Didn't know where to turn so I figured I try here.

Admins: if this is way off then be free to delete the thread. :o)

I have had Norton Internet Security 2002 and Anti Virus, since ... eh... 2002. Am now to either update or change "brand".
Searching around a little it seems the latest versions of Norton creates problems for a bunch of people.

So, I'd appreciate some input on what programs you guys use. And if you have any experience to share. Good or bad.

AVG ZoneAlarm Panicware Popup stopper Sybot Search and destroy Adaware TDS (no longer avaliable) CSW Shredder. All free bar TDS. All recommended by various magazines. It's what I use to clear nastys from customers PC's.

Just remembered, the Microsoft Ant-spyware beta if running XP.

Yes, zone alarm is good, it caught and stopped 24 viruses from the internet on my computer since it was installed and that was only about two weeks ago.

Attached Link: http://www.kaspersky.com/

Firewall: Zone Alarm is a very good firewall. The free version suits most people's needs, and gives very good protection. If you need a few bells and whistles like cookie and privacy control, get the paid version Zone Alarm Pro (what I use). Anti-virus: If you need something right away while you are making a decision get the free AVG anti-virus. Its very good for a free anti-virus, but an anti-virus/trojan program is something you really dont want to be skimping on. If you do searches on AV programs, most results take you to sites like Znet, Pc-Magazine, etc., where the better-known programs like Norton, MacAfee, PC-illian, etc. duke it out in reviews. Results are (depending on which one is also a sponsor of the site or magazine) that they all give pretty much the same protection. They all are also very bloated and use a lot of resources, and forget about the ability to completely turn them off. If you search out independent (non-sponsored) security specialist sites or magazines, youll find another AV that is rated far superior to any of the mainstreams. Its the Russian made Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal (link). It is rated as having the highest percentage rate for finding/protecting against both virus and Trojans. Kaspersky also has the fastest response time for new outbreaks than any other AV. Updates are issued every three hours every day of the week. It uses much less resources and can be completely turned off when not needed. SWAMP

Attached Link: http://www.linksys.com/

I'd recommend a hardware based firewall: they're fast, secure, and cheap, around US$100. (Remember to change to default admin password!) Often they have features such as a wireless access point, VPN access (secure remote access), a network switch and/or a print server. For households with children, it can limit internal users' Internet access based on URLs and/or time periods Since it's not Windows based, it's less likely to compromised. Generally they're pretty easy to setup. By the way, this doesn't eliminate the need for up-to-date virus protection on each PC.

My subscription needed to be renewed for Norton Internet Security 2003 several days ago and, as that version wasn't being supported any more by Symantec, I upgraded to 2005. While I've always been completely happy with NIS I was very disppointed with 2005 and have had nothing but trouble with it. I wrote to Symantec asking for help but haven't heard anything from them yet. They probably want me to pay the $29.95 they are asking for support. It messed up my computer so much that I uninstalled it yesterday. As an emergency I'm currently using Sygate Personal Firewall and trying out AVG 7.0 Plus. Eventually I'd like to go for a hardware firewall like kenyarb suggests and I'll also check out Kaspersky for my virus protection. Anyway, I just wanted to warn you about upgrading to 2005. Many people have had problems with it apparently and I'm another one! :o( Jan

I switched to Zone Alarm Pro, which I got through my ISP for a very cheap price (5) after having multiple problems with Norton 2005. I am very happy with it. I also have a router which douvles as a hardware firewall. We have not had a successful intrusion since we installed it. (Touching wood so I don't jinx myself...)

MR.SPARKY " AVG ZoneAlarm Panicware Popup stopper Sybot Search and destroy Adaware TDS (no longer avaliable) CSW Shredder. All free bar TDS. All recommended by various magazines. It's what I use to clear nastys from customers PC's." Is it just me or does AVG become kind of demanding? I know it does not like Download programs like DAP! Every time I ran AVG it would disable DAP....I know that DAP is not the best program, Security wise....But it still works and all of the cookies can be removed...I do know that AVG does find more than NortanAntiviruse...

Thank you everybody! A great help. Now I know where to look and what to consider. :o)

For antivirus I'd suggest Avast, a very nice virusscanner and free for personal use. Updates automatically and does not interact with any other program (as far as I know)Not quite for protection but a handy tool is ToniArts Easycleaner,also free. Cleans cookies, temp files, register, etc.

