Most effective security suite?

just remember what ever you pick to use dont forget common sense.

better to be safe then sorry remeber even "legit" sites can get hacked and malware uploaded on there i do not advise that you don't use a anti virus if you want one that will not ask questions or annoy you use Microsft sercurity essentials. and keep windows firewall turned on.

unifex said:

Thank you all for interesting suggestions. Special thanks to thathagat, the test is very interesting.

Now, is there anyone who thinks that one might run a PC behind the hardware (NAT) firewall and NOT use the real-time protection at all? Assume that the internet usage is very conservative, only trusted, well-known sites, no questionable downloads, etc. Can one live without a resident anti-virus software, just doing on-demand scans every now and then?

I think it is safe to run behind a hardware firewall with no software firewall - if the hardware fire wall is configured properly. Hardware firewalls are vastly superior to software firewalls. Yes, they can be hacked. But a hacker with the knowledge to get around or through a hardware firewall can most certainly get around a software firewall. I do run a software firewall to monitor outgoing connections. I am not worried about incoming; may hardware is more than capable of taking care of those.

I would not run without full time anti virus protection for the reasons stillfreefilms gave. However, I know folks who do.

unifex said:

Now, is there anyone who thinks that one might run a PC behind the hardware (NAT) firewall and NOT use the real-time protection at all?

well... hardware (NAT) firewall just adds inbound protection.....no outbound protection that is given by a software firewall.

Assume that the internet usage is very conservative, only trusted, well-known sites, no questionable downloads, etc. Can one live without a resident anti-virus software, just doing on-demand scans every now and then?

yes....
A)but make sure you scan before you execute a file...use several on demand scanners...execute the files in say sandboxie or use returnil....last but not the least...have an image backup
B)Also....to nullify driveby's/exploits....harden your browser...use sandboxie/geswall/ disable java scripting....
C)Use...LUA/DEP

would i run without a realtime av......nah....too risky