anti-virus???

[liar2 10+ year member]

Something to think about, just because your AV does not detect a virus, do not assume that you do not have one. It is very possible that your AV just does not see it as a virus. This is a reason why I do like NOD32. They release multiple updates a day.

I am really not for free AV software. Sure, they work and will provide some sort of security, but it is very limited. As for a firewall, they aren't necessarily required so long as you know what you are doing. But they can be helpful in cases when something you do not know is trying to access the interweb.

Also, if you do not already, I suggest using firefox. Using firefox significantly cuts down on spyware on your computer. I run adaware about once a month and at most come up with 5 entries of spyware.

 

[HiAmplidude 10+ year member]

As for a firewall, they aren't necessarily required so long as you know what you are doing. But they can be helpful in cases when something you do not know is trying to access the interweb.

Not running some kind of firewall for a computer connected to the Internet at any given time, even limited dial-up, is ******* for a system.

There are port scanners and bots out there, running 24/7 that can find your system and start causing problems within minutes. I can log well over 200 incoming port scans hitting any one of my systems every day.

At the very least, install XP SP2 which installs MS firewall and enables it by default. It's actually better than I thought it would be, and pretty quiet from a user perspective.

For even higher-level protection, use MS firewall, and add a 3rd party firewall like ZoneAlarm or Kerio, plus enable firewall features of a hardware router like Linksys and keep your computer behind it.

 

[deadboi77 10+ year member]

I`de also look into fix it..rounds about 30 bucks..its got a decent AV anti spam,reg defrag n a bunch of other nice lil progs..can be buoght your local wally world..been using it for years..free updates n all that good stuff...

 

[HeatSeeker 10+ year member]

A while back there was a comparison on the different AV programs out there, and I believe nod32 came out on top. Norton was suprisingly low for its popularity.

Anyone ever used the Alphashield hardware firewall? We got em at best buy and I'm thinking about picking one up soon

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

Something to think about, just because your AV does not detect a virus, do not assume that you do not have one. It is very possible that your AV just does not see it as a virus. This is a reason why I do like NOD32. They release multiple updates a day.
I am really not for free AV software. Sure, they work and will provide some sort of security, but it is very limited. As for a firewall, they aren't necessarily required so long as you know what you are doing. But they can be helpful in cases when something you do not know is trying to access the interweb.

Also, if you do not already, I suggest using firefox. Using firefox significantly cuts down on spyware on your computer. I run adaware about once a month and at most come up with 5 entries of spyware.

i use firefox. the thing is this avast never finds anything so that's why i'm wondering if it's any good. where can this NOD32 be found at?

 

[HeatSeeker 10+ year member]

i use firefox. the thing is this avast never finds anything so that's why i'm wondering if it's any good. where can this NOD32 be found at?

http://www.nod32.com //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[joeboxer5876 10+ year member]

one to check out is trend micro. my buddy uses it and tells me he likes it better than norton