Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
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has to be the place to go - its all be said there.
Also on Firewalls - with the dangers today you must find a solution to be somewhat safe. At the office we are moving to personal firewalls on all 16'000 PC's as the problems have become too great otherwise, in spite of central firewalls at the network entry points!!!. Went live a few weeks ago & wors almost without problems (under 1% of users had something - not bad for an automatic system download).
has to be the place to go - its all be said there.
Also on Firewalls - with the dangers today you must find a solution to be somewhat safe. At the office we are moving to personal firewalls on all 16'000 PC's as the problems have become too great otherwise, in spite of central firewalls at the network entry points!!!. Went live a few weeks ago & wors almost without problems (under 1% of users had something - not bad for an automatic system download).
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
1. Dont use zone alarm its true vector service slows your computer approx 10-15%, hides itself in your registry and more important sends info to other vendors, wonder why its got a free version.
2. Symantec [Norton] also fills your computer with hidden files sends info across the web and slows your computer down. They give it OEM with new computers for 3months
and only stops the ads it wants to, this programme knows what you are doing and relays it.
3. Hardware firewalls are THE BEST I also use Netgear and have done so for some time hardwire and wireless No popups (at all) No ads, No virus, No problems.
I dont have any Anti-Virus programmes running just run AVG Pro version once a month and it never finds anything,
also use adaware SE to catch the small files that come in they are normally not a problem anyway.
Its the usual practice you want No Problems then you have to pay for that...
Netgear Wireless Firewall Router ethernet connected to main desktop-wireless 2nd desktop-2 laptops connected wireless and a PS2 connected wireless.
2. Symantec [Norton] also fills your computer with hidden files sends info across the web and slows your computer down. They give it OEM with new computers for 3months
and only stops the ads it wants to, this programme knows what you are doing and relays it.
3. Hardware firewalls are THE BEST I also use Netgear and have done so for some time hardwire and wireless No popups (at all) No ads, No virus, No problems.
I dont have any Anti-Virus programmes running just run AVG Pro version once a month and it never finds anything,
also use adaware SE to catch the small files that come in they are normally not a problem anyway.
Its the usual practice you want No Problems then you have to pay for that...
Netgear Wireless Firewall Router ethernet connected to main desktop-wireless 2nd desktop-2 laptops connected wireless and a PS2 connected wireless.
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
I've come to this thread late - maybe too late. But for what it's worth, here goes.
I first started using Norton products back in the nineteen eighties - anyone else remember Norton Utilities? Taught me everything I ever needed to know about how a hard disc works. However, I wouldn't allow Norton AV anywhere near my computer. Yes, it is a good anti-virus and always works well in tests, though not significantly better than many others. However, as Kriss100 mentioned it also install hidden files all over your hard disk and slows your computer right down.
If you install Norton (or if it comes free with your computer) and you decide not to use it, you may end up having to edit the registry because the Norton uninstall programmes don't actually uninstall everything. It can be a real pain (thought not always, I admit) getting other antivirus software to run on a machine that once had Norton installed. Rant mode off.
For anti virus I use AVG (I pay for the pro-version) and Avast. I'm actually very impressed by Avast which catches things other AVs have missed. It is free, but it does insist on talking to you, which I hate.
I'd second the comments above about a NAT hardware firewall. They don't cost a lot and are worth getting, but have a software one too. To be honest, the firewall with XP second edition is not at all bad and coupled with a NAT router will do the job.
All of the free firewalls mentioned work fine if you want to go that route. I've found that ZoneAlarm doesn't always work well with a home network, but others haven't had that problem. We have Sygate installed on some of our machines at home/office.
Most virus writers target common software, so avoid using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. Mozilla Firefox and Opera are excellent browsers and Thunderbird will handle your mail perfectly well.
In the end, as others have said, avoidance is the best option. Don't visit dodgy websites and don't post your email address on websites, bulletin boards or anywhere else where automatic 'address harvesting' software can read them and target you with SPAM.
I first started using Norton products back in the nineteen eighties - anyone else remember Norton Utilities? Taught me everything I ever needed to know about how a hard disc works. However, I wouldn't allow Norton AV anywhere near my computer. Yes, it is a good anti-virus and always works well in tests, though not significantly better than many others. However, as Kriss100 mentioned it also install hidden files all over your hard disk and slows your computer right down.
If you install Norton (or if it comes free with your computer) and you decide not to use it, you may end up having to edit the registry because the Norton uninstall programmes don't actually uninstall everything. It can be a real pain (thought not always, I admit) getting other antivirus software to run on a machine that once had Norton installed. Rant mode off.
For anti virus I use AVG (I pay for the pro-version) and Avast. I'm actually very impressed by Avast which catches things other AVs have missed. It is free, but it does insist on talking to you, which I hate.
I'd second the comments above about a NAT hardware firewall. They don't cost a lot and are worth getting, but have a software one too. To be honest, the firewall with XP second edition is not at all bad and coupled with a NAT router will do the job.
All of the free firewalls mentioned work fine if you want to go that route. I've found that ZoneAlarm doesn't always work well with a home network, but others haven't had that problem. We have Sygate installed on some of our machines at home/office.
Most virus writers target common software, so avoid using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. Mozilla Firefox and Opera are excellent browsers and Thunderbird will handle your mail perfectly well.
In the end, as others have said, avoidance is the best option. Don't visit dodgy websites and don't post your email address on websites, bulletin boards or anywhere else where automatic 'address harvesting' software can read them and target you with SPAM.
