I have ordered a new desktop computer with an AMD 64x2 5000+ processor & 2 gig RAM. No software bundle in the deal other than Vista Home Premium O/S.
- Could I get some input on some of the compatible securityware that is out there? Over the years I have used ZoneAlarm, McAfee, Symantec, PC Tools software and (of course) Spybot. What befuddles me are the suites that are offered these days. I'm running an old version Norton firewall and when I queried Symantec about compatability with Vista I got a no go and a hard sell. Looking around I see conflicting info on what works well. The major mags give reviews of an 8 of 10 on suites and then individual users trash the products in their online reviews. I am no stranger to and am not above purchasing individual software but I don't know Vista and thought it prudent to inquire those familiar with the quirks of the O/S before purchasing and installing something that may slow down, cause errors or lock up my new toy.
Thanks in Advance
A

Well, if you don't mind paying, there's McAfee Security Suite. I've been running it on the 30-day trial on my laptop and it seems to work alright. I do use Spybot S&D, which seems to be excellent as always. You can probably also use AdAware. If you're looking for free antivirus, there are AVG and Avast, both of which have worked well for me. For firewalls, I've read good things about Comodo. However, it's not yet compatible with Vista, so you'll need to sign up for the email alert for when it is.

I'd recommend steering clear of ZA. I had it a few years ago and it mangled my Internet connection and I read in another post about it causing BSODs on Vista.

Hi Aran,, i have vista home prem & im running Avast anti virus,,, Spyware doctor,, i also run on another vista machine Superantispyware which i think is better than Spyware Doc,, i also use CCleaner on both pc's,, i have no probs with them so far. I do not have a software firewall as i have a router with a firewall built in,, i just use the vista firewall & all has been fine,,,
Good luck,,,,, Marbles

Always bear in mind that one should take user's reviews with a grain of salt. When reading a post, you don't know what is really going on with the user's computer and what might have caused him to give ZA a bad rap.

ZA Internet Security Suite is an excellent product....even on Vista. However, there are some conflicts with Spy Sweeper causing BSOD's on some machines. But if you don't plan to use SS, then this is one hell of a good firewall and antivirus.

If you want standalone, I recommend one of these complements:
- NOD32 Antivirus, Vista built-in firewall with the advanced options (2-way) enabled, CounterSpy for your anti-spyware

or if you want FREE products, these work very well:
- Avast! antivirus, Zonealarm Free Firewall, SUPERAntispyware & SpyBot Search & Destroy

Happy shopping!

At work I've had a number of issues with McAfee on Vista systems (although it has been less than the Norton issues). I use AVG Free for my antivirus and Windows Defender for my antispyware.

I also use the Windows Firewall with a bunch of custom rules. I recently tried ZoneAlarm on my home system and it didn't seem to work quite right (and it required some contortions to even get it running) and it gave me a BSOD when installing it. On it's behalf, this was also the time that my cable modem decided to go wonky on me - so it may not have been the Zone Alarm.

Thank You all for the replies. I met a chap from the building next to my work and he suggested I not get too much up into a bunch over the suites unless I want to tie up system resources. In conversation, I mentioned the unit has a built in wireless connection - something I forgot to mention here - and he suggested I use the Vista firewall since the wireless router limits what is 'visible' from the internet. He also recommended the AVG freeware antivirus and Spybot S&D.
Any thoughts?
A

In place of the Vista firewall, I've been using PC Tool Plus free firewall without any problems that I can find.


Also AVG Free (no problems), Windows Defender supplemented by weekly scans by Spybot (since it is free, and not using any background resourses, why not?)

Edit - to correct programs on Vista, not XP

Somebody on another forum clued me into this little gem called Sandboxie. Instead of trying to look at everything coming into your PC from the net and deciding if it's good or bad like a virus shield, it runs your browser or whatever in a "sand box". There's a very good explaination on the page. Best of all, the free version can be used on all your computers and does all the stuff you need. The paid version ($25) just has a couple of extra features.. mainly automatically cleaning up the sandbox files etc..

I've been running it on my XP and Vista machines and it's very cool. Other than safe surfing, a lot of people use it to install
programs so they can check out the program in the sandbox before letting it loose on their system.

Sandboxie