Looking For New Security Software

[CastleDoctrine]

My sub.scription to Norton Internet Security 2008 will expire in seven days so I'm searching the internet for credible reviews and recommendations for free alternatives to buying a new security suite.

What I'm looking for in particular are: antivirus, firewall, anti-spyware, and anti-rootkit.

I would appreciate your opinions and experiences on what free options there are along these lines.

Note: please mention if you've come across any problems regarding any apps.

Thanks.

[Yahoo!!]

AVG is the one I use. It is free and offers the basic support that I need.

If you are upgrading to a paid version, I would look at either

-renewing norton again
-mcafee

[Rigges]

AVG way to go

Norton of Mcafee use to many system resources and bind up internet connections

AVG free for anti virus

I am using Uniblue for Spy ware and the rest

but think I would recomend WebRoots suite of Anti spyware fire wall ETC but still perfure AVG for Anti Virus but web root has a good antivirus system too.

Part if not all of your stuff should be a pay for as the free anti spy ware's are not keep up to date only AVG Anti virus is kept up to date for free.

[Masakari]

Spybot S&D is quite possibly the best anti-spyware program I've ever seen.....and it's free too.

ZoneAlarm is probably the best firewall program you can get. I've got a hardware firewall so I don't use it now, but I have used it in the past without problem.

[SilverOne]

If you want Free...

go with Avast!


The best thing about it is the boot time scanner. It will get rid of anything. Many times I fix a PC messed up with a virus or spyware and Mcafee, Norton, etc.. can't clean it. Like AVG it doesn't take up many resources with extra stuff. I've used AVG, its decent. But not as good as Avast.

I usually convince people to go with Avast when their sub.scriptions are up with the others. The free one is Home edition. When you register, they will send you a key for a free year. Every year you renew for free.

[Sparky]

If you decide on Norton, check first pricing on a new bundle of Norton instead of automatically renewing. I've actually found it cheaper to buy a new package suite (which will basically upgrade and extend the service for another year) rather than just buy the renewal. I've saved on average each time $30 in regards to simple renewal. I've even found it cheaper to buy a 3 license pack than not the single user sub.scription.

It's true that Norton takes extra resources, but if you have a newer version already installed and your system still has an aceptable performance, you might just be better off sticking with Norton ... I do not know how much junk it will leave behind. Someone a bit more tech savy might help you out there.

[Araris]

If you have to pay for one get Kaspersky.

[metacide]

Avast and Nod32 are my preference for Anti Virus software. I use to use AVG but moved away from them in the last year or so. Check out the wiki page on Nod32.

ZoneAlarm works so well because it blocks EVERYTHING. I mean that. It can be a hassle to get things unblocked and can cause problems if you use Trillian. I used it for a time but got tired of telling it which ports Steam could use and which ports MSN could use, etc etc. If you have more patience than me, it's great. If you're looking for quick and easy maybe look else where. Your call.

I use Ad-Aware to keep the mal and spy ware away from my computer. No complaints thus far.

[vitz]

[quote="Araris";p="135013"]If you have to pay for one get Kaspersky.[/quote]

I totally agree. I do some light malware analysis as part of my work responsibilities and Virustotal has Kaspersky recognizing the sample more often than any other vendor. Even fresh samples pushed out via the control channel and only a few hours old before I get to it!

They are a Russian company though, so maybe being co-located with the Russian Business Network has it's advantages!?

[Blooper4912]

[quote="Araris";p="135013"]If you have to pay for one get Kaspersky.[/quote]

Agreed. It's super fast and not intrusive at all.

[CastleDoctrine]

I successfully uninstalled Norton *crosses fingers*, and went with ZoneAlarm's firewall and AVG Free 8.0

I have experience with them from installing, and configuring, them on a friends computer.

Still looking for a free anti-rootkit app.

Thanks again for the advice.