Re: Anti-Virus Suggestions Please

Edna wrote:
WXP Pro SP3, Desktop 3.6 GHz 2.00 GB Wireless to Laptop DSL; Office 2007; Quicken & QuickBooks:; Lavasoft Ad-Aware Plus 2008; Spyware Dr expiring don't like so I won't renew; Spyware Blaster; Spybot S&D; EasyClean; old JV 16 Pwr Tools. My 2008 Norton Internet Security has now expired so it's either renewing or choose another Anti-Virus Protection program. I haven't incurred any problems with Norton but I've read it's a resource hog and too, in some opinions, it's not as good as other Antivirus programs on the Market.

I've checked out Reviews on:

1. PC Security Shield Deluxe 2009 Antivirus & Anti-Spyware. @ $22.49 w Coupon Powered by Kapersky Antivirus 6.0 recommmended in About.Windows.

2. ESET NOD32 Smart Security with Personal Firewall & Antispam @ $59.99 I'm not sure from their Site if this includes AntiVirus - it must.

3. Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite $39.95US/$48.81 Cdn Includes Firewall Antivirus and Spyware.
ZA Suite is provided free of charge from my ISP. Problem is I have horrific memories of installing their V7.0 within days of it being issued in Jan07. Something about the Kapersky software they were using appeared to have caused my problems. I ended up having to do a format after spending hrs on the ph with my ISP T/S. If I'm advised it is superior, I'll give it another try. The problem must be resolved by now as they're on V8 I believe.

Darn I'm unable to recall now the names of other Anti-Virus programs I read of. I must have checked AVG and McAfee but didn't make Notes as I've done with the above. If I missed out a good one, pls suggest it. I'm not looking for free although I've entered a cpl prices I had noted for the benefit of Readers, but rather "Efficient".

Should I make sure a Firewall is included. I thought it might be best buying a full Suite of whichever one chosen. Maybe not. I'm presuming I can keep Lavasoft Ad-Aware, Spybot and SpywareBlaster installed should I end up buying a Full Suite.

I thought by reading Reviews i could make an intelligent decision but ... All of the Reviews I read on these and others too, have many favourable and many unfavourable experiences described. Hence I'm seeking what I believe to be expert advice from the NG Advisors.

Pls advise because it appears, the more reading I do, the more confused I've become. Thx so much for any suggestions.


You'll get nearly as many differing opinions as you will responses.

I'll start by saying that I don't think any security "suite" is a good choice. It'd be better to use smaller, less-resource-draining stand-alone products.

I had used, and recommended, Norton Antivirus and then Norton Internet Security, for many years, on Win98, WinNT, Win2K, and WinXP, all without any significant problems. I had used McAfee prior to that. But it's been several years since I've been tempted to try McAfee products. Their quality seemed to take a steep nose-dive after they were acquired by Network Associates.

However, when my subscription to Symantec's updates for Norton Internet Security came up for renewal (at a cost substantially higher than the preceding year's subscription), I decided to try less expensive solutions. I downloaded and installed the free version of GriSoft's AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php ). It proved to be easily installed, easy to use, and quite effective. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised to see a small but very noticeable improvement in my PC's performance, once I'd replaced the Symantec product. Another free (for personal use) anti-virus product is AVAST! 4 Home Edition (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html), which is what I've used without problems on both WinXP Pro and Vista Business.

For a recent comparison of anti-virus products:

Retrospective / ProActive Test
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

WinXP's built-in firewall is adequate at stopping incoming attacks, and hiding your ports from probes. What WinXP's firewall does not do, is protect you from any Trojans or spyware that you (or someone else using your computer) might download and install inadvertently. It doesn't monitor out-going traffic at all, other than to check for IP-spoofing, much less block (or at even ask you about) the bad or the questionable out-going signals. It assumes that any application you have on your hard drive is there because you want it there, and therefore has your "permission" to access the Internet. Further, because the Windows Firewall is a "stateful" firewall, it will also assume that any incoming traffic that's a direct response to a Trojan's or spyware's out-going signal is also authorized.

ZoneAlarm, Kerio, or Comodo are all much better than WinXP's built-in firewall, and are much more easily configured, and there are free versions of each readily available. Even the commercially available Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall is superior by far, although it does take a heavier toll of system performance then do ZoneAlarm or Comodo.

Having said that, it's important to remember that firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used and should always be running, while important components of "safe hex," cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: "mndhi32.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close"
    ... Here's why it's likely to be spyware: It's not a Windows XP file, ... >> Uninstall any software you no longer use or cannot remember installing ... >> Windows XP, I suggest you clean up your system first. ... You should at least turn on the built in firewall. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain)
  • Re: spyware
    ... > how can i remove spyware can find direct answer ... hear as they do involve work on your part, downloading software, installing ... Windows Update ... You should at least turn on the built in firewall. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Will any one of these firewall appls. be headache free?
    ... >> into my PC so I'm toying with the idea of installing some sort ... >> Norton Perfonal Firewall v. 2000 ... >> Norton Internet Security v. 2002 ... >> Network Ice / Black Ice ...
    (comp.security.firewalls)
  • Re: xp firewall
    ... > thinking about installing a third party firewall. ... firewall may stop some "classes" of pop up ads, so you might try doing that. ... As for other kinds of pop up ads, these can come from spyware and a spyware ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: xp firewall
    ... > thinking about installing a third party firewall. ... firewall may stop some "classes" of pop up ads, so you might try doing that. ... As for other kinds of pop up ads, these can come from spyware and a spyware ...
    (microsoft.public.security)