Windows 7 - What internet security package would you recommend for Win 7

Hi,

I have just bought myself a new machine. Its a Toshiba laptop. I am still setting it up at the moment.

I was initially planning on running the free version of avg and sticking with the windows firewall, however I like the old zone alarm firewall because it notifies you of things it is doing, and asks what you prefer to do with each situation etc.

I have a trial of Norton, but going back to the days when I was into IT (about 10 years ago) - Norton was not very reliable. I am told though that as of about 5 years ago it was rebuilt from the ground up and is now stable and reliable. I have also had trend recommended to me.

What would you recommend, and is there much difference between a free version and a paid version? And does Norton and Trend offer anti virus as well as a firewall?

Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Gemini2010: My recommendation is for Microsoft Security Essentials and then Malware Bytes.

I have installed these on most of the machines that I configure for a non-profit and they seem to be
working well.

Rich

With Norton being in recent news having old source code hacked I AM watching them but in my opinion NIS is one of the best. I have used since 2002 and NEVER got one baddy. The recent versions 2009 on are not resource codes like Norton of the past. I also would install free versions of Malwarebuytes, SuperAntiSpyware, & Spywareblaster. NOTHING is foolproof so always backup.

Avast or Avira is what i would recommend. Those two have worked great for me and have kept my system clean. They have stopped multiple intruders from entering my system and have removed some before also.

If you want to pay for an internet suite, i would recommend Kaspersky IS, Eest Smart Security or Norton IS. But if you want a free security, i would get Avast! free, Private Firewall with some on demand scanners such as Malwarebytes and Hitman PRO.

I highly recommend using some kind of sandbox/virtualization software such as Sandboxie.

Thank you all for your replies. It has given me something to think about.
Although I am a little confused as to the adaware, malware programs etc as I had heard (again, this is going back 10 years ago) that these programs open up the machine to hackers and spyware.
Many of the programs I have seen listed in these replies, I have never heard of before, such as Avast, Avira, Hitman PRO, Kaspersky IS, Eest Smart Security, Sandbox/virtualization software...
I guess that is pretty much everything listed except for Nortons

Sandboxie is a virtualize security software. Anything running inside it, is contain. It cannot touch your real HD unless you're running it outside of it. If you do run sandboxie, i recommend putting all your internet facing app and p2p inside sandbox. In case something malicious slipped by your Anti-Virus, it is contain and cannot do anything. All you have to do it is just terminate the program within sandboxie and everything is safe again.