Favorite Antivirus and Firewall programs

[Robb Jensen]

I like using a router, Microsoft firewall, Avast anti-virus, SpywareBlaster and Ad-Aware spyware remover.

[larry0071]

I like using a router, Microsoft firewall, Avast anti-virus, SpywareBlaster and Ad-Aware spyware remover.

Exactly my set up. D-Link router that interfaces my 5 home computers to the net and each other, and I use your same menu of free security tools. Only downside is that the Avast AV pops up a cute little buy me window with each log in :]

I also keep combofix on hand and each pc has GlaryUtilities in case things start to get out of hand.

The biggest cause of my problems is children clicking on things that they do not realize is going to allow malicious application instalation. Pain in the ass. My 14 year old tends to hunt warez crap and torrents, and he is likely my biggest offender.

[d90king]

Apple! iMAC or Mac book Pro... I run them at home and at my office, and I have yet to run into anything it cant do... Once you start to use them, you will never go back to the PC Windows world...

[Littlelebowski]

Buy a Mac or build a Linux box. Run Windows in a VM. Snapshot the VM weekly or monthly and run Microsoft Security Essentials.

The excuse that "Linux/OS X doesn't have the programs I need" is getting weaker and weaker.

[NinjaMedic]

There is precisely one program (and its proprietary motorola software) that I have to run on windows via Parallel. The lack of software is a fallacy, you can do anything on a mac that you would want to do on a PC usually faster and easier with a better product.

[Icculus]

The obvious.

Just because its based on BSD doesn't mean that its completely safe. Mac's can still get bugs, viruses, etc. If I currently owned one (a Mac that is, I have several linux boxes), I would still run something like ClamX for protection, use a good browser, etc. Having a Mac doesn't mean you can run wild on the internet and not expect to pickup something nasty. Yes the OS does play a part but its more about the end user and how their actions and usage patterns can either keep them safe or get them into a lot of trouble and this applies to Windows and Mac equally.

OP if you want a Mac and like the interface go then go for it; they are great machines (although having some proprietary hardware irks me some as well as the price). However, if you like your Windows box then stick with that and don't buy into all the Apple elitist BS. Mac is not the magic wand to keeping you safe and I don't feel any less chic or cool because I run a pc. Then again I use my machines for real work and not just writing blogs in the park while I sip on my iced double mocha chai latte

With either run a small router like a Linksys or DLink and when you set it up make sure you change the password and setup encryption on the wireless (wpa2 keys preferably--a wep key can be cracked in like 10 minutes). Ideally you should change the default 192.168.1.1 network range that is used to one of the other non-routable address ranges, see here.


As for Windows AV: AVG free anti-virus isn't bad; Norton/Symantec is probably the best virus protection but obviously costs; Trend is a little cheaper and I find does a good job. For a free system level firewall something like the Comodo offering isn't bad. Best thing you can do is don't open emails and links you don't recognize.

[gman622]

Computer Associates or AVG Pro

[tommy5.56]

ESET NOD32

+1000000. Best one out there right now.

[cannarella]

Pick your poison. After 10+ years administrating it in a corporate environment we have used CA, McAfee, Symantec, and TrendMicro, they all have a niche that sets them off from each other. They will only catch old previously identified threats as designed. In the corporate arena you get viruses and such from dumb users that click on the crap the pops up because their friend sent it to them or they think that spam from the guy in Nigeria is their lucky day. I just have Windows firewall turned on and run TrendMicro from work. I just try and avoid potential problem sites. just be smart when on line. In the end in the Windows OS you will eventually get hit. I will have to agree that MAC, Linux, ect don't get hit but it is because the reward is not as high for hackers since most dumb users out there use Windows. Low lying fruit. My $.02.

Anything from previous posts will work. AVG seems pretty popular with Spybot

[rickrock305]

Mac's can still get bugs, viruses, etc.

they can, yes. but they don't. i don't know one Mac user who has ever gotten a virus, worm, or anything like it. hackers just don't write viruses for Macs.

Then again I use my machines for real work and not just writing blogs in the park while I sip on my iced double mocha chai latte

HA! Lets see your PC handle a 200+ track audio project, or video graphic rendering, or the myriad of other CPU heavy tasks that Macs handle every day.



the old PC/Mac debate...never gets old