[AliTheBrit]

Hi guys, I was hoping for some expert advice on this matter.

Let me start by saying a few things.

- For my internet browser I use Safari, so internet security is not a huge thing for me I'm pretty confident Safari is one of the safest browsers.

- I do not mind buying ANYTHING at all, if it works and it gives me maximum protection, I shall buy it.

- I already have good Anti-Spyware/Malware, I use premium versions of SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes, since Anti-Spyware programs have no conflict in running together (but I know Anti-virus and firewalls do)

So can you point me in the right direction? tell me what is the absolute best. and is this chart any good?
http://www.matousec.com/projects/pro...ge/results.php

If so it would indicate that Online Armor Personal Firewall is the best you can get.

Now onto the biggie! Anti-Virus.

Let me tell you this issue has given me no end of rest!, when i first started using PC's i used AVG free, and from then until now I have been using Avast! but since thats run out I want something better.

Some say NOD32, some say Kaspersky. What would you guys recommend? again, price does not come into it, and neither does how much of a resource hog the program is, I dont care as long as it makes my PC clean and virus free.

Thanks a lot,

Ali.

[lawson_jl]

Here is a guide I wrote to getting the most out of your computer including the questions you asked. Keeping your computer clean and virus free has more to do with your habits then the software on it. No matter how well protected your system is one click from you can bypass it all.

Getting the Most Out of Your Computer

1. Use an Uninterruptable Power Supply. A Surge Suppressor can’t protect against brown outs.
2. Use a router even if you only have 1 PC. A router is a perfect firewall.
3. Use a quality Anti Virus such as Microsoft Security Essentials, NOD32 or Kaspersky. All 3 programs scan for both virus and spyware.
4. Have a secondary Malware scanner such as Malwarebytes or SUPERAntispyware just in case.
5. Make sure Auto Update in Windows is turned on.
6. Check for driver updates monthly both through Windows Update and your equipment manufactures website.
7. Run a monthly Disk Clean Up, Defrag and Scandisk. The Windows tools are fine but there are others. In Vista and Windows 7 some task are ran automatically.
8. When installing programs always do a custom (advanced) install. This way you can unselect any toolbars, search engines, updaters or other “extra” software free programs almost always come with.
9. Never download an attachment from an e-mail unless you have requested THAT person send you THAT e-mail. This is still the number 1 way people get malware. It doesn’t matter if it’s your mom, your sister, your girl friend never open it unless you requested it.
10. Never click links in an e-mail unless you have requested THAT person send you THAT e-mail. Copy the link and paste it into the address bar of your browser.
11. Don’t browse shady, doggy, illegal websites and never ever download anything from them no matter what the site says. You don’t need to see the Olsen Twins naked bad enough to install something on your system.
12. When using a messenger program such as Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, MySpace Messenger etc do not click links, download files or even except conversations from people you don’t know. Just like e-mail and bad websites messengers are a large source of malware.
13. Don’t know use P2P, bit torrent, or wares sites including sites like Mega Upload and Rapid Share. It’s simply not safe and legit software makers do not use them. Exception many Linux distributions can be downloaded via bit torrent. If doing this be sure to get the file off those distributions trackers not places like PirateBay, Mininova or BT Junky.

[pscwb26]

best antiviruses of 2009-may'09 test-TOP 10
test conducted by www.av-comparatives.org
DETECTION RATE TESTaccording to ther rank in d test)::
--------
rank1: Avira Antivir premium v8
.
rank2:Microsoft Liveonecare v2.5
.
rank3:GDATA antivirus 2009
.
rank4:ESET nod32 v3.0.684
.
rank5:Bitdefender antivirus ver12.0.11.4
.
rank6:Kaspersky antivirus v8.0.0.506a
.
rank7:eScan antivirus v10.0.946.341
.
rank8:AVG antivirus v8.0.234
.
rank9: TrustPort antivirus v2.8
.
rank10:Avast! Professional Edition v4.8.1335
-------------------------------------------------------

[pscwb26]

MAY'09--OVERALL PERFORMER AWARDS
TEST CONDUCTED BY www.av-comparatives.org
----------------------------------------------
NO RANKING ONLY GRADES->3 GRADES :
-------------------------
CATEGORY ADVANCED PLUS [***]:MICROSOFT; ESET NOD32; KASPERSKY .
-------------------------
CATEGORY ADVANCED [**]: AVIRA; GADATA; BITDEFENDER ;ESCAN; SOPHOS; NORTON; MCAFEE
-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY STANDARD[*]: AVG; TRUSTPORT; F-SECURE; AVAST
------------------------------------------------------------------
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ABOV RATING
IS BASED ON OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCTS
i.e DETECTION , FALSE POSITIVES[=DETECTION OF LEGIT FILES AS VIRUS]
etc.
*************
now decide yourself

[perfume]

Dear AliTheBrit,
Quote" I'm pretty confident Safari is one of the safest browsers.". That's what we all think, but making the browser "safer" is in our hands! I had to remove Safati ver.4 from my PC after Kas.Internet Security Suite 2009 deemed it as " Highly Dangerous".

