BleepingComputer.com: Question About Antivirus Protection!

My Norton Expires in 33 days, and from what I've learned from you wonderful people it's just a memory HOG..LOL! I would appreciate any suggestion (s) you can give me on what to purchase and use on my system that will keep it safe but not hog up the memory and or have it running slow as Norton does. I already see that you have an awesome forum on how to completely remove Norton from my system when the time comes, so I will go read that. I just need to know what protection is the best out there to utilize so that my system stays safe. Again, Thank you for your time, you are all wonderful..In his love, Tam. P.S. I have adaware 2007 on my system also, so it would have to be able to run with that.

You should use:

1. One resident AntiVirus with real-time protection, such as AVG.
2. At least a resident firewall. Either Comodo or Sygate are very good and not very resource intensive.
3. At least two resident Anti-spyware applications, preferably with some kind of real-time protection especially if you are not careful about your surfing habits. I prefer AVG-AS in combination with SuperAntispyware, but any listed in the Freeware Replacements topic have been used by our Members. I no longer use or recommend the new AdAware2007.
4. An alternate browser such as Opera or Firefox. Firefox has add-ons that can supplement #3.

I have noticed dramatically that paid internet security suites usually take up a lot of Ram, which I have found out. So, this is what I use and I think it is a great combination of security and doesn't use a large amount of Ram.

Anti-Virus: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
Anti-Spyware: Spybot S&D and Ad-aware Free
Firewall:Comodo Firewall Pro

Just remember these work good for me but they might not with your systems spec etc.

Also, as TMacK said, it is important to only use on of each as using more than one can cause them to not work properly and clash.

All the security products I use are free ones (because I feel why pay for something that dos the same job)

Here are some reccomendations
Anti Virus: Avast! home or AVG (I prefer avast anti virus wise)
Anti Spyware: SuperAntiSpyware FREE, Spybot: S&D, Ad-Aware and AVG AS (its entirely up to you what ones you use and like TMack said:

Quote

So thats why I use SuperAntiSpyware and Spybot.
Its up to you what you use though.

But if you we're thinking of buying Id say Trend Micro Pc Cillin isn't really heavy on resources. I nonly have 512MB RAM and it worked fabtastic for me)

Hi
Here's is some anti virus I use

AV - NOD32,a very nice AV My trial is running out,but I def. going to buy it!!
AS - Webroot (PAID) and AVG Anti Spyware (FREE)
Firewall - Comodo Pro,given away for free x)

remember to use only one firewall and anti virus,or you may have a computer that make you wanna trash it

as you are dealing with dear Norton you will also require the appropriate version of this tool Norton removal tool to remove all traces of the Norton from the computer as it has a habit of sticking like unwanted glue to anything it is allowed to meet

DO be sure to select and get downloaded to the computer( but not yet installed) the appropriate EXE of the av program you choose to replace norton so you can run its installation program as soon as Norton is OFF then fully update the new av program before you do anything else, plus run a full deep scan, as dear norton is known to miss things that others pick up

have you run any independent on - line scans to check for nasties apart FROM relying solely ON the Norton program

How about Windows Defender.......As far as "Active Spyware" is concerned.....

I hear from it every time I utilize Sonic to burn a CD......So it must be "active"......Rarely other then then though.

Now effective is it......ummmmm.....With many layers of protection, it may be hard to accurately determine.

This post has been edited by 1Bart: 12 January 2008 - 08:44 AM

I had some installation problems with defender thats why Ive never used it.

There are many good, free, anti-malware applications available from companies that specialise in the area; often they have free versions that do not have all the "bells and whistles" of the paid versions, but have the same anti-malware functionality. I would suggest that these are to be preferred to all-in-one suites or to sources where their main concern lies elsewhere. The BC Freeware Replacement pinned topic lists many used by our Members.
Regards,
John

I would suggest NOD32, from www.eset.com. It consistently rates as one of the best antivirus products available and uses very few resources. I am currently using their product on my desktop and laptop. I am able to play games, or do whatever I wish with NOD32 running in the background.

