AV & Internet Security Options...

[jh88fan]

I've been using Trendmicro Titanium Internet Security for many years now, and also MSE for the last couple years or so. I was running both for real-time protection, which I know is not recommended, but it seemed to work ok. But I decided not to re-new Titanium since the subscription renewal cost keeps going up, and MSE is free. I also use Malwarebytes for weekly manual scans, and Spywareblaster, and Windows firewall (XP SP3).

It's been a while since I've really thought about this stuff, so I just wanted to make sure these are still good options, or if there is anything newer/better I should look at. Should I have stuck with Trendmicro?

Thanks!

jh

[jdeb]

Looks good to me.

[glc]

I don't even use Spywareblaster. MSE, Malwarebytes (free), and Windows firewall.

[Force Flow]

MSE, spywareblaster, spybot's immunize feature, and malwarebytes.

Spywareblaster and spybot don't cover all the browsers on their own, but together they (almost) do (which is why I still use both.)

[jh88fan]

Thanks for the responses.

I used to run Spybot too, but that "Tea-Timer" (sound right?) got annoying, always asked if I wanted to allow such-and-such processes. Can Spybot be run without that add-on, and just the Immunize feature?

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by jh88fan Thanks for the responses. I used to run Spybot too, but that "Tea-Timer" (sound right?) got annoying, always asked if I wanted to allow such-and-such processes. Can Spybot be run without that add-on, and just the Immunize feature?

Tea-timer and immunize are different features. I don't use tea-timer.

[jh88fan]

My brother just bought a new HP desktop machine, Windows 8. Would these same security apps be recommended? (MSE, Malwarebytes, etc.)

It came with Norton pre-loaded on it, I haven't used Norton in years and have heard it is very bloated and a resource-hog.

Was going to start a new thread, but it's the same issue, just a different PC.

Thanks, and Happy New Years!

jh

[David M]

From what I have read in reviews, Norton is lighter on the system resources, no longer installs a hidden root kit and is less difficult to eradicate than it once was. In general it seems to come up pretty high in the ratings for stopping, detecting and eradicating malware. I still can't justify paying their annual subscription... ($90/year per computer for Norton 360v5.)

People in the Norton forums are bitching about the renewal costing more than buying the software new. It sounds much like the printer ink racket.
http://community.norton.com/t5/Norto...se/td-p/672743

I am using MSE and Windows firewall with an occasional deep scan using Malwarebytes. No problems here and it's free.

[jh88fan]

Originally Posted by David M From what I have read in reviews, Norton is lighter on the system resources, no longer installs a hidden root kit and is easier to eradicate than it once was. I still can't justify paying their annual subscription when I can get as good or nearly as good for free. I am using MSE and Windows firewall with an occasional deep scan using Malwarebytes. No problems here.

Thanks,

I'm the same way when it comes to subscription fees, they used to be a lot cheaper. I will recommend he get MSE up and running before the 60-day Norton trial runs out. I helped him get Malwarebytes (free) installed and updated. I'm not yet fond of the new Windows 8, but that's another story...

[Force Flow]

These days with all the free tools available, you really don't need to spend much--if anything--on security applications.

Just install the recommended free software and practice good browsing habits, and you'll be fine.

[ThePoor]

I'm using all free ones, if want to browse for the forbidden XXX materials, I would use Virtual PC. Never got viruses or trojan on my system.

[David M]

Viruses and trojans from the porn sites....that's funny.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by David M Viruses and trojans from the porn sites....that's funny.

That's probably how some of us end up getting the most business.

[quartet-man]

I got a new laptop (the last Lenovo I found when looking for my friend). It asked me about Norton. I am sure told it no, but it is on there anyhow. It keeps telling me what programs are hogging memory (well except for itself. ) I am not sure how long I have for it, but I hope to get MSE on it and that it isn't hard to get rid of.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by quartet-man I got a new laptop (the last Lenovo I found when looking for my friend). It asked me about Norton. I am sure told it no, but it is on there anyhow. It keeps telling me what programs are hogging memory (well except for itself. ) I am not sure how long I have for it, but I hope to get MSE on it and that it isn't hard to get rid of.

As long as a norton product is undamaged by an infection, a standard uninstall works fine.

[quartet-man]

Originally Posted by Force Flow As long as a norton product is undamaged by an infection, a standard uninstall works fine.

That's good to know. After posting this this morning, it asked me to activate it again, so I had told it no. I uninstalled and put MSE on. I wonder if I should use CCleaner to see if the are residuals.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by quartet-man That's good to know. After posting this this morning, it asked me to activate it again, so I had told it no. I uninstalled and put MSE on. I wonder if I should use CCleaner to see if the are residuals.

Wouldn't hurt.

[Hawkeye4]

Originally Posted by Force Flow As long as a norton product is undamaged by an infection, a standard uninstall works fine.

Thought you had to use the official removal tool from Norton to get rid of all of it?

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye4 Thought you had to use the official removal tool from Norton to get rid of all of it?

That's only if it one uninstall the regular way. Norton is notorious for getting infected by malware and as a result, tends to malfunction (preventing it from operating or uninstalling correctly).

[martson]

The new Comodo Internet Security 6 is worth a look (released 19th December 2012). CIS uses realtime monitoring as other AV/malware detection programs do. I don't know what the detection rates are like but I think its strength lies more in protection than detection. It majors on sandboxing/virtualisation to prevent infection. Maybe that's a better approach than majoring on trying to keep up with evolving threats like some other scanning and realtime monitoring programs do.

I'm still getting to know CIS but it is running smoothly at present. I haven't installed Sandboxie since installing it because it includes a virtual Desktop (called 'Virtual Kiosk') and runs installed browsers sandboxed.

MBAM Pro is running alongside it OK as another layer.