What Security do you use?

aliEnRIK

luce181 wrote: »

Hi guys,

i'm hoping someone on here can help me!

I had Mc Afee anti virus but don't want to pay to renew it.

So I'm looking to download a free anti-virus but really don't know where to start!

Thanks in Advance

Lucy

Use the MCAFEE REMOVAL TOOL as uninstalling doesnt completely remove it
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507

Then download AVAST, AVIRA or MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS

surfsister

NeilSmith wrote: »

I personally would say ESET Smart Security Suite is the best. The best Anti-virus other than ESET would be Avast. Norton is hopeless and I've had to deal with loads of infected PC's that have Norton. When I installed ESET to their PC's there was no more issues.

Draytek Firewall routers offer a high level of custom features to block things. Before I had a Netgear Firewall router which was useless in its security. Draytek are more expensive than Netgear, but you only get what you pay for.

P.S. Don't use multiple Antivirus, Firewall and Spam blocking software. Just stick with 1 you find the best with the best features. Ensure the "User Account Control" is switch on if you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7.

Don't open up strange emails. Don't visit strange websites.

In the Draytek router you can block various files types via the internet like script files and .exe files. You can even set your own rules. Its my line of first defense.

Where can you get Eset security from? Is it free? thanks

aurongrande_2

This thread is huge, I can't read through the lot, so I'm only going to post this info. One thing to make note of is this. Never have multiple of the same types of security programs running actively running at the same time. e.g. 2 AV programs at once, or 2 firewalls at once (unless 1 firewall is on the computer, the other is on the router.) This is because they fight each other. The program is more effective on its own, than sharing resources.

Paid for security:
Webroot Internet Security
Router Firewall

That's all you need for Home use security. I'll explain the reasons in a moment.

Free security:
AVG Antivirus (just need to manually update due to only being able to set automatic update for once a day.)
ZoneAlarm Firewall (beats even the firewall in Norton and McAfee anyday.)
Spybot and Lavasoft.

I use the Premium list above, and it works wonders. Because there is a top of the line spyware scanner in Webroot, one that works just as well as spybot and lavasoft, I don't need the latter.

I use to have Kaspersky Internet Security, but recent versions have turned it into a resource hog which slowed the computer down.

Norton and McAfee are rubbish, not worth the CDs/DVDs they're distributed on. Both have low detection rates compared to even AVG, and their firewalls stink. The only thing they're great at, is slowing your system down.

Webroot is very effective, and you barely notice it's there as it barely uses any system resources, even when it's running a full scan.

Eset's Nod32 AV program is the best, but their Firewall is a bit lacking compared to Webroot.

p.s. I do heavy duty research, and learnt to go for a sweetspot in security to price ratio. Webroot fits quite well. If I could afford Nod32 AV and the best Premium rate Firewall, then I'd get them, but I can't. So in a matter of having as higher security you can get, whilst saving money, Webroot is the best choice. Is you can afford it, get Nod32 AV and a Premium rate Firewall.

p.p.s. Just noticed. The best independent Firewall is Comodo, and it's free.

ThriftyDave_2

Aye Comodo is very good if you want a solid internet security package for free. My girlfriend uses it and has never had any problems apart from a few annoying Comodo sandbox pop-ups when Windows starts.

Personally I use Kaspersky because I don't mind shelling out £20-£30 a year to cover all three PC's in my household and I don't find that it slows my system down too much (maybe because I'm still running XP?)

Basically follow the good advice in this thread and avoid paying over the odds for software like McAfee and Norton. They will protect you, but you'll pay twice for them - once with your wallet and again in system resources!

aliEnRIK

aurongrande wrote: »

Paid for security:
Webroot Internet Security
Router Firewall

That's all you need for Home use security. I'll explain the reasons in a moment.

Free security:
AVG Antivirus (just need to manually update due to only being able to set automatic update for once a day.)
ZoneAlarm Firewall (beats even the firewall in Norton and McAfee anyday.)
Spybot and Lavasoft.

I use the Premium list above, and it works wonders. Because there is a top of the line spyware scanner in Webroot, one that works just as well as spybot and lavasoft, I don't need the latter.


Norton and McAfee are rubbish, not worth the CDs/DVDs they're distributed on. Both have low detection rates compared to even AVG, and their firewalls stink.
Webroot is very effective, and you barely notice it's there as it barely uses any system resources, even when it's running a full scan.

Eset's Nod32 AV program is the best, but their Firewall is a bit lacking compared to Webroot.

Not sure where youve done your research.
AVG is the poorest free one ~ AVAST, AVG and MSE are all better (And far less resource hungry). AVG does auto update
Zonealarm is no where near as good as it used to be. I wouldnt touch it with a bargepole these days
Both Mcrappee and Norton have far better detection rates than 'even' AVG (Nortons widely recognised as being very good these days compared to what it used to be. But yes, its firewall is cr*p)
Not sure why you mention Adaware, its next to useless these days

As for webroot, as its not tested in my main test site, I couldnt comment. Where have you compared it?

aliEnRIK

surfsister wrote: »

Where can you get Eset security from? Is it free? thanks

http://www.eset.co.uk/

Its not free

Free ones are AVAST, AVIRA and MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS

aurongrande_2

I do my research through the internet. I find a program, and do extensive research. I search for reviews and reports on both the software and company behind it. I tend to look for company reviews like magazine reviews, independent company reviews like Which?, and I also look for personal reviews where the customer has put up reviews.

I tend to go through something around the area of a few dozen websites to get an idea on the product.

aliEnRIK

aurongrande wrote: »

I do my research through the internet. I find a program, and do extensive research. I search for reviews and reports on both the software and company behind it. I tend to look for company reviews like magazine reviews, independent company reviews like Which?, and I also look for personal reviews where the customer has put up reviews.

I tend to go through something around the area of a few dozen websites to get an idea on the product.

I personally wouldnt trust WHICH to make me a brew

No offence. But as most of your information is just plain incorrect I think ill be giving webroot a wide birth

filz_2

Kaspersky... most places have Kaspersky 2010 on a deal at the minute to sell out all the old copies before they get 2011 in stock. Only thing is... if you buy the 2010 version you get a free upgrade to 2011. Which means you can have the new version for far cheaper than it has on the shelf!!

Sunshinegirl

filz wrote: »

Kaspersky... most places have Kaspersky 2010 on a deal at the minute to sell out all the old copies before they get 2011 in stock. Only thing is... if you buy the 2010 version you get a free upgrade to 2011. Which means you can have the new version for far cheaper than it has on the shelf!!

That sounds good but I need a little help. I've got KIS 2009 on 3 computers & have just got a good deal on the 2010 version.

1) How do I upgrade to 2010 - can I just enter the code and that's it, or do I need to download the 2010 version online or load the CD? One of laptops does not have a cd drive.
If I just enter the code will it simply extend the license for another year without adding all the new stuff on 2010? Can I get all the new stuff later on when I've got more time to sort it out & just do the code bit for now?

2) How do I then go about updating to the 2011 version? Do I need to get a full 2010 version working first?

Sorry for all the questions! I'm not very good with computers & the license runs out tomorrow but I do not have much spare time this weekend to sort everything out & just want to do the bare minimum for now and sort out the rest later. Help!