security product comparisons

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I will most likely be re-installing my operating system soon (well, with my reliable computer guru’s assistance, that is). At that time, I am considering (at my computer guru’s suggestion) changing from Symantec’s anti-virus and firewall products to Kerio Personal Firewall and AVG Anti-virus. Does anyone know of any security program comparisons that include these and Symantec’s products? If so, would you please direct me. Thank you.

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For anti-virus comparison see: Virus Bulletin : Independent Anti-virus and Anti-spam Advice. Not sure about comparitive studies for firwalls. You can however go to Shields UP!

--Joe

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Most firewalls seem to work pretty well for “inbound” connections. The main differences are in how they handle “outbound” connections. The best keep tabs on every application and report to you when any file changes. (This can be annoying, but helps you spot changes to your browser, windows, applications, etc.) Among the free products, I think Lounger’s have given high marks to Sygate. Among paid products, I’ve had good luck with Outpost Pro (but Outpost free is many generations behind).

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You have obviously done some indepth research on firewalls. I’ve often wondered exactly how they detect changes to a file of significance. I’d have thought that the usual checks on attributes (dates, size etc.) would be easy for a writer of malware to mask. Do firewalls use something more sophistocated, like CRC or MD5, in light of this?

Alan

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Outpost Pro uses checksums of some kind. I don’t pay super-close attention to the notifications, as long as the changed files appear to be related to something I recently did, such as Windows Update, and not an unexpected event.

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I use Outpost free, so I presume it operates the same way.

cheers
Alan

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Please don’t assume that, as there is a wide disparity of features between Outpost and Outpost Pro. Do you recall ever seeing this dialog in Outpost free?

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Not in as many words, but I do receive a terse Yes/No message box, telling me that XYZ is not the same program that I allowed previously and asking if I wish to “Allow It”. I always do if it’s in relation to a known, trusted upgrade I’ve done. I can’t imagine Agnitum would bother to use a different checking method between free and paid versions, but as you say, the last freebie is now well behind the newest $$ release. I might send them an e-mail on this, just for interest.

Alan

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