Which Anti-virus/Firewall do you use?
Sunday, November 5, 2006 by sophiesboy | Discussion: Windows XP
I was curious to find out which anti-virus/firewall programs people liked and used.
Over time I have tried a couple of different programs, and never been extremeley happy with them for various reasons.
I used Symantec/Norton for a while, and it had a tendency to crash my machine every time an update came out, requiring reverification with the company, unloading/reloading the program, etc.
At the moment I am using the McAfee Security Center Suite, and while it works reasonably well, it manages to chew up about 137MB of RAM according to the Processes window in the Task Manager. For a system that has a typical resting usage of about 350 to 400MB that seems like an awful lot to me.
A friend of mine recommended switching to the Grisoft AVG antivirus/firewall, which he said uses far less memory and catches quite a bit more than McAfee. I downloaded a free version and ran it once. It managed to detect three Trojans which McAfee had missed over months of use.
So the question is, for those of us who are just competent enough to unwittingly destroy our machines, but not so competent that we can delve into the minutiae of these programs, what would your recommendation be?
Ideally this would be a single source of programs designed to work together (the biggest selling point for the McAfee suite in my case), not a multi-sourced collection that may or may not work together depending on my ability to dig in and tweak drivers/settings/codes.
I await the collective wisdom with anticipation.
Over time I have tried a couple of different programs, and never been extremeley happy with them for various reasons.
I used Symantec/Norton for a while, and it had a tendency to crash my machine every time an update came out, requiring reverification with the company, unloading/reloading the program, etc.
At the moment I am using the McAfee Security Center Suite, and while it works reasonably well, it manages to chew up about 137MB of RAM according to the Processes window in the Task Manager. For a system that has a typical resting usage of about 350 to 400MB that seems like an awful lot to me.
A friend of mine recommended switching to the Grisoft AVG antivirus/firewall, which he said uses far less memory and catches quite a bit more than McAfee. I downloaded a free version and ran it once. It managed to detect three Trojans which McAfee had missed over months of use.
So the question is, for those of us who are just competent enough to unwittingly destroy our machines, but not so competent that we can delve into the minutiae of these programs, what would your recommendation be?
Ideally this would be a single source of programs designed to work together (the biggest selling point for the McAfee suite in my case), not a multi-sourced collection that may or may not work together depending on my ability to dig in and tweak drivers/settings/codes.
I await the collective wisdom with anticipation.
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MySecret
Reply #42 Friday, February 2, 2007 12:53 PM
Reply #42 Friday, February 2, 2007 12:53 PM
Avg Pro
Firewall ...did use Zonealarm But deleted when I started using my Linksys
Router..checked throughly with 4 different computer techs and numerous websites that a *good* router, setup properly eliminates the need for a firewall.
I also use Spybot, Ad Aware, A-squared Free anti-trojan WWW Link">Link
as well as SpywareBlaster and CCleaner
I use Firefox as my primary browser but If I need to use IE 6 is use * Flashpeak Slimbrowser which uses IE as a base but includes many security features & tabs.
I am currently looking into a program called Drive Sentry, which claims to be able to stop viruses, trojans and malicious code as well as rootkits & spyware. I will be doing considerably more research before trying it but it does look positive.
[link="http://www.drivesentry.com/moreinfo.htm"]WWW Link
It's My Secret
Firewall ...did use Zonealarm But deleted when I started using my Linksys
Router..checked throughly with 4 different computer techs and numerous websites that a *good* router, setup properly eliminates the need for a firewall.
I also use Spybot, Ad Aware, A-squared Free anti-trojan WWW Link">Link
as well as SpywareBlaster and CCleaner
I use Firefox as my primary browser but If I need to use IE 6 is use * Flashpeak Slimbrowser which uses IE as a base but includes many security features & tabs.
I am currently looking into a program called Drive Sentry, which claims to be able to stop viruses, trojans and malicious code as well as rootkits & spyware. I will be doing considerably more research before trying it but it does look positive.
[link="http://www.drivesentry.com/moreinfo.htm"]WWW Link
It's My Secret
Sorry
Kinjin
Reply #44 Friday, February 2, 2007 1:27 PM
Reply #44 Friday, February 2, 2007 1:27 PM
Antivirus = Avast
Firewall Software = Sygate
Firewall Hardware = Linksys router (wpa, mac filtered, ssid not broadcasting)
I always use a software firewall. No antivirus catches everything. Your router won't stop viruses coming from your machine. The software firewall lets you know whats actually trying to access your connection. That way you can spot viruses your antivirus missed, etc.
