Good anti-virus and firewall programs- please recommend

[Blackadder]

Hi,

I require very good anti-virus and firewall programs. They can be seperate
and not bundled. Currently I'm using McAfee Security Centre 6 but its got a
dozen small programs running in the background and seems like bloatware to
me. And every now and then I suspect it spins up my hd and does a scan.
(Yes, I unchecked the file index option).

I am quite hands on and prefer to update my programs manually- so I don't
need an auto scheduler.

I used to have ZoneAlarm Pro, and AVG. Then I switched over to AVAST.
Currently I'm using McAfee Security Centre 6.

But I suspect that McAfee is doing random scans on my harddrive. McAfee also
has a lot of stuff loaded into the RAM- included scheduled activities which
I can't seem to disable.

Any recommendations?


My system is a P4 Duo 6600, Corsair 2GB DDr2, Asus p5b deluxe motherboard,
xft geforece 7800gtx and an ADSL2 Siemens connection. And XP Pro Sp2.


Cheers!

 

[Klaus Jorgensen]

Blackadder wrote :

Currently I'm using McAfee Security Centre 6 but its got a
dozen small programs running in the background and seems like bloatware to
me.

Same "problem" here. I am using a bundled McAfee VirusScan 10 + McAfee
Firewall 7, and it eats up +70Mb of memory. It's always been a mystery
to me how software developers can write programs where even the simple
"Systray-RightClick-About" menu takes seconds to carry out.
Now and then it even pops up with a McAfee commercial add telling me
about their fine new products.

I have been using McAfee products for 15 years - being very happy with
the design and performance of both the retail version and the
enterprise version. This has now come to an end, and I'd very much like
to hear about small and fast virus scanners/firewalls.


/klaus

 

[Rob Buide]

this message to us on Sun, 10 Sep 2006 16:51:51
+1000:

Hi,

I require very good anti-virus and firewall programs. They can be seperate
and not bundled. Currently I'm using McAfee Security Centre 6 but its got a
dozen small programs running in the background and seems like bloatware to
me. And every now and then I suspect it spins up my hd and does a scan.
(Yes, I unchecked the file index option).

I am quite hands on and prefer to update my programs manually- so I don't
need an auto scheduler.

I used to have ZoneAlarm Pro, and AVG. Then I switched over to AVAST.
Currently I'm using McAfee Security Centre 6.

I've used ZoneAlarm Pro too but I stopped using it a few years back
when they released a series of faulty new builds.

But I suspect that McAfee is doing random scans on my harddrive. McAfee also
has a lot of stuff loaded into the RAM- included scheduled activities which
I can't seem to disable.

Any recommendations?

I really only need a firewall for outward protection because I'm
behind a router. I use Sunbelt Kerio.

I replaced ZAP with Kerio who were subsequently bought out and the
product is now called Sunbelt Kerio. It used to have a 30-day free
trial but I see it now comes with a 30-day Money Back Guarantee.
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/kerio.cfm

For anti-virus I use and recommend NOD32. http://www.eset.com/

It will automatically download several updates every day, but you can
choose to update manually if you wish.

You can set it up to scan your hard drive automatically every day or
instead you can manually scan your hard drive only if and when you
want it to.

My system is a P4 Duo 6600, Corsair 2GB DDr2, Asus p5b deluxe motherboard,
xft geforece 7800gtx and an ADSL2 Siemens connection. And XP Pro Sp2.

You have a faster machine than I do so neither program should cause
you any problems.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I require very good anti-virus and firewall programs. They can be
seperate and not bundled. Currently I'm using McAfee Security Centre
6 but its got a dozen small programs running in the background and
seems like bloatware to me. And every now and then I suspect it spins
up my hd and does a scan. (Yes, I unchecked the file index option).

I am quite hands on and prefer to update my programs manually- so I
don't need an auto scheduler.

I used to have ZoneAlarm Pro, and AVG. Then I switched over to AVAST.
Currently I'm using McAfee Security Centre 6.

But I suspect that McAfee is doing random scans on my harddrive.
McAfee also has a lot of stuff loaded into the RAM- included
scheduled activities which I can't seem to disable.

Any recommendations?

The problem with a question like this is almost every program has its
partisans, and you end up with a lot of conflicting recommendations,

That said, I'll tell you my preferences. I think McAfee is a poor choice;
only Norton is worse. I'm happy with the combination of Avast and the free
version of Zone Alarm.

Also note that besides anti-virus and firewall programs, you need several
anti-spyware programs. I recommend Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search & Destroy,
and Adaware.

All of these are free.

 

[Blackadder]

The problem with a question like this is almost every program has its
partisans, and you end up with a lot of conflicting recommendations,

That said, I'll tell you my preferences. I think McAfee is a poor choice;
only Norton is worse. I'm happy with the combination of Avast and the free
version of Zone Alarm.

Also note that besides anti-virus and firewall programs, you need several
anti-spyware programs. I recommend Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search &
Destroy, and Adaware.

All of these are free.

Thank you Ken,

Yes, I am aware that many pple will offer conflicting opinions.

I just wanted to gauge what other users were using.

I was using Zone Alarm Pro and AVG for a long time - and that seemed to
suffice. However, the recent version of ZA Pro kept on cutting off my
internet access.

Then I switched to AVAST and Kerios Firewall. But I had all sorts of
problems with that config.

At the moment I've got a new machine and am using McAfee suite but its
fairly large. Although I have 2gig of RAM and shouldn't be complaining - it
does bother me somewhat. However, its got very good reviews...

And yes, I also use ADAWARE and Spybot search and destroy- I like them. I
also use Trend Micro's online scanner. It does a very good job.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Norton Internet Security, far and away the best protection system on the
Market. You get what you pay for.