I exclusively use FF3.5.1,with the full knowledge that it is not 100% secure! Once you know the handicap, the more careful you'll be! I use GeSWall as a sandboxing feature! So,please don't go by the assumption that safari is "safe" with a capital "S"! No browser is totally safe!

If you want to choose between ESET's Smart Security Suite 4 (nod32) OR KIS2009, i suggest you to go for nod32. It's light on resources and updates are automatic and many times a day and has the "pro-active defense" tech. which KIS has too! The one big advantage with ESET is, you can try out the full-featured suite free for a month and then make up your mind!http://www.eset.com/

There are many distinguished members on this site who do not have the Microsoft Automatic Updates switched "ON". They prefer to take the choice into their own hands and decide which are "critical" and which are "custom" and which ones they need! "Silverlight" anyone?, not me sir, not by a mile!!

[Jason08]

I use McAfee as my AV and firewall, as I have the McAfee security suite. As already mentioned in a previous post, it's a good idea to have an anti-malware program also installed on the computer.

[Blackmirror]

Try them all
See what you like
I have
Settled for Zone alarm and Avg

[perfume]

Originally Posted by pscwb26

MAY'09--OVERALL PERFORMER AWARDS
TEST CONDUCTED BY www.av-comparatives.org
----------------------------------------------
NO RANKING ONLY GRADES->3 GRADES :
-------------------------
CATEGORY ADVANCED PLUS [***]:MICROSOFT; ESET NOD32; KASPERSKY .
-------------------------
CATEGORY ADVANCED [**]: AVIRA; GADATA; BITDEFENDER ;ESCAN; SOPHOS; NORTON; MCAFEE
-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY STANDARD[*]: AVG; TRUSTPORT; F-SECURE; AVAST
------------------------------------------------------------------
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ABOV RATING
IS BASED ON OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCTS
i.e DETECTION , FALSE POSITIVES[=DETECTION OF LEGIT FILES AS VIRUS]
etc.
*************
now decide yourself

Now that's an objective assessment made by a highly reputed and unbiased org. Thank you pscwb26!

[DavidPatterson]

Ali i believe that list is a little bias

First off i have dealt with my fair share of virus' and have gone through a large list of free and purchased Anti virus firewall protection programs. I would like to say Norton however they seemed more worried about me making my next years payment over protecting my computer. Norton however does have an excellent firewall system. For virus protection that doesn't interfere with your current protection try avg free i have had it for 2 years and not only have i not gotten any viruses it scans downloaded files while being downloaded so if it does have a virus it is destroyed before it enters your computer. I use other spy ware protection but avg free edition woks great and if you enjoy it, i recommend purchasing it. I have heard (not personally purchased) their internet security is fantastic and it comes fully loaded with malware and spy ware protection and firewall. Again however you have good internet and spyware i would download AVG free edition.



http://free.avg.com/download-avg-ant...s-free-edition


I hope you like it

David

[AliTheBrit]

Who likes change? i know i dont, I went with Avast! Pro edition again, its always served me well and detected viruses before they could do anything, as well as Malwarbyes and SUPERAntiSpyware, i think im safe


I mean it is HIGHLY unlikely, anything is going to get past all them 3 and then still be unfound in a deep root scan right?

[DavidPatterson]

Good choices your right unless you are doing some bad stuff a virus isn't getting past those three anti virus programs.

Good choices

[perfume]

Dear AliThe Brit,
I agree with the above post,except that you run an on-line demand scanner once a week , either Trend Micro House Call OR BitDefender(both are free), and they shouldn't have any conflict with Avast!

Link for Trend Micro : housecall.trendmicro.com/

Link for BitDefender online scanner : www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html

Best wishes.

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by lawson_jl

Use a router even if you only have 1 PC. A router is a perfect firewall.

[perfume]

Originally Posted by RootbeaR

I would like to differ a little, because a non-configured router cannot perform the task of a firewall, unless the post "pre-supposes" that the user knows and does configure the router! If not ,this article will be helpful! Configuring needs time and attention to detail! Link : http://compnetworking.about.com/od/h...rconfigure.htm.

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by perfume

I would like to differ a little, because a non-configured router cannot perform the task of a firewall, unless the post "pre-supposes" that the user knows and does configure the router! If not ,this article will be helpful! Configuring needs time and attention to detail! Link : http://compnetworking.about.com/od/h...rconfigure.htm.

Just like any other firewall or anti-virus, you must set them up.