EZC-Boston Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 I realize Fez has a thread in the consumer forum but there hasn't been a post since January. I just bought a new laptop (got a sweet deal on cyber monday) and want to make sure it stays at peak performance and doesn't get anything nasty on it so I'm willing to spend some cash to get some good security software (usually I just go with something that is free). I was looking at amazon it looks like either: Bitdefender Total Security 2010 - 3Pc/2Yr or Norton Internet Security 2010 1-User/3PC are the best selling and best rated options but I was wondering if anybody had a preference or knew which one was best. Also, Vipre AntiVirus + AntiSpyware gets good reviews too. One thing I'll need to research is compatibility with Windows 7. I'm actually pretty good about not downloading and installing garbage, clicking on suspicious links or opening unknown attachments, but this is the most $ I've ever spent on a computer and I want to make sure it lasts. Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.
Live&DieBillsFootball Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Believe it or not, Microsoft has come out with a decent free package...Microsoft Security Essentials. It has gotten some good reviews online for being lightweight and very easy to use. Very quick download and it seems to use very little system resources. It sets itself up quickly and doesn't bother you at all. Microsft Security Essentials I have given up on many of the "security suites". In most cases they are bloated and use a ton of resources.
bills_fan Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 I use Ad Aware from Lavasoft and paid for the license to get auto updates because I'm too lazy to run it myself. I have been happy with it and it guards also an overly expensive computer that I bought.
stuckincincy Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 (edited) I recently - for the 1st time - purchased an av/suite. I bought Avira based on recommendations from The Dean, and I am pleased with it. Many configuration options, including locking of the Host file. Also, Malawarebytes - had a glitch, though - Dean explained that to me via PM: ..."I'm guessing the reason you had trouble with the Malwarebytes download might be due to inadvertently clicking the wrong download link. There is usually a BIG download banner ad posted near the top of the download page, but it is usually for a questionable product and not Malwarebytes. I suspect this may be the case because it happened to me once, and regularly happens to people I know. Get it here, the link is at the top right of the page:" http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/ Note that it's not for 64-bit Vista. I don't know if it works with 64-bit xp. Prior to reading that, the local Micro Center store has a selection of popular downloads on CD - so I bought the disk for 3 bucks. I also use Windows Defender, password-protect the BIOS, and deny browsing history in Mozilla. I use a wired connection with a hardware firewall - as recommended by Fezmid. Edited December 2, 2009 by stuckincincy
kegtapr Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Comodo for software firewall, it's free and better then anything I've ever paid for. Haven't tried their anti-virus.
BUFFALOTONE Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 I just bought a new Laptop as well and installed kaspersky on it. So far so good. The software detects problems across the globe and automatically updates your comp. Its great. So if Beerball has a prob and they fix it they will send the notice to all of the kaspersky customers. Pretty cool actually. And they have a 24 hr customer service line, which is great for the comp retarded such as myself.
damj Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Believe it or not, Microsoft has come out with a decent free package...Microsoft Security Essentials. It has gotten some good reviews online for being lightweight and very easy to use. Very quick download and it seems to use very little system resources. It sets itself up quickly and doesn't bother you at all. Microsft Security Essentials I have given up on many of the "security suites". In most cases they are bloated and use a ton of resources. +1
stuckincincy Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Comodo for software firewall, it's free and better then anything I've ever paid for. Haven't tried their anti-virus. I used Comodo for a long while - but with the successive program updates, it started giving my personal system some problems. I liked it a lot, though - very good firewall IMO.
EZC-Boston Posted December 2, 2009 Author Posted December 2, 2009 Thanks, I'll take these all into account before I pull the trigger. Interesting, nobody with Norton experience.
Fingon Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Thanks, I'll take these all into account before I pull the trigger. Interesting, nobody with Norton experience. Norton is pretty well known as the absolute worst virus protection software you can get.
thebug Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Thanks, I'll take these all into account before I pull the trigger. Interesting, nobody with Norton experience. Actually Norton have had their problems over the years, but I think they got it right with the 2010 Internet security package. Very user friendly and easily configurable. It doesn't bog down the system anymore and my laptop became noticeably faster when I went from 09 to 2010. I have a bunch of customers using it and so far looks pretty good. Also goes on sale for $39.99 can from time to time and that covers 3 computers.
damj Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Thanks, I'll take these all into account before I pull the trigger. Interesting, nobody with Norton experience. I thought Norton was awful ... I got tired of getting prompted every 3 seconds for something or the other. I went with Symantec for a while, but Microsoft Essentials seems to be quicker and less resource heavy and has spyware built into it.
BUFFALOTONE Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Thanks, I'll take these all into account before I pull the trigger. Interesting, nobody with Norton experience. Long story short I just signed up for the AT&T Uverse bundle (friggin excellent btw). Anyway the wireless internet comes with Mcafee so when I bought my new PC I didn't need antivirus. I get home and find out that Mcafee is not compatible with Windows EX8. So i decide that I will load the 2 months free of Norton that the comp comes with till I can get a something better. I proceed to install and all is well. I turn off the comp, wife gets on and the PC starts to freeze and then just stops, mind you I have had it for 2 hours. I end up having to wipe the PC clean and uninstall the Norton and install Kaspersky, haven't had n issue yet.
stuckincincy Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Avast is great too, and it's free. I've read good things about it. I used AVG for several years, and liked it, but their latest free version - 9 - caused problems for me. Its' scans were always slow - not much of a problem for me, since I have about 10Gb used out of a 140 Gb drive. IMO, it would be awful for folks with lots and lots of files.
bills_fan Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Just wanted to add about Ad Aware that they were recommended to me by my employer's IT folks. I work at a very large employer and solicited recommendations from them for antivirus when I bought my new machine back in March.
Pete Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Can someone please recommend some good spyware protection for Apple?
thebug Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Can someone please recommend some good spyware protection for Apple? MacScan.
kegtapr Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 Can someone please recommend some good spyware protection for Apple? Why would you need it? Can't a Mac fight evil itself?
Peevo Posted December 2, 2009 Posted December 2, 2009 As a UB student we get free Norton Professional anti virus and firewall software from their server. Mac/PC and Linux all for free. If you want I can get it for you, send me a PM and we'll work something out.
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