Internet Virus Protection

Me

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

I need all of your help for a good (preferably free?) virus protection program.

For hackers lurking I am protected now but am shopping around so don't get too excited to try to back-door me-won't work.

If I must fork out any money I want a good program.Any suggestions,please?

Is Norton (Symantec) the best?

Any suggestions and discussion--greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Another question, is the constant (it seems) LIVE UPDATES of virus definitions only something Norton offers. Is this pertinent?

[Giddyupgo]

Get Zone Alarm, in my opinion it's one of the best, and free. Also, get Ad-Aware.

[Giddyupgo]

Oops, I thought you meant internet protection. Yes, Norton is a great virus program. They do have updates, to protect you against the latest new virus.

[Huusker]

A good AV will offer fast updates against new strains. Norton Antivirus 2002 auto-downloads updates. I think McAfee probably does too.

A combination of antivirus + zonealarm is good. Also apply Windows Critical Updates regularly.

[listenhillary]

so don't get too excited to try to back-door me-won't work.

Did you read this before you posted it?

Go with ZoneAlarm & Norton

[Chief Engineer]

Look around on the web. Possibly read some of the "Spam" E-Mail. Norton Systemworks, which includes all sorts of other programs to keep your computer healthy can be found for less than $29.00.

Updates are a necessary evil. When you first install any anti-virus program, it will only catch the virus known as of the date the CD was manufactured. When you do update any anti-virus program, you only will catch those known as of that date.

Norton updates their virus definitions once a week, on Wednesdays, more often, if necessary. You have to keep ahead of the bad guys!

[petuniasevan]

Freebie programs aren't worth diddly. There's no updating most of them to block the latest viruses.

I use Norton; I've tried the freebies (useless) and McAfee (couldn't stand it - confusing, and poor tech support).

You must download the updates on a regular basis to be fully protected.

[cva66snipe]

I would say Norton has the most user friendly and E-mail secure system. McAfee has one but last I heard would not check attachments until saved into hard drive. Norton reads the attachment as it comes in. Also another very important concern do not buy anything but Virus protection such as utilities ect unless you want to spend more time managing the program conflicts than time on line. Windows is not Utilities friendly to such and you have to know which parts to disable. It also eats RAM. For hackers I would say go Zone Alarm and down load their free version this however is not a virus scan.

[UbIwerks]

How about Housecall antivirus?

[upchuck]

Here's what works for me:
Norton for virus protection and ZoneAlarm for hacker protection.

I update the Norton Antivirus software once a week on Fri night.

I've been using this system for 3+ years and have yet to have any problems. Trapped plenty of viruses. Thwarted plenty of attacks.

Works for me.

[cva66snipe]

I would shy away and stay with a big name. Tech support and company stability are important considerations in that area. Nortons has the bucks to do the research and development as well as prompt updates.

[monkeywrench]

go hereUsed this freebie, AVguard, 3 years. Have updates.

[upchuck]

One other thought. If you get Norton's, buy JUST the antivirus software. They have other software (SystemWorks) that I can't recommend. Butts heads with Windows too much.

[Clara Lou]

I use Norton AV. (There isn't any more free stuff that I know of.) I'm happy with it. Yes, you need the regular updates.

Beware McAfee-- I repeatedly hear people from all over complaining about it-- some sort of incompatibility, I think.

[jlogajan]

I'm generally happy with Norton. The latest version seems to automatically do all updates in the background when you are online. Since I am online 24/7 (cable modem) it is always updated without any user intervention.

[Cicero]

Get LavaSoft AdAware and ZoneAlarm, both for free. I have used McAfee in the past, but right now all my computers are using Norton Antivirus. And update your data files at least once a week.

I also use a mechanical firewall. It's a LinkSys router hub. Few if any probes get through it as far as my ZoneAlarm.

I have been bombarded by spam lately, and I've had at least eight e-mails from strangers with the Klez virus attached. Norton has blocked them nicely.

[ex-Texan]

E-Trust is the best there is in my opinion. I get emails every week with virus updates. Norton wants to take over your system which may cause jamming.

[CedarDave]

Norton is rated best by PCMag in its latest issue. Go here:

Personal Antivirus (June 11, 2002)