Best Firewall, Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware/Adware.

[Atty]

For a long while I was using AVG Free Edition as my Anti Virus and Spybot S&D for my Spyware and Adware removal, I also had Windows Defender running. I've been using Windows Firewall as well. Now I've moved from AVG to Kapersky but I'm wondering, whats the best to use?

Now, I'm not only asking for me, but also for customers who's computers I'm fixing. I've got a laptop I've got to work on now (lots of Virus and Spyware threats) and I have a steady stream of PCs to work on, as well as a few PCs to set up for friends, family, etc.

Now, what are the best to use? I'm looking for the most comprehensive, user friendly (for customers sake, and light (I can't have these heavy programs bogging down some basic PC set ups.)

If you all could steer me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[law9933]

My understanding from several forum opinions-

Kaspersky or NOD32 paid, AVG or Avast free

These are popular & can be free or some also paid versions for spyware-
a-squared (scanner)
Spyware Guard (blocker)
SpywareBlaster (spyware blocker)
Spybot: Search & Destroy (spyware blocker and scanner)
Ad-Aware SE (spyware scanner)
SuperAntiSpyware (spyware scanner)
Windows Defender (spyware blocker and scanner)
AVG AntiSpyware (spyware scanner)
IE Spyad (spyware blocker)
A modified HOSTS file (spyware blocker)
Firefox with addons (safer browser)

 

[Brutus04]

Stay away from Norton!

 

[mechBgon]

For a free antivirus, my top choice would be AntiVir PE Classic in Expert Mode with all the options maxed out.

In terms of lightweight protection, also remember the option of non-Admin user accounts in cases where they'll work for your customer. There's no performance impact, no signature updates required, and they're quite effective against the usual stuff I see in the wild. Also, they're already perpetually paid for and they will help protect your other security measures from attack. Particularly good for kids and non-security-savvy users, as long as these users don't have the Admin credentials with which to override the protection.

The main downsides: (1) people need to adjust to the concept of "separation of powers" and different user accounts, and (2) some popular software will freak out when full-blown Administrator powers are not available, in which case you could try some workarounds.

 

[Billb2]

I'm on Comcast behind a hardware firewall using Avira (free version) and Kerio Sunbelt Personal Firewall on a PIII box. If anything was gonna get bogged down, this PC would. I go to warez sites and use bit torrent and get neither Virius, spyware nor pop-ups, just a lot of warnings about stuff they stopped or found and delt with. Oh yea, and the Concast torrent slowdown (there's a workaround!). I've used everything mentioned in this thread so far, and pretty much anything that's out there. Norton = big mistake. Kaspersky = excellent, but uses too many resources (on this machine anyway), AVG = doesn't catch enough, but easy on resources. Anything else is BOTH ineffective and a resource hog.
Windows Defender/Windows Firewall = jokes.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Checkout the Antivirus Detection Rate Thread

 

[xgsound]

I'm the computer guy for some of the relatives with kids. For scanning / repairing spyware, I've had excellent luck with Superantispyware. I use "Startup control panel" to kill unneeded startups so I can look around the affected system and get rid of obvious problems. Then to safe mode and scan with AVG and Superantispyware. I haven't had to format for about 1 1/2 years.


Jim

 

[Captante]

Best all-in-one suite: Zonealarm Security suite (uses Kaspersky AV)

Best pay-AV: Kaspersky v.7

Best Free AV: AntiVir

Best pay-antispy: Counterspy

Best Free antispy: Superantispyware

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: xgsound
I'm the computer guy for some of the relatives with kids. For scanning / repairing spyware, I've had excellent luck with Superantispyware. I use "Startup control panel" to kill unneeded startups so I can look around the affected system and get rid of obvious problems. Then to safe mode and scan with AVG and Superantispyware. I haven't had to format for about 1 1/2 years.


Jim

For the record, I tried Superantispyware and it killed my laptop. Had to boot into safe mode to remove the fricken thing.

Then again, my XP install is Acer's image, and I've had similar problems with other AntiVirus/Antispyware apps.