What kind of internet security software does everyone use? How many programs do you need?

Question

I use Ad-Aware, Webroot Spysweeper, McAfee Antivirus. I have been thinking about adding more but don't know which ones to buy. Can you help me out?

Answer 1

I use Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D, AVG Antivirus, Zone Alarm. You can buy suites from various vendors that cover everything, but they don't catch all problems and they are pricey.

Answer 2

Try out Spybot Search and Destroy, AVG Internet Security (not free though), and Registry Mechanic. I've had my doubts about Spysweeper, but overall it's pretty decent. I have McAfee Internet Security on another machine, I think it does very well.

Answer 3

Here's some ideas to "roll ya own" Internet Security Suite for free. Free is always the best.

1. For your Anti-Virus......(Always use only 1 A-V)

I like the AOL AntiVirusShield. Don't let the name AOL scare you. AntiVirusShield is made by Kaspersky which is one of top-rated anti-virus vendors in the world.

In recent tests, the most popular free anti-virus, AVG, was only able to detect about 82% of a very large sample of viruses. On the other hand, AntiVirusShield was able to detect better than 99% in the same test.
Full test results are here:
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82

AntiVirusShield has excellent virus detection rates and is extremely light on using your computer resources.

Updates many times per day to detect new malware.

Free to anyone, AOL member or not from:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?


2. For your Firewall..........(Always use only 1 firewall)

An excellent free firewall is Comodo Personal Firewall. It can pass firewall "leak tests" that even most of the "paid-for" firewalls cannot pass.

And Comodo has a great support forum. Where the CEO / President of the company might even himself answer your question! Check it out at:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/


3. For your Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware needs...............(use 2)

Pick and choose, 2 anti-spywares from the list below and alternate scanning with them on a regular basis. New spywares are created literally hourly, so no single anti-spyware can really detect all malware. Have at least 2 on hand and alternate scanning with each every few days or so. All are free. All can remove as well as detect.

Spybot Search and Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Ewido:
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Adaware SE:
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

A-Squared:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

SUPERAntiSpyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Windows Defender:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Unfortunately, many "paid for" anti-spyware products are in fact either of limited usefulness or downright scams. When in doubt, look at the list of rogue anti-spyware solutions listed here:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm


4. And to protect your computer from ever getting infected with spyware in the first place............ (use them both)

SpywareBlaster:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SiteAdvisor:
http://www.siteadvisor.com/



Everything here is 100% free!!!!!!

Great luck!

Answer 4

You need a Firewall, Anti-Virus and as many anti-spyware programs as you want. I use Zonealarm Pro but a friend uses the Comodo firewall which is free for life (apparently) and she rates it very highly. AVG do a free Anti-Virus too which has a great reputation. I like Spyware Doctor by PCTools for my anti-spyware and also Microsoft Defender...

Answer 5

I Use NIS, great Value. Office Depot has it on a major sale right now. I also use ADAWARE SE ... great stuff.
I think that you should get what you need. In most cases 2 will suffice, however a good registry fixer is handy as well so as to stop registry entries changed by MALWARE

Answer 6

Here's a different approach. Try using Ubuntu Linux. Its totally free, and so is 99.9% of the software for linux. There are NO viruses for linux, which is why Mac OS X is based on linux. Its easy to use, and runs a lot like windows.

Answer 7

i use nod32 2.7 antivirus, superantispyware, comodo firewall
and spyware blaster