Windows 7 - Anti-virus software suite

Looking for the best suite avail. Have norton 360v4, but have never felt truly safe with it.

Was looking at Kaspersky, Eset, or the like.

I have 2 computers that I need to keep safe, but maybe a 3rd as well. I do download movies and things from torrents from time to time.

Price isnt so much an issue. I just want something that WORKS, both proactively and retroactively if needed. Prefer an all in 1 suite. Thanks.

I swear by ESET AV, had it years. I've tried their Security suite as well (as a trial). Only reason I didn't upgrade to it is that I'm quite happy with Windows Firewall. I back this up / another angle of attack with Malwarebytes'.

Free AV use MSE.

Paid for Norton 360 v4.

As much as one can, you should feel safe with Norton. It does well in real-world tests.
AV-Test.Org Releases Real-World Malware Protection Report - Security Watch
AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Dynamic Test

There's nothing worse than being paranoid and feeling you might be infected. For no reason, when using Avast! 5 Free, I didn't "feel safe" at all.

What's the Best Anti-virus?

If you want to change, you should read the features of the different suites (for example, ESET does not have an equivalent to Norton 360) and any that meet your needs, you should trial.

What features in Norton 360 do you use? (Back-up, defrag, etc.)

Hi, Dackz.

You will likely find as many different favorites as there are replies to your inquiry (my personal favorite being ESET). If you are not comfortable with your current antivirus product and want a security suite, consider that most vendors offer a brief trial period. I suggest that you test the other programs you are interested in using.

As to your use of torrents, pardon me while I go into lecture mode:

<Start Lecture Mode>

With P2P file sharing, what means do you have of identifying or authenticating the source of the download? In addition, a file can be distributed among many hosts, and peers will provide for download the sections that they have already downloaded. This results in the distinct possibility of a distribution method in which malicious bits are mixed with with good files.

P2P programs form a direct conduit on to your computer. They have always been a target of malware writers and are increasingly so of late. P2P security measures are easily circumvented and if your P2P program is not configured correctly, you may be sharing more files than you realize. There have been cases where people's passwords, address books and other personal, private, and financial details have been exposed to the file sharing network by a badly configured program.

</End Lecture>

If you insist upon paying I would recommend only ESET NOD32.

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess Norton 360 really isnt too shabby. Its very quiet, and I guess that is a good thing in this case.

I do not use the backup (I keep all of my stuff on an external HD and do it weekly with a backup program).
I do not really use anything except the security aspects and the antivirus aspects. I have 5 more days on my subscription. I may just up it (gives use of 3 PC's at least).

I have heard from many that Norton wasnt very good but perhaps they have stepped it up with the newest. I have not had an issue in the last year with it though, perhaps that could have been luck as well.

My parents had Norton 360 and it controlled every aspect of their computer. It also slowed it down to a crawl. I uninstalled that and put Microsoft Security Essentials on and now I don't get anymore "Windows Vista sucks" comments from them.

In 2008, Norton re-wrote their software and it is very good (again).

If you don't use the features of Norton 360, why do you pay for it? Unless on special offer, Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Internet Security are cheaper.

With 5 days left on your subscription you could consider an alternative. There are some very good free alternatives.

Is the reason you don't feel safe with Norton because it is quiet or something else?

No anti-virus is 100% effective so if you don't already, it is a good idea to scan once a week with an on-demand anti-malware. Most use the free version of Malwarebytes.