Your Favorite Free Layered Security Suite

[brod56]

Hey people.
I already posted my security suite here and it was OK according to the the answers.
Now I want to ask you guys, imagine a empty PC and you wanted to protect it effectively without spending money, what would you install?
Please mention AV, Firewall, Browser+Extensions, on demand scanners, etc.
I choose Bitdefender Free/Windows Firewall/Zemana/Firefox+uBlock.
Let's start a smart discussion

 

[Ink]

Changed the title of your Poll to match Thread Title.
Changed Thread Title to match your post.

You mention a layered approach rather than a single free suite.

On Windows 10: Windows Defender, Firewall, UAC, Unchecky
On Windows 7: Avast Free, Windows Firewall, UAC, Unchecky

Both would run Google Chrome and USB HDD for Backup, not that this has any relevance to Free Security Suite.

 

[RoadRashWolfenstein]

I would personally stay away of Chinese companies such as Qihoo 360 as they are not trustable. Besides that, that depends on what's your priority:

- Best all around AV: Avast, AVG and Avira. The most populars, with each some qualities and annoyances, but probably the best mix between safety and functionalities.

- Best REALLY free AV: Sophos Home and Bitdefender Free. They might not pack as many functionalities as the others and might be slightly behind protection wise, but these are truly free. Sophos will never try to make you upgrade as they don't sell customer products, and Bitdefender's pop-ups are se few that you won't notice them.

- Best compatibility AV: Windows Defender. If you want to keep the bugs and occasional annoyances of antiviruses to a minimum, what's best than Microsoft's integrated protection ? Easy to use, light... but with a sacrifice on protection as they are still sub-par to the other one mentioned.

As for the Firewall i would recommend Windows Firewall that is more than enough, Comodo Firewall being a good alternative if you're looking for an extra layer of security.

But i do believe that an important layer of protection is on the browser. I would recommend Google Chrome or Firefox with the following extensions: uBlock Origin, HTTPS Everwhere and Avira Browser Safety if your AV doesn't already have an equivalent.

 

[Ink]

Easy to use, light... but with a sacrifice on protection as they are still sub-par to the other one mentioned.

Sub-par due to the lack of zero day technologies, in comparison to other Free Antivirus, and affects Consumer-range only. Windows Defender for Enterprise boasts more features, but are not available for free.

Also as a consumer, you don't need the bleeding edge of the best security to stay safe, a lot comes down to the type of user, and keeping backups for recovery purposes.

 

[novocaine]

Comodo IS

 

[Arequire]

• Avast Free (Hardened mode, PUP detection)
• Comodo Firewall (Proactive config, cruelsister settings)
• Malwarebytes anti-exploit (Probably unessercery due to CF but less work for the sandbox)
• Unchecky
• Avira Browser Safety (Suggest using it even if your AV has web blocking. It may catch a malicious site your AV doesn't)
• Chrome (Best browser in terms of security in my opinion)
• [Adblocker] (Whichever adblocker you're happy with)

Disabling wscript and cscript would also be a good idea if you're not concerned with possible breakage.

 

[samit]

I believe good adblocker, UAC, windows defender and safe browsing habit is good enough to keep your system secure.

 

[Deleted member 178]

my case (if i have to choose a free suite):

- safe habit machine: SUA + UAC + smartscreen + WinDef + WinFW
- risky habit machine : i usually don't use any suite , but if i had to choose a free one , it would be Comodo IS (when the "disappearing rules" bug will be fixed)

 

[Rolo]

I don't have to imagine it; I do it. I have never purchased a security product/products below:

• BitDefender Free
• Chrome w/uBlock Origin, Web of Trust, HTTPS Everywhere, Netcraft, Metadefender, LastPass
• OpenDNS w/Academic Fraud, Parked Domains, Adware, Pornography, Web Spam filtering options
• AdBlockPlus IE
• SUMo
• DUMo
• Various on-demand scanners
• VirtualBox w/Win10 guest running Avast 1-year trial as a sheep-dip

 

[FrFc1908]

Avast free ( tweaked ) - zonealarm free ( tweaked ) - unchecky - malwarebytes anti exploit ( tweaked v 1.9x ) - Chrome with https everywhere - ublock origin - ublock plus - Windscribe vpn......done!

