Gnosis's UPDATED (4-3-2013) CONFIGURATION

[Gnosis]

PC Environment: Private
Security Awareness: Advanced
Exposure to Malware: Low
Anti-Malware Testing: No
Operating System: Windows XP 2002 Service Pack 3 32bit
Architecture: 32-bit
Real-time Protection: Threatfire AV Level 5
On-Demand Tools: MBAM, HitMan Pro, GMER, PCHunter, MBAR, Avast anti-rootkit (mbr fix)
Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox
Opera
ALL WITH SANDBOXIE
Extensions and Plugins: Adblock, Better Privacy, Ghostery, Key Scrambler, BitDefender Quick Scan, Google Translator for Firefox
OTHER TOOLS: CCleaner, Wireless Network Watcher, HiJack This, Autoruns, Treesize, Killswitch, Process Hacker II

NOTE: I always use "freeware". They only time I have ever purchased security software is when I was a complete novice; I bought a PC Tools Malware Scanner about 12 years ago to remove Spy Ax. LOL

[Jack]

Real-time protection:
Avast is a solid product but Windows XP Firewall isn't that great.Have you tried any 3rd party firewall or ?

Additional browser plugins:

LastPass (Free) - link
LastPass is an online password manager and form filler that makes web browsing easier and more secure.

VTzilla (Free) - link
VTzilla is a Mozilla Firefox browser plugin that simplifies the process of scanning Internet resources with VirusTotal. It allows you to download files directly with VirusTotal's web application prior to storing them in your PC. Moreover, it will not only scan files, but also URLs.
The scanning options are embedded in Firefox's context menu and download dialog, making the analysis process as easy as clicking a single button.

Extra protection (Optional):
EMET 2 (Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit) (Free) - link
EMET provides users with the ability to deploy security features built into Windows to arbitrary applications. This helps prevent vulnerabilities in those applications from successfully being exploited. DEP, SEHOP and ASLR are such security features, if you want to learn more about what they do, you can watch this video from Microsoft TechCenter. To configure EMET you should follow this guide by rationallyPARANOID

[Gnosis]

I don't even use XP firewall. I have found that a good firewall is a tedious one and the ones that you don't have to fool with are ineffective, so I don't utilize firewalls. I rely heavily on Sandboxie.

[Eiso]

You really need a firewall mate Sandboxie can only do so much. Many would suggest Comodo Firewall, and apparently it works great alongside avast.

[McLovin]

(12-08-2011 05:55 AM)Eiso wrote:  You really need a firewall mate Sandboxie can only do so much. Many would suggest Comodo Firewall, and apparently it works great alongside avast.

Correct it does work well next to Avast. That is what I currently use Avast Free and Comodo Firewall and I have had no problems so far.

[Littlebits]

(12-08-2011 05:22 AM)ZOU1 wrote:  I don't even use XP firewall. I have found that a good firewall is a tedious one and the ones that you don't have to fool with are ineffective, so I don't utilize firewalls. I rely heavily on Sandboxie.

I will have to agree to a point, true stand-alone firewalls are easy to configure and are very effective at blocking connections in and out.

The the term firewall now usually means more than just a program used to control connections to ports. Adding extra protection features like HIPS makes them difficult to configure and drains down system resources and speed. Plus require too much maintenance to keep them configured and updated.

If you would just like a simple firewall to control network connections only, then I recommend to give ZoneAlam Free a try. The free new version now has the ZoneAlam cloud technology (provided by Kaspersky) that auto blocks known bad connections and auto allows good connections. It is one of the few stand-alone firewalls with a program control that will not block safe processes and will provide excellent network control.

Thanks.

[ocsi]

Add Privatefirewall and you have a good security setup.
Eventually you can use Shadow Defender or Wondershare Time Freeze.

[jamescv7]

Another firewall that its more easy to use and not so complicated. Popups were simply easy to use and its like a pure firewall there. (PC Tools Firewall Plus however that program isn't always updated)

[Plexx]

I noticed you have not mentioned any backup utility. If you do not have any you can use one of the free ones:

*Paragon Backup & Recovery 2011 Free;
*EaseUS Todo Backup Free 3.5;
*Macrium Reflect Free.
Note that Paragon cannot make a WINPE boot disk unlike EaseUS Todo; but it is still fine. I personally prefer Paragon.

Consider adding the following tools:

Additional Real Time Protection:
*Panda URL Filter (google Panda Toolbar, Install Panda Toolbar and then Remove the Panda Toolbar).

Unlocking software for stuck applications:
*Unlocker 1.9.1 (32bit edition).

Password Manager:
*Lastpass.

Registry Defrag:
*Quicksys RegDefrag.

HDD Defrag:
*Auslogics Disk Defrag;
*Puran Defrag;
*Smart Defrag.

Uninstaller:
*Revo Uninstaller Free.

System Utilities:
*Advanced SystemCare 5 Free;
*CCleaner;

That's about all that I can think since at the same time I'm trying to break my neurons on the VirtualBox issue I got...

PS: good config. +1

[Gnosis]

I have CCleaner and Smart Defrag. I have used XP firewall for years with no trouble and it is useless, so I cannot justify dealing with a firewall. I have considered Last Pass, but I have yet to try it.

I have Sardu with Kaspersky and Dr. Web on a CD. That trumps a firewall, though it is not preventive.