Suggest an Anti-Virus software, and firewall software.

[calmius]

Hey dudes, I want to buy new antivirus software. The one I use right now is the one that my university lets me download for free, but I feel it sucks. I want fully functional software.
My questions are:
1. Which AV software is best from your experience or from reviews you've seen. Basically its between Norton and McAfee I think.

2. What is a good firewall and security software. I use zonealarm free version, and dont know whether its worth it to upgrade to full version.

Please help me out,
Thanks

[Marke522]

There are a lot of users here that have AVG, check it out here. AVG Free Edition

I havn't noticed a signifcant difference in the free Zone Alarm and Zone Alarm Pro, I tried Pro for awhile on a different pc, and it was neat, but didn't really seem to have anything that I used.

[jeffr]

Personally, I use bitdefender. Easy to use, not expensive either.
bitdefender For anti-virus
and
Zone Alarm Pro for firewall. I've never had any big issues with it either!

[mikezel]

In terms of AV software, i think that most of the users here will try and dissuade you from McAffee, and many will dissuade you from Norton. For a free package, AVG is definately the favourite around here. In terms of non-fee software, NOD32 is popular and effective, and is what I personally use.

You should be fine with the fee version of ZoneAlarm.

mike

[RJS2]

Another good choice for firewall would be Sygate or Kerio, I run the free version of Sygate and a hardware firewall with Nortons...like mikezel mentioned stay away from McAffee

[glc]

If you are planning on buying software, look at the Trend Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security Suite. It has everything in a top rated package. Check out Statica's review in the Software Reviews forum, and check out this review:

http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/software/...9172958,00.htm

[rightcoast]

In the past I would have recommended Mcafee, even last year I would have. If you don't mind paying for AV ware anyway. Mcafee failed the VB100 tests this year though. That is reason enough to avoid it. Norton is just to much of a hog on the PC's resources nowadays too, forget that one...I would Say go with AVG too, and NOD32 if you are willing to pay for AV ware and want the best there is. I use AVG, and it is IMO the best free AV, and in the top 3-5 even if you pay. NOD32, however, has not let a single virus through during the VB tests in five years. Hard to argue for a different software with that record. It's the only one that even came close to stopping all comers. The next best, Sophos, let through about 30 different viruses if I remember right and Sophos costs a fortune. This latest tests were done in February, so the info is pretty current.

[digitalfreedom64]

For free AntiVirus, AVG. For fee based AV, most will say trend micro, I've had mcafee for 3 years, have seen no reason to switch to anything else. For a firewall, Zonealarm seems to be a favorite around here.

[z3frog]

save some money! try AVG out for a while first.. i use it! and it's been good for me

[elocal]

AVG works very nice, and is free. You should use it and donate the money you were going to spend to charity.

[LiVeWiRe]

Depends if you want to spend any money....if so, then I'll post another recommendation for Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security suite. I switched from Norton and have not regretted my decision.

I also have machines running NOD32 and AVG and haven't had any issues, so those are also worth looking at too. And, if money is a factor then AVG fits the bill!

-LW

[ghost2003]

For a pay AV i would recommend NOD32. rightcoast, i think its 7 years without a virus getting through now. Kerio and sygate are both good and free firewalls. btw, what AV does your university give you for free?

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by calmius ... 2. What is a good firewall and security software. I use zonealarm free version, and dont know whether its worth it to upgrade to full version. ...

The diff between the ZA and ZAP doesn' really effect a single user. ZAP is for networked computer. I use it as once I had my other computers going thru this main compupter. But now I'm on a router and have no need for that. When my paid subscription runs out, I'll be switching back to ZA.

[kram 2.0]

NOD32 is very good. The price you pay is well worth it.

kram

[rightcoast]

Is it seven? Wow, even more of a testament. Trend-Micro is right up there too.

AVG, Trend-Micro and Bit Defender are all about equal in my eyes, and very good. The only difference I see really is the price. One is free, that's all.

If I were going to pay fo one, or needed to be sure a computer had the best protection a home or small business could realistically afford, it would be Nod 32. Unless you want a suite. Then I would get the PC-Cillin Suite glc referenced and Statica reviewed. I read great things about it in every mag that comes to the house and all over the net.

