Question

There are many specialized anti malware applications, namely:

• Anti-virus
• Anti-spyware
• Anti-malware
• Anti-rootkit

And so on. What combination of free Windows tools would protect me from any sort of malware?

Answer 1

4 or rather 7 if you are extra paranoid:

1. User your Brain.exe carefully!
2. FireFox with NoScript and AdBlock Plus
3. Avira AntiVir Personal (You don't need German to read numbers, Antivirus benchmark, or go directly to the source)
4. Comodo Personal Firewall

If you want to be extra, extra, extra paranoid, throw in:

1. Spybot-S&D
2. HiJackThis
3. Sandboxie

I couldn't care less about malware, keyloggers and whatnot with this setup.

Answer 2

Sandboxie, because it is just so much wiser to prevent infections from happening rather than cleaning up when the damage is done (and save your system resources for things that really matter).

Answer 3

• Windows defender for spyware
• AVG for the others

Answer 4

Having your computer's network interface removed entirely should do the job. Also don't plug in any external storage devices or disks and make sure to have your RAM cleared regularly along with frequent file shreddings and drive formattings Your files and user experience are now safe as safe can be.

Otherwise Tin-Hat Linux is for you, in all its super safe glory.

But really:

1. Remove all software you don't need
2. Use firefox or opera as your internet browser
3. Disable both Java and Javascript in the preferences
4. Ensure you have a decent firewall (like AVG)
5. Spybot search and destroy is really good for protecting against infection through protection.
6. If your router or modem has security settings, enable them
7. Disable windows file sharing
8. Block ports, like NetBios (which can be used in exploits)
9. Disable unnecessary windows services (like remote registry edditing)
10. Finally, if you are really paranoid, run a Nessus scan to see what vulnerabilties exist on your system. Then fix them up.

Hope this helps, and god-speed