AntiVirus Software Question

[Disciple]

I have McAfee Security Center, and my subscription just ended. I Got Trend Micro PC-cillin for free (after rebate). Should I abandon Mcaffee, uninstall and install PC-cillin? Both have full scan, firewalls, spyware protect, etc..

Or is there another AV software that I should be using?

Thanks.

[IV]

Disciple Wrote:I have McAfee Security Center, and my subscription just ended. I Got Trend Micro PC-cillin for free (after rebate). Should I abandon Mcaffee, uninstall and install PC-cillin? Both have full scan, firewalls, spyware protect, etc..

Or is there another AV software that I should be using?

Thanks.

Hello. Mr. Tech here.

Please go to Office Depot or somewhere similiar and purchase Kaspersky Internet Security. The single user edition is 59.00 but it is the best out there, plus it doesn't hog the resources like some of the other bloated and generally worthless programs.

It does contain both antivirus and fireweall protection as well as anti spam, antiphishing options.

Why, here's the link to buy it and download it right from your computer.



http://usa.kaspersky.com/store/



Choose the middle option for 59.95. It's a steal for what you get. I know...I install it on all my customer's computers.

[estevino]

If you're interested in free software, Avast! works well, both for on-demand virus protection and for continuous monitoring. It's arguably the best free antivirus software available. I've been using it for about two years, and it's done the job well, on easily a dozen computers.

I agree that Kaspersky is good, and worth the money if you want to pay it. I would positively avoid any Symantec-Norton products, b/c as IV says it is bloat, plain and simple.

As for a firewall, my professional opinion is that software firewalls are next to worthless, and are typically system hogs. You're better off buying a router with firewall capabilities, which can be had for maybe $60. Any piece of software can be hacked, but there is less chance of an intrusion occurring with a properly configured hardware firewall. In my experience, maybe 90% of virus/malware problems occur when computers are attached directly to their internet lines, without a hardware firewall.

My two cents,
estevino

[IV]

So who's advice did you take.....the astrophysicist or the technology whiz?

*PCPunch*

[estevino]

And who anointed you King of All Computer Answers? *pope*

I spend as much time dealing with computer problems as you do, my esteemed colleague. There is no need to start a pi^&@ng match.

[brick_a_brack]

I think we should get Red October's opinion....

After all, he's KING OF THE MOLOKAN UNDERGROUND!! Maybe he's got some intuition.

It would be interesting to see what he uses for this MASTERFULL( yes MASTER-FULL) website....

Psersonally, Norton is the bomb, once it blows up, I'm not buying it again! It's junk!!

Have a happily HOLY DAY to all!!

[IV]

I don't know.....Red forgot to check his heatsink compound the other day. He may not be the best person......Ok let's ask him!

Just teasin. *lol*

[RedOctober]

@ Brick - King? Really? Funny, I don't feel like I get treated like royalty....well maybe a royal pain in the.....

@ IV - Rub in why don't ya. I'm sure you've overlooked the "duh factor" at times.

Well...since were throwing around titles, what does everyone want from thier friendly nieghborhood Economist?

My two rubles....

Norton/McCafee is a virus.

If your going to go "el-cheapo" on your virus software, you may as well use one of the free versions as its probably the same if not close to it...only difference is, your paying for it. I would ONLY go this route if your ISP gives you free virus scan on ALL e-mails, you currently are plugged in via a router (no...not the modem, a router in addition to the modem) and you don't go to off the wall sites. Oh and you should also pick up a free spyware removal program. If your running the latest XP version it should have it already (plus its own firewall)....but, how much do you trust Microsoft?

But if you want peace of mind like I do, get a good version.

Kaspersky from what I hear is good. I also hear Stop Sign is also a good product.

I don't use either, I use Zone Alarm which has not given me any problems and blocked plenty of potential problems. There is one problem with with it however, you need to know what your doing. If you're basically a dunce when it comes to PC's I don't heavily reccomend it as you could unintentionally block yourself out of the Internet or block an legitamate program from accessing the internet.