[kbaasit]

"AVG, Trend-Micro and Bit Defender are all about equal in my eyes, and very good. The only difference I see really is the price. One is free, that's all."

Which is free.. unless I am mistaken AVG used to be. I think U can only get it for a 30 day trial period now. U are talking about grisoft.com rite?

[glc]

AVG Free is still available, it's just harder to find on their new site.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

[pc master]

what about panda platinum 2005 internet security. compared to other brands panda software is not expensive. i got the program free with a magazine and it is fantastic

[kram 2.0]

If any of you can make it to a local BestBuy store, they have the TrenMicro PC-Cillin 2005 for free (if you do MIRs), which comes very highly recommended.

kram

[glc]

I won't touch Panda since I fought with a machine with broken Internet access and filesharing for a couple hours - disabling it didn't fix it but uninstalling it did.

[kbaasit]

GLC.. the link U posted for free AVG. It is only for a 30 trial period. Do u know of the one U used to could d/l for free... no time period? I think they may have dropped it since they 're-designed heir web page and added a whole of prices to it!

thks

[Eaglefeather]

I used Panda from 1997 until last fall, (Sep 04). In that time frame Panda was always letting trojans in and unable to get rid of them. I had to do it manually. But the biggest problem I had was trying to renew the updates. It was always a hassle and could take weeks or months to accomplish. When my subscription ran out in Sep I tried until Jan of this year to get it renewed with no luck and dozens of unanswered emails. I finally gave up and came here looking for help. AVG was recommended and I gave it a try. I have not had a single virus or trojan get into either of my three machines since. I am so impressed that I will be purchasing the pro version. Although free is nice companies cannot stay in business giving their products away. To try and insure Grisoft stays in business I will do my part and purchase the pro version and updates.

Cheers,
Eaglefeather

[hobey19]

Originally Posted by kbaasit GLC.. the link U posted for free AVG. It is only for a 30 trial period. Do u know of the one U used to could d/l for free... no time period? I think they may have dropped it since they 're-designed heir web page and added a whole of prices to it! thks

scroll down to the bottom of the page. its still free, just downloaded it today

craig

[kbaasit]

I figured it out! Thanks, funny thing when one reads ALL the print. Not only some of it. I nw realize, that it aid to try for 30 days one of their 'Full editions'.

thks again.

Oh BTW, is this program able to respond as Norton AV when using it with MS Outlook? I have it setup so that alerts pop up from NAV saying that a virus of some typ was found and asks what I want to do it. Workds good especially, w/ those that it cannot do anything with! Or should I recommend another s/ware other than Grisoft.

l8s

[jimmyrules712]

once again, i use avg on all of my machines, but if someone insists on paying for something, nod32 is next. ive heard lots of good things of trend-micro tho, but avg is good enuf that i've never had a reason to try it out.

i use windows firewall with SP2 for my firewall. I also have a router as a hardware firewall

[glc]

When you install AVG, do a custom install, and make sure you install the Outlook plugin instead of or in addition to the personal email scanner. You will KNOW if it finds something.

[kbaasit]

Well, after reading what has been posted about Macafee, AV and firewall, I am now 'concerned' about the protection or lack therof onmy brand new PC!

it would seem that now, I should be rushing to get rid of the above, and install something else?

[Marke522]

Eh, use it until it expires, then get AVG free and Zone Alarm Home. I had Norton on my new pc and when it expired after 60 days I did a reformat and installed an OEM version of XP. Didn't want the bundled software or all the bloat.

If you know someone with an XP disc, then you can do that too, just use the key on your new tower. Who knows, your system might be more stable after you get rid of all the junk.

[glc]

If you know someone with an XP disc, then you can do that too, just use the key on your new tower.

Could you please clarify that? Without clarification, this may be flirting with legal issues.

[Marke522]

You can format your original install if you have a prebuild, then reinstall using an OEM with the key that your pc came with.

That's a lot easier and faster than trying to clean out all bundled junk that slows you down. Especially if your system came with Norton, cause you have edit your registry and download certain removal tools from Symantec.

I don't see how there would be anything wrong with that, your prebuild comes with a cd key, you're not taking anyone else's.