On Sat, 2 May 2009 00:00:09 -0500, SomeH0w wrote:
[color=blue]
> I don't like Adaware. Prefers AVG. Avast takes too long for me to wait
> for it to finish scanning[/color]

Programs don't provide security; Concepts do.

A properly configured operating system kept up-to-date in combination with
safe/responsible browsing will go a long way.

For Vista the most dependable defenses are:
1. Do not work in elevated level; Day-to-day work should be performed
while the User Account Control (UAC) is enabled.
User Account Control Step-by-Step Guide.
[url]http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc709691.aspx[/url]

Understanding and Configuring User Account Control in Windows Vista.
[url]http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc709628.aspx[/url]

2. Familiarize yourself with "Services Hardening in Windows Vista".
Services Hardening in Windows Vista
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007/01/SecurityWatch/[/url]
Educational reading:
10 Immutable Laws of Security
[url]http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc722487.aspx[/url]

3. Don't expose services to public networks.
Windows Vista Service Configurations Introduction
[url]http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/servicecfg.htm[/url]

4. Keep your operating (OS) system (and all software on it)
updated/patched. (Got SP1 yet?).
Windows update.
[url]http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us[/url]
Secunia Personal Software Inspector
[url]http://secunia.com/software_inspector[/url]
[url]https://psi.secunia.com/[/url]
--And--
M/S Security Baseline Analyzer 2.0
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=4B4ABA06-B5F9-4DAD-BE9D-7B51EC2E5AC9&displaylang=en[/url]
can assist also.

Why Service Packs are Better Than Patches.
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/community/columns/security/essays/srvpatch.mspx?mfr=true[/url]

5. Consider using Opera or FireFox instead of IE.

6. Review your installed 3rd party software applications/utilities;
Remove clutter, *including* 3rd party software personal firewall
application (PFW) - the one which claims:
"It can stop/control malicious outbound traffic".

7. Activate the build-in firewall and tack together its advanced
configuration settings.
Tap into the Vista firewall's advanced configuration features
[url]http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10877-6098592.html[/url]
"...once you discover the secret of accessing its advanced configuration
settings via the MMC snap-in, you'll find it to be far more configurable
and functional. At last, Windows comes with a sophisticated personal
firewall that can be used to set up outbound rules as well as inbound, with
the ability to customize rules to fit your precise needs."
--Or--
Configure Vista Firewall to support outbound packet filtering
[url]http://searchwindowssecurity.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid45_gci1247138,00.html[/url]
--Or--
Vista Firewall Control (Free versions available)
[url]http://sphinx-soft.com/Vista/[/url]

7a.If on high-speed Internet connection use a router.

7b.Implement countermeasures against DNSChanger.
[url]http://extremesecurity.blogspot.com/2008/06/use-default-password-get-hijacked.html[/url]

7c.Just in case, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) has been
superseded by Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA).

8. Utilize one (1) each 'real-time' anti-virus and anti-spy
application.

9. Employ vital operating system monitoring utilities/applications.
Consider: Process Explorer, AutoRuns, TCPView, WALLWATCHER,
Wireshark, Port Reporter etc.

10.Routinely practice Safe-Hex.
[url]http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html[/url]
Hundreds Click on 'Click Here to Get Infected' Ad
[url]http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2132447,00.asp[/url]

The least preferred defenses are:
Myriads of popular anti-whatever applications and staying ignorant.

Good luck :)