What antivirus software do you use if any and why did you choose it?
I have always used Norton b/c pcworld says its good
I have always used Norton b/c pcworld says its good
Norton likes to hijack your system resources and internet bandwidth, i have used norton in the past, and have moved on...
If your not running Vista, I would go with Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm...firewall and anitivirus in one....also includes spyware scanner and blocker...good product, and you have total control over everything that comes in or goes out..
If you are running Vista, or, already have a firewall, I would use AVG Antivirus....not only is there a free version, MaximumPC says thats the one to use, and I was using it way back when anyway...very happy with it...
If your not running Vista, I would go with Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm...firewall and anitivirus in one....also includes spyware scanner and blocker...good product, and you have total control over everything that comes in or goes out..
If you are running Vista, or, already have a firewall, I would use AVG Antivirus....not only is there a free version, MaximumPC says thats the one to use, and I was using it way back when anyway...very happy with it...
Joined Sep 2003
6K Posts | 0+
Wilmington, DelaWhere?
I have used Norton for years but I got less and less enthusiastic about each year. I've also never really been a fan of McAfee.
A recent thread elsewhere on this forum pointed me to ESET Smart Security/NOD32. I am very happy with it. Small footprint, unobtrusive, etc. At this point I am using it on two desktops and a laptop. You can d/l a fully functional trial version and use it for a month then decide if you like it. It's a bit cheaper than the others too!
Smart Security is a suite but you can d/l or purchase separate AV, AS and FW components if you prefer.
A recent thread elsewhere on this forum pointed me to ESET Smart Security/NOD32. I am very happy with it. Small footprint, unobtrusive, etc. At this point I am using it on two desktops and a laptop. You can d/l a fully functional trial version and use it for a month then decide if you like it. It's a bit cheaper than the others too!
Smart Security is a suite but you can d/l or purchase separate AV, AS and FW components if you prefer.
Joined Nov 2005
3K Posts | 0+
The Matrix?
I, too, have used Norton AV in the past, but then the resources it hogs lost my interest.
I use Kaspersky AV, along with Trojan Hunter (anti-trojan), Spybot S&D (free anti-spyware) + Spyware Blaster (free anti-spyware), and Kerio Personal Firewall (for firewall).
If you have a wireless network, be sure to set up, in your router, WPA encryption (WEP is old and hackable), rename your SSID to something other than the default value, disable SSID Broadcast (and be invisible to outsiders), assign a static IP addy to each of your devices in your network along with limiting the range of IPs in your router, and enable MAC Address Filtering.
Wife's laptop has the same programs as my desktop except the firewall is Zone Alarm.
Other notables that I'd recommend is AVG (by Grisoft), NOD-32, Kaspersky Internet Suite (AV, anti-spyware, and firewall bundle), Ad-Aware anti-spyware.
I use Kaspersky AV, along with Trojan Hunter (anti-trojan), Spybot S&D (free anti-spyware) + Spyware Blaster (free anti-spyware), and Kerio Personal Firewall (for firewall).
If you have a wireless network, be sure to set up, in your router, WPA encryption (WEP is old and hackable), rename your SSID to something other than the default value, disable SSID Broadcast (and be invisible to outsiders), assign a static IP addy to each of your devices in your network along with limiting the range of IPs in your router, and enable MAC Address Filtering.
Wife's laptop has the same programs as my desktop except the firewall is Zone Alarm.
Other notables that I'd recommend is AVG (by Grisoft), NOD-32, Kaspersky Internet Suite (AV, anti-spyware, and firewall bundle), Ad-Aware anti-spyware.
- I use nod32 and Zone Alarm Pro. ZA does create problems at times, but they usually figure out the problem and get if fixed. There's several cites I need to turn ZA off if I'm using Explorer v 7 something. Bizrate is one and one site using pphp v 3.0. I haven't used AVG but have heard good things about it. I used to use Spybot, Search & Destroy. Also heard good words on that one. No problems with ZA if I'm using the other browser.
Joined Jul 2007
279 Posts | 1+
on the Internet
The best thing to do is get a standalone virus protection software. Then get a firewall/spyware software separately.
Norton has a great virus software, but all the other stuff that comes along with it sucks your system dry. Computer Associates has a pretty good consumer virus protection that is light weight and does a good job. It's a download from ca.com.
Depending on whether you are on cable or dsl, you may not need a firewall beyond what Microsoft has in WinXP or Vista. If you are behind a modem/router and not just a modem alone, you don't really need an additional firewall. The router adds protection from hacking by placing you on a private network and not just hanging out on the Internet. A lot of the cable modems are just that, a modem. Your IP address is public to the Internet and as such, you are more likely to be attacked. If this is your situation, then I would recommend Zone Alarm.
Spyware can be thwarted with a combination of software packages. I recommend running SypBot with AdAware. Windows Defender can be thrown in as added protection if you think you need it.
Also, stop using Internet Explorer. Download Firefox or Opera. Both are really good Internet browsers and don't allow for ActiveX attacks like IE. You'll still need IE for some sites, but by and large Firefox and/or Opera will get you what you want and then some.
My biggest advice to you is to be careful where you surf. Also, don't open every email attachment that comes your way. Even if you know who it's from, don't open it straight from your email program. Save it to your harddrive, then scan it with your virus software. If it's clean, then open it. If it's not, delete it and call (or email) whomever sent it to you and let them know that they have a virus.
Sorry for the long post...
--Scott
PS This is what I do for a living...
Norton has a great virus software, but all the other stuff that comes along with it sucks your system dry. Computer Associates has a pretty good consumer virus protection that is light weight and does a good job. It's a download from ca.com.
Depending on whether you are on cable or dsl, you may not need a firewall beyond what Microsoft has in WinXP or Vista. If you are behind a modem/router and not just a modem alone, you don't really need an additional firewall. The router adds protection from hacking by placing you on a private network and not just hanging out on the Internet. A lot of the cable modems are just that, a modem. Your IP address is public to the Internet and as such, you are more likely to be attacked. If this is your situation, then I would recommend Zone Alarm.
Spyware can be thwarted with a combination of software packages. I recommend running SypBot with AdAware. Windows Defender can be thrown in as added protection if you think you need it.
Also, stop using Internet Explorer. Download Firefox or Opera. Both are really good Internet browsers and don't allow for ActiveX attacks like IE. You'll still need IE for some sites, but by and large Firefox and/or Opera will get you what you want and then some.
My biggest advice to you is to be careful where you surf. Also, don't open every email attachment that comes your way. Even if you know who it's from, don't open it straight from your email program. Save it to your harddrive, then scan it with your virus software. If it's clean, then open it. If it's not, delete it and call (or email) whomever sent it to you and let them know that they have a virus.
Sorry for the long post...
--Scott
PS This is what I do for a living...
Norton
I will not have anything Norton on my machine. Too many problems like eating resources, etc., etc., etc..
AVG is good considering it's free (for a year).
I will not have anything Norton on my machine. Too many problems like eating resources, etc., etc., etc..
AVG is good considering it's free (for a year).
I use Avast. I've never had a virus though so don't know exactly how good it is. I also rarely use Windows. Avast is free for home/personal use. It updates itself automatically every time I boot up Windows (maybe once or twice a month). I think it will update itself daily, but am not sure.
