For a paid version I recommend Kasperski Internet Security 7.0 http://www.kaspersky.com/homeuser more info here (version6) http://www.matousec.com/projects/wi...alysis/Kaspersky-Internet-Security-6.0.2.614/
If you are wondering about your security you should go to the Sheilds Up site and have them scan your puter.If they find any unguarded ports,you need to do something. http://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2
use separate computers for browsing and trading. use firefox instead IE. browsing computer put behind Zonealarm and make sure you know which program accessing internet. Cascading NAT is not a bad idea(one router behind another, creates 2 networks, one inside another) and stop browsing porno sites(i know, it's hard to resist during boring trading day).
I'm asking this same question at experts-exchange.com and not getting anything I can use. What can I do to white list a file for applications? I want to tag a file in other words, and profile access to it to just the programs I want to have access to it. Trading software that runs on linux would be a big step towards security of intellectual property for sure.
On a *nix box, not too difficult. Set up a separate user with appropriate umask. Make said files owned by that user and set appropriately restrictive permissions. Run apps under that user. Can you not do something like that on Windows ? I think NTFS has support for access control lists (ACLs). I know nothing about them so all I can suggest is do a bit of ferreting around and see what you can find.
Maybe this list is worth taking a look at: http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm
For the in-depth ratings of tested security software below, read this month's issue of Consumer Reports now on newstands (or sign up for an online subscription): September 2007 Best security software Some suites now offer superb one-stop protection The days of installing a hodgepodge of stand-alone programs to protect your computer from online threats might be ending. More tools to zap spam, viruses, and other threats are being built into operating systems, e-mail programs, and other major applications. Software programs are increasingly also sold in security suites. Those typically package together programs to fight malware--viruses, spyware, and spam--that are also sold a la carte. (For that reason; in our Ratings of stand-alone programs, available to subscribers; many products are followed by the name of the suite to which they belong, listed in parentheses.) Suites also add extra features such as phishing detection, child filters, and file-backup utilities. There's a new class of supplementary security protection, as well. Browser toolbars you download, often free of charge, will check sites in an online search against a database and flag any that have been troublesome in the past. Our tests of security software, done in our labs and those of an independent research laboratory, try as much as possible to emulate the conditions programs actually face on the Web. To do that, we use real malware, including viruses that are slightly modified versions of those found online, and spyware that we actually harvest from the Web. (We, of course, take extraordinary measures to ensure that all this bad stuff remains secure in our lab.) WHAT WE FOUND Here are some key findings from our security software comparison and what they might mean for you: Of the nine security suites we tested, four are Quick Picks (available to subscribers) that protect against viruses, spyware, and spam as effectively as the best stand-alone products. Though all cost at least $50 to purchase and $35 a year for renewal, using one of those four is generally cheaper and simpler than assembling an array of equally effective stand-alone programs. That's especially true if you're seeking protection for multiple computers in your household. The suites also bundle in some extra features you won't get by buying a la carte. Though we didn't test those features for this security software comparison we think they're useful additions. For example, most suites include a filter that allows parents to block access to certain Web sites. Pricier suites of the best security software also typically add features to manage file backup and many Windows maintenance functions. Stand-alone products are still worth considering, however. Indeed, they are the best choice if your computer lacks the 1 gigabyte of memory we think is needed to run a suite without much slowing of your computer. Some decent stand-alone products in this security software comparison are even available free of charge (see Free software, available to subscribers). Operating systems do not yet provide full protection against all threats, though the spam filter built into the Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2003 and later versions performed exceptionally well.
