Password Managers, Anti-Virus & VPN software

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by wadec22, Apr 7, 2020.

  1. wadec22

    wadec22 Almost "Made"

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    So I am up for renewal on my antivirus software and it has caused me to reflect on what I use today and figured I would see what others are using.

    I have Bitdefender AV and will probably renew, as I have been pretty satisficed with it and it is affordable. Any AV thoughts? You guys still use AV software?

    I have not signed up for a VPN yet, but figured I probably should. I searched VPN that people are using, seems Express VPN is popular, so I will sign up there. Thanks for everyone who shared experiences.

    Do you guys use password managers? I have refrained from moving this way, as I don't like the idea of someone hacking a site and suddenly having all my passwords for everything. thoughts? Am I just dating myself and being stubborn?

    Thanks for any feedback. Stay safe.
     
  2. boredpanda

    boredpanda Almost "Made"

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    So I've used NOD32 from Eset for very many years. I've usually paid for a 2 or 3 year license to get a cheaper price. Note that it's only the antivirus itself I've bought, not the smart security suite.

    In regards to VPN, there are many options. I've chosen to go with Mullvad as they're recommended by Privacytools. I don't know anything about Express VPN. Have a read here https://www.privacytools.io/providers/vpn/

    I absolutely use a password manager and have done for a long time. I have previously used LastPass but decided to move away from them after they were acquired by LogMeIn. Their support, even for enterprise customers, went down the toilet after the acquisition. I now use Bitwarden. If you don't want to use an online service, I can recommend having a look at KeePassXC. I use KeePassXC to backup my "vault" from Bitwarden.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2020
  3. SeanT

    SeanT Facebook Friend

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    If you're running Windows, Windows Defender honestly isn't bad anymore and it is free (it is built in to Windows 10). For Linux I've never used any antivirus, but I really don't do a whole lot online from my computer. I guess I like living on the edge. :p

    As for password managers, I only just started using one in the last year and so far I can say I am a huge fan of the idea. It is nice having unique, complex passwords for every website. I've been using Myki since I wasn't keen on the idea of storing my password vault in the cloud. If you go towards one of the password managers like that, though, just be sure you have a few backups just in case.
     
  4. gridmaster

    gridmaster Facebook Friend

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    This, unless you know you're consistently using extremely sketchy sites, A/V imo has been outmoded for years.
    Web browsers security preventing pop-ups and other auto run scripts has dramatically improved. Win Defender catches anything that will generally take over your system.

    If you're Boomer Joe and like opening attachments that will crypto lock your PC, maybe try commercial A/V. Anybody else, I'd actually highly recommend you don't install any. I consider most of them bloatware borderline spyware.

    Oh, and I just scanned my PC with Malwarebytes on about a year old install of Windows 10 I use every day. It found 3 threats, no CD cracks from some early 2000s games I own. I don't even check anymore because you just have to be blatantly ignorant to get viruses nowadays.
     
  5. wadec22

    wadec22 Almost "Made"

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    thanks. guess I'll re-purpose those dollars for the VPN and password manager.
     
  6. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    I use Malwarebytes premium for antivirus, and Google for my passwords. If you have an Android phone and you use Gboard it integrates with your Google account for password management outside of chrome.
     
  7. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    When i use windows i agree defender is good enough but I don’t do anything critical there. For linux i use Fedora which has a good implementation of selinux and also some more security focused compiler flags. And i use lastpass which suits me well.
     
  8. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    What do you want the VPN for?

    There are only two reasons I have ever needed a VPN:

    1. Commercial. Remote users needing to feel like they are on the office network remotely. Requires VPN and proper firewall/security setup.

    2. Personal. Wishing to look like I am somewhere else to access sites (eg BBC limited by country).

    Another potential reason is not wanting your ISP being able to poke into your usage. I don't know, these days, what is needed to achieve that.

    The first was obviously part of the job. 20 years ago, and I think it would be a lot more demanding now. The second, I lost interest in, and have never had a long-term paid VPN service. The third... well, my internet traffic, at times over the years might have been potentially embarrassing, but not ruinously so.
     
  9. wadec22

    wadec22 Almost "Made"

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    You pretty much nailed it.

    1. I cover a territory for work and everytime I want to access the network, it notes where I am at.
    2. Sports, localized content, general privacy
     
  10. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I use FSecure. I used to use Bitdefender. Either are good.

    For VPN, Express VPN has been pretty good. It just works.

    Keeper is my password vault. It's got a double encryption method,which means they can't see your passwords even though they store them. I find it to be easy to use in Windows or Android.
     
  11. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Bitdefender here.

    I like it, the 5 device license covers all the family devices, and the automatic movie/gaming modes where it doesn't bother you are handy.
     
  12. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    BitWarden self hosted or bust.
     
