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I use Norton, but I have a quad-core, so I really don't notice any slowing down of my computer. I download huge files, and have never had any problems. I love Firefox. I will never use IE again.

Here is a quick review of the most recommended anti-virus programs:

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0
(*est. $60)

Best antivirus software overall.
On balance, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 is the best all-around antivirus program. It excels at its primary task of preventing viruses. Reviews agree that Kaspersky is better than bestsellers Norton AntiVirus 2007 and McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 in all aspects. Kaspersky is fast and light; it won't slow your computer as much as the bestsellers. Although we still found some complaints about Kaspersky conflicting with some other software, program users express a much higher level of satisfaction than with Norton or McAfee.

• NOD32 2.7
(*est. $40)

Best antivirus software for experts.
Reviews unanimously agree that NOD32 is as good as or better than Kaspersky Anti-Virus in all but one area: Reviews say NOD32 has a very hard-to-use interface. Although computer experts say NOD32 offers great protection, no system drain and no software conflicts, most users will be confused by its unintuitive and confusing interface and controls. That puts NOD32 out of contention for anyone but sophisticated computer users.

• Trend Micro Antivirus 2007
(*est. $40)

Low-conflict antivirus software.
Many antivirus programs conflict with other security programs and software. Although no review rates Trend Micro Antivirus above others as a whole, it gets the best scores for low conflicts. The Kaspersky and NOD32 programs provide a better combination of protection and low use of system resources, but Trend Micro Antivirus is a viable alternative if you're having a lot of trouble with software conflicts.

• AOL Active Virus Shield
(free download, http://www.activevirusshield.com/)

Free antivirus software.
AOL now offers free security software to anyone with an e-mail address, whether or not they are AOL members. Active Virus Shield is actually a stripped-down version of the top-rated Kaspersky antivirus engine. While you'll get the same virus protection, the catch is that you have to agree to accept occasional marketing e-mails from AOL and its partners (you can opt out after the first e-mail). You get far less user control than with a paid program, but if you don't mind the marketing e-mails, Active Virus Shield is an easy-to-use, effective alternative. At the time of this report, it is not yet Vista-compatible.

• ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0
(*est. $40)

Best security suite.
Security suites bundle antivirus and anti-spyware software, a firewall and other components into a single program. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite emerges as a clear favorite in reviews. A common complaint among owners is that ZoneAlarm causes an above-average number of software conflicts. The antivirus component in the latest version is licensed from Kaspersky Anti-Virus. ZoneAlarm isn't yet Vista-compatible (but it may be by the time you read this).

• Norton AntiVirus 2007
(*est. $45)

Most popular antivirus software.
Norton continues to be the bestselling antivirus program, and reviews say it's excellent at detecting viruses. However, users complain that Norton AntiVirus can slow your computer to a crawl, and that Norton conflicts with other software. Although reviewers say the 2007 version is improved, we still read many complaints about installation problems and crashes. No credible source ranks Norton AntiVirus as one of the top programs this year.

I found NOD32 to be the least user-friendly, but a lot of programmers love it.

Something one can infer ... and has been my experience ... some companies are quicker to come out with new versions for new operating systems, hardware, etc.

From my perspective that's important because I tend to have the "latest" (though certainly not always the greatest) hardware and software. I don't want anti-virus software that doesn't get updated until many months after I get new equipment/software. So I tend to prefer those companies that are good at keeping up-to-date relatively quickly.

Mindy

I agree 100 percent with you there, Mindy!!!

I can't believe Zone Alarms is still not compatible with Vista. I loved that program.

[quote="sburke91"]If you're truely concerned about the security of your paypal account (and you should be since it's tied into your bank account), you can order a secureID from Paypal for $5. This ID has a number that rotates every 30 seconds and must be entered with your password.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/websc ... ecurityKey

This increases the level of security on your account significantly. Passwords just arent' as secure as they once were due to the level of computing power available to break them.

I am going to look into it right away...it sounds great!

This may be slightly off the subject, but for any of you IT folks (or others interested in technology issues), here's a link to a site that sends me a number of e-mails during the day about current issues......including security and "how-to" type of stuff. Maybe some of you already "subscribe" to it, but I thought I'd throw it out for those that don't.

http://techrepublic.com.com/

Den

Sundown wrote:Free antivirus software.
AOL now offers free security software to anyone with an e-mail address, whether or not they are AOL members.

