As a long-time reader, computer user, and computer-hygiene advocate, my recommendations are quite similar: I use AVG Free on my more robust machines and Avast on the modest ones; each are very good. The latest version of AVG demands more in system resources than Avast does, so install AVG in machines with at least 1 GB of memory and a relatively fast CPU. Avast gets by on less. I prefer AVG, though, because of its user interface.
Anti-spyware, I can't vouch for Defender but have had good success with Spybot S&D. It's been around long enough to have the bugs worked out of it.
I also use Ad-Aware 2007 for another layer of protection.
Posted by: Paul Masters at September 30, 2008 12:12 PM
- Anti-Virus
AVG is the best free anti-virus. I used NOD32 because it's extremely lightweight and their tech support is second to none.
- Anti-Spyware
I used Defender and the one time I got a infected it didn't stop it. I think for most people, the decision to get an anti-spyware tool or not is based on how well they can put up with the annoyances.
- Firewall
Ditto...
- Backup
Drive Snapshot and BartPE for system recovery. Any compression utility (I use 7-zip) for data backup. The bugs in Acronis TrueImage just aren't worth it.
- Keeping your OS and Applications Up-To-Date
Ditto...
- For those that regularly surf the net:
Use OpenDNS for your DNS servers.
Use any browser other than IE
Use PeerGuardian (It's always fun to watch who's trying to contact your computer and viceversa.)
Posted by: Ray at September 30, 2008 4:38 PM
I am using AVG free for last 4 years and never had any problem with it....though i must say latest AVG 8 is slightly more resource hogging n complex....
As for spyware.....spybot search & destroy,ADAWARE,spyware blaster....all fine and wonderful packages....& hizack this in case everything fails....
....FIREWALL...windows firewall & ZONE ALARM....
& lastly i want to add i am a fan of C-CLEANER as well.....
Posted by: rakesh at October 2, 2008 9:59 AM
Get a Mac!
Gina
Posted by: Gina Bisaillon at October 7, 2008 5:21 AM
As a long time PC user (as in IBM PC/XT), I was a very early user of Norton Utilities, version 1. Now they are Symantec. Over time I became frustrated with two things about them. 1) I have five computers in my home (six counting my 85 yr old moms), and the cost of yearly upgrades was exorbitant. 2) the time overhead using their products was killing throughput, particulary the full system scans. Not having lots of time to load and maintain separate solution pieces, as described in the article, I've started using Trend Micro's Internet Security Pro. It comes as a 3-user pack, which suits a multi-user situation nicely. Have had it on-board for about two months, and I am very happy thus far. Especially with the much shorter times needed to do full system scans. Also, my machines are running much faster. Now, if I could just find a way to kill off the bandwidth hogs who are degrading the Verizon FIOS...
Posted by: Phil at October 7, 2008 8:18 AM
I have been using Command by Authentium. What do you think of it.
Nick
Posted by: NICHOLAS S HILL at October 7, 2008 10:05 AM
Although all-in-ones are not recommended in this article, I've had no infections of any kind for the past 2 years using Kaspersky Internet Security. It also doesn't hog up system resources.
Posted by: William Edginton at October 7, 2008 10:51 AM
You don't mention it, but it's possible to use more than one product to cover the same bases (maybe pair up free-ware and commercial products).
For example, I too use CA eTrust (still the MS corporate solution) in realtime, I also have others anti-virus scanners I use, expecially when doing a software build that will end up on a customers system.
There's no reason you couldn't have two backup systems for critical data.
I also use MS Defender, but periodically do a scan with Lavasofts Ad-Aware or Spybot Search and Destroy.
Each product has different strengths.
I agree, mostly. It's important that there only be one "real time" anti-virus scanner in play at a time as they can conflict with each other. Similarly, many anti-spyware programs also have resident or real time monitoring that there should also be only one of. And finally suites often do all sorts of things seemingly constantly - I would only run additional tools if you're certain that they won't conflict with the installed suites. Stand-alone scans offered by many good anti-malware packages are perfect for this.
- Leo 08-Oct-2008
Posted by: DM at October 7, 2008 10:55 AM
What Security Software do you recommend for Macintosh OSX.4?
