Seeking PC Security/antivirus/firewall Software advice

[vlad]

Hi Zoners,

I've just done a fresh install of Win 7 on a laptop for my Dad, and I want to load it up with all the best, no-hassle, ideally free, security/anti-virus/firewall software, as I need to mail it down to Texas and I won't see it again except for on visits.
He'll be doing online banking, etc...on here so want it top shape, so if I have to pay for something, of course I will.

As with any important question I turn to you guys (google searches were proving maddening in opinions).

Can anyone please advise?

* note i searched the Zone for keywords like antivirus, firewall, security, software, etc...didn't turn up what i was looking for

THANKS!

 

[speedkilz88]

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free

or

AVG Free

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Microsoft security essentials......

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free

or

AVG Free

Both honestly. I think MS does a good job, and I think the AVG is a nince overlap with it. Neither is resource intensive, so won;t be killing performance.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I would go with MSE also. Not sure why you would install two though. If you get a virus that MSE can't remove, then you could always just install another. Although, if you're safe in your actions. You shouldn't ever get a virus.

The best defense against viruses is educate yourself about them and how people get them. Then, don't do that.

 

[xwalker]

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free

or

AVG Free

You need both. I've had multiple virus get past MSE.

 

[YosemiteSam]

You need both. I've had multiple virus get past MSE.

Stay off the pr0n sites and you won't have that problem. Then you only need one.

 

[Future]

i've used spybot on this comp for 4 years and I've never had a problem

 

[vlad]

Arlight, MSE and AVG is what I had so far...good to get conifrmation. Sam - who am I to tread on the man that put a roof over my head if he wants to surf some fun sites

thanks again

 

[YosemiteSam]

Arlight, MSE and AVG is what I had so far...good to get conifrmation. Sam - who am I to tread on the man that put a roof over my head if he wants to surf some fun sites

thanks again

Add Chrome to it too then and make him use it. Google actively blocks websites it knows are bad. That won't block them all, but it adds to the defense against getting that garbage.

 

[Dodger]

Personally, I think the best anti-virus for Windows 7 is UAC, some knowledge about how viruses trick you into running code, and using a login account that is not a local admin.

The trick is the knowledge part. Most people just click through the UAC prompts without actually reading them, or they don't recognize when a site is trying to run malicious code. Or, even worse, they open those unsolicited emails.

If you need one, then those suggested are probably the best free options.

 

[Dallas]

McAfee all the way. You can catch the Dell deals and pick up 3 copies for as little at 9.99 each/year.

I love McAfee now. Ever since Dell bought them they are doing things much better than Symantec. Little or no drain on resources and top notch updating plus web monitoring and firewall.

Excellent products.

 

[YosemiteSam]

McAfee all the way. You can catch the Dell deals and pick up 3 copies for as little at 9.99 each/year.

I love McAfee now. Ever since Dell bought them they are doing things much better than Symantec. Little or no drain on resources and top notch updating plus web monitoring and firewall.

Excellent products.

Ha! They must have changed recently. After they merged with Network General their products went to complete crap.

They even got sued (Class action in 2010) for using popups to sell 3rd party products to their own customers!?!?!?!?

 

[RastaRocket]

Ha! They must have changed recently. After they merged with Network General their products went to complete crap.

They even got sued (Class action in 2010) for using popups to sell 3rd party products to their own customers!?!?!?!?

Norton is definitely the best option if you are going to pay.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Norton is definitely the best option if you are going to pay.

:laugh2: Norton is made by Symantec. Symantec offers Symantec Corporate AV. It is decent, but the best part about it is the site management console it has.

Now, Symantec's Consumer AV is Norton. I haven't seen it in several years, (just like I haven't seen McAfee's offering) but it was a train-wreck just like McAfee's consumer offering. I'm talking mega bloatware.

If they changed, then okay. Although, I would not recommend either of them until I actually witnessed the fact that they changed. If you're going to pay, go with AVG's pay version.

 

[RastaRocket]

:laugh2: Norton is made by Symantec. Symantec offers Symantec Corporate AV. It is decent, but the best part about it is the site management console it has.

Now, Symantec's Consumer AV is Norton. I haven't seen it in several years, (just like I haven't seen McAfee's offering) but it was a train-wreck just like McAfee's consumer offering. I'm talking mega bloatware.

If they changed, then okay. Although, I would not recommend either of them until I actually witnessed the fact that they changed. If you're going to pay, go with AVG's pay version.

When I had a PC I used Norton and I never had any problems. I have a Mac now so I use nothing, but Norton was fine. You can get them all for free anyways.

 

[YosemiteSam]

When I had a PC I used Norton and I never had any problems. I have a Mac now so I use nothing, but Norton was fine. You can get them all for free anyways.

No matter what Mac users say about Macs not getting viruses, it's not true!

So, I've got something just for you.

 

[RastaRocket]

No matter what Mac users say about Macs not getting viruses, it's not true!

So, I've got something just for you.

I've had no issues so far. I have this free trial one they gave me when I bought my computer I haven't even installed yet.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I've had no issues so far. I have this free trial one they gave me when I bought my computer I haven't even installed yet.

Apple made some news today concerning their virus immunity claims.