[Crusnik]

I often am asked whats the best free protection software out there and it's been a while since I pinged the group to see what their thoughts are.

Firewall:
I'll be honest, I have no idea what free software is even out there these days for free firewalls.

Antivirus:
To my knowledge, AVG is as good as it gets for free virus software.

Spyware:
Ad-aware? Spybot? Is this bundled into AVG/other antivirus software now?

Thanks for the input.

[blues_harp28]

Check.
AVG.
http://free.avg.com/ww.download-avg-...s-free-edition
Avast
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
Spyware.
http://www.superantispyware.com
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Firewall.
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

[rbalaji]

There are lots of free firewalls out there. I myself have heard of comodo and zone alarm, and more are reviewed here.

As for anti-virus, AVG seems to be THE most troublesome free anti-virus. Look at the number of threads just in this forum devoted to problems with AVG. I use Avast and have never had a problem with it. You couldn't pay me to switch to AVG, but that is a personal preference.

As for anti-spyware, I use the adaware anniversary edition. I am leery of anti-spyware software in general because the technology seems to be quite immature at this point. I have had anti-spyware programs mess up my system by identifying needed system files as spyware, quarantining them and causing my computer not to boot up. Adaware seems to be more sensible than others in this genre.

[Crusnik]

Avast eh? I've haven't heard of that one yet. Maybe I should give that one a try.

Odd question... I was thinking of trying out the Windows 7 beta. Think these would work on there since they worked on Vista?

Appreciate the quick responses!

[JamesFrance]

Comodo Internet Security will do all this. Best to wait until Tuesday when the new version with heuristics and Threatcast will be on the website, or it can be downloaded now from their forum.

[rbalaji]

Most anti-virus software, I would not expect them to work on Windows 7. AV is tightly integrated with the OS kernel and since windows 7 is still being worked on, I doubt any vendor has had enough access to the kernel to make their product compatible with it. Same for firewalls. But anti-spyware, especially on-demand scanners should be able to work on windows 7, I think.

[Mr. Newton]

There is no such thing as best.
You just need to check out TSG or other forums and various security sites,read a lot of computer articles,and then try out different ones or just pick one and in time you will become aware of what one you want to finally keep.
I have tried various paid and unpaid and now I use only one.It works for me but I never see it recommended by others.It keeps me safe and I trust it,which is all that counts.
It's the "best" one for me.You won't find it listed in the top five most used, but that's ok with me.I'm completely satisfied with the one I use.

[rOadToIS]

I agree with Newton.

[perfume]

Dear rOAd----,
Firstly i apologize to you when we had a small spat over a free version of CIS!(Never can correctly type your username!). KIS2009 died on me and surprise,iam now using the free version of CIS,till i get to buy my "favourite KIS2009! The support team for KIS2009 is really the pits!

I too agree with MR.Newton when he said "best" is a relative term.Right now iam happy with these A-V/Spyware?Adware, being:1)Super anti spyware Pro, 2) Malwarebytes anti malware(bought)(MBAM), 3) Trojan Killer, 4) A-Squared Free 5) Anniversary edition of AD_aware and Comodo Internet Security Suite (CIS) is a compromise( Totally a personal view). I have Win Partol installed too and i sort of have a sentimental liking for the dog!

[perfume]

Just wanted to add that Microsoft have "Malicious Software Removal Tool"(MSRT), which hrlow2 says is upgraded once a week, but i found the updates is once a month.It is a freeware and if a "deep scan" is chosen, it does a thorough job! The version i have is a Jan release, confusingly named--KB 890 830-v 2.6! The feb version is released.

[HalleluYAH]

Lock N' Stop: Best Firewall (for me).

[hrlow2]

to perfume
I defy you to show me where I stated that the Malicious Software Removal Tool was updated every week.

[aka Brett]

Why is avira not getting any recognition here.Its good

[hrlow2]

I still use Avira and enjoy a clean machine. Used with my other defenses, I have everything covered.( knock on wood ).

[Bichey]

Avira is an excellent anti virus. The best thing about avira is that after u uninstall it there are no traces left in the registry.