Antivirus and spyware program recommendation

[Phil Thien]

Anti-virus: Free ed. of AVG (http://free.grisoft.com)
Spyware: Nick's SuperAntiSpyware (http://www.superantispyware.com).

[Jim Becker]

Well, Bruce....I hope you and your family don't keep any personal financial records on your computers! I personally have seen the software stop problems (and have 23+ years experience in the computer/IT/Telcom industry) and I don't visit "those sites" nor open attachments I was not expecting, etc., and I run both a software and hardware firewall. There are so many nefarious ways that you can get infected these days and yes, they do change frequently, but the reputable software updates frequently to deal with those changes. I think that the small cost is absolutely worth it...

[glenn bradley]

I thought I was the only one who didn't run any anti-virus software. With a decent firewall and staying away from 'suspect' sites I don't seem to have any problems with viruses. I think Norton, Symantec etc waste just as much time as viruses.

I also like to re-install windows every 6-12 months.

Greg

Like Greg, I re-install once or twice a year just to clean up the inevitable trail Windows leaves in its wake. this also keeps the machine running at peak performance.

Unlike Greg, I have run plain ole Norton anti-virus for 12 years or so and can't remember the last time I had a virus . . . 1999 maybe? I do just practice common sense. I am always shocked that people will actually open email that either:

- they are not expecting (always a give-a-way to bad stuff)
- they cannot identify without opening (everyone knows that if they want me to read their email, the subject line and sender had better be clear)

At work my primary filter "junks" all email that I have not specifically permitted. I just do not accept unsolicited or unexpected items, period.

[Prashun Patel]

If you don't open attachments, you can probably get by w/o antivirus. But if yr savvy enough to install yr own av or fw, then yr probably opening attachments too. Sophos makes the best av program out there.

[Allen Miller]

I used Norton Antivirus for over five years. Its various versions worked fine until I bought their 2007 version. I couldn't get it to complete its install. After I bought it I found out alot of other people reported the same problem. So I searched the internet and found good reports on BitDefender. I bought a three user license and have been well pleased with its performance. As for a firewall I shut off the provided Windows version and am using Comodo firewall pro which is free.

[James Rambo]

After having a few computer problems and calling in a "pro" had suggested removing McAfee and going with AVG. Have not had a problem since.

[John Hain]

Well, Bruce....I hope you and your family don't keep any personal financial records on your computers! I personally have seen the software stop problems (and have 23+ years experience in the computer/IT/Telcom industry) and I don't visit "those sites" nor open attachments I was not expecting, etc., and I run both a software and hardware firewall. There are so many nefarious ways that you can get infected these days and yes, they do change frequently, but the reputable software updates frequently to deal with those changes. I think that the small cost is absolutely worth it...

That's what I was thinking Jim. It's even more impressive that he announces this while posting under his real name for the world to see. One case of identity theft will change his mind rather quickly about online protection.

[James Jaragosky]

http://www.threatfire.com/stats/?version=3.0.14.16&
it was recommended by pc magazine last month as a 5 star real time threat protection all the way to root level
hope this helps
by the way i have been running it for 4 weeks now with no conflicts.
I am not affiliated with this company in any way just passing it along.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Norton...........

[Curt Doles]

The last two broadband ISP providers I used provided AV software free.

My current ISP, AT&T DSL provides the Norton protection center with all the automatic updates. I also have a firewall in my wireless router.

I have heard, and it makes sense that Firefox users are less susceptable to attacks because most programs are written to take advantage of IE shortcomings.

Curt