continued: CR Quick Recommendations Antispam software Get an add-on spam-filtering program only if you're using the spam filter provided by your e-mail provider and are still getting too much spam. (Keep in mind that computer-based programs won't block spam you receive from Web-based e-mail providers such as Gmail.) Most programs did at least a good job. The exceptions, CA Anti-Spam 2007 and Apple Mail 2, scored only fair overall because they relied heavily on the user identifying "good" senders before they could accurately discriminate between desirable e-mail and spam. The result: too many false positives--benign e-mail consigned to the computer's spam folder. All of the add-ons in the table are compatible with Windows Vista except for Smith Micro Allume SpamCatcher 4.0 and PC Tools Spam Monitor 3.0. Only Apple Mail works with Mac OS. Ratings rank products by performance and features. Quick Picks also considers value. Quick Picks If you have Windows Vista or a recent version of Outlook: Microsoft Windows Mail Junk Filter This top-performing filter, built into Windows Vista and Outlook 2003 and later, is likely all you need, with excellent detection without many "false positives." It's also easy to set up and use. Good for stand-alone protection: Cloudmark Desktop 3.0.2 $40 Smith Micro Allume SpamCatcher 4.0 $30 SPAMfighter Standard 5.3.7 Cloudmark is the best stand-alone choice if you use one of Microsoft's e-mail programs. SPAMfighter has reasonable detection, and it's free. Smith Micro is the best choice is you use a non-Microsoft e-mail program such Eudora. If you're prepared to buy a suite: Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 $50 Check Point ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0 $50 Both of these are available only as part of top-rated software suites (the price shown is also for the suite). Trend Micro has the edge in detection, as well as ease of setup and use. The spam component in the Check Point suite has some better features, such as the ability to tell you why it tagged material as spam. Although the Check Point suite includes a popup blocker, it didn't rate quite as high overall as the Trend Micro suite, which omits the popup-blocking feature. CR Quick Recommendations Antispyware programs Antispyware products are an important security tool for Windows computers, though unnecessary for Macs. Because each manufacturer maintains their own, slightly different database of spyware, we recommend use of one antispyware program to provide real-time protection and another for periodic scans of the drive. All the tested programs offer both options. All also allow you to selectively restore programs removed as spyware. Unless you're especially knowledgeable, we recommend removing everything the program finds, except for regular cookies. Spyware, tracking cookies, and adware should be removed. Changes to our test methodology mean some products that were also tested in 2006 have received a slightly different score in this year's Ratings. Any of the tested programs is worth considering, with the possible exception of the discontinued Lavasoft Ad-Aware Se Plus. Obtain software only from the official sites listed; similar programs offered at other sites actually may be spyware. All of the products we tested are compatible with Windows Vista. Ratings reflect performance and features. Quick Picks also consider value. Quick Picks Best values in for-pay protection: Trend Micro AntiSpyware (PC-cillin Internet Security 2007) $30 Sunbelt Software Counter Spy 2 $20 These top-rated programs are relatively inexpensive, and are rich in features. Trend Micro had the edge when it came to detection. But Sunbelt cost less to buy and to renew. Both can be used on only one computer. For that reason, consider buying the Trend Micro software as part of its high-rated PC-cillin Internet Security suite (see page 36). While it costs $20 more than the antispyware program, it can be installed in up to three computers and also offers antivirus and antispam protection along with many other features. For free protection: Microsoft Windows Defender SpyBot Search and Destroy 1.4 Though they lack the combination of performance and features of the programs above, these free programs are worth considering. Microsoft was the better of the two at detection and was the easiest software of all to use. SpyBot can block changes to your browser home page CR Quick Recommendations Antivirus programs Of all the types of security software, the most important are those that combat viruses--malicious programs that can damage files and more. We even recommend antivirus protection for Macs, if only to prevent you from passing malware on to Windows users (only Symantec Norton Antivirus (Internet Security) 2007 is compatible with Mac OS). Indeed, even the lowest-rated software does a good job overall. For computers that are constantly on the Internet, consider a high-rated program for its greater margin of safety against new viruses. All the programs have a trial version you can download and use for up to 15 days, real-time protection, and scan-on-demand; the option to scan e-mail attachments; automatic scan of new files; and automatic update for detection of new viruses. Ratings rank products by performance and features. Quick Picks also considers value. Note that most of the products are also available as part of a security suite for as little as $10 more. Quick Picks The best all-around performance: Trend Micro AntiVirus plus Anti Spyware (PC-cillin Internet Security 2007) $40 Check Point ZoneAlarm Antivirus (Internet Security Suite 7.0) $30 While both scored well overall, Trend Micro has the edge when it comes to ease of use and speed; it's also essentially a "mini suite," because it comes bundled with an excellent antispyware component. Check Point costs less, both to buy and to maintain, and excelled in its ability to detect actual viruses without mistakenly singling out benign material as virus-laden. For $10 to $20 extra, you can upgrade either of these programs to their suite versions, which we also recommend (see suite Ratings). Good protection that's free: Alwil Avast Home Edition 4.7 (download only) With good though never outstanding detection, ease of use, scanning speed, and features, this free program is useful for protecting multiple computers on a tight budget. CR Quick Recommendations Software suites A security suite makes sense if you want the simplicity of a single program. Suites also offer features that most stand-alone products don't include (and that we list in the Ratings chart, but did not test). And where stand-alone programs usually run on only one machine, some suites can be used on as many as three computers, making them a potential money saver. However, we recommend suites only for machines with at least 1 gigabyte of memory; any less risks slow performance. All of the products offer a unified interface, automatic updating of all components, and a software firewall, and are compatible with Windows XP and Vista. Ratings reflect performance against viruses, spyware, and spam. Quick Picks considers performance and value. Quick Picks Best choice overall: Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 $50 The Trend Micro suite excelled in every category and, even with its $50 annual fee, offers fairly inexpensive all-around protection for as many as three computers. The few extras it lacks, including an ad/popup blocker, file backup, and Windows cleanup utilities, might be found on other software you use, such as your operating system and browser. A fine value: Check Point ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0 $50 Check Point's antivirus and antispyware components didn't score quite as high as Trend Micro's, though its antispam protection was first-rate. Its annual fee is $15 less than Trend Micro's. It includes an ad/popup blocker, though it lacks the antiphishing and Wi-Fi monitor that Trend Micro offers. It can be used on as many as three computers.