[Reetox]

I have a question in regards to Antivirus software. My girlfirend would like to buy an all in one antivirus/spyware/ad-aware/internet security software for her laptop. I'm considering getting some as well as i currently have Avast, Spybot and few other spyware programs running in the background and would like to just have one good one. Any reccommendations on what is good and that is not going to cost us an arm and a leg. She's has already ran trials of norton 360.

And a review of Avast would be appreciated as well.

[blues_harp28]

Hi check.
http://www.firewallguide.com/anti-virus.htm

[Jeruvy]

Anti-Virus products alone are not a good solution. As of 2008 we see that most security products have less than 90% success at detecting malware. Finding a good solution will not be an easy task in 2008. Finding the best may well be impossible.

You really need more than one product, but the wrong mixture of applications can cause more problems than it prevents.

Using products that are signature driven are not as effective as good heuristic products. However there are a slew of 'less than good' heuristic products.

Reviewing the 'how to prevent reinfection' threads on this board are most important and will probably do more for you than trying to find the 'best' security product, which simply doesn't exist. Many are 'good' but none are 'best'.

Additionally your comfort level with security applications will play an important role in your choice of a product. Some are great products but very annoying to use. Others are not annoying, but lack comprehension or capabilities.

Additionally it's never wise to run trial's of AV products since it's near impossible to remove them cleanly. You will need to go to Symantec's site to get a proper product uninstaller for Norton 360 if you decide not to go that route.

[ferrija1]

I would prefer to have multiple programs for each task, but an al-in-one should still work.

BitDefender Internet Security 2008 is $40/year and BitDefener makes good stuff.

[Reetox]

Thanks for you help i've followed most of the steps that were posted on this forum to tighten my security i have installed,
-Zoned out/IE-Spyad
-Spyware Blaster
-I downloaded The microsoft security Updates
-I changed the options in Internet options
-I ran Jason Levine's Browser Security Tests (which went okay)

But after the test a window comes up now and asks if i want to allow cookies for this page. How do i turn this option of and what is the best action for it, cause it is starting to annoy me...

Also if anyone uses avast, a post on if it works for them would be great, I also use Spybot Search and Destroy (is this for spyware, I'm a bit unsure) I use to run AVG antivirus and antispyware but i unstalled them both because it wouldn't allow me to finish a scan before restarting. I also have Ad-aware SE, sholud this be suffecient protection as well as the above for my computer...
Thanks for your help.

[ferrija1]

That's great protection, just don't run more than one type at a time.

Cookies are ok, they do things such as remember passwords.

[Reetox]

Thanks it's always good to know, just another quick question, if i was to to set it back to enable cookies that would be okay? and where abouts in the properties do i do it cause i've forgoten....

[Reetox]

And when you say don't run more than one type at one time do you mean, don't run Avast at the same time as spybot (Due to obvious slowing of the computer) or do you mean don't install any more virus software...

[Jeruvy]

I'd say they meant both. Anti-virus products are really difficult to get working side by side on a machine. Many cases they will start aggravating each other and cause you to waste time checking out each other rather than looking for the nasties.

Running a scan from two disparate tools at the same time could lead to more tail chasing activity but more likely it will just slow down your PC.

[ferrija1]

1 anti-virus, 1 anti-spyware, and 1 firewall (optional).

[Reetox]

I have Avast, Ad-aware 2007 not active unless i want to do a scan (I installed it and uninsatalled Ad-aware Se), Spybot search and destroy, and also spyware blaster which just blocks the sites before i go to them i think. I don't have a firewall except for the windows one i think it says i'm covered though. I won't be installing any more software at this stage so i don't believe these programs will clash.... I don't run the scans at the same time either as it really slows my computer down to the point were i can't do anything...
Thanks for your help in regards to my question...
If anything concerns you in my last post feel free to let me know...

[blues_harp28]

Hi maybe use a different Firewall.
Windows only checks for incoming traffic.
Others check for incoming and outgoing traffic.

http://www.jetico.com
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com

Firewall Leak Test.
http://www.matousec.com/projects/win...ts-results.php

[ferrija1]

In my opinion a firewall is optional, if you have Windows firewall on and a router you're fine.

[Reetox]

I have windows firewall on, but i'm not quite clear as to what a router in regards to this topic is...

I'll try the firewall test and get back to you...

[Reetox]

I installed the atelier firewall tester and ran it and it said that my firewall was very porus for all five test and that people could hijack my programs as well. So i might do something about it, i'll check your options but will it affect gaming and so forth as data has to be transfered while playing online...