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
"It is free, but it does insist on talking to you, which I hate."
Bit puzzled by that - I am an enthusiastic supporter of Avast, and the only 'talking' mine does is to tell me (almost daily) that there's an update available, and would I like to download it.
Is that what you meant?
Bit puzzled by that - I am an enthusiastic supporter of Avast, and the only 'talking' mine does is to tell me (almost daily) that there's an update available, and would I like to download it.
Is that what you meant?
Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
I use ZA because it came cheep with Pipex. Proves to be a right PIA. Every so often it decides to do a virus check and runs an application (vsmon.exe) - this uses most of the system resources, constantly accesses the C drive and takes about 30 or 40 minutes to complete.
Do any of the other packages do this?
Tone
Do any of the other packages do this?
Tone
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
Frostbite. Yup, that's what I mean. Can't stand a computer in the corner of the room talking to me when I least expect it. I mean, if it were offering to make a cup of tea or to let the dog out, I'd be happy. But 'virus database has been updated' in a slighlty mechanical voice when you are concentrating on something else comes as a shock.
Great antivirus though!
Great antivirus though!
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
Never heard it 'cos I usually have sound muted, hence the dumb sounding question.
If you go into Avast Settings>Sound, there's a tickbox to turn the sound off.
If you go into Avast Settings>Sound, there's a tickbox to turn the sound off.
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
I wouldn't touch anything made by Norton with a barge pole.
My votes go to Avast. I also recommend a hardware firewall/router coupled with Sygate.
My votes go to Avast. I also recommend a hardware firewall/router coupled with Sygate.
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
Personally I use AVG for Antivirus. However, I pay for mine. Thatsaid, I renew every 2 years, and it costs 50% of the full price each time you renew (so about £6.00 per year). I reckon it's worth it.
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
A handy tip for norton users when your free subscription period is coming to an end uninstall norton then reinstall it this tricks it into thinking its being installed for the first time and gives you another year of free updates! have done this for 4 years works everytime and on broadband connection it only takes a minute to update the database you have lost
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
I've said it before and I'll say it again as no one else has - NOD32 is the best AV out there, and that's not just my opinion. Have a look at something like virus bulletin to see. Norton/Symantec is rubbish and only succeeds because people have heard of it, think it's from a big vendor and assume it's good. Rant over.
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
I've used Sygate for the past couple of years and (he say's touching wood) it's been a great firewall (my OS is Win2K)
I did use Norton Professional but when I tried to remove it (there was a problem with the virus auto updates) it wouldn't uninstall? In the end, I did a re-format in order to get rid of all the Symantec files that were hidden in the registry
I now use Avast and I've never had a jot of bother.
I did use Norton Professional but when I tried to remove it (there was a problem with the virus auto updates) it wouldn't uninstall? In the end, I did a re-format in order to get rid of all the Symantec files that were hidden in the registry
I now use Avast and I've never had a jot of bother.
Plastic PPRuNer
Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
AVG Plus Firewall Edition - http://www.grisoft.com/doc/AvgPlusFw...?prd=afw.1.0.0 - gets my vote and then some.
Much better value than Norton (2 years for the price of one), less intrusive, uses less resources - generally IMHO a better program overall. I've only got one machine still on Norton and when the contract runs out then I'll switch it to AVG.
Furthermore, AVG provides a free basic AV that isn't bad for folks who can't afford one of the commercial offerings and so I think deserves thanks and support.
The Windows firewall, even in SP2, is pretty basic and only watches traffic coming in, not traffic going out (as would be generated by a worm). But it's better than nothing and free for all you MS fanboyz.
A true independent router + firewall is still the best bet (I like Netgear). The default settings are pretty good, but you can also lock it down as tight as a mouse's earhole.
Avoiding Incompetent Exploder by using Firefox or Opera (I'm becoming quite an Opera fan) and using an alternative email client (Thunderbird or Opera) makes life in general a lot safer.
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"Bother," said Pooh as he struggled with /etc/sendmail.cf, "it never does quite what I want. I wish Christopher Robin was here."
Much better value than Norton (2 years for the price of one), less intrusive, uses less resources - generally IMHO a better program overall. I've only got one machine still on Norton and when the contract runs out then I'll switch it to AVG.
Furthermore, AVG provides a free basic AV that isn't bad for folks who can't afford one of the commercial offerings and so I think deserves thanks and support.
The Windows firewall, even in SP2, is pretty basic and only watches traffic coming in, not traffic going out (as would be generated by a worm). But it's better than nothing and free for all you MS fanboyz.
A true independent router + firewall is still the best bet (I like Netgear). The default settings are pretty good, but you can also lock it down as tight as a mouse's earhole.
Avoiding Incompetent Exploder by using Firefox or Opera (I'm becoming quite an Opera fan) and using an alternative email client (Thunderbird or Opera) makes life in general a lot safer.
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"Bother," said Pooh as he struggled with /etc/sendmail.cf, "it never does quite what I want. I wish Christopher Robin was here."
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Re: Which is the best Firewall & Virus Checker ?
I use CA etrust anti virus software, it has worked ok for me for the last 3 years and is simple to use but also gets on with the job in the back ground unlike Nortons which tops up all the time, "I don't want to know just get on with the job".
Its also free for the first year see like below:
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/
Its also free for the first year see like below:
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/
