sophiesboy sophiesboy

Which Anti-virus/Firewall do you use?

Which Anti-virus/Firewall do you use?

I was curious to find out which anti-virus/firewall programs people liked and used.

Over time I have tried a couple of different programs, and never been extremeley happy with them for various reasons.

I used Symantec/Norton for a while, and it had a tendency to crash my machine every time an update came out, requiring reverification with the company, unloading/reloading the program, etc.

At the moment I am using the McAfee Security Center Suite, and while it works reasonably well, it manages to chew up about 137MB of RAM according to the Processes window in the Task Manager. For a system that has a typical resting usage of about 350 to 400MB that seems like an awful lot to me.

A friend of mine recommended switching to the Grisoft AVG antivirus/firewall, which he said uses far less memory and catches quite a bit more than McAfee. I downloaded a free version and ran it once. It managed to detect three Trojans which McAfee had missed over months of use.

So the question is, for those of us who are just competent enough to unwittingly destroy our machines, but not so competent that we can delve into the minutiae of these programs, what would your recommendation be?

Ideally this would be a single source of programs designed to work together (the biggest selling point for the McAfee suite in my case), not a multi-sourced collection that may or may not work together depending on my ability to dig in and tweak drivers/settings/codes.

I await the collective wisdom with anticipation.
87,308 views 158 replies
Reply #126 Top
I guess I'll throw my two cents in...

AVG and Spybot, looks like I'm in good company!!

Google offered up some free stuff as well that I have running in the background...spyware doctor and a free version of Norton Antivirus...I think I'm safe now!!!!
Reply #127 Top
Eset NOD32 is my favorite AV... if you want a free one that is good, then I would recommend AVG. I wouldnt install Norton on my worst enemies rig. The second worst AV is Trend Micro's - PC-Cillian Internet Security. It causes erratic CPU and memory usage. When I launched the task manager to find out why, I was introduced to a nasty little process called PcScnSrv.exe. I was literally shocked at how much processor and memory this thing was using. Upon the launch of virtually anything, PcScnSrv.exe would go totally off the charts... its pure garbage.


As for a Firewall, believe it or not, Vista firewall is secure. I used to use Comodo firewall, but I don't seem to need it on Vista. I pass the test at the ultra paranoid GRC every time I try it. Kaspersky claims that 'Vista firewall isn't enough' but what are they supposed to say, best firewall ever? :) They are trying to sell security products after all.
Reply #128 Top
DarkSpooky - you know that you should only run one anti-virus app at a time right? No need to be so paranoid.

Reply #129 Top
Yes, if you use more than one AV they will conflict and slow your system to a crawl.
Reply #130 Top
I've been working on my system security for years before I found what works well for me. I use a router with firewall, then use Online Armor + AV and firewall, it's the best firewall around (IMHO). NOD32 Anti-virus. The AV included with OA does not conflict with NOD32. I also use CounterSpy and SuperAntiSpyware. These are all paid programs. Comodo free firewall and Avast free AV are also exceptional programs. Layered protection is the only way to go, again (IMHO). I have found suites to be sorely lacking in one portion of their program or other. Below I've included an address to Matousec. A testing site for firewalls. It's very informative. Read the home page and then look under the projects tab for the firewall testing results.

http://www.matousec.com/

Good luck on your search.
Reply #131 Top
AVG, Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and spybot aah, free stuff! actually an internet test showed that it was ridiculously secure. looks like windows firewall is actually pretty good.
Reply #132 Top
McAfee Total Protection here. All four PCs on our home network managed from my computer.
Reply #133 Top
Was a long-term ZoneAlarm user until the version 6 fiasco; stuck with version 5 until only recently when tried out Comodo's firewall (free) on my personal pc's. Very easy to use & once you run through your repertoire of apps one time it is completely unintrusive - I like it a lot. Been using AVG free on my personal pc's for a long time, use the purchased version on our work server.

