I agree nothing is 100% bulletproof, what I was pointing out was that a free AV with Windows firewall is comparable (favourably) to something like Norton 360 due to an incorrectly configured firewall being worse than not having one at all.
Mike, I think you are placing too much weight on incorrectly configured firewalls. Sure we get the odd one, but nothing like the amount of freebie AV/Windows Firewall combos. Far better if you ask me to have a screwed up firewall which is easy to reset, than a virus-ridden PC.
You sure that's not because the vast majority of home users put everything second to cost? and hence you're much less likely to get someone in your shop who's paid for their AV product?
I see where you're coming from, but we are almost as likely to see computers with fully-paid up copies of Norton/McAfee/Kaspersky/Whatever than we do freebies. Hence my point all along, nothing can truly stop the nasties, but you can minimise the risk somewhat by:
A) Inversting in a decent, big name security package (i.e. Norton Internet Security 2011).
B) Running a seperate antimalware package alongside your AV, for instance SuperAntiSpyware or MalwareBytes Antimalware, but you must be prepared to suffer a performance hit.
C) Being wise about what you click and install.
D) Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.
