[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.

[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.

[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.

[monkeywrench]

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

[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.

[CedarDave]

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

Personal Antivirus (June 11, 2002)

[Drango]

I paid all of $8.50 for Norton Internet Security 2002 by bidding for it on Ebay. Anti-Virus protection and a firewall that work great, a privacy control thingamajig and a cheesy ad blocker that is only OK. Also, I assumed that 'cause I had dial-up I didn't need a firewall. WRONG...I get several intrusion attemps a day!

'Nuff said!

[VOA]

Is Norton (Symantec) the best?

I'm no expert, but...
I work at a major research university; they use Symantec.

Additionally, the hosts of one of the "tech" radio shows out here give the
nod to Symantec; they just seem to think that McAfee isn't quite as good.

[goldstategop]

I use Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Internet Security Firewall in tandem. Great products and easy to install and use and never have had an infection or a hacker make havoc of my hard drive yet. Plus if you look now, the 2002 edition can only get even cheaper. And its Windows XP compatible.

[VOA]

Oh, and like others, ZoneAlarm is gets lots of positive comment out here.

Be careful about the Klez virus (and variants). Our university computer center
sent out an e-mail advisory campus-wide about it; that's a pretty rare event...
thus I go with their evaluation of it being a really bad boy.

[Mark17]

Consumer reports says Macafee and Norton are best virus protection, and Zone alarm is one of the best firewalls.

[tall_tex]

I had Norton in my office, along came sircam, got hit big time cost me lots of bucks to get rid of it. Went to Mc Afee, got hit again, went to Pccilin, user friendly, tells me when they have a update when I turn my computer on. We spents thousands of dollars in repairs last year, and who knows how much money it cost us in down time with this problem. I told my agents, you open an attachment and we get a virus, you are history. Tough part is that my wife is the worst offender.. Go figure, married 39 years this fall, like I am going to fire my best agent and love of my life. Good luck. Tom

[PaulJ]

I have AT&T cable and Zone Alarm was causing me quite a bit of trouble with Windows. When I called AT&T tech support, one time, and described my problem, the first thing they asked me was if I had Zone Alarm. They then advised me to remove it. And if you decide to get rid of it you have to go to their web site (Zone Alarm's) to find out how to manually remove bits and pieces of it, a simple un-install still leaves some of it in your computer.
AT&T now has a free download of Sygate Fire Wall and I have had no problems with it.

[PhilDragoo]

Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition. Has Live Update feature to keep current on virus definitions. Catches those pesky viruses before they can infect.

Prior to that, McAfee was adequate and used their techs via phone and email.

For firewall protection, ZoneAlarm stopped a series of Chinese "scientific institutes" at the time of the EP-3C incident. Now Black Ice blocks the various probes.