What internet security package would you recommend for Win 7

[gemini2010]

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

 

[richnrockville]

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

 

[Animal5150]

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.

 

[M1GU31]

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.

 

[CanIHaz]

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.

 

[gemini2010]

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

 

[CanIHaz]

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.