[Mahone]

For my money you can't beat two programs, Protector Plus for anti-virus and Cookie Pal for beating all the cookies the sites load on your puter (it also has stopped any spyware from being added to mine, I know because I have Ad-Aware and since I've had Cookie Pal have picked up almost no spyware) Protector Plus is $12 a year and Cookie Pal is $15, both well worth a safer computer.

[Pushi]

I have McAfee, and I am perfectly happy. I was inundated by viruses a few weeks ago--several per day. McAfee got them all.

[big bad easter bunny]

Since no one mentioned it I will: AVG it's free and it's great. I put it on all my clients computers and have found a lot of viruses that the software they were running didn't. http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.htm

[gonzo]

Buy the Norton 2002! There's more shit in there than you can shake an Arab at! I'm still learning, and it's auto-update! It'll grab a virus quicker than you can wipe snot off a doorknob!

Possibly too graphic..............FRegards

[kezekiel]

I use Norton (when I'm booted into Windows), and I make sure to get the latest security updates for IE 5.0. Also, keep in mind that many viruses exploit vulnerabilities in IE & Outlook/Outlook Express, so you can avoid many viruses simply by switching to Netscape or Mozilla for your browser, and use their bundled mail readers. I think that IE is a fine browser, but it is too vulnerable for my liking, especially when using Outlook/Outlook Express.

[stands2reason]

I don't know. I have a Mac. :-)

[SpaceBar]

The absolute best way to avoid computer virii is to not use a computer. I'm amused that on a conservative forum with no doubt many pro-abstinance people to avoid unwanted diseases, pregnancy etc., are busy here trying to find out which is the best electronic condom.

[christynsoldier]

go to www.zonealarm.com for best free download!

[Chief]

Peter Norton is a big time liberal and supporter of the Clintoon crime family. I refuse to buy anything from his company.

I use McAfee VirusScan Online - automatic updates.

[The Mayor]

#

[Jeff Gordon]

Most people contract viruses via email. Using MS Outlook for email is the very best way to insure yourself that you will get a virus. Something like 80% of the viruses are targeted towards Outlook users.

I have used Pegasus since 1995 and have never had a virus infection. Pegasus is great and it is free.

[Texas_Jarhead]

I didn't read the thread but as a IT consultant I would recommend Trend Micro's PcCillin. I've seen instances of Norton failing to do its job even when kept up to date. I run the enterprise version of Trend's PcCillin on all networks I manage. Hundreds of PCs over several years and not one infection. I can't sing their praises too loud. Just my 2 cents.

FReegards

[Dave Wright]

I had to uninstall McAfee. The updates never worked because of some incompatibility with a .DLL that caused the browser scripts to fail. It frequently hung up during shutdown and was incredibly slow on startup.

[Schakaljager]

try Kaspersky AV, small and effective. best of all, it doesn't crash other programs like Norton or Mcafee.

[retiredtexan]

http://www.grisoft.com .great free virus protection free updates.

[billva]

I use the McAfee online version. I automatically get updates on a regular basis. I haven't done anything about a firewall and am considering getting that from McAfee also. I know there are free ones, but having McAfee active at all times and constantly looking for updates gives me a lot of comfort.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

AVG is the way to go!

http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.htm

[Mr_Magoo]

When I was on a dialup connection, I used Zone Alarm for a firewall and McAfee for virus protection. They did not "play nice" with each other. I would have to boot up the computer 2 or 3 times to get everything to work.

Paul, "I have AT&T cable and Zone Alarm was causing me quite a bit of trouble with Windows."
I also have ATT cable internet. I networked the home using a Linksys router. I use Zone Alarm Pro and Trend Micro PC-cillin. Works GREAT! No problems connecting, automatic alerts when updates are available, and everything "plays nice". According to my logs, the 3 days I had it installed and used the dialup, I had 209 hits on the firewall. After the transition to the network/cable connection, 0 alerts in a week of using it.

I second Texas_Jarhead's advice. Zone Alarm Pro and PC-cillin is the way to go.

[Bamaconservative]

I use Norton for anti-virus and Sygate as a firewall (they offer a free version for home use). If you use a router be sure to change the default password as well. Between a router, fireall, and antivirus you should be fairly well protected.

[sweetliberty]

I was hit with a bad virus last fall and I thought my system was toast. I really didn't have the money to invest in an anti-virus program but after talking to a lot of people I scraped together enough to invest in Norton System Works 2002 and I have never regretted it. Not only did it repair thousands of infected files, but it does do the automatic updates and the added security I have had since then makes it well worth the $60 investment, and there is a rebate, although I forgot how much. Good luck.