Which Antivirus/Firewalls are Best?

I am still in the process of fixing this computer up, but am trying to get a gameplan so I can hit the ground running when I do.

Until I had to reformat I was running the latest version of Zone Alarm Security Suite (the one with AV and FW built in). I also used Ad-Aware and Spybot to remove spywarea and malware.

I am just wondering if Zone Alarm is what I should be using, or should I use something else? I have heard AVG and Avast were good, and that Comodo is a good firewall, but I am not sure what to choose.

Those are all good programs but I absolutely love ZoneAlarm. Have been using the av/fw for many years and have no desire to use anything else.

I would also use Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware for on demand malware detection

O.K., guess I will just stick with ZA then.

Hello,
I Agree. You may want to consider switching to SUPERAntispyware & Malwarebyte's Antimalware. Spybot and Adaware are no longer recommended. See HERE

Even though I no longer use Spybot for scanning for malware I find it is still a useful program. I use it for the immunize feature and to keep an eye on startup entries. I have also used it to keep my homepage from being changed although SuperAntiSpyware has that feature too.

Looks like I have some catching up to do.

I've been fortunate not to have to do much removal recently, and did not know that ad-aware and spybot were no longer up to snuff. Is there a link where I can read more details about this?

I must say though, I've had to help two people out lately and Malwarebytes has proven to be a godsend.

As a side note, I'll agree with the Zonealarm group. Been using it since like version 3 I think.