Which is the best antivirus program?

Question

And also the best firewall and adware/spyware remover.

Answer 1

Look here for some good, free and highly recommended security programs:

http://www.webuser.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/219333/an/0/page/0#219333

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

I run a small law firm and I'm in charge of IT. Over the years I've used several programs and had a lot of discussion with other IT people about this.

* Norton is good but the general opinion is that the program is large (takes up a lot of space on your hard drive) and tends to make your PC slow down, especially when scanning. In the past it actually crashed some of my PCs and failed to find viruses that other programs located.

* McAfee is the program we used until recently. This program also failed to find some viruses recently but the biggest problem I had with them is that their customer service is AWFUL. We had a simple account problem which meant that we couldn't download up-to-date virus definitions and they just couldn't (or wouldn't) handle it - they're more interested in taking your money than handling your problems. After hours on their helpline we just gave up and switched to AVG.

* AVG (www.grisoft.com) is excellent - we have only been using it a few weeks but it is fast and many of the IT people I talk to (including our ISP guys) also use it. The new version 7.5 (network edition at least) comes with an excellent firewall as well.

* PC-Cillin (by Trend Micro) is also reported as good and I use their free on-line scanner as a back-up. You can find it at>>> http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/housecall/housecall_launch.php

* Panda Antivirus has been reported to me by several people who have tried it as RUBBISH - don't go there!

The general opinion is that there is no single "best" anti virus for all occasions. The most popular programs are those most likely to be targetted by the bad guys who write the viruses (some viruses actually "switch off" the anti-virus program you're running - Norton and McAfee are the most targetted for this).

Use one of the installed programs above and back it up with an online scan by Trend Micro Housecall or Bit Defender (http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html) at, say weekly intervals or whenever you think you might have been attacked.

For anti-spyware I use Adaware from Lavasoft (www.lavasoft.de) which is excellent.

There are also new nasty little bugs which are going around called "Root Kits" which are able to hide inside the very core of your system. These are undetectable by anti virus and anti-spyware programs and can enable hackers to monitor or even take over your PC (I know because we had one breeze right through a hardware firewall and set up shop in one of our PCs). You can search for Root Kits using a free downloadable scanner at http://www.sysinternals.com/

The very best firewalls are hardware firewalls rather than software types - we use Sonicwall http://www.sonicwall.com/ Hardware firewalls are more expensive but they really do the job. Sonicwall can also be configured so that you can have parental controls and block certain types of sites so that unauthorised people (or children) can't go where they shouldn't without a password.

Answer 4

Cost is the factor. I use Zone Alarm http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp because the normal version is free and a virus program called AVG http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1, also free.

Adware/Spyware is Avast!http://www.avast.com/

You could buy ZoneAlarm and get the virus/adware thing all built in but that depends if you want to spend money on something you can get done for free and the same level.

Answer 5

Here is everything I use and recomment to everyyone.

I use all of the following Free software with Windows XP SP2 and Internet Explorer with MSN toolbar and the pop-up blocker turned on and have never had a single problem with my computer sense Microsoft came out with SP2. (knock on wood.) (And be sure to keep Windows and the following software Updated)


The best Anti-virus is: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. (www.grisoft.com)http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

The Best Spyware defense is: SpyBot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)<--English version

AND: AdAware SE (www.lavasoft.com)
AND Spyware Blaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.info/kb/)
The best Firewall besides the one that comes with Windows is: Zone Alarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co... or just (www.zonelabs.com) and select the FREE version.

These are all FREE and are all that are required. There is no reason to pay for this kind of software, except to give a donation to the writers if you can.
ALL the above programs are recommended and should be run on a regular basis. With some the free versions they must be run manually.

The best way to avoid getting any Malware (virus, Trojan's, spyware, etc) is to practice safe computing. Microsoft and many others have countless articles on the subject of safe computing. (something I think should be taught in schools)

for further information on computer safety.
NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL -> http://www.ncpc.org/media/Internet_Safety.php

http://all.net/journal/50/cybercop.html
And here...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/zombies_and_botnets.mspx

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

CNET these 10 programs comprise the best free security software
http://www.download.com/Best-free-security-and-spyware-software/1200-2023_4-5163183.html?tag=nl.e497

Answer 6

Norton 2006

Answer 7

Kaspersky - antivirus
BPS Spyware and Adware remover & Pop-up blocker

Answer 8

I use two different programs. One is Mcafee VirusScan Enterprise for viruses and Filseclab Personal Firewall as my firewall. They get the job done and I haven't had any problems on my computer for a while. You can download them both from the following sites:

Filseclab Perosnal Firewall = http://www.filseclab.com/eng/download/downloads.htm

Mcafee VirusScan Enterprise = https://secure.nai.com/apps/downloads/free_evaluations/default.asp?region=au&segment=enterprise

Filseclab is free, but you will have to pay for Mcafee if you want to use it for more than a certain time.

Answer 9

Trend Micro PC-cillin

I used to use Norton, but PC-cillin is better. It scans three times faster and uses normal language, so you don't need to know how to build a computer in order to use it. Norton's, McAfee, Trend Micro are all about the same as for being able to identify a virus and finding a solution

Answer 10

For the best Free Security Software visit the following page
http://www.cybertopcops.com/free-downloads.php

Answer 11

Norton