Firewall Software = Sygate
Firewall Hardware = Linksys router (wpa, mac filtered, ssid not broadcasting)
I always use a software firewall. No antivirus catches everything. Your router won't stop viruses coming from your machine. The software firewall lets you know whats actually trying to access your connection. That way you can spot viruses your antivirus missed, etc.
MySecret
Reply #45 Friday, February 2, 2007 1:50 PM
True, thats why I use Avg Pro and the reason I am looking into Drive Sentry. I have never had any problem with Zonealarm but want even more control.
DriveSentry works by monitoring each application writing to your drives. Only applications you have authorized can write to the drive and all others are blocked. If you can imagine a software firewall monitors internet traffic, well DriveSentry monitors drive traffic
DriveSentry is incredibly versatile as it not only allows you to prevent applications writing to your drives but can also control what file types they write.
DriveSentry (lite) is free and DriveSentry (pro) is $29.00.
I would appreciate any info and opinions on Drive Sentry
It's My Secret
Reply #45 Friday, February 2, 2007 1:50 PM
| Your router won't stop viruses coming from your machine. The software firewall lets you know whats actually trying to access your connection. That way you can spot viruses your antivirus missed, etc. |
True, thats why I use Avg Pro and the reason I am looking into Drive Sentry. I have never had any problem with Zonealarm but want even more control.
DriveSentry works by monitoring each application writing to your drives. Only applications you have authorized can write to the drive and all others are blocked. If you can imagine a software firewall monitors internet traffic, well DriveSentry monitors drive traffic
DriveSentry is incredibly versatile as it not only allows you to prevent applications writing to your drives but can also control what file types they write.
DriveSentry (lite) is free and DriveSentry (pro) is $29.00.
I would appreciate any info and opinions on Drive Sentry
It's My Secret
Nimbin
Reply #46 Saturday, March 17, 2007 6:33 AM
Reply #46 Saturday, March 17, 2007 6:33 AM
AVG for anti virus, Zone Alarm pro for firewall, plus adaware, spybot, AVG anti spyware
and windows defender, you can naver be too safe
and windows defender, you can naver be too safe
Nimbin
Reply #48 Saturday, March 17, 2007 6:39 AM
All of you ppl suck...
Use da best software combo ever...
ZoneAlarm Pro [easy to crack]
Eset NOD 32 [easily 'almost crackable']
State-of-the-art Software...
you'll never miss a virus or an intrusion with these...!!!
Trust me...
Holla Back...
Dawson...
its people like you who cause the prices to keep skyrocketing, i hope you get smashed by a virus
Reply #48 Saturday, March 17, 2007 6:39 AM
All of you ppl suck...
Use da best software combo ever...
ZoneAlarm Pro [easy to crack]
Eset NOD 32 [easily 'almost crackable']
State-of-the-art Software...
you'll never miss a virus or an intrusion with these...!!!
Trust me...
Holla Back...
Dawson...
its people like you who cause the prices to keep skyrocketing, i hope you get smashed by a virus
jimmyyy
Reply #49 Saturday, March 17, 2007 6:21 PM
Reply #49 Saturday, March 17, 2007 6:21 PM
ad-aware is popular for freeware and light on the system.
Process guard is becoming popular for very tight control of running processes
Then of course you'd want to include a firewall prog, would not recommend Norton.
Process guard is becoming popular for very tight control of running processes
Then of course you'd want to include a firewall prog, would not recommend Norton.
jimmyyy
Reply #50 Saturday, March 17, 2007 6:26 PM
Reply #50 Saturday, March 17, 2007 6:26 PM
Lantec, don't know all the reasons but im pretty sure the answer is yes you still need software.
Nimbin
Reply #51 Sunday, March 18, 2007 12:16 AM
Reply #51 Sunday, March 18, 2007 12:16 AM
xp firewall only stops inbound stuff, it wont stop anything getting out, so even any of the free firewalls are better than the one supplied with XP
twobadmice
Reply #53 Sunday, March 18, 2007 2:52 PM
Reply #53 Sunday, March 18, 2007 2:52 PM
NOD32 for Anti Virus, used it for the last 2 years and it's been more than perfect. Quite interested in giving Kaspersky a bash though, as it's scored really well in AV testing.