 

[bunchuu]

I'm wondering why Comodo IS isn't include in this list. Comodo offers antivirus and firewall system (also sandbox etc). It's offer full fledged antivirus and firewall protection in the price of zero buck.

 

[Sr. Normal 2.0]

Avast free ( tweaked ) - zonealarm free ( tweaked ) - unchecky - malwarebytes anti exploit ( tweaked v 1.9x ) - Chrome with https everywhere - ublock origin - ublock plus - Windscribe vpn......done!

Same here, the only difference is that I use VS free instead of MBAE

 

[shmu26]

Windows Defender
Windows Firewall
NoVirusThanks EXE Radar Pro (free beta 2015)
standard user account
Startup Sentinel
Hard_Configurator (for a few simple system tweaks)
Chrome, with flag enabled for appcontainer lockdown (Windows 8-10)

If you don't want to go hard-core with NVT ERP, so use Process Lasso instead, to disallow script interpreters etc

 

[Evjl's Rain]

Fully automated configurations (for parents and friends who don't know much about computer)
- Windows 7 Pro/Ultimate (x86, x64)
- Avast Free (tweaked) without Hardened Mode (any mode) -> too many false positives for them to handle
- CheckMAL Appcheck Anti-ransomware Free
- Unchecky
- Windows Firewall
- CocCoc browser with uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Extra + additional security filters
- Avira Browser Safety
- Windows Updates are disabled => broke or slowed down their machines significantly in the past + they don't want W10 or W10's upgrade nags
- CCleaner + CCEnhancer -> scheduled autoclean every Sunday 6PM

 

[brod56]

Changed the title of your Poll to match Thread Title.
Changed Thread Title to match your post.

You mention a layered approach rather than a single free suite.

On Windows 10: Windows Defender, Firewall, UAC, Unchecky
On Windows 7: Avast Free, Windows Firewall, UAC, Unchecky

Both would run Google Chrome and USB HDD for Backup, not that this has any relevance to Free Security Suite.

Sure, no problem.

I'm wondering why Comodo IS isn't include in this list. Comodo offers antivirus and firewall system (also sandbox etc). It's offer full fledged antivirus and firewall protection in the price of zero buck.

You are right, honestly though Comodo was paid. Added into the list, you can change your vote.

I didn't know about Unchecky, I liked the concept. Will try that ASAP.

 

[Ink]

I didn't know about Unchecky, I liked the concept. Will try that ASAP.

Unchecky is no nonsense prevention against unwanted software. Silently operates in the background and appears when required. Install and Forget.
Unchecky - Keeps your checkboxes clear

 

[tonibalas]

@brod56 as you can see there are many free set ups.
I would like to make a suggestion about the browser category.
At moment from a security point to use a chromium based browser or Chrome.
Chossing a chromium browser you can enable AppContainer which will really help your online safety.
I know for sure that you can enable AppContainer in Chrome and Cent browser.
About other chromium browsers such as Vivaldi, Opera etc i can't tell you because i haven't checked them for the availability of the AppContainer.
For more information about AppContainer you can ask @Umbra

 

[Handsome Recluse]

@brod56 @tonibalas They do have them. Trapezoidal tabs aren't good in a tab management and usability standpoint when you have many though.

 

[Sr. Normal 2.0]

@brod56 as you can see there are many free set ups.
I would like to make a suggestion about the browser category.
At moment from a security point to use a chromium based browser or Chrome.
Chossing a chromium browser you can enable AppContainer which will really help your online safety.
I know for sure that you can enable AppContainer in Chrome and Cent browser.
About other chromium browsers such as Vivaldi, Opera etc i can't tell you because i haven't checked them for the availability of the AppContainer.
For more information about AppContainer you can ask @Umbra

In Opera is possible. Type opera://flags in Opera addressbar. It' will open Opera Experiments Page.

 

[Vipersd]

MCShield and Unchecky are great tools for happy clickers like some of my relatives and neighbors. They stopped spreading malware through USB drives and Unchecky saves me the trouble and the time when fixing their computers.