Member Avatar for tarik25sea

I am making the switch from IE6 to Firefox and would like to know how I can stay protected from spyware and viruses. I currently have Ad-Aware installed, but Ad-Watch only works with IE. I also have Norton Internet Security installed. Are these programs going to have too much conflict with Firefox or is there a way to work around it?

My other question is...will my computer be at great risk for spyware since Ad-Watch won't be working? I've read how mostly everyone on here uses a different browser other than IE and I would like to know how all of you stay protected.


Thanks for your time and any help is greatly appreciated.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by MidiMagic

Dani AI

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Nice move switching browsers — that alone removes a lot of the old, browser-specific attack surface that made IE6 so easy to exploit. As @Stein pointed out, modern browsers do not rely on the legacy plugin/ActiveX model that was abused by many drive‑by attacks; see Microsoft’s security bulletin and notes about browser plugin risks. (learn.microsoft.com)

Treat protection as layers, not a single product. Keep Windows and Firefox up to date and enable automatic updates; apply security patches promptly. Use a real‑time antivirus + firewall as a baseline, and operate day‑to‑day from a non‑administrative account to limit what malware can do if it runs. CISA and Microsoft both emphasise patching and least‑privilege as core mitigations. (cisa.gov)

Add browser‑level hardening: a content blocker plus a script‑control extension will stop most drive‑by and adborne attacks before they run (examples include uBlock Origin and NoScript). Keep a good on‑demand cleaner handy for cleanup if you suspect an infection. Independent labs also show built‑in Windows protection is a solid baseline; supplement it if you want extra layers. (zh.wikipedia.org)

Quick checklist to apply right now:

  • Turn on automatic updates for Windows and Firefox.
  • Use a reputable AV + enable its web‑protection/web‑shield.
  • Install a content blocker and a script whitelist extension.
  • Run a full AV scan and an on‑demand cleaner after the switch.
  • Use a standard user account for browsing and keep regular backups.

If your security suite doesn’t immediately “see” Firefox, update or re‑run the suite installer so its web‑protection hooks are registered (as suggested). For scanners and cleanup tools, consider official on‑demand tools from trusted vendors. (malwarebytes.com)

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for 'Stein

To tell you the truth, you will be MUCH more safer with Firefox, regardless of Ad-watch.

would like to know how I can stay protected from spyware and viruses

Well to tell the truth, the best thing is using common sense when browsing. No clicking on popups, no irrational downloads, no porn. ;)

However, on the software side of things, you're so-so. I see you have Ad-Aware. In my personal opinion (and my specialty is spyware) I would strongly reccomend switching to Ewido, as it has a higher virus-detection rate. Even when the free trial runs out on the download, it it still very active, just you have to update definitions manually.

Secondly, always be sure to browse with an AntiVirus and a firewall. Also, I see that you're running Norton Internet Security. While this isn't the best AV/firewall combination, it is halfway decent. If you ever wanted to upgrade (like when youre contract is over, for example), I would reccomend either AVG or Avast! as an AV, and either Sunbelt Kerio or ZoneAlarm as a firewall. All of these are free.

And that's about it. If ya have any more questions, just post back.

Thanks. :)

Member Avatar for tarik25sea

Thank you so much for your advice. I installed Ewido and I like it! It has a nice interface and it found a few things that Ad-Aware didn't. Being that I like to try new things, I'm going to install a different antivirus program. My contract is almost up =)

Thanks again!

-Erika

Member Avatar for 'Stein

My pleasure.

-John

Member Avatar for iceman_85

I am trying to access the website www.nationalexpress.com, and each time i go to access it the site doesnt come up, other websites work perfectly fine but this one just doesnt seem to work!

can someone get back to me ASAP, ive got to get onto that site and book myself a ticket before thursday!

Member Avatar for MidiMagic

Just run your protection software again. It should detect Firefox.

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