What Security do you use?

LazyLizzie

I got a new laptop and it came with norton so I'm using that, and I just did a scan on it, it's not even finished yet and it's already scanned over 300,000 items! Is that normal? I've only just turned the laptop on for the first time, so I haven't put anything onto it.

veronarona

Quite normal. You'd be best off uninstalling it, because it will be asking you for money sooner or later. Microsoft Security Essentials is free, efficient, non-nagging, and very compatible with Windows' built-in firewall, saves a lot of hassle.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/pc-security/mse.aspx

Uninstalling Norton - you will need the Norton Removal Tool: https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?lg=english&ct=united+states&docid=20080710133834EN&product=home&version=1&pvid=f-home

I expect you've also got some pre-installed antispyware? If not, Google Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware, other members may have suggestions. Also, I noticed a significant performance improvement after letting Glary Utilities do its stuff, moreso than with another housekeeping utility. Those programs are all free but have paid-for versions too.


No skin off my nose what you do/not But if you save the links in your Faves they'll be easy to find if you decide to go for it.

veronarona

QfanatiQ

I use

AVG free
CCleaner (again Free)
Spybot S&D

Not had any issues for years, last time I did was XP early days.

Cheers……Q

Cockney_Rebel

In my house we have 3 PC's, 3 Laptops and 1 Media-Player. 2 have Windows XP SP3, 3 have Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit and 2 have Windows 7 UIltimate 64 bit.

All the above have Microsoft Security Essentials installed along with Ccleaner.

I was in Electronics/IT etc for more years than I want to admit to and used/tried a great many security products and currently believe that Microsoft Security Essentials is the best....I mean, after all, it has the smae 'short name' as this website

QfanatiQ

Cockney_Rebel wrote: »

I was in Electronics/IT etc for more years than I want to admit to and used/tried a great many security products and currently believe that Microsoft Security Essentials is the best....I mean, after all, it has the smae 'short name' as this website

You are the first person in this industry I have ever heard talking positively of this package.

I might take another look, but since I took all security away from MS on both my home and work network I have never had an issue.

For work we subscribe to AVG and have other apps running for the mail sever.

petunia100

After reading this thread I am totally confused as to what security I should use. I have been using Kaspersky but it will run out soon and I am wondering what to replace it with.

Any clear advice please?

vale46_2

Avira free
comodofirewall free
malewarebytes free

Avira and comodo popup with any problems if any
malewarebytes i run monthly

i cant remember the last time i had a problem

i also use the wot (web of trust) browser add on and avoid all sites with a red/danger rating
and adblockplus browser add on to stop popups/advertisements

veronarona

Someone in the past couple of weeks was concerned about the monitoring of START-UP. The following is today's offering from Giveaway of the Day - it must be downloaded and installed before 8am tomorrow in order to get it free, and you can never reinstall it if, say, you get a new PC or HDD or have to format C.

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/startup-defender-32/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+giveawayoftheday%2Ffeed+%28Giveaway+of+the+Day%29


I have not checked out this program because if I don't post it here right away I'll forget If you check out the feedback in the Comments (some of which you must take with a pinch of salt), it may help decide whether the program is for you, that's what I'm going to do.

EDIT - and having done so, I see that WinPatrol Free does the same thing and more - not sure if the footprint is as small though.

veronarona

Bodymass

I used to be a long time supporter of Kaspersky but lost interest in them because gradually over the years their software became more and more of a resource hog, giving up when they released Internet Security 2011. I now use Avast! Free (which I think is better than AVG though they are comparable in many regards) in conjunction with Comodo Firewall (which is the best there is imo). Used to use IObit software's Security 360 but no more!

KeyScrambler Professional and Microsoft's own virtual keyboard. Numerous addons for Firefox and some for Google Chrome including AdBlock Plus, NoScript, WOT (Web of Trust), avast Webrep addon etc

I use a few proxy engines when I want to browse anonymously.

mart44

I've used Norton Internet Security since the 2009 version was released (version 2012 is the current one). So, into the third year now and no plans to change. Recent versions of Norton are thought to be much better than the ones prior to 2009. Pretty good detection rates according to AV program testing sites and it has a few features that I like.

Even so, the security suite isn't relied upon as the primary layer of protection. That roll falls to Sandboxie. The AV program would only be needed if malware were to get out of the sandbox and be in need of detection. Nothing has done that so far but the possibility isn't discounted.

In addition, Malwarebytes Antimalware Pro is running. Also using Norton DNS servers for filtering sites at source. Perhaps a little over-kill but everything sits nicely together with no noticeable computer slowdown.