Which is the best? I had Norton on my last computer and it was a major pain in the ass. So, what else is out there? What is available for free vs. paid?
It's far from perfect; however, AVG is probably the best of the free options. My general recommendations for prophylactic software on a windows-based machine are the following: --- Anti-Malware: Ad-aware (free version) --- Anti-Malware: SpyBot Search & Destroy (free version) --- Anti-Malware: MS Win Defender (free) --- Firewall: [ invalid url ] (free version) --- Anti-Virus: NOD32 (best overall, purchase) Install all three of the anti-malware programs, the firewall, and one or the other of the anti-virus programs (not both). I do not go for the all-inclusive packages from any of the companies. Too many of their additional options are both inferior and essentially bloat-ware. ~ GaySatyr (ABB) Edited to add: CAVEAT: These work well with all current versions of 32-bit Windows 2000 (except not MS Defender) & Windows XP (I don't recommend 64-bit versions of W2K or XP to anyone - not even my worst enemies - well, except maybe the members of BushCo). They SHOULD work with 32-bit Vista; however, Vista handles memory differently than W2K/XP; so it's possible there are problems -- cross-check with their respective web sites. I have not yet explored 64-bit Vista to any great extent. I'm waiting for SP1. Let others find the problems for me, thank you very much! However, for those of you on the forefront of MS technology, 64-bit operating systems need applications -- and, especially, prophylactic applications -- tuned for the 64-bit environment. I'm not endorsing these as recommendations for Vista/64 (but they are probably a good starting point). Edited by - GaySatyr on 8/11/2007 7:04:12 AM
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Aug 9 2007 : 3:33AM
I totally agree with GaySatyr if you use windows xp those are must have programs. What problems did you have with norton? My father uses it and likes it well.
Norton has gotten more and more bloated and is no longer the best of the anti-virus programs. Of the big 2, I'd rather have McAfee; however, IMHO, NOD32 is both superior and much less intrusive. ~ GaySatyr (ABB)
I, too, have heard good things about Comodo; however, I have no experience with it and am waiting on others more capable than I to do head-to-head testing with Zone Alarm (and other products). And since I always run behind a router that incorporates an internal, firmware-based firewall plus NAT, I'm not too worried. My experience with all of these companies is that once they get a toehold with a good product in one category, they introduce a suite of products covering all the other categories -- sometimes integrated, sometimes not -- which seldom match the quality or simplicity of their original product. I'm very happy with the mix of Ad-aware, SpyBot S&D, MS Windows Defender, Zone Alarm and either AVG or NOD32 (plus router). They seem to play well together and their various approaches seem to cover the bases fairly well without any obvious impediment to my using my computer for the things I really want to be doing. ~ GaySatyr (ABB)
Last time I used Ad-Aware with Vista, it wasn't pretty. Vista kept spitting it back out every time I tried to start it so I just uninstalled it. Spybot seems to be working well. Been meaning to try reinstalling AAW. Just haven't gotten around to it.
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Aug 9 2007 : 9:24PM
I read that there is an XP service pack 3 in the works soon. I wonder how bad it will break my windows.
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Porn Scout Deactivated User
3735 Posts 10/02
Posted - Aug 11 2007 : 4:28AM
It was a resource hog on my last laptop. Granted, that machine had insufficient memory, but I still don't trust Norton.
best one is : --- Anti-Virus: AVG (free version) its Kapersky running gear, just some parts look like AOL thats all
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Jan 1 2008 : 9:55PM
I find Hijack This to be a handy tool as well. It doesn't search for a specific list of problem processes but shows you *everything* that is running and you can use it to delete stuff and kill processes. Just be careful about what you delete. "Initially based on the article Hijacked!, but expanded with a lot of other checks against hijacker tricks. It is continually updated to detect and remove new hijacks. It does not target specific programs/URLs, just the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites." Edited by - conquistador on 1/1/2008 9:55:57 PM
Unless one wants to make a study of it, it is good to have someone that has made a study of it review the log from HijackThis. Some forums are more stringent on it. That is, allowing one to deem oneself an expert. I've found a forum where they seem to be good at it.
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Jan 2 2008 : 3:12PM
Have you got a link to the forum? Every time I have used it I researched everything before I killed it off. Nothing useful was purged and my machine seems to be the better for it. Simply googling ***whatever_process***. exe I found enough information. Edited by - conquistador on 1/2/2008 3:14:00 PM
Yes, but cannot email you via the forum here. It is off. Can you config it on?Yep. If you're confident, that's fine. Many would not be... or shouldn't be. :) This is just another way the needed info and instructions.
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Jan 2 2008 : 4:02PM
I cannot. For some reason whenever I try to put in my address it says something about it already being in use. Hardware checked into it and it made no sense to him either. I can mail you if you want, but I have no way of explaining how to email me on this forum because it consistently does not work.
Yep. Click on the little envelope up there. It works for me.. just checked... it'll pop up a window that you can use to message me. Going to be away for a bit. Will get back to you later on.
Although I would recommend NOD32 in most cases as ANTI-VIRUS software, the problem is that most companies differentiate between viruses/malware/spyware/etc. I can't guarantee for it's effectiveness, but the companys name might give you a clue on that departement. http://www.symantec.com/business/products/overviewp?pcid=2241&pvid=endpt_prot_1 Symantec Endpoint Protection This might is how it -should- be (in theory ;) - An all-in-one pc-condom. Good luck
