need new antivirus/spyware

[keybowvio02]

I'm connecting another computer to the internet and need some reccomondations as to which antivirus to use.

I'm running windows xp pro service pack two, if it matters.
money is not an issue, but computer resources are (if Norton is better than zonealarm, I'll gladly pay for Norton, but is there a version that won't use up all my resoucres?)

lastly, do you have any good "regemens" as to cleaning your system, or a link to a good FAQ? any and all help is appreciated, do not be hesitant to ask for more info, if needed, I'll do my best to answer.

[soybean]

For personal, i.e. non-business use, I'll suggest AVG Anti-Virus Free.  

For a disk cleanup utility, get CCleaner.  It also does some Registry cleaning.  This download source provides you CCleaner without the Yahoo toolbar.  If you download the full version from www.ccleaner.com, it includes the Yahoo toolbar but you can elect not to install it on a screen that appears soon after the installation starts.

[keybowvio02]

I'm thinking- avg free + zone alarm for antivirus/firewall & adaware, and spybot search and destroy for other malware

what do you think?

[soybean]

Yes, I agree with that.  I use Ad-aware and Spybot Search & Destroy, and AVG Free.  It's been awhile since I used ZoneAlarm on someone else's computer, so my comments on it are based on impressions from forums.  As far as I know, it's had a good reputation for years.  I suggest trying it, since we're talking about the free version.  If you have a negative experience with it, then try something else.

[WillyW]

This is another positive vote for AVG.
http://www.free.grisoft.com/doc/1


If you'd like another free firewall to try, one can be found here:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,8132-order,1-page,1-c,firewalls/description.html

At the top of that article it says it is shareware.   Farther down, it says it is free for personal use.

[Calum]

I'll agree with AVG, Sygate rather than ZoneAlarm, Spybot and Adaware, plus CCleaner for maintenance/cleaning.

[chriscool9]

Avast!
Never had a problem, its free and frankly i personally think its beats AVG any day.
www.avast.com

Chris

[Calum]

Each to their own.
Actually I use Avira Antivir, but I'm switching to AVG in the near future because of all the good things people say about it, I want to see how good it really is.
I have used Avast, but I found it hard to use and it slowed my old PC down.
But then again, if it works for you . . .
As I say, each to their own, there are lots of free solutions out there and you just have to find the one that's right for you.
I sound like a professor or something . . .

[patio]

Along with the excellent suggestions above make sure to add AVG Anti-Spyware (formerly Ewido) to the mix and you will have a well rounded defense arsenal...

p.s. It's also free....the only thing that times out after 30 days is the live patrol portion which i don't see a need to run anyways if you do your updates and scans regular-like...

[isher]

Symantec AntiVirus is the best of all



http://www.beisaharon3.com/computer

[GX1_Man]

And the basis of that claim is...  

[fffreak]

Symantec AntiVirus is the best of all



http://www.beisaharon3.com/computer

Wait...Why do you keep posting this link? People tend to think of this as SPAM. And, you have no argument, you are talking about Norton here. Norton has had many, many problems.

[GX1_Man]

It may pass as information, until you notice all the ads for "Windows fix" products. I think that is the real motive for his posting - selling crap.

[papahobo]

If you are looking for a good free anti-virus, I'll add my vote to those who said AVG.  I've used AVG free edition along with Windows Defender and had really good results.  I've really grown to loathe Norton and McAfee because they have just beome too bloated.  If you are looking to buy something, I would suggest eTrust from CA.  I know Microsoft uses eTrust on their own computers, which depending on your view of Microsoft you may or may not consider this a good endorsement.  However, I think it's a pretty good product.

[patio]

If you are looking for a good free anti-virus, I'll add my vote to those who said AVG.  I've used AVG free edition along with Windows Defender and had really good results.  I've really grown to loathe Norton and McAfee because they have just beome too bloated.  If you are looking to buy something, I would suggest eTrust from CA.  I know Microsoft uses eTrust on their own computers, which depending on your view of Microsoft you may or may not consider this a good endorsement.  However, I think it's a pretty good product.

Microsoft does NOT use ETrust on their computers...

[Bub5000]

Microsoft does NOT use ETrust on their computers...

When I went to the Microsoft Vista launch for IT professionals, the professional speaker had ETrust Antivirus on his demo computer.

Someone I know was talking about antivirus reviews and we did some research. Bitdefender got the best antivirus of 2006 on at least 2 well-known websites. I use NOD32 though. It's good.

[Joe_Flanagan]

Microsoft does NOT use ETrust on their computers...

When I went to the Microsoft Vista launch for IT professionals, the professional speaker had ETrust Antivirus on his demo computer.

Someone I know was talking about antivirus reviews and we did some research. Bitdefender got the best antivirus of 2006 on at least 2 well-known websites. I use NOD32 though. It's good.

On my Vista RC-1 hard copy there were free trials of eTrust and IIRC, Bitdefender.
So I suppose one could say, eTrust was an early Vista partner.

On this machine, I have AVG, AVG-AS (Ewido) and Sygate .
Spybot, SpywareGuard and SpywareBlaster are also in the mix.
Sygate hasn't been supported for some time now, as it was purchased by Symantec.
I like Sygate but I will move to Kerio or Comodo when the time comes.

One little gadget that I've bee playing with is McAfee SiteAdvisor.
It's a tiny, free utility that reports on the relative safety of various websites as you browse.
It has its detractors, but I've been finding it useful and very light.

The group above have been keeping me safe for a long time and the whole package is surprisingly light.
IMHO, it really boils down to what you do and how careful you go about it.