[savedbygrace]

I've heard good things about BitDefender and NOD32.

Opinions? Other recommendations?

[bcsco]

I began using Blink Personal a few months ago. So far, very happy. It's anti-virus, firewall and intrusion protection all wrapped into one application. And it doesn't seem to hog system resources.

I can be downloaded free for a single PC. I have two PC's networked so I bought a 3 PC license for $39.00 (I believe was the $).

Blink® Personal Edition

[RSmithOpt]

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 has a much smaller system resource footprint than Norton Internet Security 2008, which I currently use. KIS 2009 is kinda lame with parental controls and spam filtering, but its firewall and anti-virus is top notch. Seem as though both of the fore mentioned 2009 release products have developed ‘trusted file integration’ apps to reduce scan times, etc. I’ve installed KIS 2009 on 2 neighbors networks and they haven’t had a problem yet for 2 months now.

[WildcatClan]

Both of those are good and if I remember correctly BitDefender was easier on system resources. Kapersky is also very good but a bear on sr’s. I got tired of the yearly subscription scam and I just use the CA I got free with Roadrunner and the CA firewall. I have used CA and Firefox for 4 years and have never had a virus.

[MAD-AS-HELL]

unfortunately, antivirus and antispam software are always a step behind. Once you get infected, you ultimate are screwed. If you have the resources, ditch the PC and buy a Mac. While Macs aren’t 100% safe either, they enjoy being much less of a threat than swiss cheese PCs.

[RSmithOpt]

FYI: Kaspersky 2009 was the first such product released to identify and notify the user of the problems associated security issues with all but the newest versions of Java (Sun Microsystems), macromedia and shockwave flashplayers (Adobe).

You need to go to Sun and Adobe's web sites to read up on these particular issues. IE7 is the most vulnerable at this time as Microshaft has mot made a good fix for either of them yet.

I use Firefox.

Be warned you need some skill with the PC and OS to first completely remove the older versions of the software (browser plug-ins geared for video) before installing the newest versions. Oct 15 2008 and Dec 23, 2008 is when this hit the fan. I've been fixing this issue for friends......give it an hour or 2 to get it done and then verify your work.

[tutstar]

read later

[raybbr]

tech help ping.

I am interested too.

Thanks guys for all your info.

[driftdiver]

Bitdefender crashed my system. I use avast and have had no problems.

“I’m not defenseless even without a firewall app, because I have a hardware router. “

THIS IS NOT TRUE. Firewalls will not stop email viruses or web based viruses. Nor will they stop attacks which use open ports.

[MyTwoCopperCoins]

AVG used to be good, now it’s bloated.

Avast is hands-down, the best. And free.

[ETL]

McAfee is by far the best and most user friendly computer protection I’ve ever used. They have a package on sale now for $29.00 (for one year). It’s 25% off reg price.

---

VirusScan Plus
Essential, Easy-to-Use PC Protection with Powerful Web Site Safety Advisor:

Anti-virus
Anti-spyware
Firewall
Web Site Safety Ratings

http://us.mcafee.com/

[SC DOC]

I have tried many and currently use Avast antivirus and Comodo firewall which are both free.

[SC DOC]

I have tried many and currently use Avast antivirus and Comodo firewall which are both free.

[mkjessup]

I’ve had good success with an older version of the Kerio personal firewall, it’s version 2.1.4 - if you can’t find it online, Freepmail me and I can send you the setup program.

On antivirus? I kind of like the Avira free version, if you don’t mind the periodic nag screen ‘urging’ you to buy the full featured version with bells, whistles, and an automatic ass-scratcher.

[joseph20]

Windows XP comes with a built-in firewall (as of service pack 2). Just use that.

For anti-malware, use Windows Defender. This comes built-in with Vista but you can get it for free with XP.

For anti-virus, I like ClamWin because it is Open-Source software. It runs very light in the background since it does not do any real-time scanning.

Between the above 3 things, and keeping your Windows installation patched and up-to-date, you should be fine.

[listenhillary]

Another vote for Avast!

[arthurus]

I have been using AVG Free for years with no problems of any sort and, NO INFECTIONS. I had McAfee before that and paid them annually and got virii twice in two yaers that McAfee couldn’t handle and didn’t even notice. AVG doesn’t slow up my box the way McAfee did, either. I do need a good firewall, now though. Most of them seem to come laden with anti virus and other stuff I neither need nor want.

[Woodman]

I've extensively used the most popular commercial programs and the have all be resource hogs. The most lightweight program I have used that seems to work and get good reviews is AVAST. It's free for personal use, and I am using it on 5 different home PC’s without issues.

As for S/W Firewalls, personally I think they are a waste of time if you have a H/W one set up.

The Hardest thing you will go through is trying to get all of the old programs uninstalled (trust me).

[zeebee]

[TomGuy]

Regrettably, both firewall and anti-virus programs quickly turn in to glutware.

I dropped McAfee and Trend Micro and ZoneAlarm years ago for that very reason. They took up too many system resources.

==

Now, I use an older version of Comodo Firewall (free for home use) because it makes my computer nearly invisible to the outside world. Upgrades of ZoneAlarm conflicted with too many other programs, etc. I have not updated Comodo because the old version works and does not conflict with the programs I use.

I also use AVG 8, but had to turn off everything except the auto update, email check and Anti-Virus. All their other background stuff caused a system slowdown. I liked ver 7/7.5, but was forced in to 8 for auto-updates.

==

Most of these programs grow in to glutware, as their developers need to keep adding things to sell updates. It becomes a vicious circle.

I have seen anti-virus programs exceed 30 meg and firewall programs grows from 5 megs to 30 megs.

I recently upgraded XP sp2 with all the MS updates. Something caused a conflict with my PCTV card. I had to back up to a previous system image.

I hate upgrades. Many times, they create more problems than they solve. I have stopped upgrading my home system, except for essential programs such as AVG.

[cbkaty]

It may be time for more processing power...as in new hardware? Sounds like you have the perfect excuse to move up.....

I like my HP HDX 18 with 2.80 gigahertz Intel Core2 Duo,64 kilobyte primary memory cache, 6144 kilobyte secondary memory cache, 4094 Megabytes Installed Memory.....It runs like a Ferrari compared to my old Dell Pinto.

My AVG and SPYBOT run in minutes rather than hours.