Which Anti Virus is the best equipped for home usage ? Looking for a package to give full AV and Firewall?

Question

Atm looking at options by Norton Internet Security, however want to know if any other product would give equal or higher rate of protection online. as i say am looking for Anti Virus and Firewall protection. :)

Answer 1

You don't need to pay for a package. There are many Free programs available (and are as good or better than pay programs). Most of these are done by individuals and orgs. that believe you shouldn't have to pay to stop infections. I don't always understand their logic, but I do like it and take advantage of it.

These recommendations are all free and will protect you very well. I use them and haven't been infected since I put this together. That's been over 6 months now. I put this on my neighbors computer and he hasn't been infected in over 4 months.

First of all, make sure you have all the latest updates from Microsoft Updates site.

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Now make sure you have the latest version of Java, if you use it. Be sure to remove all older version of Java through Add/Remove Programs.

http://www.java.com/en/download/windows_ie.jsp

The following programs can be downloaded from this site.

http://www.filehippo.com/

Firewall
If you use Windows with SP2, the Windows firewall is very good protection. Although you can use more than one firewall, it sometime causes conflicts. If you want another firewall then I recommend this free one.

Zone Alarm

Anti-Virus
You can only use one AV program. Two or more will conflict and fail to protect you. This can on rare occasions damage your computer. There are two I recommend. Either one is excellent and will protect you.

AVG 7.1
AVAST

Anti-Spy
Several hundred new spyware programs are introduced every month, so no single program can protect you. I recommend you have three on your computer. One will run all the time and the others will be used for daily or weekly scans.

Windows Defender Beta 2. - This will run all the time and use newer detection techniques.

Spybot Search and Destroy. - Daily or weekly scans. Excellent program and can be set to run constantly. Go into Advanced settings and find Tea Timer and check the box. This will set it to run from start up along with WD Beta 2. They will not conflict with each other.

AdAware Personal SE - use for scans and removal only.

If you use the Yahoo Toolbar the AS program is very good and should be used. It is the eTrust Pest Patrol and is highly respected. I use this also.



This is a unique program that works with your AV and AS programs. It is excellent and has detected and blocked many Infection attempts on my computer. It will also detect, block and remove infection attempts via Emails. These types of infections are usually installed before the AV and AS programs detect them. It has stopped 5 attempted Email infections on my computer. Most of these are vidio links my friend think I should watch. The nice part is the infection is eliminated and I still get to watch the video. Works for me.

http://www.novatix.com/Home.aspx

This last program will alert you to possible sites that will infect you. It is a McAfee program and is free. The site will explain how it works. I use this and rely on it.

http://www.siteadvisor.com/

Answer 2

I noticed the latest Norton Firewall 2006 does work pretty good with application program. It will protect your computer by closing all the ports but grant permission to internet explorer and other program that are setup. Spy wares and antivirus will have a hard time entering your computer through internet explorer except if you are downloading a programs.

Answer 3

AVG is pretty good. My personal preferecne is Norton Antivirus. But for the best protection you will need to use several programs to fully protect your computer. Norton Antivirus Lavasofts Adaware Spybot S&D PestPatrol With this combination of programs you should have a pretty good "shield" on your computer against virus, spyware, trojans, etc..

Answer 4

★★★ SECURITY SOFTWARE & TIPS ★★★

◙ The very best virus scanners are free. Mcafee & Norton Antivirus are mostly hype and won't do as good as the free ones. -- About.com & Smart Computing Magazine

◙ Download and install AVG. Use it first and see if it finds any viruses or trojans.

☞ http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

◙ After running AVG go here and run this virus scanner online. There is no need to install it on your computer.

☞ http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

◙ Microsoft's New Live Safety Center. Download this scanner to check and remove spyware, viruses, get rid of obsolete files and junk off your computer, and improve your PCs performance.

☞ http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm?s_cid=msep

◙ The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software?including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom?and helps remove any infection found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. You can run this tool online FREE.

☞ http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

◙ Best spyware remover is Ad Aware. Download and install the free version.

◙ http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

◙ Here is a wealth of information about fighting spyware and spyware producers. Join their free forum for answers to your questions. -- Smart Computing Magazine

☞ http://www.spywarewarrior.com/

◙ Before downloading email attachments in Gmail and Yahoo Mail click on the link that says, "Scan With Norton Antivirus".

◙ Before downloading any software from the internet type it into http://groups.google.com/ to see if that title is known for spyware or viruses. Google Groups has over 1 billion posts spanning 25 years to help you. Even after checking it there ALWAYS scan it before opening it. You just can't be too careful. -- Smart Computing Magazine

◙ A lot of the download sites like http://www.download.com/ and http://www.tucows.com/ scan software before releasing it to the public. But just for safety sake you should still scan it yourself.

◙ If you have a broadband modem or network router the firewall in these is not as effective as a software firewall. The firewall that comes with Windows XP isn't very good either. Download ZoneAlarm and your system will be a lot safer. -- Smart Computing Magazine

☞ http://www.zonealarm.com/

◙ Here is a really great article on browser hijacking. This will show you how to get rid of it. There is a tutorial and software to get rid of part of it. You'll need to make some changes to your computer's registry to get rid of the rest of it. Click on the chatroom link on their main page if you need help.

☞ http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/hijacked/

◙ Here is Yahoo!'s Internet Security section.

☞ http://security.yahoo.com/

◙ Get more information at these PC Magazine Web sites.

☞ http://www.pcmag.com/
☞ http://www.smartcomputing.com/

◙ Top 100 Computer & Software Magazines.

☞ http://netvalley.com/top100mag.html

Answer 5

AVG for anti-virus and Zone Alarm for firewall. Both free.

www.filehippo.com

Answer 6

I use Zonealarm firewall and AVG antivirus. I think they're pretty good and they don't use so much system resources like Norton.

Answer 7

I like Norton, even though I have the older version, all I need is definition files and can be downloaded all the time free

Answer 8

Webroot is very good.

Answer 9

Antivirus: AVG (there's a free edition or paid ones that are better).
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1

Firewall: ZoneAlarm (has firewall only or suite with antivirus as well)
http://www.zonealarm.com/

Answer 10

Use Linux of any kind and your virus worries are over. I have Ubuntu and it's great.