I am sorry but I just have say it - If you are relying on AOL to secure anything on your pc - well you deserve what you get. I still remember when AOL would simply pass viruses from 1 AOL member to another on "their very own servers" without doing a thing about it. This included AOL password stealing viruses in which the members AOL accts were hacked!! Any of this sound familiar?

So now they offer it FREE - you only need an email addy -why? So they can send you MORE junk mail!!! With more problems inserted in the mail - sounds like a sound business plan?

This is on the Gumby AVOID at all cost list.
Just my meaningless opinion (JMMO).

Thanks, Den!

I had heard of it but had never gotten around to looking at it. Will do so!

Mindy

Wulfman wrote:This may be slightly off the subject, but for any of you IT folks (or others interested in technology issues), here's a link to a site that sends me a number of e-mails during the day about current issues......including security and "how-to" type of stuff. Maybe some of you already "subscribe" to it, but I thought I'd throw it out for those that don't.

http://techrepublic.com.com/

Den

Yet another option for the Technically savvy folks is -
http://www.us-cert.gov
Remember I am here to help
US-CERT: United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
Established in 2003 to protect the nation's Internet infrastructure, US-CERT coordinates defense against and responses to cyber attacks across the nation.
http://www.us-cert.gov/

tried to sign up for the email notifications and...

An internal application error has occurred. Technical staff will be notified. Please try again later or contact the CERT® Coordination Center Hotline @ +1 412.268.7090.

GumbyCT wrote:

Wulfman wrote:This may be slightly off the subject, but for any of you IT folks (or others interested in technology issues), here's a link to a site that sends me a number of e-mails during the day about current issues......including security and "how-to" type of stuff. Maybe some of you already "subscribe" to it, but I thought I'd throw it out for those that don't.

http://techrepublic.com.com/

Den

Yet another option for the Technically savvy folks is -
http://www.us-cert.gov
Remember I am here to help
US-CERT: United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
Established in 2003 to protect the nation's Internet infrastructure, US-CERT coordinates defense against and responses to cyber attacks across the nation.
http://www.us-cert.gov/

Yep! Forgot to mention that one......I get their bulletins and alerts pretty much weekly.....sometimes more often.

Den

Zonealarm for "Vista" is for sale.

http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/ ... /vista.jsp

I just installed NOD 32 "3-pack" with firewall on my 3 computers at home.($90 for the 3 pack)
It is AWESOME and EASY. Latest version has a VERY simple interface that you CAN override if you want to get in deeper.
Hardest part of the installation was getting the old AV OFF my computer.

I have used Norton, Trend Micro and Panda.
ALL of those are bloated and brought my computers to a crawl even with huge amounts of memory. Panda claimed low overhead but the fine print doesn't mention that is only with most of its features turned off

NOD 32 uses virtually no overhead. I really can't even tell its updating or running. Its almost scarey how transparent it is, but the reviews say it works, and the Heuristic approach knocks down stuff that hasn't even been identified yet.

I have NEVER gotten excited about an AV before and usually consider them a necessary evil, but this one is just plain good, at least in MY experience.

I am NOT a computer geek by any measure and even my wife who is a "turn it on and if better just work" type user is impressed by this one.

NOD 32 has done some very dramatic steps to improve user interface simplicity in the last couple of revs.

YMMV

Sundown wrote:I use Norton, b

Here is a quick review of the most recommended anti-virus programs:


• NOD32 2.7
(*est. $40)

Best antivirus software for experts.
Reviews unanimously agree that NOD32 is as good as or better than Kaspersky Anti-Virus in all but one area: Reviews say NOD32 has a very hard-to-use interface. Although computer experts say NOD32 offers great protection, no system drain and no software conflicts, most users will be confused by its unintuitive and confusing interface and controls. That puts NOD32 out of contention for anyone but sophisticated computer users.

.....
I found NOD32 to be the least user-friendly, but a lot of programmers love it.

I'm curious - how do you define a computer with "huge" amounts of memory? I never get less than 2 GB and haven't had my AV and firewall software take up what I would consider an unusual amount....

m

mindy wrote:I'm curious - how do you define a computer with "huge" amounts of memory? I never get less than 2 GB and haven't had my AV and firewall software take up what I would consider an unusual amount....

m

I have 1.5 GB on my computers with Win XP and get irritated to have to buy more than that just to support my AV! NOD 32 only uses 32KB of overhead!