I desperately need to update my on-line security software, what is the best product?

Question

Is McAfee, Norton, or another product better than the other, what about cost?

Answer 1

I use Norton Internet Security, Ad Aware, Spybot and more on my desktop running XP Home SP2 with Firefox.
On my laptop i have Ubuntu 7.04. No security needed in Linux, but i have antivirus and firewall.

There are free ones that are real good.

Here are some free programs.
BitDefender Anti-Virus Free.
http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-8-Free-Edition.html
Avast Anti-Virus Free.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
AVG Anti-Virus Free.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5
Avast Virus Cleaner - free virus removal tool.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Firewall Protection.
ZoneAlarm Firewall Free.
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?dc=34std&ctry=&lang=nb&lid=trial_zaFamily
Easy-to-use firewall blocks hackers and other unknown threats.
* Systematically identifies hackers and blocks access attempts.
Automatically makes your computer invisible to anyone on the Internet.
Use ZoneAlarm if you normally use Windows Firewall.
Disable Windows Firewall after downloading ZoneAlarm if it's not done automatically.

Ad-Aware 2007 Free.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
Ad-Aware 2007 Free remains the most popular anti-spyware product for computer users around the world, with nearly one million downloads every week. Our free anti-spyware version provides you with advanced protection against spyware that secretly attaches and takes control of your computer, resulting in aggressive advertising pop-ups, sluggish computer activity, even identity theft through stolen bank details, passwords, and credit card account numbers. If you want real-time scanning capabilities, consider upgrading to Ad-Aware 2007 Plus for real-time protection against spyware, all the time.

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

AVG Anti-spyware Free.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5

Spybot-S&D Free.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.

AVG Anti-Rootkit Free.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/39798/lng/us/tpl/v5
AVG Anti-Rootkit is a powerful tool with state-of-the-art technology for detection and removal of rootkits. rootkits are used to hide the presence of a malicious object like Trojans or keyloggers on your computer. If a threat uses rootkit technology to hide itself it is very hard to find the malware on your PC. AVG Anti-Rootkit gives you the power to find and delete the rootkit and to uncover the threat the rootkit is hiding.

CCleaner free.
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast and contains NO spyware or adware.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

ClearAllHistory - clears browser history, cache, cookies, clipboard and remove other computer activity tracks.
http://www.clearallhistory.com/delete-passwords.html

*NOTE: Only have one antivirus program and one firewall installed on your computer.
Anti-adware/malware/spyware are ok to have more of.

Also scan with online scanners sometimes.
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=00&pkj=VOONYHGBYNCJEIMXQKC&bhcp=1
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

Hope this was helpful.
Good luck.
JTB - Security adviser from Norway.

Answer 2

You really should be running the Windows Updates even if you have to buy another hard drive. What happens with most viruses these days is, when someone finds a security hole, Microsoft announces it and fixes it with an update. Then virus writers write viruses to attack computers that people may have forgotten to update. This means that all your security software will find the attacks, but at some point one of those really nasty attacks like conficker will hit you. I work in Tech Support and trust me, some of these viruses get so intertwined with Windows that removing them makes Windows stop working and requires you to reinstall. So basically, what you are doing is having sex without a condom, and then going to the clinic every month to see if you have any STDs that need to be treated.

Answer 3

For online security you need at least three types of protection. You can get (for personal use) free products that will do the job just fine. You can explore my recommendations below and many others at download.com, where you can also get the products (as well as reviews).

You need a firewall. Zone Alarm is a good choice.

You need one (only one!) anti-virus program. AVG Free and Avast are popular choices, and will suffice; other programs have their proponents.

You need spyware protection (typically, this is detection and removal, in the free products, although you can approach some level of real-time protection; you can use many spyware protection programs). I use Ad-Aware and Spybot. There are many others, each with its own proponents.

Answer 4

I personally use Norton, but it does slow down the pc (because there are things constantly running in the background). If you're a gamer you shouldn't use it. In addition, I also use Ad-Aware 2007 (free version @ www.lavasoft.com).
Whatever you do, make sure you update it ASAP, so you will stay protected.

Answer 5

If you want a FREE antivirus, get AVG...it's what I use and it works great.

If you insist on buying something, get TrendMicro PC-Cillin (I had used it for a long time before AVG).

Answer 6

Get yourself an antivirus and a couple of antispyware these are the best free ones http://www.basicspywaretips.com/freevirusremovaltool.html

Answer 7

u dont need any of those. they do no good,just slow the pc down : (