Recommended antivirus and firewall

[MustangSVT]

Hey guys. I'd like to know what your guys' opinions are on good antivirus and firewalls? I currently use Sygate firewall and the free AVG version for antivirus, along with Spybot and free version of Ad-Aware.

I wouldn't spending some money on some software package like $40, maybe $50 if it's a really good firewall and/or antivirus. Looking forward to your comments.

[six_storm]

Avira Free and MalwareBytes have been the best two tools I could recommend.

[Pennyboy]

I run AVG and find it really good, doesn't seem to suck up to much resources in the back round.

[AthlonXP1800]

I strongly recommend Norton Internet Security 2009, I bought Norton Internet Security 2009 OEM on ebay for just £15 with free shipping. That $22 much better than $40 or $50, not bad for the whole package with anti-virus and firewall installed on 3 PCs. Used only up to 10MB of memory resource. :)

[glObalist]

What would a thread like this be without a fourth different recommendation, which in this case is Eset Smart Security :D

[crainger]

Avira Anti Virus with IPCop.

[Medion]

Avira Anti Virus with IPCop.

Holy crap, now YOU are recommending Avira? :D

Anyway, for the OP, here's what I use:
-Avira Antivir
-Spybot S&D
-Windows Defender
-Windows Firewall + router for basic hardware firewall

Going off of the AV-Comparatives website: http://www.av-comparatives.org/

The best AV software is Kaspersky AV, finding 92% of known Windows viruses.
The best Free AV is Avira, finding 91% of known Windows viruses (and is 2nd overall, behind only Kaspersky)
The best suite for viruses, malware, spyware, etc, is Avira Premium, finding 67% of all known infections.

[MustangSVT]

I'm liking the look of this Avira AntiVir. Anyone have experience with the premium version of this? It's 60 euro for a 3 PC license which sounds very reasonable and it includes a firewall. I could use this in conjuction with my Sygate firewall and router firewall, but I'm worried about the whole license thing. If I get a new PC, do I have to pay again for a new license, or does anyone how that works (if anyone has even used the premium version).

[Medion]

I'm liking the look of this Avira AntiVir. Anyone have experience with the premium version of this? It's 60 euro for a 3 PC license which sounds very reasonable and it includes a firewall. I could use this in conjuction with my Sygate firewall and router firewall, but I'm worried about the whole license thing. If I get a new PC, do I have to pay again for a new license, or does anyone how that works (if anyone has even used the premium version).

As far as price goes, they're offering 20% off for this week. And as for the license, it's like a CD key. Just save it as a text file, and keep it for reference, in case you ever need to re-install or re-activate it.

[j0j081]

I strongly recommend Norton Internet Security 2009, I bought Norton Internet Security 2009 OEM on ebay for just £15 with free shipping. That $22 much better than $40 or $50, not bad for the whole package with anti-virus and firewall installed on 3 PCs. Used only up to 10MB of memory resource. :)

ditto. Norton has really done a complete turn around. I find it hard not to recommend their products over the competition now.

[autobot]

I run AVG and find it really good, doesn't seem to suck up to much resources in the back round.

+1 for AVG. Works just fine for me and doesn't gobble up resources. As for a firewall, I use Sygate along with the built-in firewall in my router. :)

[Shamrock]

AVG sucks now. It's bloated, and gives ALOT of false positives, and isn't catching that much. I used AVG for 4 years. I have since moved to Avira, and am happier that the last 4 years.

[Buio]

If you need a really good software Firewall, then you should check the hard test suites done by Matuosec.

http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php

The best free firewall is Comodo. The results also show that some security suites have horrible built-in firewalls like the one in Eset Smart Security (Nod32 + firewall).

[Logical]

I still use Trend Micro and have done for the past 3 or 4 years. Internet security 2009 is there best edition yet with very low resource use and a lot of user definable features. However, lack of a 'game mode' as seen in other internet security suits may put people off but tbh i dont think it is needed. :)

[crainger]

Holy crap, now YOU are recommending Avira? :D

Anyway, for the OP, here's what I use:
-Avira Antivir
-Spybot S&D
-Windows Defender
-Windows Firewall + router for basic hardware firewall

Going off of the AV-Comparatives website: http://www.av-comparatives.org/

The best AV software is Kaspersky AV, finding 92% of known Windows viruses.
The best Free AV is Avira, finding 91% of known Windows viruses (and is 2nd overall, behind only Kaspersky)
The best suite for viruses, malware, spyware, etc, is Avira Premium, finding 67% of all known infections.

I found a way to block the popup using local security polices. Good for my gaming PC as I don't need the email scanner as I use all web based email.

[crainger]

I still use Trend Micro and have done for the past 3 or 4 years. Internet security 2009 is there best edition yet with very low resource use and a lot of user definable features. However, lack of a 'game mode' as seen in other internet security suits may put people off but tbh i dont think it is needed. :)

The new Norton Anti-Virus Gamer Edition has a game mode and it works pretty well. I guess they may incorporate this into the full suite later.

[jeffmd]

Avira if you want a free anti virus, Kaspersky if you dont mind paying for the best AV.

[Albo]

Malwarebytes for big viruses
Kaspersky for everyday use, made by germans, and we know how good their products are ;)

[XDanger]

I use Vista Firewall Control to control Vista firewall.

[Kerol]

I vote for AVG. It's free and work nice