  13. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    When a friend asks me for help on setting up a new Windows 10 computer I first get rid of the McAfee usually installed. Windows 10 firewall won't pass the leak tests at grc.com so I disable it and install ZoneAlarm free firewall. After that often the only other program I recommend is paid Malwarebytes Premium. On my own Win 10 Pro laptop I also have ESET NOD32 Antivirus running.

    You can't hide Tor use from your ISP. Use it if you need it. VPNs with their own DNS servers do prevent your ISP from snooping on your browsing habits. I always use a good VPN. The problem with choosing a VPN is many have lucrative affiliate programs so the top rated VPNs are the ones with the best paying affiliate programs, they are the ones getting promoted. Look for a VPN with jurisdiction outside the fourteen eyes countries without affiliate programs.

    As far as neutering the data Windows 10 collects and sends to Microsoft about you there are some steps you can take, just Google the subject. The best way is to dump Windows and use a Linux distro but for many that is not an option.

    Finally, at home buy your own modem and router and use DNS servers recommended by OpenNic. Lock down your Wifi using the advice at routersecurity.org.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2020
  14. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    LastPass here for several years now. I like the family features - my wife is concerned that she can get access to bank accounts etc. should I get hit by a bus and it provides some reassurance with shared passwords. Also you can nominate an 'executer' of sorts for emergencies: this person can request access to your vault and if you do not deny the request within a certain period they are granted access. In my case my brother and is computer-savvy is the one I trust to help my wife out.
     
  15. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Regarding anti-virus, buying one is a complete waste of money. If you have a windows pc just use the build into the OS windows security and feel free to load Malwarebytes if you need some added protection against spyware. If you own a Mac, you don't need anything honestly although you can load Malwarebytes also.

    Anti-virus programs typically do more harm than help. They slow down the computer, block your network access to other computers, file sharing and printers. They report false positive to make you FEEL they are doing great things so that you will be compelled to renew and keep paying.

    You can learn how most virus exploits work in an hour or so and remove them yourself, seriously. Booting to a linux distro CD or similar will bypass any virus and let you remove it manually. Along with common sense and good practices will allow you to stay virus free and without similar problems.

    This is good advice for most users. But, if you like to surf the web for free porn, I can not help you. It's likely that there is nothing you can do to keep your computer virus free. Just saying.
     
  16. Scott Kramer

    Scott Kramer Friend

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    Agree, Win10 has excellent built in AV. MacOS security is tightened all the time and its built in AV is called XprotectService (never need to deal with it directly, so people still think it relies on not being as popular, so wide open to attack, not the case)

    Extra AV is a redundant attack surface / vector if there are flaws in it, and it hooks deep into the OS.

    Lastpass +1 I like it and cross-platform.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2020
  17. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    If your friends use their PC for audio I would be careful using ZoneAlarm. You may want to read this:
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...rfaces-and-bears-oh-my.62/page-61#post-135641
    If you have problems with USB audio on the system with ZoneAlarm, download the LatencyMon software and look at the latency of the tcpip.sys interrupts. They may be as high as 3-7ms, then remove ZA, tcpip.sys interrupts should go down to 0.3 to 0.15 ms range.
    I like ZoneAlarm and tried to fix it with ZA support. No matter what their firewall was killing tcpip.sys and that was destroying audio.
     
  18. edd

    edd Almost "Made"

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    I use LastPass as my password manager, and it's great. Convenient for use on a PC or phone, and it's free (there's a premium service for $3/month with more features).

    I've always worked under the assumption that my passwords will get stolen at some point, so my strategy has been to have 3 main passwords: email, financial, and everything else. LastPass doesn't really change this though since I still maintain a primary password for email and financial websites (which are not stored within LastPass), but now my 3rd password to remember is the master password for LastPass. So, LastPass basically saves me the time of having to update all my "everything else" passwords if any of them is compromised. But, I suppose, there's still the possibility of LastPass getting hacked (which is why I don't store my email & financial passwords on there).
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Unless you need extra features (mostly management of numerous family devices), stick with Bitdefender. Doesn't make sense to switch. You already know how Bitdefender works, where the buttons are, the options, the UI, etc.

    Otherwise don't bother and use built-in Win10 Defender. Windows is a lot better against malware since Win7.

    Same thing with software firewalls. Home users with a router generally don't need one unless one of the roommates is a hacker on the same WiF. And if one of your roommates is a hacker, it won't matter. As long as the firewall allows outgoing connections (needed for visits to Google, YouTube, or Pornhub), it's also allowing data to come in the other way despite any firewall telling you it's blocking incoming connections.
     
  20. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    We tried using Lastpass for work to share network passwords and notes with the managers, but had a lot of trouble syncing. Switched to BitWarden and it's worked without a hitch. My only gripe is that you can't see a password without opening it up to edit, which is a bit odd.

    I like that it has the option to host locally, though I haven't figured out how to actually do that yet.
     

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