Best Firewall and Antivirus programs

cumulusjames · 20 Nov 2010 at 17:10

For the past few years I can not settle on any single Antivirus or Firewall. I try to read the reviews but whats the pros like and what the rest of you like seem to be very diffrent things.

I havent had a virus for a couple of years so I assume there is not much in them? I do however get a heck of a lot of tracking cookies I have to keep removing.

So what programs do you lot rate?

SiriusB · 20 Nov 2010 at 17:20

Firewall: Windows Firewall is all you need. Very little cause for requiring a third-party tool.

Antivirus: The usual ones recommended on here are Eset NOD32, Kaspersky, Avira and Microsoft Security Essentials. The latter two are free. All do a great job. There is an AV sticky if you want to know more.

cumulusjames · 20 Nov 2010 at 17:28

SiriusB said:
Firewall: Windows Firewall is all you need. Very little cause for requiring a third-party tool.

I have heard that a few times. But my sister just had windows firewall and and before I killed it there were TONS and TONS of spyware and a couple of trojans. And I think it is incredebly highly unlikely she was visiting any dodgy websites. And she is smarter than to open a dodgy email links.

SMB30 · 20 Nov 2010 at 17:32

Eset NOD32 is excellent, caught a lot of things my old Symantec did'nt and is far less intrusive.

As for firewalls I have'nt managed to find one I like for Windows 7 so still use the default.

j.col · 20 Nov 2010 at 21:33

cumulusjames said:
I have heard that a few times. But my sister just had windows firewall and and before I killed it there were TONS and TONS of spyware and a couple of trojans. And I think it is incredebly highly unlikely she was visiting any dodgy websites. And she is smarter than to open a dodgy email links.

correct me if i am wrong guys, the a firewall will not prevent malware from getting to your pc.
a firewall is mainly for stopping hackers taking over your pc.

also many antispyware, flag cookies as spyware, when most are not.
does she file share? eg downloading music, torrents etc...
this is the most common way to get infected.
download malwarebytes google it. and run a scan once a week.
also i just use windows firewall.
if you connect through a router, most of these also have a firewall installed as well.

as for antivirus i use MSE and have used avast before.
there is an antivirus sticky here, http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18115179

cumulusjames · 20 Nov 2010 at 21:47

j.col said:
correct me if i am wrong guys, the a firewall will not prevent malware from getting to your pc.
a firewall is mainly for stopping hackers taking over your pc.

also many antispyware, flag cookies as spyware, when most are not.
does she file share? eg downloading music, torrents etc...
this is the most common way to get infected.
download malwarebytes google it. and run a scan once a week.
also i just use windows firewall.
if you connect through a router, most of these also have a firewall installed as well.

as for antivirus i use MSE and have used avast before.
there is an antivirus sticky here, http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18115179

I use malwarebytes and actually it has never found a thing! I have superantispyware whcih is what finds most of the tracking cookies and isobit360 which catches things, but also has a habit of reporting legit software as spyware. I instaled a graphics card today and it claimed the software for that were trojans. these programs are good but you have to use your common sence.

I dont like the idea of being "tracked". I mean were anyone lokig at my internet usage with I wouold come across as decidedly bland - I dont even visit rude websites because I downloaded most every kind of porn you can think of in my youth so I have no interst in it now. And i am not a terrorist, I commit no crimes. I just do not like being watched. If I followed you round everywhere with a handycam you would not like it even though you are doing nothing wrong. It's the same thing for me.

And I am VERY millatant when it comes to corperations. I really hate the idea of a corperation profiling me to try to sell me stuff.

Hairybudda · 20 Nov 2010 at 21:54

Sorry to break it to you but the only way spyware or malware got on there is either through browser exploits or clicking on dodgy stuff. Windows firewall is great, if your router has one built in use that as well, it's pretty safe. Avira and MSSE are pretty decent and free, NOD32 is great and doesn't cost a lot either, its all down to personal preference.

Just make sure the PC has noscript and adblock plus in firefox and if you don't like being tracked on the web there's addons like ghostery that keep that kind of thing to a minimum. MBAM is great, as is superantispyware.

SiriusB · 20 Nov 2010 at 22:00

As above, the firewall has nothing to do with crapware getting on your machine. It will have gotten in through Flash or browser exploits. Through less than desirable software etc etc. It doesn't matter how careful you are, it'll turn up now and then.

Deleted member 77746 · 20 Nov 2010 at 22:05

The best...

Azuse05 · 20 Nov 2010 at 22:25

SiriusB said:
As above, the firewall has nothing to do with crapware getting on your machine. It will have gotten in through Flash or browser exploits. Through less than desirable software etc etc. It doesn't matter how careful you are, it'll turn up now and then.

Recent flash exploits actually use default router ips to gain access to the wan and then use upnp to open ports allowing people in and ofc, because it was trusted software the pcs firewall allows it also. Changing the routers ip is about the only thing you can do.

Problem is, the biggest security flaw in any computer system, is the user

cumulusjames · 21 Nov 2010 at 09:34

Azuse05 said:
Recent flash exploits actually use default router ips to gain access to the wan and then use upnp to open ports allowing people in and ofc, because it was trusted software the pcs firewall allows it also. Changing the routers ip is about the only thing you can do.

Problem is, the biggest security flaw in any computer system, is the user

So what would your advice be? What programs would you reccomend were you setting up a pc for a dear old aunt who was not very computer literate but wanted to use her gold card for online shopping?

Digital · 21 Nov 2010 at 10:10

Kaspersky Internet Suite. Used it for a couple or so years now and find it very good indeed.

FooAtari · 21 Nov 2010 at 10:47

cumulusjames said:
So what would your advice be? What programs would you reccomend were you setting up a pc for a dear old aunt who was not very computer literate but wanted to use her gold card for online shopping?

Linux Mint

Failing that I see little reason not to just use Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Firewall. Should do an adequate job and easy to use.

If you want non MS programs I personally recommend Avira Anti-vir. I haven't used a third party firewall in quite a while, just use the router firewall so wouldn't want to recommend what's good these days.