Antivirus Firewall Software - What is the best?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 13:44

McAfee or Norton. Which one is best?



Advice please.

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 13:47

Zone Alarm - it's free

http://download.cnet.com/ZoneAlarm-Free-Firewall/3000-10435_4-10039884.html

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 13:53

Then add a free antivirus programme. Avast! works on PC and Mac:

http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 13:55

Although this is considered better for a Mac: http://download.cnet.com/iAntiVirus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10854561.html

sunshineheave



Joined: 19/01/2011
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 14:00

If your windows is genuine then you should get microsoft essential and its free and best but only if you have genuine windows.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 14:17

Be carful some of the firewall and virus programes will slow your computer down and stop you accessing affiliate links etc.

The popularity goes up and down but do be aware of the limitations (windows firewall seems good and comes free) Free AVG used to be popular and AdAware had its users.

Anti Virus, Firewall, Anti Spyware - Watch out if you have too many working (more than 1 of each) they often "fight" each other. So try one if it works use it only.

Just because something says there is a problem know what you are using as you might need those cookies or programes for something else.

Most important keep updating and that includes windows and all your programs as then you are being kept secure by "them that knows" the program manufacturer!

Danatnorth


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 105

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 14:23

kaspersky internet security always gets to reviews... ive used it for the past 3 years and never had a problem.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 14:31

Wouldn't use ANY of 'em .. esp. if you want your VPN to still work.. !!



Happily using the standard windows firewall and AVG free anti-virus

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 15:09

whatever you do don't have 2 anti-virus programmes installed your computer will either go very slow or just not do anything

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 15:12

Zone Alarm works well asking you to approve access to new programs before proceeding

AVG was fine until it needed updating then it did not work .I've replaced it with avast and that seems to run slower

I've used Norton in the dim and distant past and it slowed the computer to a crawl and was not worth the money

johnerebus



Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 15:14

The computer guys who repair my computers uses the free version of AVG and so do I now. He says, ' Why pay for expensive programmes when you can get them for free?' And you can upgrade for additional facilities if needed.

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 15:44

If you bank with HSBC and use internet banking they are giving free 1 year use of McAfee at the moment.

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 17:32

I have used both, settled on Norton Internet Security 7 years ago, mainly because it was the antivirus of choice when I was working for IBM and that is quite a recommendation in my books. Never experienced any problems with it over the years, have heard several people slate it, mainly because they have another "free" antivirus which has not uninstalled properly before they put Norton in. Norton does have several features that you won't find in the "free" ones (like network map display) because they are usually cut down versions of commercial software with a lot of features removed. However I am not knocking the free ones, you get what you pay for and AVG works fine.although I did need to supplement it with "Spybot" as is was not picking up all the malware.

My daughter uses Macafee which I installed about 5 years ago into a clean machine, no problems there either.

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 20:44

they are both crap no1, do this download avast , then download jv16 powertools ,this will scrub your system clean and remove broken files , its easy to use and its free for 60 days

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 21:58

I agree with mmmmmm....message 8... AVG has worked for me for years...and it's free!!!

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
29/01/2011 22:58

re msg 13



Dear Tony - as ever - you offered your valued experience, leading to a valid opinion but missed the VITAL point...



Norton 360 is a fine product - *******but many people use a VPN and it WILL interfere / port block.******



On many PCs it - and other 'internet security progs' slows them down DRASTICALLY - folk don't NEED all those services all the time - they're just a system hog..



I don't / didn't work for IBM - just advise folk that they can use what I have used for myself - without an issue - for half a decade ! ;)

smoggyjim


Joined: 21/07/2007
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
30/01/2011 08:59

I use McAfee and it is fine also most firms use this as well, had bad experiences with Norton.

zookeeper


Joined: 17/03/2010
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
30/01/2011 09:22

I use McAfee for the 3 computers we use regularly and it's great.