Anti virus/spam/hack software?

[Prelude2244]

what's a good anti virus/hack software?


Zone Alarm Pro 4
Norton Int. Sec.
McAfee Int. Sec.

I went to Zone's website and they have a free download of the Pro 4. Is this comparable to the retail version?

 

[Him]

I hate Zone Alarm, had nothing but trouble with it. I recommend Symantec products, in and out. I use all Symantec, and it works so well. Antivirus is great, as is the firewall and the such. If it is an option, use a Symantec product. Stay away from McAfee, it is bad news bears.

Symantec = Norton

 

[zilantyas]

If you are trying to protect your home computer and you don't currently have a firewall installed then Zone Alarm (free version) will do the job. It will protect your computer from hacks but not viruses. A good free anti-virus software is AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php) or what I currently use BitDefender free version (http://www.bitdefender.com/bd/site/downloads.php?menu_id=21) with the Zone Alarm free version and one of the free anti-virus softwares your computer should be safe from harm (at least 99.9% safe...an aggressive hacker can always get pass security if he really is persistent) and also any security software is only as good as it's updates and virus definitions....so make sure as soon as you install the products you do an update and continue to do an update routinely.

The pay software is always better than the free version....it usually give you more control and options. I can definitely give a thumbs up to Zone Alarm Pro 4 and Norton Internet Security, those both are good software....I've never used McAfee Internet Security but have heard good things about it. Personally, I would recommend going with the free versions if this is for a personal computer and you don't need the added options and control...if you just need basic security. The added options and control is usually for advance use of the software and a bit more in-depth than the free versions.

I hope that helps!

 

[Prelude2244]

Thanks, yes..it's only for my home computer. I wll go with the free soft. But can you update them also?

 

[zilantyas]

Bitdefender and AVG yes, you can update them both with current virus definitons and you can set the option to have them auto-update which is good....you can also schedule scans or scan at bootup which is also good...for free software. Zone Alarm...I'm not sure but possibly there is no updating of Zone Alarm because the free version is only a firewall and firewalls block ports unless you allow them. Therefore, firewalls don't usually need updating because there are no new ports being distrubted daily, but I'm uncertain about Zone Alarm (free) having updates or not. Anyone who has knowledge of this your input would be appreciated!

Note: When doing updates with the anit-virus software you may need to configure it to bypass your firewall or configure your firewall to allow access to the update sites. Make sure you test your environment to be sure all is working okay.

 

[provoko]

AVG is extremely good. It saved me recently from the balge wrom. AVG updates it's self.

Zonealram is extremely good.. for every other person that uses it, haha. I don't know why people have trouble with it, but you should try it yourself, if things go wrong, then you're one of them; fortunately it works perfectly for me. =)

Oh and yes zonealarm updates its self; it'll notify you when theres a new version and then you download it. I'm talking about the basic free version; the pro version is a TRIAL for 30 days. Make sure to download the free basic version, if you were to use it.

 

[subdivizion]

*note: AVG updates itself if you set it to do so.

I use:

Sygate Personal Firewall
AVG Anti-Virus
Ad-Aware 6.0
Spybot Search & Destroy
Hijack This
Registry Mechanic

and I'm confident that my computer is clean and protected!!!

 

[Harper]

My anti virus of choice is McAfee as :-

Nortons
- Takes up too much resourses
- Is the most commonly attacked virus scanner. Like i have seen accross 2 systems where Norton's got some how un-installed.
- I have seen files virus sneak through.

VET
- About the only reason why I can think why I would support VET is that it Australian. So the buck stops here.
- VET anti virus updates are about 24 hours behind McAfee and Nortons


I like McAfee for the following reasons :-

* STINGER.EXE - Much better as it looks and fixes up a wide selection of problematic virus. Unlike the Norton's Virus Removal Tools where it 1 app for a particular virus. I can also target directories or drives with stinger as I have lost count the number of times that Norton's Virus Removal needed to scan some one porn drive with nothing but JPEGs and GIFs (which at this stage do not carry viruses.)

* The website information about virus is really good at it will let you know statics on the viruses on whether or not they are rampent, or if it's just a ilolated insodent. Some time I do feel like I am one of those guys in the BIO SUITS.
I have an actual BIO-HAZARD (no the band) sticker on the PC that we use for cleaning viruses at work

* It's strong, but not as attacked like Nortons.