Mike Schmitz

Which Anti-Virus should I get, and software/hardware firewall?

The ancient anti-virus program that came with my computer has started hitting me up for money, so I'm looking to get a brand new one. I was told that McAfee was better than Norton, but I found some bad reviews on Pricegrabber. Is this a case of someone who doesn't like McAfee dumping bad reviews on a good program, or is McAfee having problems now?

Also, my old virus scanner has a software firewall. Should I stick with a software firewall, or is it time to get a router/physical firewall? I'm using Comcast's cable internet service. They offer a free year of McAfee Personal Firewall Plus. Should I take them up on it, or avoid this?

Thanks in advance

Rob Gillespie

Definitely go for a router. Accept no substitue.

I still run the ZoneAlarm software firewall because it tracks outgoing traffic as well as incoming. For the tiny overhead it just adds another line of protection. And it's free.

I've stopped using Norton a while back and I now use BitDefender Standard. A lot cheaper, faster, less bloated and the detection rates are some of the highest you'll find anywhere. They do a slightly more expensive version with built-in software firewall and content filtering. Panda Titanium is good too and PC-Cillin.

We use McAfee products on a client and while it works OK I think the detection is probably a tad behind the competition now.

No longer here.

Bob Graz

If you need something right away download AVG antivirus. It has a free version and it's rated fair to good, depending on what you read. I've also read some not so good reviews on McAfee, so it's off my list. Norton is currently running a $20 rebate. I can get NAV 2004 at Sam's for $32.88 then get a $20 rebate for final price of $12.88. Given that deal and Norton's solid reputation (it is a resource hog though) I'm most likely going with Norton.

I did download AVG since it's free and it gets decent ratings. I'm going to keep that as well I think. I'll let Norton run in the background and keep AVG updated (free as well) just to run in addition. AVG is very easy on resources.

The other AV program I would consider is PC-Cillin. It ranks up there with Norton and is not the resource hog NAV is.

Yes, get a router for the hardware firewall.

Neal_C

Definitely get a router and you can also run Zone Alarm with it as well just to monitor traffic in and out.

I have been using AVG for a while now...its good and its free. I dont' really see much reason to pay for McAfee or Norton.

Neal

Rob Gardiner

I've been a happy user of AVG (both at home and at work) for years. It has detected viruses that Norton has failed to find!!


Zone Alarm tends to be buggy. There is a nasty bug that cropped up on my home machine some time ago that would cause me to have to reboot often. The manufacturer, of course, refuses to acknowledge, let alone fix, this bug. In any case, I recommend Sygate Personal Firewall in addition to your hardware router as an excellent and reliable (and FREE!) software firewall solution.

Darren Lewis

Good thread. I've had several problems with Norton Internet Security 2004, the most recent being that LiveUpdate is refusing to update saying it needs reinstalling.

I've got a hardware firewall/router and I think if you've got a broadband connection they're a must have.

I'm looking around for an alternative software solution too.

Software Firewall - ZoneAlarm?
AV - Either Panda or one of the others mentioned here.
Spam filter for Outlook - Probably InBoxer.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Rob Gardiner

Darren,

If you can use ZoneAlarm and never encounter the nasty bug I mentioned above, more power to you. If you don't want to take the risk of having a very difficult/inconvenient uninstall in the future, I would suggest just going with Sygate Personal Firewall (scroll down for free version).

When you choose a spam filter, I would recommend one that uses the Bayes filtering algorithm. It takes about a month to train, but the results are far more accurate than simple keyword filtering. Either search this forum, or visit Google for more info on the wonders of Bayes filtering.

MikeH

What brand would you guys recommend for a router? It's the only thing listed I don't have on my system.

Thanks,

Mike

Bob Graz

I use the D-link DI-524 wireless/4 port router. After rebate I think I spent $40 for it. It's very good. I've used zone alarm on several pc's with no issues, I like it. I may stick with the AVG AV software. Also ad-aware and spy-bot are 2 must need freeware programs.

Neal_C

I use a D-Link router as well and haven't had any problems. I have the DI-604 (wired) and paid about 20 bucks after rebate. Linksys makes very good routers, but you usually pay a premium for their name and popularity. Belkin also has some good routers and can be had very cheap (my brother-in-law just got a wireless Belkin router for like 16 bucks after rebate).

Neal