Security Software.

[luciusad2004]

Is there any free security software that you guys usually install on a fresh install of windows? I reformatted my gf's computer and i was wondering what you guys use to keep your machines from getting loaded with viruses and malware etc.

At the moment i just installed what we use at home.

AVG Free edition
Ad-Aware SE personal
Spybot-Search and Destroy.

Thanks for any responses.

[.Maleficus.]

You could get Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx). Otherwise, that's all I have on my computer.

[Needsleep]

throw on zonealarm too if you fancy it - never hurt anyone (to my knowledge)

[Ronyx]

Zone Alarm is really in my opinion the best defense u have against viruses. Mainly because it stops intrusions. it's one thing to clean up the viruses after they have landed on your computer but an entirely different thing to stop them from getting in your computer all together.

[luciusad2004]

Is zone alarm free, or just a free trial? I personally wouldn't mind spending the money on a good firewall/antivirus suite, but i couldn't imagine my girlfriends mom purchasing any software.

Thanks for all of the input guys, i appreciate it.

Edit: Another problem with the whole purchasing software is, unless it runs in the background, it might not get used much. I'm only here on weekends and i don't know how often the computer gets scanned for viruses and what not.

[nil8]

Your best bet then is zonealarm, avg free and avg antispyware.
Of the three, antispyware has a trial period and you will want to purchase it after 30 days to keep it autoupdating and scanning on its own.

Both AVG programs will update and scan the machine on their own, at times you set.

Zonealarm is a noob friendly, mildly intuitive firewall designed for home use, and it is free for home use. Turn off Windows firewall, it's ****.

[SgtM]

What I've used in the past. All free, I don't like spending money on software.

AVG Anti-Virus, and Spyware protection
Lavasoft Ad-Aware
Zonealarm
Windows Defender
Windows Firewall

AVG, Ad-Aware, and Zonealarm all have free and paid versions available. I've never run into any problems using the free versions, and they're very effective.

[luciusad2004]

OK, Thanks for that guys. I don't have time to put them on this weekend, but ill be sure to download them next weekend.

Thanks again

-Lucius

[Sakker]

I use a variety of security programs, may I suggest however, Anti-Vir. A very reliable easy to use anti-virus, unlike say norton it can actually get rid of viruses. It's free, and incredibly effective. For spy-ware spybot is great (already mentioned) but so is Spysweeper.

Good luck finding what works for ya.

[klingelton]

quickly can i recommend against adaware by lavasoft. used to be one of the best but has gone downhill and is verging on useless now!

i don't use antivirus anymore, i have no idea why, i really should, i just don't!

[Ronyx]

i use ad aware, i think it's good for catching registry keys gone bad and programs running hidden in your processes. avg is good for catching actual files on your system which are corrupted. so if you have two u have the best of both worlds.

can you elaborate on why you don't like ad-aware, i'd personally like to know, maybe it's time for me to get some new soft =]

[Drum Thumper]

I stumbled across Active Virus Shield.

Yes, it is branded as AOL, but from what I read, they just threw their logo on there as product placement.

http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?

Best part? FREE!:banana:

[xRyokenx]

Hey, this has helped me out too... especially since I'm having WWIII with this crap at the moment, thanks all.

-Anthony

EDIT: AVS won't work with AVG... so that's a no go...

[Drum Thumper]

FWIW, AVS is giving me hell at the moment...so maybe it's not all that it's touted as...I'm in the middle of reinstalling, and if this doesn't work, I'm gonna call it a night and deal with it tomorrow.

[luciusad2004]

Thanks for the continued replies guys. Ill look in to everything as time permits.

:off topic: What kind of tractor is that in your sig?

[xRyokenx]

I've found AVG to be quite reliable, so that's what I'm going to stick with... and I have ZoneAlarm going, so I don't really need to much more at the moment...

[luciusad2004]

Yeah, my family has been using AVG for a while now so thats one of the first things i always install.

[xRyokenx]

Yeah, my dad found it, so I've been using it, it works quite well, and I've also been using Spybot and AdAware for a while, my neighbor told me about them, and I've recently installed a few other things, but I believe I've mentioned them before...

[Drum Thumper]

Thanks for the continued replies guys. Ill look in to everything as time permits.

:off topic: What kind of tractor is that in your sig?

Its a John Deere 9620. Same model that my becomes my dad's 'daily driver' for a few months every year.

I've operated it as well, and it handles nice as far as JD tractors go. 500 HP and 1200 ft/lb of torque for some serious ground breaking (literally!) power.