DarkNight, on Jan 12 2008, 08:15 AM, said:

I use the same config, except for AVG anti-spyware. Comodo makes a great free firewall.

jgweed, on Jan 12 2008, 01:15 PM, said:

In my experience, the free anti-virus and anti-spyware products simply do not compare (performance wise) to the paid-for products. I just worked on a friend's computer that was using an up-to-date version of AVG antivirus free. I had just suggested to him that he get a paid for antivirus. He told me that his copy of AVG had not detected anything so he felt comfortable. I was working on his computer for a slow internet connection. I installed a trial version of NOD32 and it immediately came under attack from malware that was on the computer. The computer exhibited no signs of infection, except for the slow internet connection, which turned out to be a failing built-in LAN port. NOD32 had uncovered 18 infections by the time he asked me to format his hard drive and re-install Windows.

I have had one serious infection on my computer. I was using Norton Internet Security at the time. Norton was unable to remove all of the infections and Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware (both free editions) couldn't even touch the infection. The only thing that cleaned my computer was the paid-for version of Spyware Doctor. I have since used free security software but I try to do research about them first. Currently, I use NOD32 and Webroot Spysweeper. In my opinion, you simply can't beat the paid-for protection.

jabr, on Jan 13 2008, 05:34 AM, said:

I somewhat agree with you saying you cannot beat paid for protection. I have had some really bad infections (My Fun Web Products, Winantispy, Drive Cleaner, Winfixer and Vundo- and there was more)

• I could remove most of the "My Fun Web Products" infection with Super Anti Spyware and AVG and I could remove some with HiJack This. But when I did online scans it was finding more and more of it
  
• I had someone kill drive cleaner for me (for some reasons programs wern't finding the registry entries of it so the person who did this was an experienced user who went into the registry to remove them)
  
• I killed most of vundo with Vundofix. Trend Micro detected some of it and the infection is gone now )
  
• I couldn't remove winfixer with any freeware (i wasn't a member here at the time but if i was i would have posted here about hw i could remove it) so thts when I went out and got McAfee (which is a dead set waste of money as far as paid products go)

• I got rid of all minor infections with anti malware products and anti virus products.. all infections except te winantispyware one. That was a tough nut to crack. HJT just would not remove it and all my free products wouldnt detect it. So one of my friends put me onto trend micro. Which did a fantastic job with removal of it and some other malware

Some paid products can't remove certain things though. Thats why I don't entirly agree that paid protection is the best (as when over the years we've had norton and mcafee and thought we were really protected when they found nothing.. obviously not..) Each to their own I suppose But I will always think Trend Micro is the best bought protection

If you decide to purchase any security programs, first go to the program's website.
Look for a free trial, install and use that for a few days. There is no one size fits all when it comes to
computer security. What works for me may not work for you. A free trial will allow you to find out if the program causes any issues such as slow downs. You can get a feel for the interface, is it user friendly? It won't take you long to find out if it is something you want to purchase.

Thank you all soo soo very much, what a wonderful site this is, and your all so very helpful and pleasant. WOW, I didnt know I would get such an awesome response. And yes, I know that Norton doesnt remove everything because I'm always running into some sort of problems even with Norton, I've only kept it as long as I have because of what I paid for it...I truly cant wait till it expires and Also Thank you so much for the removal tool information, I've heard that it's almost impossible to get it off of your system entirely, that was something I was afraid of also... Wish me luck as now I"m looking at day 32...LOL!! Big Hugs to all of you....Tam! P.S. Can I ask also, What is wrong with Ad Aware 2007, I've paid for that too, is that going to give my system problems also? WOW I'm learning so much here, And Now I'm going to go found out where I can make A donation....Seriously, You all work so hard you truly deserve it....