Could I ask a question of a computer expert?

Question

I would really love to know what someone who is very knowledgeable about computers uses to protect his/her computer. What anti-virus program I mean. Do you need several programs, or is there one that protects against viruses, pop-ups and all that can crash or make the computer all weird. I am hoping not to have to pay over $100. for such a program. Please share your knowledge with me!

Answer 1

Ok, I blog successfully about computer security, it's my speciality niche.

I import all forms of malware on a second machine to ensure that programs do what they are supposed to do.

I will point out that I only post about free programs, but they work.

AVG was fine up to V7.5, but V8 does not live up to expectations.

Comparison:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-compare-h...

http://free.avg.com/ww.download-avg-anti...

My main machine I use the following:

Use Firefox in preference to internet explorer.....much safer:

http://www.mozilla.com

Online Armor Free Firewall:

http://www.download.com/Online-Armor/300...

Installation Tutorial:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/06/16

Avast anti-virus better definitions, anti-spyware and anti-rootkit built in, faster and more reliable:

http://www.download.com/Avast-Home-Editi...

Setup Guide:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/07/15

Lavasoft AdAware2008:

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2008/30...

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/06/01

To scan and remove other malware:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:

http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Ant...

Simply download, install,update and perform Quick Scan.

Spyware Doctor Free Basic Edition, which offers realtime protection:

http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_inst...

Its free with Google pack, untick all boxes except Spyware Doctor. Download install, update and run.

KeyScrambler which encrypts everything that you type in including credit card numbers etc.

http://www.download.com/KeyScrambler-Per...

Works on most browsers, email clients and IM programs, and it's free.

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/06/06

Web of Trust is a free browser add-on that works with Firefox and Internet Explorer and is better at warning of dangerous sites, as it updates every 30 minutes, is backed by anti-phishing and anti-spam groups and is also community driven:

http://www.mywot.com/

How it works:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/06/30

Comodo BO Clean:

http://www.comodo.com/boclean/CBO_downlo...

Simply download and install, follow instructions on screen.

Go here to see what it protects you against:

http://www.comodo.com/boclean/trolist.ht...

SnoopFree Privacy Shield which  is not another scanner product.  It's a powerful shield that guards your keyboard, screen and open windows from all  spy software.  The way it works makes it  virtually impossible for any spy program to work on your computer:

http://www.snoopfree.com/default.htm

A-Squared Free:

http://www.download.com/A-squared-Free/3...

This is not a limited version but a full tool to clean your computer from Malware, Spyware, Trojans, Backdoors, Worms, Dialers and Keyloggers.

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/07/07

JKDefrag, which can run from a usb flash dive, making it truly portable, and it needs no free disc space whereas windows needs 15% free to use its built in defrag.

http://www.kessels.com/Jkdefrag/

Most users delete files through the Recycle Bin and Windows merely removes the reference to these files. This tool has an option to ‘Shred Free Disk Space’ which will overwrite ALL items previously deleted through the Recycle Bin without damaging any files or folders on the drive.

If you wish to remove items that have been deleted via the Recycle Bin use a free File Shredder:

http://www.download.com/File-Shredder/30...

Tutorial:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/f...

Ccleaner:

http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-21...

Cleans history, cookies etc one click and sorted.

100% protection? Use Sandboxie, no malware unless the user specifically 'recovers' it to their hard drive:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/07/09

These are all free programs with the exception of sandboxie, which is free for 30 days and has a 'nag' window after that period, but very low one time lifetime payment. There are many installation guides / tutorials on my blog as well as more free programs.

Defraggler:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_defrag...

With many defragmenting programs you defrag the whole drive, but with this one you have the power to defrag specific files or folders as well as the complete hard drive if you want to.

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/

Eusing Free Registry Cleaner:

http://www.download.com/Eusing-Free-Regi...

allows you to safely clean and repair registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks.

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2007/08/13/

Online antivirus scanners:

Housecall:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com

or  BitDefender;

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

or F-Secure:

http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols...

Answer 2

Get free trials of numerous anti-viruys programs such as Norton 360 (i use that) Windows defender, symatec, any of theese for windows of course.

Answer 3

You don't have to pay anything if you don't want to. I used to use the paid ones, such as norton on all the computer in the household, but had way too many issues, that I just got sick of having to fix all the time.

So a friend who is a top computer tech guy, fixes them for a living said to download AVG. Which offer both a free and paid version. I have been using the free one for a while and have not had any issues with it at all. It protects all the computers in the house and runs great on the computer. It even tells you, if you use the google search what web sites are safe to go to and what ones aren't.

And along with AVG I also have spybot on my computer, whch is a great spyware program.

You'll need one virus program on your computer at all time, never have more then one or you will run into conflict issues. Where the computer runs slow and may not be able to detect or remove a infection.

You can however, have a many spyware programs on your computer that you want, but I wouldn't go over three.

Here are the link to the programs

http://free.avg.com/ww.download-avg-anti...

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/...

And for any of your computer needs, this is a great site

http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/inde...

Answer 4

Comodo.com if offering a free security suite they have been around a long time and can be trusted their firewall is very easy to use and so are their other products if thats not to your likeing try Avira.com for $56us its great security never use two antivirus systems as they will conflick with each other

Answer 5

Try AVG or AVAST, both are free downloads.  Use the pop-up blocker in your browser.  

Answer 6

Do not buy any anti-virus what so ever!! AT&T offers a free anti-virus program FREE!

http://onlineprotection.yahoo.com/sbc/

Just download on your set to go!

Do not download Norton or mcafee!

Enjoy! =)