What type of virus protection/anti spyware do you use?

[SunFloridaDisney]

I'm looking into different Virus protection programs, since we've had some issues at work and I use files at home and take them to work and back.

Any advice on what's good, or better than others (and won't cost me an arm and a leg?)

 

[sajetto]

I use symantec anti-virus. Pretty good........so far

 

[DVC-Don]

McAfee. I switched last year from Symantec (Norton). McAfee found a couple viruses Symantec missed.

 

[Kirk]

Windows Defender (Free from MicroSoft)

Spyware Doctor ($29.95)

I had a stuborn one I needed the Dr for but Windows defender caught most of my problems.

 

[pdchris]

I use AVG anti-virus from Grisoft. It's free for the home user. For anti-spyware, I use MS' product. Also free. I don't like paying for something if I can get it for free.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Panda

 

[kilee]

I had McAfee on my laptop and the security suite Adelphia offers on my desktop. Since this one was free from my ISP- I switched it to my laptop too when my McAfee ran out.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

McAfee. I switched last year from Symantec (Norton). McAfee found a couple viruses Symantec missed.

This is what the IT guy at work is telling me, that Symantec isn't nearly good enough. Also, to listen to him, you should Never hardly go online, so many scary things out there! (as if I could stop DISing........ )

 

[beckmrk04]

This is what the IT guy at work is telling me, that Symantec isn't nearly good enough. Also, to listen to him, you should Never hardly go online, so many scary things out there! (as if I could stop DISing........ )

See, I have always heard the opposite(that Mcafee is worse than Norton-our computer-fixer guy told us too late ). We get Norton Internet Securities- has been good for us!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Panda for antivirus
Panda, Zone-Alarm, Microsoft, Lavasoft, Webroot for anti-spyware
Zone-Alarm for firewall, plus router

 

[Forevryoung]

I only use AVG as well- it's free and has worked well so far. I am on a college campus and always connected to the internet (and always checking email, using AIM...). I haven't had any issues. I am also a self proclaimed computer nerd if that matters (I did my research first).

 

[CarolG]

Panda for antivirus
Panda, Zone-Alarm, Microsoft, Lavasoft, Webroot for anti-spyware
Zone-Alarm for firewall, plus router

Dan, are those all free versions, or did you buy copies of them? I'm trying to decide what to use in place of Norton Internet Security because it's gotten really annoying! Sometimes it won't download its own updates unless I disable it first.

 

[Servants of Evan]

Panda Titanium. Panda is not free, but if you call you can get a decent deal on a multi-year subscription. Additionally, if you have more than one PC they'll make it even better. I also like Panda's included firewall. MS Defender is a beta version only, and it actually allows some spyware -- but MS says it's "approved" spware? Huh?

I also like Spysweeper from Sunbelt software.

My bosses brother's PC was given a clean bill of health in a scan by Mcafee yet panda's free on-line scan caught one worm and eight infected files that McAfee missed. That was this past weekend. Now they are believers as well...

 

[Dan Murphy]

All of them are pay-for versions, Carol, except MS, still in beta, but very good. The anit-spywares, the pay-for versions, are all proactive, keeping the junk out, rather than reactive, as with the free versions, having to run them periodically to get rid of the junk after it is on your PC. I do use Zone-Alarm for firewall (along with router), as it is my feeling that that is their specialty, and always are top rated in the various evaluations. I probably spend collectively a hundred or so bucks a year for those subscriptions, a small price I think to be virtually worry-free.

I did use to use Norton till it became bloatware and acting worse than AOL as to how it entrenches itself in the PC. I had to do a complete restore to finally get rid of it on the PC I had it on. Never again.

Dan, are those all free versions, or did you buy copies of them? I'm trying to decide what to use in place of Norton Internet Security because it's gotten really annoying! Sometimes it won't download its own updates unless I disable it first.

 

[MomofKatie]

We have Norton for viruses and spyware. We actually got a virus from the Windsor Palms Vacation rental site, and Norton alerted us so we could fix it. First time we actually ever "caught" a virus.

 

[Charade]

Panda for antivirus
Panda, Zone-Alarm, Microsoft, Lavasoft, Webroot for anti-spyware
Zone-Alarm for firewall, plus router

You forgot chastity belt.

 

[Charade]

I use Norton (Symantec) Internet Security (AV, AS, Firewall). Have for years. I usually dont' upgrade each year but every other year and just update the definitions. I use Webroot Spysweeper.

Even though Comcast users can get McAfee for free, I don't like it. Never have.

I usually can find deals (with rebates) on Norton stuff. I just recently bought a 3-user version of Norton Internet Security 2006 for less than $50 and a 3-user version of Norton AV (and Antispam) for $15 (after rebate).

If you're clever, you can buy the Norton stuff and the McAfee stuff, use the receipt for one to get the upgraders rebate for the other which makes them both essentially free. You just have to deal with rebates. BUT you get a nice assortment of FREE software.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Norton.

 

[highland3]

Norton here too!

 

[pdchris]

All of them are pay-for versions, Carol, except MS, still in beta, but very good. The anit-spywares, the pay-for versions, are all proactive, keeping the junk out, rather than reactive, as with the free versions, having to run them periodically to get rid of the junk after it is on your PC. I do use Zone-Alarm for firewall (along with router), as it is my feeling that that is their specialty, and always are top rated in the various evaluations. I probably spend collectively a hundred or so bucks a year for those subscriptions, a small price I think to be virtually worry-free.

Is Zone Alarm still forcing users to buy a "business" package so they can use their VPN? They used to do that which is why I never used them.
I use Sygate's Personal Firewall. Very configurable and unlike the MS Firewall it alerts you when something is trying to go out to the internet (unless you've already allowed it) and asks if it can access the 'net.
However, Sygatew as bought out by Symantec so I'll probably switch since Symantec won't support it.
Sunbelt Software has nice anti-spam and anti-spyware plus they purchased Kerio Firewall (another freebie) but are going to charge a small sum for it.