Viruses and spyware

[sweeps]

What software do you use to scan for viruses and spyware?

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Viruses and spyware

McAfee virus and spybot for spyware.

[Haku]

Re: Viruses and spyware

I don't use Windows. Muahahahahahahahah!!!

For those that do, any major brands such as Symantec and McAfee would do for anti-virus. McAfee is often more cost-effective, but both have gone to subscription models which equates to being rather costly. I am also partial to F-Prot if only because it is multi-platform and cheaper (very nice if you don't stick with Windows either).

For anti-spyware, Microsoft has its own software now known as Windows Defender. While it is beta, I've heard good things about it, and hey, it's free. The current king of the hill, however, may still be Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. This software has consistently won out over the others, and I think its basic services are free.

I currently can not recommend using Internet Explorer at all. Please feel free to take a look at mozilla's FireFox. Current incarnation is quite user-friendly, and hey, it's also free! Whatever you decide, for added safety, feel free to disable Java and Flash. If you still insist on using Internet Explorer, it might be worth adding BHODemon to your roster. It's specifically designed to guard against a type of vulnerability that exists only in Internet Explorer. Also, please be sure ActiveX is disabled if it isn't already. Again, it's probably easier to just use a different browser.

I apologize if my information is slighty off. Again, I don't use Windows anymore, so my memory is a bit rusty on this. Oh! I almost forgot about having a desktop firewall. Can't go without one of those anymore. Zone Alarm is what I would recommend, and the basic version in the link is free.

If you're really security-conscious, just don't use Windows. Way too many exploits. For the cost-conscious, I recommend Ubuntu Linux, and NetBSD or OpenBSD if you're hardcore. All of these operating systems can be had for free. For those who have more money than time or are fashion conscious, but still want "Security for Dummies", I recommend a non-Intel Apple computer.

[veronak]

Re: Viruses and spyware

I use Spybot but maybe I should really look into something like Norton or McAfee

[eisor]

Re: Viruses and spyware

According to Consumer Reports (which I LOVE), Trend Micro is actually better than Symantec and McAfee. Here is the link for this info!

Also, Microsoft Anti-Spyware (Windows Defender) is rated best for spyware. Here is the link for this info!

I use both of these and like them both.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Viruses and spyware

adaware..

[CRFSaver]

Re: Viruses and spyware

I use firefox whenever possible, but some sites such as many banking sites require explorer. Either way, I use ms defender (their free spyware app), spybot search and destroy and still adaware sometimes. Adware is suspect though as they quit "flagging" a lot of adware, especially from gator/claria.

For a free virus scanner check out AVG which is supposed to be quite good. Once in a while i will do online scans with bit defender or trend micro which is helpful too.

[baselle]

Re: Viruses and spyware

Zone Alarm for the firewall, and I set the firewall high so its reporting to me what its letting through.
AVG for the antivirus.
Ad-aware for the spybot searches.
While I love Firefox and use it all the time (IE is so 1999!), be warned that it is a memory boar (bigger than a hog). I use Google toolbar and am running Firefox by itself right now - my memory use is at 81%. Yikes!

[Haku]

Re: Viruses and spyware

Ah yes, AVG was the antivirus I ran on my PC before I jumped off Windows.

Firefox indeed is a memory boar. Opera is lighter and usually comes recommend as well. Gives you a finer grain control if you like it that wawy.