Attached Link: http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=PYPCtrialPage_MSsite&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=5

I use eTrust Anti Virus and have recently purchased their Firewall because the free ZoneAlarm didn't allow me to . I've never had a computer virus or trojan. A few techs I know have done independent testing using "eTrust", "Nortons", and "McCaffey". eTrust is the only one that caught 100% of the virus/worms/trojans that they threw at it. I see that Computer Associates is offering a 1 year free trial of the anti virus program. I highly recommend it.

Quote - Attached Link: http://www.linksys.com/

I'd recommend a hardware based firewall: they're fast, secure, and cheap, around US$100. (Remember to change to default admin password!)

Often they have features such as a wireless access point, VPN access (secure remote access), a network switch and/or a print server.

For households with children, it can limit internal users' Internet access based on URLs and/or time periods

Since it's not Windows based, it's less likely to compromised.

Generally they're pretty easy to setup.

By the way, this doesn't eliminate the need for up-to-date virus protection on each PC.

I have one of those routers. It wasn't easy to set up at all! You need to figure out how to hook it up and unless you are good with figuring out wiring, it's not easy. Then you have to "program" it. Mine sat in the box it came in for 18 months until I finally asked my nephew, a computer tech, to hook it up for me one day when he was here doing a reformat for me. He even had trouble figuring it out, LOL

Plus you're up a creek if you forget your password like I have. I can't even go in and change settings for anything (not that I know how to), because I changed my password and can't remember what I changed it to, and I have no idea how to go about finding out what it is.

And because I can't remember my password and get into the program to open ports and stuff, I end up having to unplug one of my computers from the network and hook one up directly to the DSL box when I want to transfer a file to someone. It's a real pain in the butt. Stick with a software firewall, at least this way you don't have to worry about being locked out of your security system due to lost passwords. Message edited on: 08/24/2005 07:35

"Is it just me or does AVG become kind of demanding?" I find it checks for updates and automatically downloads them the moment it senses a net-connection. Apart from that you don't notice it until it finds a nasty. "does not like Download programs like DAP!" If you mean Download Accelerator Plus at speedbit.com, then it might as this app contains spyware/adware. AVG occasionally assumes some adware is a virus and treats it accordingly. "Every time I ran AVG it would disable DAP..." That it is strange. I can understand a firewall might block it because of the advertising and cookies. Personally if anything has adware I won't use it. As for a hardware or software firewall. Hardware is better, if you have the skills, if not try zonealaram pro (software). Their inbuilt banner blocker is a particulary effective tool.

I feel a little more secure with Norton Anti Virus 2005 then AVG. But Norton takes up all my resources. i have 768 RAM and it slows down my computer like all hell. Im stuck. AVG feels like less protection and it runs faster... and norton feels more protection and it slows down my computer like hell

There's also Kerio Personal Firewall. And you still want to use a personal firewall even if you're using a hardware firewall

I found out just now from Linksys that you can't retrieve a lost password. In order to access the controls again you need to do a hard reset as follows:

1] Press and hold the reset button for 30 sec., after that
2] Unplug the power keep holding down the reset button for another 30 sec.
3] Then, plug back the power keep holding down the reset button for 30sec., after that
4] Release the reset button.

You will lose your DSL and you will have to configure it (not sure if they meant the DSL or the Router or both) again.

Message edited on: 08/24/2005 09:45

i've got norton and the only problems i find are it uses loads of memory and if i turn off my pc on a wednesday without having connected to the net i get an error msg when i shut down (it updates on a wednesday)

For just a little different slant on the above replies. I used Counterspy, AVG, Acronis security, Spybot, Zonealarm, and Adaware. Then I realized I was spending 1 to 2 hours perday with scans and updates to protect my Graphics. So I got a new PC and installed Mepis Linux that I found in a book titled Point and Click Linux. Its a live Cd and will boot to Linux with out an install so you can test it on any PC. I now use a CD-RW to move any downloads. Most of the badies don't bother Linux and it has a built-in firewall with all ports closed by default. Oh and this version is very windows like,,, I was up and running in an hour.