Advice: Anti Virus, Spyware, etc

[party_pete]

I have just purchased another laptop and need to install/purchase software for Anti Virus, Spyware, etc, etc

What recommendations have forum users got to set me up so i'm as secure as possible?

[Mike Hughes]

Norton is probably the best but it's also the most awkward to use and does seem to cause all kinds of problems every now and then.

I stick with Zonealarm for the firewall and AVG for anti-virus. The free versions work perfectly and I've never heard of anyone using these having any problems with hackers or legitimate software.

I really only bother with spyware/adware checking if I think I might have a problem in which case I look on google and choose the tool that does the best job for that problem. I also let microsoft's anti-spyware checker download whenever the update manager wants to load it and that gives my system a regular once over.

Mike

[Dave Fisher]

We use Norton Internet Security and have to say we have had no problems using this sofware at all. It blocks e-mail virus's and intrusions and we have had no conflicts with Actinic at all even when update/refreshing our website.

We also use Microsoft Anti-Spyware software again without any problems.

Just make sure both products are scheduled to update automatically to retrieve updates and you run scan disk on a regular basis (again you can do this automatically).

Hope this helps.

[ChrisL]

For a complete 'all-in-one' solution you can't beat F-Secure Internet security suite (www.f-secure.co.uk).

If you want the very best in every category, and put together your own security suite, you would use Agnitum Outpost Firewall (www.agnitum.com/), F-Prot antivirus (www.f-prot.co.uk/) and Webroot Spy Sweeper (www.webroot.com/).
By the way, multi-licenses for Outpost & F-Prot are very reasonable especially compare with the better known (ie heavily advertised) players.

Personally, I've had nothing but trouble with anything Symantec, going back over a decade to the dark old days of DOS.

[pinbrook]

we use

Windows XP firewall
spybot Search and destroy
Lavasoft Ad Aware
symantec anti virus

We also run a run system virus scan daily (scheduled to run overnight) and run Live update weekly

[jont]

Norton Internet Security Suite
Hardware Firewall
Microsoft AntiSpyware
Ad-Aware SE
Spybot
Angry IP Scanner (to check open ports)
Sam Spade (to check open ports)

Unlike some I have never had a problem with NIS on any machine from Windows 3.11 to current - either lucky or careful with the settings.

Noticed Chris' option (f-secure) was available on one of the PC cover disks I saw last night - don't recall which though