Which security software?

TangledMemories_2

Hi All,

My free 12-month McAfee membership is due to expire soon and I was wondering if anyone could guide me as to which would be the best security software to use?
The McAfee renewal through Sky is £33...but I've been reading on here about Microsoft's free security software, as well as Avast and AVG etc.

I know for definite I don't want Norton as my Uncle just got the Norton 360 thing and it constantly wants him to backup even though he has the settings on for "don't ask for backups".:rolleyes:

Am running Vista with 3GB of RAM if this affects any of your recommendations

Thanks!

BillScarab

I'd recommend Microsoft Security Essentials.

It's free, light on resources and seems to be getting good reviews.

Make sure get the McAfee removal tool to make sure you get rid of McAfee properly.

MSE does not include a firewall BTW. It's just Anti Malware.

busenbust

Definitely agree about MSE, and it auto-updates also. Avast is very good as an anti-virus software.

Sparhawke

I personally run Zone alarm, spybot, avg and adaware and have never had a single problem in 4 years.

I cannot actually recommend anything else for this reason, why change something that works?

You simply have to remember to do weekly checkups and turn off avg's email scanner if you dont use outlook (it tends to slow everything right down)

And well done for keeping well away from Norton, it is far worse than the viruses it claims to help against lol (for an example they bought out the best free firewall the world has ever known, completely ripped it apart and made it useless and then incorporated into their core program...it is almost as if they want you to have problems with your computer, no viruses equals no sales)

pault123

I use the free Avira after reccomendations on here

http://www.avira.com/en/pages/index.php

mr_fishbulb

Avira, Avast, Panda Cloud, MSE - all good free, AV.

Zonealarm & Comodo - good free personal firewall.

Superantispyware, Malwarebytes, both good free Anti-spyware.

Pick one of each and see how you get on. I personally use Panda Cloud, Comodo and Malwarebytes.

TangledMemories_2

Thanks for all this. I know it sounds probably stupid...but I really can't afford £30 on the mcafee renewal.
I'm guessing I get the removal tool from somewhere like download.com?

hippyadam

Removal tool linky

Personally i use commodo for firewall & AV.

But apparently, according to some folk on here windows firewall is fine....

asininity

Ignore the recommendation for Zonealarm!!! Very bad, PCTools Firewall Plus is good.

Sublime_2

I've currently got Norton, but not sure if I'll be renewing as I was happy with avast before. Its better than it was 10 years ago, though.

I use Sandboxie, Threatfire, and Superantispyware for extra security.

busenbust

"Its better than it was 10 years ago, though."

^Yeah, they sure took their time about it!