Roadster90 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Hi Folks,,,,I have Norton 360 on my old computer which I don't use that often and it is running out of the subscription (6 days). I really don't care to spend a ton of money on Norton again. Can I possiby get some good suggestions on virus and other saftey software that is either free or low cost that does just as good a job as Norton without costing the barn please?Thanks,Nic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 AVAST works great and it is free. It is what I use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Labrat Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I've been using Bit Defender and Malwarebytes Malware program for several years. Each program is for a different need and you need both. BitDefender doesn't slow down my computer like the Norton products did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 (edited) Nic,There is a lot of good free stuff out their. I hear good things about AVG. although I know nothing about it.Your PC will run faster once you dump Norton 360. Comcast gives a Lightweight Norton for free and does not slow down your PC. Check with your service provider bet they have something for free I know Verizon has their own that is free.Good Luck Edited September 8, 2011 by CHAS1 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 im using a free one i downloaded at the microsoft website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadster90 Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 Hey Guys - thanks for the sugggestions...I am researching - the Norton 360 covers a lot of stuff, but Yes - it makes my computer crawl in all applications.I know nothing about the Saftey programs.....Does any of the ones mentioned above like AVAST COVER ALL OR THE MAJORITY OF THREATS SUCH AS VIRUSES, TROJANS, SPYWARE, HACKERS AND ID THIEVES please?And Norton lied to me - it expired yesterday Thanks,Nic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 The better free programs tend to only do one function so you will need a combination to cover all areas needing protection.Main thing we need to know to provide best advice is what make and version of an operating system are you using.Not all programs work with all operating systems so knowing what you have is important to know up front.I'd guess since its an older system your probably running Windows XP. If that's not correct, do you have the newer Vista or Windows 7? If so, the 32 bit or 64 bit variant.If an older one Windows 98 or 95?You typically need to protect in three areas, viruses and malware, adware and spyware, and a firewall. If we know what operating system your using, we can make informed decisions on what you might want to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I know nothing about the Saftey programs.....Does any of the ones mentioned above like AVAST COVER ALL OR THE MAJORITY OF THREATS SUCH AS VIRUSES, TROJANS, SPYWARE, HACKERS AND ID THIEVES please?Like Mc said, most good, free programs don't cover all the bases. Programs like Norton that do it all will slow your computer to a crawl. That is why I don't use them.Here's what I use on my computer and I have few problems:Me - I don't open email attachments if I don't know what they are. I don't assume emails from friends are free of viruses. I don't visit websites that are likely to be hacker sites. I never keep personal information or financial information on my computer that is not encrypted. Common sense is your best defense against computer virus type problems.Router - 1st line of defense against hackers is a router between the modem and my computer. It has a hardware firewall that doesn't slow down your computer. Hackers never know your computer is on the Internet unless... you contact them first by visiting their websites. About $40Pop Peeper - This small program runs all the time and notifies me of new emails. It allows me to read emails in text format without without the possibility of getting a virus. It also allows me to delete unwanted emails without opening an email client.Avast Antivirus - It updates itself often. It has little to no impact on computer speed. It protects incoming email and outgoing email. It's free and it works.Malwarebytes - Use it to scan often. Best I've found at detecting and removing Trojans, Adware and Spyware. It's free and it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwack Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for spyware (Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download)ESET's NOD32 for anti-virus (ESET - Antivirus Software with Spyware and Malware Protection)I've used both these programs for many years at home and more importantly, in my office network (where we exchange files frequently with vendors and clients) successfully. Two different companies, two separate programs, total cost less then $90.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Anti Virus: AVG - FreeSpyware: Spybot Search and Destroy - FreeMalware: Ad Aware - Free.Keep everything current. Schedule regular scans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Anti Virus: AVG - FreeSpyware: Spybot Search and Destroy - FreeMalware: Ad Aware - Free.Keep everything current. Schedule regular scans.ive got spybot but it always finds the one same thing.i wonder if its really working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 (edited) I use Webroot SpySweeper anti virus.. I hate Norton. Stay away from Norton at all costs... It's bad news. Edited September 9, 2011 by NCReatta (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Who is your internet provider ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wws944 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 (edited) Or, you could load linux on the machine and not have to worry about Windows security holes. It also opens a whole new world of open source software to you. (http://www.ubuntu.com/ is one place to start.) Edited September 9, 2011 by wws944 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I use a number of different tools but mainly McAfee for Microsoft Platforms.If you have a multi-core PC, I prefer the 64 bit version of Fedora for Linux.and just a side note but both Android and Apple iOS/Lion are also based on Linux, just a little harder to get "under the covers". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wws944 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 The other thing for those who insist on using Windows: always set up a "non-Administrator" account for your general use. Only use "Administrator" when absolutely needed. I know that it is a bit of a pain to have to log in to your computer whenever you turn the power on. But it gives any potential virus much less chance of raising havoc. I also always encourage using Firefox instead of IE for web browsing. Googles new Chrome browser is also fun, but I keep going back to Firefox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 .... And watch out for those nasty fake warnings when using IE. The ones that say "your computer is infected. Scan now?" X out of the window. Don't hit cancel or allow it to scan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kingsley Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Anyone had any experience with Microsoft Security Essentials? Just recommended to me.Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Here's CNET's review of MSE:ConclusionSecurity Essentials is basically a good set-it-and-forget-it security program, but if you want more options and better results from a lightweight security option, Panda Cloud Antivirus Free Edition 1.3 is the safer bet.Read more: Microsoft Security Essentials - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com Microsoft Security Essentials - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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