Topic: What anti-virus/firewall combo do you like the best

[jualdeaux]

I have been using an four year old version of Norton Internet Security and am finally wanting to update to a newer//better setup. What works best for you?

[MrCue]

AVG free for the AV.

[jualdeaux]

Yeah. I was just looking at that. But I also need a good, or at least decent, software firewall as my internet connection is a Verizon wireless Broadband card for my laptop. i can't get any other kind of broadband out here and I can't use a hardware firewall type thing either.

[Nemesis]

Norton does have a bad reputation in certain quarters here (Bonk especially) have you checked out the firewalls on the freesoftware list?

I have been using a hardware firewall for years so I can't suggest what software will work for you but you can try those on the list.

[jualdeaux]

Norton does have a bad reputation in certain quarters here (Bonk especially) have you checked out the firewalls on the freesoftware list?

I have been using a hardware firewall for years so I can't suggest what software will work for you but you can try those on the list.

That is one reason i have not updated Norton. I am still using the 2003 version, which, I believe, was just before they started making it too intrusive.

[Javora]

I'm using Trend Micro 2007 and I'm pretty happy with it.  It doesn't bug you with pop-ups anymore (once you turn them off) and it seems to work pretty well.  Its not intrusive or problematic like Norton or McAfee are, at least not from what I've experienced.  Since you want a software firewall as well, I would also suggest ZoneAlarm Pro.  ZoneAlarm includes Kaspersky Anti-Virus, they seem to be at the top of their game right now from what I've read.  I know someone suggested Panda but they seem to be a little expensive to me.

I don't use the free stuff as I have had too many bad experiences with them but your mileage may very.

[jualdeaux]

Well, I have decided to try out the ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7. I has the AV from Kerpesky, or however it is spelled, and that is supposed to be either the best of one of the best out there. and it has the Zone Alarm firewall that is also supposed to be very good. Plus, it wasn't as expensive as some of the other suites available. I'll let you all know how it goes. thanks for you input.

[Electric Eye]

Let me know how it works out J. I'll tell you who was a whiz on those firewall programs was Sethan, he really taught me a lot. I believe Symantec bought out a free (For personal use, not the business use, that you paid for, which was their specialty) firewall and internet security program company last year or the year before? I used their security program back then and it rocked!

[Javora]

I'd be interested to know how it goes as well jualdeaux.  I almost bought ZoneAlarm myself but I didn't need the firewall and didn't want to spend extra for something I wouldn't use.

[E_Look]

Hey Jav, I had put Trend Micro (Platinum 2006) on one kid's computer and it was nothing but a maintenance headache- the tech support tech had me reinstall it on two separate occasions as it got corrupted each time.

And Panda was no better, behaving the same way on the other kid's machine.

So now, they both have AVG free version, and I am still on the full version of AVG and I like it.  I might go with the free one once the paid for one expires... 

[jualdeaux]

Well, so far it seems to be doing a decent job. I didn't have trouble with the install like some people that I read had. The only thing that I have not liked is I went to a certain web site that has some tools to test your system and it seemed to answer the ping that was sent to my system. I just had a cousin in the chicago area try and ping me but hers timed out. which I am thinking is what the other one was supposed to be. all the rest of the tests came out fine.

As for the AV part, it did find 5 files that it didn't like for some reason and got rid of them. And it picked up a couple more of the same today. they weren't real threats but it is nice to be aware of them and that they got picked up. I did the AV scan with the old app and ran a spybot and adaware scan just before i did the install to try let it have a nice clean system to be loaded on.

so, bottom line? It is working well so far.

[Javora]

That's great Ed, I'm glad it's working out for you.  Personally the last time I installed AVG my system, it froze and trying to remove it in Safe Mode wouldn't help.  I ended up reformatting/reloading my system so I'm a little leery about using them again.

As for Trend Micro, I agree the 2006 and prior versions were annoying.  Always had a pop-up for something, I think they finally got it right this time around because it has been as quiet as a church mouse (knock on wood     ) so far.  But then like I said above I'm only using the Antivirus as I have no need for a software firewall at this time, so that might be part of it.  Increasing the lines of code by way of security suite can only increase the chances of having a problem occurring.


