and IE&outlook was the main 2 reasons for that wide spread for such codes, thats not something to agree or disagree about those are FACTS, for example go and and see the IE vulnerability history here the same site was offering a proof of concept for IE exploits which was able to completely take control over your system by just going to a test page. its really the most vulnerable browser ever known, poorly maintained some issues been fixed after months from discovering them Its NOT SAFE AT ALL,comparing it with opera or firefox will lead the sane people to stop using that junk immediately. even some books dedicated just for this issue a better and safer browser than IE, don't click the blue e! by Oreilly media for example. Sorry if that was TOO-OT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EiZei 0 Posted February 23, 2006 Some computers have alot of spyware and virus in them, but I dont see Firefox having built in anti-spyware or anti-virus either Yes it does. It's called not being an unsecure piece of crap that gets fixed late. Every bad spyware case I have seen was because of IE or those "funny" little "free" programs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shadow 6 Posted February 23, 2006 Some computers have alot of spyware and virus in them, but I dont see Firefox having built in anti-spyware or anti-virus either Yes it does. It's called not being an unsecure piece of crap that gets fixed late. That arguement just shows your age I find it odd that noone but existing Firefox users are advocating that program if the security risks are so great with IE. Not even Symantec, Norman or Lavasoft cares for what browser or email-client you are using. You like Firefox, fine, just dont try to show it down my throat. I can't stand Firefox' tabbed browsing, IMO Maxthon's tabbed browsing is the way better (more practical). And since I have yet to experience any security issues on my computer then IE and OE is fine for me together with a normal Officeconnect router and Symantec AV Corporate ed 8.1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crashdome 3 Posted February 23, 2006 Shadow: get this -> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie7/default.mspx I JUST installed it. It has tabbed browsing, but you can turn it off (I also hate tabs) It's great. Combined with Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx) , you can't go wrong. I love the detailed messages Windows Defender gives about programs and how they modify exactly which files as they are being installed. Shows you how much a single application can really mess with your stuff! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shadow 6 Posted February 23, 2006 Oh I like tabbed browsing, just dont like how Firefox does it. In Maxthon I can click a link and drag the mouse a mm. and the link will open in a new tab. I can decide if the new tabs should be active or not and when the pointer is over one of the tabs I can use the mousewheel to scroll through the tabs. All this was'nt possible last time I tried Firefox. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
