Anyone know any really good Anti-Virus and Spy/Ad-ware software?

[arabie]

I am looking for a very good quality product, free or not, for a home desktop that will thoroughly, efficiently, and effectively clean my machine. Any computer experts have some advice as to which product to buy (links are appreaciated)?

Thanks in advance.

[Vern]

Triple Combo

Norton AV
Zone Alarm Pro
Ad Aware

Vern

[arabie]

Does triple combo mean that can be purchased in a combo?

Any links?

Are these free?

I downloaded ad-aware from download.com for free, is this the one you are refering to?

Thanks.

[vetman81]

I use Ad-Aware along with Spybot Search and Destroy. I have heard good things about ZoneAlarm but havent tried it yet. I think you can get all three from Majorgeeks.com. As far as I know all three of these are free.

Matt

Edit: I dont think Norton AV is free.

[pastabatman]

I'm pretty sure Norton AV isn't free. You might try www.grisoft.com. They have a free version of their AVG antivius software that I use on my kids' computer. Seems good (not that I'm sure it's ever been put to a real test).

[Nagoo81]

Norton AntiVirus is definitely worth the money each year, and you can usually find a very cheap deal on it occasionally on a bargain [censored].

I have been using Norton forever, and my PC has never gotten infected.

Be on the look out for MS's spyware remover/protection tool.

[KenProspero]

I use the following combination -- Ad-Aware SE (free); Norton AV 2005 (this version has extra spy ware support)(not free); MS Windows Firewall (free with WindowsXP); D-Link Hard Fire Wall/Router.

Also, one suggestion is to move over to Mozilla Firefox browser (free) -- many viruses are written to attack Microsoft IE, so this browser seems less susceptible to virus/spyware.

[tek]

[ QUOTE ]
Triple Combo

Norton AV
Zone Alarm Pro
Ad Aware

Vern

[/ QUOTE ]

I use Norton, Spybot and Adaware

[Vern]

Adaware is free, I get it and my Norton AV updates from MajorGeeks.com

www.ZoneAlarm.com Is really what is refered to a packet sniffer. All network traffic must pass through Zone Alarm and you approve programs to access the internet as well as allow incoming traffic to connect to you ports. The basic version is free, but the pro version is more than worth it. ZA is vital, IMHO, because if a new virus gets past all the AV software because they cannot detect it (There can be a 24 hour lag even with the best AV software), Zone Alarm will prevent it from communicating outside the box and I will get a prompt that a program is trying to access the network/internet. Their Pro version is so much better than MS Firewall.

Vern

[crockett]

Search in the internet forum but this is what I'm doing and it's working very well....all free.

This site has a lot of good information for reference:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_...tm#trustworthy

I started with Spybot Search & Destroy, SpyBlaster and SpyGuard. I use them all and update them on a routine basis. I also use Antivir for my virus protection software. I read up a lot on the is subject and I choose it over AVG because Antivir uses a lot less of your systems resources. One draw back to Antivir is the updates take quite awhile to download. With dial-up it can be a pain. With high speed I don't think it would be a big deal at all.

I also run MacAffee Stinger and a free virus checker made by Avast on a routine basis.

My latest move was to install ZoneAlarm Firewall (free) and switch to using Firefox as my browser.

Both switches were very easy. I like both products especially Firefox.

I think I'm about done for now.