Internet Securitys

[plcpower]

I ya'll long time viewer.Wanted to ask around and find out what others are using for there internet securitys?I have norton 2007 on two of my computers and avg on the other. norton expi this month.So basiclly i need it for all three computers. thanks for the info.

[redwudz]

AVG Free is a good choice just for antivirus, IMO. And it's free. I also use SpyBot S&D and SpyWare Blaster, also free. Adware is also popular. I quit using Norton some time ago because of the upgrades were always pay and it didn't do a good job.

There are other antivirus programs that may do better than AVG, but it gets pricey to have them on several machines if they are payware.

Most times, if you avoid the 'dark corners' of the internet, AVG and a few helpers are sufficient. Again, JMO.

[hech54]

Free version of Avast for me....and I'm also a recovering (nicely) former Norton user.

[lordsmurf]

For firewall, use Sunbelt Kerio. I think there is still a free version. I use the $25 paid version. Worth it.

For anti-virus, use AVG Free (free.grisoft.com).

Norton is a glutten and tries to own your system. Norton itself acts more like a virus than anything else, ironic as that is.

Spybot S&D (use TeaTimer too) and WinPatrol offer additional protections.

CCleaner is also a good utility for the system.
Unlocker is helpful.
FlashMute is nice.
YPOPS! is you want to check Yahoo for free with POP3 (Outlook)

VirtualPC 2004/2007, with an extra XP install inside, is a great way to visit unknown sites, and not risk the main (host) computer. You can backup the VHD hard drive images, and just roll back to a previous version if a site or software goes bonkers on you or is infected with something nasty. I test unknown software and visit odd-looking sites with that.

[mats.hogberg]

AVG Free for me too. And use as few MS apps as possible, as they are target for most viruses. Use FireFox for web browsing, Thundebird for mail...
Better yet - Run Linux!

/Mats

[gadgetguy]

I'm running AVG free on some of my computers and Avast on others, both seem to do a good job. I've seen both catch attempts to install trojans. For firewall I'm still using ZoneAlarm free, which still works fine, I've heard complaints of the payware version becoming too bloated, but I haven't noticed it on the free version. I also run Spybot S&D, Adaware, and/or Spyware Blaster periodically, but about the only thing those ever find are tracking cookies. I don't run any proactive spyware detectors other than what's included in AV. Firefox for web browsing and checking email (through the providers web interface). And of course a NAT router between my network and the cable modem.

[Dv8ted2]

I use a hardware SPI firewall router. I use AVG for antivirus. I use the built in operating system firewall. I use a three pronged approach to spyware. I use a mixture of Spybot Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware 2007 and Hijackthis. Firefox is my browser of choice.

[TBoneit]

I probably go overboard

I run AVG Free on one computer along with the Spysweeper and I run AVG Internet Security and Spysweeper on another computer.

I'm about to reload a old slow laptop, 2 Ghz P4, with XP Pro and will probably AVG free and AVG AS for cost purposes. The laptop is instead of running a virtual PC as LS does. I'll justy make an image once it is set up on DVD it'll be a quick restore.

I do also run MS's Windows Defender.

[Poppa_Meth]

I'm using AVG right now but I've installed Avast on a few computers recently and it really seems to be the better AV by just a little bit. It catches a little more and has less false positives than AVG.

I'm using Comodo firewall and also behind a router firewall.

For spyware I'm currently using Spyware Blaster for immunization and SuperAntiSpyware for scanning. I ditched Adaware when the 2007 version came out and I ditched Spybot when V1.5 came out. Both proved to no longer be as effective at scanning as SAS is. The immunization features of Spybot have also be reworked and caused me no end of headaches.

On top of all that I use Firefox with Adblock Plus and NoScript to keep out most of the nasties before they get in the PC.