[deuce]

Ok....I know we've had these discussions before, but I need to ask.

Currently I'm using BlackICE as my firewall protection. I'm going to be doing a clean install of XP Pro probably later today, and I'm wondering if there are any free solutions out there that are better. BlackICE has worked great, except recently it's been flaking out. I don't mind using it again, but I just thought I'd ask around.


Also, I'm wondering what opinions you guys have on freeware anti-virus programs. PC-cillin came with my motherboard software, so I plan on using that unless there is something better out on the freeware market.


Thanks!

[starman2002]

Avast is a good free anti-virus scanner.Sygate is a very good free firewall.Etrust and Panda have an av with a firewall free for a year.Both are good. http://www.avast.com/
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf/spf_ov.htm
http://www.pandasecurity.com/surveymonkey/thankyou.html
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/index.cfm?

[deuce]

Thanks. I think I'll look into that Etrust fw/av and use it for the next year. Will that be better than the BlackICE/PC-cillin combination that I'm using now? Or does it not really matter?

[roban]

I would go with Sygate and Avast. I use Avast and before I switched to a router, Sygate was my firewall of choice. never had a problem with either of them.

[deuce]

Thanks. After looking at them, I like that Sygate. I think I'll go with the Sygate and probably the Avast too.

[roban]

If you're like alot of us, you'll probably try a few before coming to rest. Then when something new comes along you'll probably try that too. It's an illness, but harmless.

[newkidtopc]

Hey deuce,
I am currently using AVG Free Version + ZoneAlarm on my 98SE and AVG + Sygate on WINXP.
I have been using these for last 6-7 months and had absolutely no problem.
I prefer ZA to Sygate as it is very easy to configure.With Sygate it took me some time to configure it according to my needs.
I think AVG is amongst the top products when it comes to free virus scanner.It has kept my system clean.Just a little problem with their automatic updating.It is not working for me for some 4-5 days.

Just my two cents worth

Cheers

[Schnitzu]

I might as well add my two cents worth here.

I have been using the free versions of Zone Alarm personal firewall, and Grisoft's AVG anti-virus for quite a while now. I think both of these are quality products. They both consistently get good ratings in the press. They both run unobtrusively on my machine, quietly doing there thing. I have no problem recommending both of these products.

[deuce]

Anybody have any arguments between AVG and Sygate?

[deuce]

Actually, I'm retarded. I think I was thinking AVG was a firewall, and I was looking for opinions differentiating those two. Nevermind then.

Geez....and that was only at 7:00....

[OldLadyWho]

Hi folks, I was browsing through the forum this morning and spotted this topic. Thought I'd comment because it just so happens that early last week my Grisoft AVG turned quirky. I've use AVG for at least 4 years now (scratching head and squinting eyes in effort to remember exactly how long)...maybe 5 years....and have recommended it to tons of other folks. It's still on my other two computers too...I've never before had a minute's problem with AVG.

But it just did some strange things one day last week, and I thought it might have been caused by a virus (and, yes, I update faithfully), but none was found after checking in with Trend's Housecall online virus checker.

I fussed with it quite a bit and decided to just uninstall and reinstall, and then decided to just try something new instead, so I installed the Avast! AV.

I kind of like it so far. No problems that I can tell. I even registered it today. We'll see how it goes.

Oddly enough I had the same thing happen to ZA after I did the last upgrade to it. It just never worked right after that. So, I went to Sygate and really like it.

Anyway, just wanted to stop in and add my 2 sense (which now renders me senseless )

Have a great day, Folks!! OLW

[deuce]

Thanks for the warning. Right now I'm going with Sygate for sure, and don't know about the av. But in fact, I'll be installing Sygate in about two minutes.

[deuce]

Ok......went with Avast and Sytgate, and have them both instlalled. Thanks for the help.

[starman2002]

Good choices.

[cavemanmac]

I have used Panda on my desktop for 3 years and am completely satisfied with it. On my laptop I use Avast and Zone Alarm. Panda and Avast both update daily from the internet without my having to do anything.

Currently my ISP uses Postini to protect my e-mail from Spam and viruses, it works well.