Free PC protection. Is it enough ?

[CoffeeGuy]

I've been reading a little about the free virus protection AVG. How would you "forum members" rate this ? And Zonelab ? Would Zonelab really be needed if the PC's internet connection is only dial up ? Is this enough protection on most PC's ?

[unclebud]

I use AVGfree 7 on my systems and it does work. I also run MS antispy, Spybot and AdAware to combat spyware.

[canadateck]

Read here there is alot of info,They are all the same, well "almost". They all need Certification.

http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/antivirus/certification.shtml

[canadateck]

Here another Link with names.


http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/antivirus/notes/tr0303.shtml



All I use Is AVG , the Free version Great stuff.

[Soopafresh]

I like AVG Antivirus Freeware. Works great, and alerts you to viruses. Saved me a few times.

Spyware finders are a bit different. I haven't found a free app that is as good as SpySweeper, which is $20 on sale, nonetheless NOT free.

[snafu099]

In my opinion if you are connecting to the internet in any way, correction, if your pc is connected to a phone line or has wireless capability then sometype of firewall is a must. ZoneAlarm works for me

ALL computers should be running a anti-virus program. I like AVG over Norton

The old adage " Better safe than sorry" comes to mind

[guns1inger]

I don't use AVG, as a I use Norton's Internet Security Suite for site blocking the kid's accounts, but I do recommend it to clients who are unprotected. For spyware I run SpyBot S&D once a week (although since using Firefox it always comes up empty), SpywareBlaster, and Microsoft antispyware beta. I also run Sygate Personal Firewall Pro (not free) however the non-Pro version is also as good as or better than Zonealarm, and a lot less trouble. Do not rely on the Windows Firewall (as one of my school clients does) as it does not monitor or block outgoing connectiosn, so if spyware or a worm does get in, WFW will not stop it transmitting. ZoneAlarm, Sygate, Norton's etc will catch it.

Finally, use Firefox instead of IE. 90% of spyware, worm and dialers will be blocked from the get-go.

To summarize

AVG Free Version 7
Spybot S&D once a week
SpywareBlaster
Microsoft Antispyware Beta
Sygate Personal Firewall (free version, not Pro)
Firefox

If anything gets past that lot then you are doing something wrong.

[Faustus]

AVG is pretty good. Just let it scan regularly. I dont personally think its virus shield is as good as Norton 2005 but its actually scanning ability is top knotch.

Are you on dialup? If so Stick with the zone labs or some free software. if your own broadband save up and go buy yourself a D-Link Broadband router, its built in firewall is just fine AND save you memory and processing as you no longer have to run a crappy software one.

[Zisguy1]

Do you guys actually get viruses? I've gotten spyware plenty of times, but the last time I had a PC that actually got a virus it was back in the MS-DOS days and the virus came from a downloaded DOS game.

[alsyed]

i guess some people like using filesharing programs, and hence are a little more susceptible to viruses and stuff. I would have to say nowadays, its is much more important to have a really good firewall and spyware protection.

[Faustus]

i guess some people like using filesharing programs, and hence are a little more susceptible to viruses and stuff. I would have to say nowadays, its is much more important to have a really good firewall and spyware protection.

It has nothing to do with file sharing alone. Just being on the net on a PC leaves you very open these days. Remember the dcom exploit? How many people got hit just because they hadn't updated their virus scanners in time? You can still get that on the net very easy. Plug a non patched against it computer into the internet unprotected and watch. If that doesn't do it for you us a dialup modem, with the rate the IP cycle around on them it takes about all of 5 min.

However in many cases a basic firewall (hardware one preferribly) would have protected you just fine. I did to all my friends machine. 4 days after the virus really broke out I asked him if he had updated his machien yet and his response was "You follow that stuff more then me, explain about this virus." I laughed and then updated his machiens when he wasn't looking. Why does he feel that secure? He has an actual Sonic Firewall on his network.

Only the virus outbreaks of the past year have convinced him to maintain a virus scanner on all his boxes instead of his work machine and server only.