Whether justified or not, I feel well-protected with the combo of AVG/Comodo.
Reply #134 Top
For the last 4 years I have relied on Avast Home Edition and Windows XP/Vista Firewall to keep my system happy and clean.
All have done the job to perfection.
Reply #136 Top
Eset Smart Security Suite
includes Antivirus
Antispyware
firewall
antispam
all in real-time.

Over the last 15 years, I have found that with security programs, you get what you pay for.
Reply #137 Top
Haven't used AV software in years. Never had a virus because I don't do or go places I shouldn't. Not bragging, just saying...AV software is a scam.  ;) 
Reply #138 Top
I use ESET Smart Security. A complete package.

Birger :)
Reply #139 Top
I remember a guy getting busted for breaking car windshields, guess what business he was in.

avg free
windows firewall
spybot

both zone alarm and avg do not provide support for their free versions. with avg it hasn't been a problem. zone alarm was another matter, which is why I don't use it anymore.
Reply #140 Top
I use AVG AntiVirus Free Edition, AVG AntiSpyware Pay version, Spybot S&D, Windows Firewall and Firewall at my ISP through my router.


Never had a problem and I Install the same ones on custom pc's that I build for my gaming friends. At a minimum I install AVG AntiVirus Free Edition. I had Norton and called them and told them what I thought of their product.
Reply #141 Top
I use Avast. I have found it to be the best I have ever used. I have used Norton (trash), McAfee (resource hog), avg, nod32, etc. Avast has proven to me to be the best.
Reply #142 Top
Avast/Windows Defender.
Reply #143 Top
What I have used Before Is Zonealarm Free firewall... WHich worked great never had any virus problems. Then I go vista and Only used vista firewall untill i just spent money for norton internet security for 70 dollars. Also Spybot Seach and Destroy will help.(Free) Spyware blaster which adds bad sites to a resticted list. AVG free is good virus protection. Used it forever. The last thing that I can think of that would be free is Mcafee Security Suit Free from AOL. I didnt like it because It took up allot of my pc resources but.. I only had 752 mb of ram and a old ibm thinkpad so. I think that You can still get this free offer at this link. You should only have one anivirus software.. Like AVG and One firewall. If you get Mcafee free you will not need avg. Because Mcafee has a virus protection incuded. Sbybot search and Destroy is okay to have allong side of a security suit. So is spyware blaster.

So Here are your chices for best security:Mcafee Free from aol, With spybotsearch and Destroy, and Spyware Blaster.

Or you can have Zonealarm free with avg Free and Spybot, and Spyware Blaster.

The last choice is to buy a good security suit and Norton is supposed to be the best. 50 dollars at wallmart.(Igot mine at circut city and It is cheaper at wallmart.)


The last thing that Is very important is to not use p2p. Bittorent Limewire. Illegal, Yet fun and free and its like shopping for free movies and music but it is asking for viruses. I dont listen to this ruel but I am trying my best to stop.

One other alternative just for scaning is Panda Active scan. Free online scan for viruses it will not remove but You will atlead know and Find a good tech support forum where they can help you. Dont remove any viruses manually. A good free tech support forum is Techsupportforums.com They help me allot I use them all the time.

Here is the link to mcafee-WWW Link

AVG Free-http://daol.aol.com/security/virusscan-plus

Spybot s&d-http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html



Just check out this artical for more information on computer security-http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/general-computer-security/115548-pc-safety-security-what-do-i-need.html
Reply #144 Top
Avast is my recommendation for free.
Nod32 and kaspersky are the best antivirus that is on the market currently.
Reply #145 Top
Avira Personal Pro AV [a great AV n much less of a system hogg than Kaspersky], and Comodo Firewall Pro[Free n excellent]
Reply #146 Top

I know this is an old thread, but still.  I use Comodo Internet Security (Free) it has a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware. To backup the anti-spyware I use Spybot to actively scan my PC.  That is a combo I use on the 3 machines in my house, 2 desktops and 1 laptop. Hope this info helps. Also all the stuff I use for security is free.

Reply #148 Top

AVG antivirus professional, Zone alarm Professional, Adaware Pro, spybot and malwarebytes antimalware.

Never been hit with a virus and have very little trouble with spyware and malware.