IT/computer guys: Best antivirus/firewall?

[DRJDVM's '69]

I wanted to get some "expert" opinions on Antivirus/Firewall software...

I've used Norton Internet Security for as long as I can remember.... probably a good 10 years now. Bottom line is its a huge performance hog and I'm sick of it. I've kinda heard/known this for years but stuck with it out of habit. The subscription is up, and I'm looking to change.

So.....in you opinion what is the best protection for my computer?

I have an XP based Dell desktop and a laptop

Cable internet run through a router....wireless connection to laptop and PS3

Some suggestions I've gotten...

(1) Just used the Microsoft firewall and the router is a built in firewall too...no need for an additonal firewall.

(2) Antivirus/spyware etc...use Webroot Spysweeper or Kaspersky

Now my online research seems to say NIS 2009 is way way better, less CPU hogging etc, but I'm always wary of alot of the online reviews at some of the sites

So..any "real world" opinions ?

[VP23271]

Below is a link to a company that my friend started. I have not tried it yet because my McAfee subscription has not expired. Sorry DRJDVM , but no "Real World" first hand experience with it yet. If anyone else has any recommendations, I would be interested too.

http://www.cyberdefender.com/

[2Bad4Ya]

anti virus is a must have, and there are amyn flavors and personal favorites.

I work for a major financial institute and we have some serious security demands on our machines. We can't have some virus or hacker run loose on our systems, one or two times of that happening and the bad publicity would be well spread across the world.

That all being said... we use pc cillin from trend micro, I figured it was good enuff for my employor so I have been running it for the last 4-5yrs with no issues. I think its great and does not seem to be the system hog borton and mcaffee are.

In junction with that I also use spybot S&D, it is a great tie in to my anti virus software. This keeps spyware/malware in check and off my system.

Those 2 applications behind a firewall and no virus'/spyware on my personal machines in around 5 yrs (knock on wood).

[tones2SS]

I use ZONE ALARM as a firewall and AD-AWARE & SPYBOT for the other things.
I also use a NORTON's complete virus scan once a week.

[Flash68]

I've been using Avast and Ad-aware (both free and very popular) for years..... with no issues on any of my computers.

Get them at downloads.com

[awr68]

I just had my IT friend rebuild my machines and he loaded Avast on them...so far so good! The reason for the rebuilds? I got hit hard about a month ago...damn viruses!!

[novanutcase]

I've used NAV for years and was thinking of doing the same thing when my friend who does 3rd party IT suggested I use Symantec End Point. Updates are seamless and I haven't had any issues for the last year.

John

[mazspeed]

Hey Scott. I'm running NAV 09 360.3 and it works great, but only problem is, is that it doesn't get malware. For that I have malwarebytes. http://www.malwarebytes.org/ This is the best program against malware and worms that I have ever seen. It gets everything. I run it on all my computers.

[Speedster]

We deal with this and have to re-evaluate our secure networks regularly.

The old stand-bys:
1.Norton (Symantec) Anti-Virus (NAV2009) /Internet Security (NIS2009)
2. McAfee - various flavors (Total Protection 2009)

They both work "most" of the time. Not too good on Malware/Spy bots. People in the past have supplemented these with Ad-Aware (Lavasoft).

The ones that are starting to dominate NAV and McAfee are:
AVG and Kapersky. We have seen many cases where these have picked up virus/malware/spyware/etc. that NAV and McAfee missed. In addition, Norton and McAfee are incredible resource hogs...

We used all four for quite some time and as the final licenses expire, we have chosen AVG Internet Security (8.5 now) going forward. For us, it has proven to be the best for the items mentioned above including SPAM.

Windows Firewall is actually pretty good, but also remember, it is the most hacked.

Since it is for home use, it is not a big deal, but at some time you may wish to switch to a hardware firewall and then just run anti-virus on your local machine.

Of course you can be real hardcore and run Unix based OS which really lowers security threats, but they still exist.

Anyway, just some observations from real-world usage, FWIW.

[XLexusTech]

YOu know how they say if a pro wants to seal you car no alarm will help you.
Well the same can be said for securing up your computer.
The basic Norton, Spy Bot S&D will help, Windows firewall is a joke.

The best approaches use external drives that can be disconnected and are never online... This is where your important data shroud be...

Virtual machines that are trashed when off and proper network security are the only way to be safe...

Physically disabling your Network when not is use is a good move.... Powering it off is not enough with POE i can still get in... I mean they can still get in