Glad to hear that things are working out jualdeaux.  Have you been hit with pop-ups generated by Zone Alarm at all since installing it?


I also read that Norton redesigned it's products from the ground up this year because of all the negative things that have been said about their product.  If anyone is brave enough to install Norton on their system, please post how it turns out.  I'm curious to know if Norton has gotten their act together.  But it looks like Norton is finally heard us and is trying to make some changes.  I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[jualdeaux]

well, I just hit the site again to test my security and it caught one open port. That isn't good. I did get some pop ups while I was testing to let me know that it was detecting those intrusions though. I decided to do a restart and see if the program just needed to learn a bit. After the restart i tested my computer again and everything passed with flying colours. Just like it used to do with the Norton 2003. So, I guess I'm satisfied for now.

One thing i do like is how it also monitors my Instant Messaging. And it detected my Trillian with the four connections I have going. So even that is protected. That is new for me.

[Javora]

Wow that's good jualdeaux.

[Electric Eye]

Javora, I have Norton system works installed on my P/C, bought it in Jan. I have nothing but good things to say about it, though it does not come with a manual on the how to do stuff tricks, you have to print that up yourself. 

[Sarek]

I've been using AVG for a couple of years now and have been happy with it except that it's incompatible with the ZoneAlarm firewall, or at least it was last time I tried to install ZoneAlarm.  But an article on MSNBC's site about how no one anti-virus program can detect everything these days had me try a couple of on-line virus scanners that the article listed.  One, F-Secure, found a backdoor called bifrose which allows remote access to an infected machine.  It doesn't look like I'm infected, I don't think I've run the infected file since the last time I reformatted but what surprised me was the file it was found in: OP_Enhancement_Package_v3.0.exe.  Does anyone know anything about this or is it a false alarm?

[GE-Raven]

I don't believe in PC "Software" firewalls.

I prefer mine of the Network device type.

Most of the brandname Wireless routers are quite good for what any home user would need.  The idea that hackers are out their surfing for victims... welll if you don't use filesharing proggies and go to websites loaded with worms and trojans I doubt you will ever encounter a hack attempt.  You will fly right on under their radar.

GE-Raven

[jualdeaux]

I don't believe in PC "Software" firewalls.

I prefer mine of the Network device type.

Most of the brandname Wireless routers are quite good for what any home user would need.  The idea that hackers are out their surfing for victims... welll if you don't use filesharing proggies and go to websites loaded with worms and trojans I doubt you will ever encounter a hack attempt.  You will fly right on under their radar.

GE-Raven

the problem is that I can not really use a network device due to the connection that I have and the fact that I only have one PC. If I could have gotten a normal broadband connection like DSL or cable, I would have done so. Unfortunately, where i live, they don[t even have basic cable out here and I'm waaayyy to far out for DSL lines. It had to be either satellite or something like Verizon Wireless Broadband for a laptop. I choose the latter.

Oh, and I had to get a Wireless Extender just so i can get signal for the connection into the house.

[GE-Raven]

the problem is that I can not really use a network device due to the connection that I have and the fact that I only have one PC. If I could have gotten a normal broadband connection like DSL or cable, I would have done so. Unfortunately, where i live, they don[t even have basic cable out here and I'm waaayyy to far out for DSL lines. It had to be either satellite or something like Verizon Wireless Broadband for a laptop. I choose the latter.

Oh, and I had to get a Wireless Extender just so i can get signal for the connection into the house.

Given the bandwidth you are talking about... I would just plain go without.  Assuming you don't partake in any of the riskier behaviors, I would put your risk at "too low to mention".

Fact of the matter is, that hackers don't want computers with crappy internet.  They want ones with good internet, and easy access.   I can't recall the last time I saw a "hacked" machine that had dial-up.

GE-Raven

[jualdeaux]

I'm not on dial up. I am on Verizon wireless Broadband. I get decent speeds. Much, much better than I had on dialup.