Firewall, I use a hardware firewall via my router and Outpost Pro for a software firewall. I'm on a trial basis at the moment but considering purchasing it.
Firewall, I use a hardware firewall via my router and Outpost Pro for a software firewall. I'm on a trial basis at the moment but considering purchasing it.
MISTERAMD
Reply #54 Sunday, March 18, 2007 3:29 PM
Reply #54 Sunday, March 18, 2007 3:29 PM
I'm using
-AVG Free Edition
-Ad Aware
-Windows XP Service Pack II
-Windows Firewall
-AVG Free Edition
-Ad Aware
-Windows XP Service Pack II
-Windows Firewall
pjdark
Reply #55 Sunday, March 18, 2007 4:28 PM
Reply #55 Sunday, March 18, 2007 4:28 PM
I currently am using....Eset Nod32 for my antivirus, Counterspy v.2 anti-spyware,and Comodo firewall.great software.Recommended. 
KeithMacDonald
Reply #56 Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:44 AM
Reply #56 Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:44 AM
Telus Security & Privacy as my firewall and anti-virus software, Windows default firewall as backup.
Threi
Reply #57 Thursday, March 22, 2007 12:40 PM
Reply #57 Thursday, March 22, 2007 12:40 PM
Lets see...nothing beats smart surfing but for me i use
AV: NOD32 (although i highly recommend AVG)
-Hardware Firewall (router)
-Windows XP SP2
-Windows Firewall (sometimes)
AV: NOD32 (although i highly recommend AVG)
-Hardware Firewall (router)
-Windows XP SP2
-Windows Firewall (sometimes)
BuddhaV10
Reply #58 Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:03 PM
Reply #58 Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:03 PM
wow... a lot of people use a lot of good stuff...
oh well, i use the following on my "main PC"
Antivirus-Avast! Pro 4.7 (Cheap enough, and i like the extras)
Firewall-Windows, ProtectX, ZoneAlarm, and McAfee
AntiSpyware-Spybot, Spysweeper, Ad-Aware, XPTools, ZeroSpyware
yes, i am what one would consider paranoid, but i log in remotely over the net into work, and that means a bunch of open ports, plus when i get on games, that's more ports, and when i FTP for synchronization, that's even more ports, so a lot of security is a neccessity.
Jafo, i used Bit Defender 10, and it took a lot of my resources when i had it running full-bore, i'm on a decent machine, and it just seemed to lag it down when i kicked it up.
is your machine just that much better than mine, or is there some weird thing with my box?
Specs for PC are- Athlon 64 3400, 2gigs DDR400, 300GB 7200 16m, ECS board, Radeon x850xt PE.
oh well, i use the following on my "main PC"
Antivirus-Avast! Pro 4.7 (Cheap enough, and i like the extras)
Firewall-Windows, ProtectX, ZoneAlarm, and McAfee
AntiSpyware-Spybot, Spysweeper, Ad-Aware, XPTools, ZeroSpyware
yes, i am what one would consider paranoid, but i log in remotely over the net into work, and that means a bunch of open ports, plus when i get on games, that's more ports, and when i FTP for synchronization, that's even more ports, so a lot of security is a neccessity.
Bit Defender 10
Jafo, i used Bit Defender 10, and it took a lot of my resources when i had it running full-bore, i'm on a decent machine, and it just seemed to lag it down when i kicked it up.
is your machine just that much better than mine, or is there some weird thing with my box?
Specs for PC are- Athlon 64 3400, 2gigs DDR400, 300GB 7200 16m, ECS board, Radeon x850xt PE.
REDstyler
Reply #59 Tuesday, April 3, 2007 7:09 AM
Reply #59 Tuesday, April 3, 2007 7:09 AM
AVG 7.5 has always done the world of greatness for me, others are just too slow.
tanvir360
Reply #60 Wednesday, April 18, 2007 9:10 AM
Reply #60 Wednesday, April 18, 2007 9:10 AM
AVG 7.5 pro slowed my laptop to death when i was installing SDC.
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Reply #41 Friday, February 2, 2007 12:49 PM
FW - ZoneAlarm (free)
AntiSpyware - Ad-Aware, Spybot, Windows Defender, Spyware Blaster, (free, free, free, free)