Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
"Is my PC secure" really has only one answer: no. A more practical question is: what steps can you take to be as secure as possible?
I currently installed Avast internet security 5 on my PC running Window 7. I also use malwarebytes anti-malware. My question is: is my pc is secure with those two anti-malware packages?
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Yes and no.
But mostly no.
I look at it a different way completely:
There is no such thing as a secure computer.
Let me explain why I say that, and what that means you need to do.
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I never want people to think that their computers are "secure". (And for the record, I do include PC's, Mac's and Linux machines in that statement.)
Once you assume that it's secure, it implies you can stop thinking about security. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Tools like malware scanners, firewalls and more can do a lot, but they can only do so much. They have no way to protect you from the least secure thing on your computer.
That's you.
Don't take it personally - I'm the least secure thing on my computers as well.
The rule is very simple: there is no software, no device, no "fix" that will protect you from yourself.
Even with the best combination of software and hardware there's simply no way I'd ever call a computer "secure" because there's still someone using it who, by definition, is not secure.
And of course there's no "best" combination of hardware and software either. Some are better than others. Some combinations work out well and others don't. Some are more sensitive to the situation, differences in system configuration and usage. And on top of that, it's all constantly changing over time as new malware and new tools continually appear or are revised.
So after that little rant, let me perhaps more directly address your question.
Avast and Malwarebytes are fine tools, but you haven't indicated how else your system is configured.
As outlined in my article Internet Safety: How do I keep my computer safe on the internet? the basics for security include:
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A firewall.
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Anti-virus software.
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Anti-spyware software.
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Keeping all software up-to-date.
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Physical security.
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Mobile security.
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Your own personal behaviour online.
As you can guess by now, I consider the last the most important of all.
And I'll absolutely agree - it shouldn't be that way, and it would be really nice if it weren't. Everything ahead of it on the list is important and can help a lot, don't get me wrong, but ultimately anything protection that they offer can be thwarted by our own behaviour if we're not careful.
Article C4313 - May 13, 2010
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
On revision, not sure if Fedora 13 will run from the cd/dvd like some linux distos do.eg Gos which I have used.If a hard drive installation is required, this defeats the tight security benefits of having a non writable operating system.No point in leaving the door partly opened.
The following link has live cd/dvd versions
http://www.thefreecountry.com/operating-systems/linux-livecd-distributions.shtml
Jp
Posted by: johnpro2 at May 25, 2010 9:26 PMYa I guess if you are required to have a writable HD for your (want to be) non-writable OS that does kinda defeat the purpose...
And "Partially open". So true. Give them a way and they will eventually figure out SOMETHING to infect a computer.
Posted by: Aaron at June 1, 2010 9:43 PMI use avast as my resident scanner scanning everything i do online.Zonealarm as my inbound and outbound firewall and mac spoofing. So far no problems.
Posted by: thomas mitchell at June 8, 2010 10:42 AMLOL! SPOOFER!! (Its a CoD4 thing) Anyways, sounds like you have a good setup too Thomas. ;)
Posted by: Aaron at June 15, 2010 10:16 AMHere is an understandable way to put it. You can pass a background check being a murderer. You killed someone last week and they just have not found the body yet. Antivirus software depends on a "fingerprints" database to detect threats and those "fingerprints" may take quite a while to get there. Malware, like graffitti, are written every minute yet the AV software houses do not find out about them until someone reports them and they've had time to analyze them. Since I am not sure they share any information amongst themselves, one software house may detect a virus that another one does not.
Posted by: Carlos Coquet at June 29, 2010 9:14 PMHeuristic methods are not foolproof either. Let's say your very good looking daughter is playing with friends in the park and you happen to notice a guy in his 30's following her every move with his eyes. You call the police, right? More than likely a pedophile. "Common sense". Now the polcie show up to question him and he pulls out his PBS employee id and business card. He is a talent scout for Sesame Street. Feel supid now ?? Similarly, even heuristics fail here and there. (And, depending on how everything was handled, your daughter may have lost any chance she had to make it on TV!!)