Posted by: James Horton at October 7, 2008 11:20 AM
I agree with all comments above. Packages for getting rid of spyware and malware that I tend to use are super-anti spyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (particularly good). As for an antivirus program NOD32 is quite and it also doesn't hog your machine like McAfee does...!!!
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As a long-time reader, computer user, and computer-hygiene advocate, my recommendations are quite similar: I use AVG Free on my more robust machines and Avast on the modest ones; each are very good. The latest version of AVG demands more in system resources than Avast does, so install AVG in machines with at least 1 GB of memory and a relatively fast CPU. Avast gets by on less. I prefer AVG, though, because of its user interface.
Anti-spyware, I can't vouch for Defender but have had good success with Spybot S&D. It's been around long enough to have the bugs worked out of it.
I also use Ad-Aware 2007 for another layer of protection.
Posted by: Paul Masters at September 30, 2008 12:12 PM- Anti-Virus
AVG is the best free anti-virus. I used NOD32 because it's extremely lightweight and their tech support is second to none.
- Anti-Spyware
I used Defender and the one time I got a infected it didn't stop it. I think for most people, the decision to get an anti-spyware tool or not is based on how well they can put up with the annoyances.
- Firewall
Ditto...
- Backup
Drive Snapshot and BartPE for system recovery. Any compression utility (I use 7-zip) for data backup. The bugs in Acronis TrueImage just aren't worth it.
- Keeping your OS and Applications Up-To-Date
Ditto...
- For those that regularly surf the net:
Use OpenDNS for your DNS servers.
Posted by: Ray at September 30, 2008 4:38 PMUse any browser other than IE
Use PeerGuardian (It's always fun to watch who's trying to contact your computer and viceversa.)
I am using AVG free for last 4 years and never had any problem with it....though i must say latest AVG 8 is slightly more resource hogging n complex....
As for spyware.....spybot search & destroy,ADAWARE,spyware blaster....all fine and wonderful packages....& hizack this in case everything fails....
....FIREWALL...windows firewall & ZONE ALARM....
& lastly i want to add i am a fan of C-CLEANER as well.....
Posted by: rakesh at October 2, 2008 9:59 AMGet a Mac!
Gina
Posted by: Gina Bisaillon at October 7, 2008 5:21 AMAs a long time PC user (as in IBM PC/XT), I was a very early user of Norton Utilities, version 1. Now they are Symantec. Over time I became frustrated with two things about them. 1) I have five computers in my home (six counting my 85 yr old moms), and the cost of yearly upgrades was exorbitant. 2) the time overhead using their products was killing throughput, particulary the full system scans. Not having lots of time to load and maintain separate solution pieces, as described in the article, I've started using Trend Micro's Internet Security Pro. It comes as a 3-user pack, which suits a multi-user situation nicely. Have had it on-board for about two months, and I am very happy thus far. Especially with the much shorter times needed to do full system scans. Also, my machines are running much faster. Now, if I could just find a way to kill off the bandwidth hogs who are degrading the Verizon FIOS...
Posted by: Phil at October 7, 2008 8:18 AMI have been using Command by Authentium. What do you think of it.
Nick
Posted by: NICHOLAS S HILL at October 7, 2008 10:05 AMAlthough all-in-ones are not recommended in this article, I've had no infections of any kind for the past 2 years using Kaspersky Internet Security. It also doesn't hog up system resources.
Posted by: William Edginton at October 7, 2008 10:51 AMYou don't mention it, but it's possible to use more than one product to cover the same bases (maybe pair up free-ware and commercial products).
For example, I too use CA eTrust (still the MS corporate solution) in realtime, I also have others anti-virus scanners I use, expecially when doing a software build that will end up on a customers system.
There's no reason you couldn't have two backup systems for critical data.
I also use MS Defender, but periodically do a scan with Lavasofts Ad-Aware or Spybot Search and Destroy.
Each product has different strengths.
08-Oct-2008
What Security Software do you recommend for Macintosh OSX.4?
Posted by: James Horton at October 7, 2008 11:20 AMI agree with all comments above. Packages for getting rid of spyware and malware that I tend to use are super-anti spyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (particularly good). As for an antivirus program NOD32 is quite and it also doesn't hog your machine like McAfee does...!!!
Posted by: Dave Mc at October 7, 2008 12:32 PMTo post a comment on "What Security Software do you recommend?", please return to that article's main page.