I also use Microsoft Defender.

DSH

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thank you Ken,

You're welcome. Glad to help.

 

[null2006]

I don't remember if it was PC Magazine, or PC World, but one of them recommended
the free Comodo firewall.

 

[George]

Hi!

I really only need a firewall for outward protection because I'm
behind a router. I use Sunbelt Kerio.

I thought that I was safe behind a router.
Please explain the "outward protection"?

(Have not re-newed my McAfee firewall on the strength of the router!

george

 

[Rob Buide]

Hi!

I thought that I was safe behind a router.
Please explain the "outward protection"?

(Have not re-newed my McAfee firewall on the strength of the router!

Hi George,

The router gives you incoming protection only which may not be
sufficient protection.

A firewall is useful to guard against spyware that could be
accidentally or inadvertently installed on your computer, or a virus
which hasn't been picked up by your anti-virus program.
A firewall should warn you if your computer is infected and trying to
make outward connections, your router cannot protect you against your
computer trying to make outward connections.

A better example perhaps is after I've installed and I'm using or
testing new programs, I like to know if they try to make an outward
connection without my permission.
Some programs will try to ring home for example.

Many months ago I was surprised when my firewall advised me that
Windows was trying to access the Internet. This happened after I had
visited Windows Update and installed Windows Genuine Advantage. ;-)

 

[George]

Hm......

Many thanks for that.
I didn't know......
Will do something about it!
Thanks again!

george

 

[Rob Buide]

Hm......

Many thanks for that.
I didn't know......
Will do something about it!
Thanks again!

george

You're welcome.

<snipped>

 

[Guest]

All I know is --

with my experience both McAfee AND Symantac currently produce bloatware (and
on another sidebar so does Kodak)

I loaded the current version of Symantac and wound up spending 3 days on the
phone with tech support. I was given conflicting information from the
several techs I spoke with. It toasted my system. The programs utilized to
"clear" also were not working properly since I doubt heavily it was tested
with numerous concurrent versions having previously been loaded and not
removed properly. It's limping along but I sincerely think its time to cut
the Norton cord. There is a definate conflict when running NVIDIA in that
when attempting to open the control screen it has issues with a "transparent"
display. It does the 'ol puke & hurl and you are forced to restart in order
to have it working properly (and off your screen)

These complaints are beside the fact that both Norton and McAfee have never
really captured everything. I have always needed additional pieces to
completely rid the system of adware etc.

So of course in the case of an upgrade -- you need to remove ALL pieces,
upgrade and then add back the required add-ons to do the complete job that
the bloated piece of software making your system groan is not doing
completely.

But -- that's just my .02 cents

 

[Guest]

BTW -- I agree with Adaware SE & Spybot but also found spyware blaster to
fall into the piglet realm.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

<baldersnip>

Nope...

No Sale...

I've always had excellent results with Norton Internet Security -- and its
predecessors.

I use Microsoft Defender as well.

Some basic intelligence is required to install, operate and update them --
skills you seem to lack.

'Nuff Said.

DSH

 

[Dolphin]

Spencer, I also have had the same experience with Norton since the late 70's and
have never been burnt yet anyways.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Bingo!

Norton Internet Security...

It's a First-Rate product.

All one need do is follow the instructions for installation and operation,
customize it as appropriate, and then upgrade regularly.

DSH

 

[TOM]

<baldersnip>

Nope...

No Sale...

I've always had excellent results with Norton Internet Security -- and its
predecessors.

I use Microsoft Defender as well.

Some basic intelligence is required to install, operate and update them --
skills you seem to lack.

'Nuff Said.

DSH

I've been using Norton Internet Security for several years and have yet
to have a problem with it. It plays well with things like SpyBot,
Adaware, and SpyCop.

I started with Norton back in the days of DOS...

 

[Guest]

Wow

You're a real help

Sorry - I wasn't aware that you knew everything (even if devoid of social
skills)

Your intelligence shines through when making assumptions regarding my
individual system setup and my ability (or inability) to deal with the latest
and greatest Norton Internet Suite.

Sweet it is not --

If Norton satisfies your security needs -- then why augment it with Defender?

Because....

As the years have progressed, Norton as well as other products have become
less effective while demanding more resources. Common thinking is that disk
and memory are cheap.

QA of software has become increasingly more difficult since it is impossible
to replicate all the possible permutations of systems. Rarely does a system
exist in-house that has gone through multiple upgrades in combination with
all the other applications (and their possible release conflicts)

Norton's "clear" program clearly did not work -- so that was a definate
point in case of poor programming AND QA. When the intent of a program is to
clear ALL the existing package related software from the system, both aborted
install tidbits along with prior installation items and it skips over not
just registry items but all shared .dll's and several entire obvious folders
-- I'd say it was a piece of trash. If the intent of a program is to correct
a corrupted install AND it expects all items to be there or it aborts -- DUH
-- It's not my intelligence that is in question. What the heck would you
attempt running it for if it were it not for the fact that NOT all pieces
were there?

For me -- Norton's new release is a horror -- the prior release was bloated
yet effective enough and not a problem especially when complemented with
Adaware and Defender. Prior to that Spybot was also required since it
picked up items that the others did not.

You can't see anything if your head is in the sand (or elsewhere) Sorry I'm
not the type of geek where my case is constantly off my system. I've been
busy as a PM on midrange to larger systems with Tier 1 Apps for the past 20
years and left the tinkering to the underlings.

 

[Guest]

BTW

Norton is considered more a "personal" use item -- I have yet to be in a
large install base where it is utilized. Reason being -- its a pig that
causes many conflicts.