Let me first say, this, like any other blog (usually) represents my opinions and experiences only. 

So, who wins when AT&T’s Yahoo DSL software is loaded on a PC and mistakenly installed on top of an existing Virus Scanner or Firewall product?  I will tell ya, no one!  I have encountered countless customers like the one I saw last night who installed the AT&T Yahoo DSL software over top of an existing set of software products only to be left with a non-functioning PC.  Not until the AT&T software is removed and all other protection related products are properly removed can you get by the problem and start connecting to the Internet again.  My recommendation; don’t load the AT&T Yahoo DSL software at all.  Here’s why:

Basically you need these main components when thinking about protecting your computer at home:

• Virus Scanning 
• Spyware Protection
• Web Browsing Control and/or Pop-up Blocker
• Firewall
• Parental Controls

I will explain each of these areas and my recommendation on how to cover the need. 

Virus Scanning

Virus scanning is critical, if you don’t purchase any other software, make sure you purchase virus protection!  There are just far too many dangers out there in Internet land and all of them can cost you dearly.  If you do not want to spend any more money (because you just bought that new PC) use the one AT&T Yahoo DSL provides you.  You could alternatively use the virus scanner which typically comes with your computer when you first buy it.  However, my recommendation is that you pick up a suite of products which includes a virus scanner.  I have used most of the products out there and I personally and professionally keep coming back to Trend Micro’s product called Internet Security Suite.  Another good product to take a look at is AVG by Grisoft.

Spyware Protection

Ok, increasingly, browsing the Internet has become more and more dangerous.  Browsing the Internet without both the protection of a good virus scanner AND a good spyware detection and prevention tool is like being sexually promiscuous without any protection whatsoever.  You’re asking for trouble.  Not only will Spyware Protection keep you out of trouble, it will make your web browsing experience more pleasant overall.  Anyone who has been bogged down by spyware will tell you that it is no fun due to your computer coming to a complete crawl and essentially becoming useless.  In most cases as a consultant, I tell clients, “let’s get the important data off safely and reformat” due to the difficult nature of attempting to completely remove spyware from an infected machine.  It takes less time to reformat and start over than it does to troubleshoot and remove all cases of spyware on a PC.  Again, Trend Micro’s Internet Security Suite does an excellent job of this.  There are other tools also such as Adaware from Lavasoft that also do a good job. 

Web Browsing Control and/or Pop-up Blocker

Today Internet Explorer 7 and all of the susequent security patches do a pretty good job of protecting against pop-ups and other “phishing” attempts.  What Internet Explorer alone cannot do is protect you from going to web sites with let’s just say “bad reps”.  Sites which have a history of either questionable content or questionable practices.  There are products out there that can watch where you surf and warn you when you’ve landed on a dangerous page.  Again, Trend Micro’s Internet Security Suite does an excellent job of this.   If you do a lot of browsing and researching on-line, getting a product such as this will save you MANY future headaches.

Firewall

Ok, here’s where things get interesting.  A firewall is essential these days.  Not using one is like leaving the front door of your house wide open in a bad neighborhood while you go away from vacation.  You wouldn’t do that so why on earth would you not use a firewall.  Now, Windows XP comes with a firewall which is usually activated when Windows is intially set up.  This firewall is very effective for most people’s needs.  Companies will try to scare you into thinking you need more but you really don’t.  In addition to Windows having a firewall built into the Network Card (NIC), most people who use AT&T Yahoo DSL have a 2wire modem/wireless router.  This router has a firewall capability built into it which is usually turned on by default.  One note about this router, in your advanced settings you have the option of Stealth and not to respond to Ping, I highly recommend turning on these features.  They keep someone from finding your computer/router on the Internet by pinging you. For the most part, you do not need to concern yourself with purchasing a firewall if you utilize one of these methods for a firewall to begin with.  Most router/gateways available today provide the ability to work as a firewall for you.

Parental Controls

If you do not have children you don’t need the parental controls!  If you do have children and you would like to keep an eye on what your kids are into, the Parental Control product from AT&T Yahoo DSL will do the job, however, I have seen more problems with it than solutions provided by it.  Try some other products instead.  Try IAM Big Brother, it does a good all around job of keeping track of your children’s activities.  Another good choice is NetNanny which has been a long time favorite product of many parents I have met.

So, in the end, my recommendation is this; if you want free products and the potential problems that come with it, install the AT&T Yahoo DSL software.  In my opinion it produces more problems than it solves.  This is my opinion however, others may feel differently.  It is also my opinion that in the long run, you are better off purchasing a tried and true solution that works well and is supported well.  As I have already said, I can highly recommend Trend Micro’s Internet Security Suite.  Time and again it has well proven its value in all of the above categories except the parental controls.

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