What is the BEST anti spyware, anti virus or whatever all around computer safety?

[hpTunes]

Anyone? I just had to go through the most painstaking and nerve wracking virus shedding, simpy because I have been running on no anti anything for a few years because it didnt let us run IE.

[Seth_]

AVG free is decent for general protection. For more thorough protection, I would recommend Nod32, Ewido, or Kaspersky. These aren't free, but good protection is going to cost you. These three paid programs have free trial versions. I highly recommend using the trial version before purchasing. Also, when you're finished with one trial, uninstall it before installing the next.

[hpTunes]

oh kool thanx dude!

[Seth_]

NP.

Keep in mind that Grisoft (makers of AVG) have merged with Ewido. Given AVG's ease of use and popularity, combined with the extraordinary detection ability of Ewido, I suspect the merger will produce a killer antimalware suite.

[Seth_]

If you're still around HP, then have a look at this. The comparisons in that thread are based on my personal experience and testing. Others may show different results.

[hpTunes]

So I shouldnt get mcafee or norton or anything?

[Seth_]

Originally Posted by hpTunes

So I shouldnt get mcafee or norton or anything?

Well put it this way: I don't think I'm alone in saying that I wouldn't recommend either of those programs. Read reviews (there are tons on the internet) and experiment with the trial versions.

[black mirror]

I had Norton.. never again.. waste of money but thats just my opinion

[hpTunes]

really? Kool thanx dudes; I also had norton but whatever we did, it would not let us on the internet! kk thanks

[WhatYouWant]

Yourself...

[Seth_]

Originally Posted by stonangel

Yourself...

Agreed.

Being completely honest, I haven't run any onboard security software in over three years and my computer is always clean. Yet, I repair malware infested computers on a daily basis that have various updated security suites. The difference between myself and my customers, is downloading habits.

Virtually all the malware I encounter, is from the customer being duped by:

"Your computer is infected with spyware. Click here to fix the problem"
"Your registry has 263 errors, click here to download (such and such) to fix these errors".
"Click here to download your daily free horoscope"

On top of that, fancy screensavers, backgrounds, and mouse pointers almost always contain some sort of malware.

[hpTunes]

so symantec is NOT good? right?

[Seth_]

Originally Posted by hpTunes

so symantec is NOT good? right?

It's not so much that it's not "good", it's just that there are much better alternatives. Also, your surfing and download habits are far more important than onboard virus protection.