Help picking computer protecting programs

[Kihld]

ok basically i just got my mom's old computer and i need to know which programs would be the best for my computer
virus protection
spyware protection
keylogger protection...
and any other programs that you would recomend

[dl65]

Kihld ..... I am sure if you ask 10 people this question, you will probably get 10 differant answers.  But here is a list of the programs I like to have available on a machine.

Anti-Virus...... AVG Free Anti virus  http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

Spyware ..... AVG Antispyware ( free )
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5   ...once the trial expires, it is still fully functional as a scan when required.

SpyBot ...... http://www.tucows.com/preview/310138      (free)

Ccleaner.... http://www.ccleaner.com/         (free)

Ad-Aware SE ..... http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php      (free)

All of these are well tested and used by many.

Hope this helps you.

dl65 

[patio]

dl65's package is very comprehensive and will offer excellent protection...i happen to have the exact same ! !

Best of all it's all FREE.

You might want to consider adding a firewall. I am testing Jetico right now and so far so good...also FREE.

[Ujomah]

Check out a little file called VCLEANER.EXE.Its very effective in finding and destroying bugs.It has over 750 virus definitions that it looks for,most of which are the nastiest of the nasty.No bells and whistles.It just does its jobs and disappears...and its FREE.They say you get what you pay for, but that little program is an exception to the rule.

[WillyW]

For anti-virus software, this is another positive vote for AVG.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

[Raptor]

Check out a little file called VCLEANER.EXE.Its very effective in finding and destroying bugs.It has over 750 virus definitions that it looks for,most of which are the nastiest of the nasty.No bells and whistles.It just does its jobs and disappears...and its FREE.They say you get what you pay for, but that little program is an exception to the rule.

Bugs are not viruses.

[Jonas Wauters]

I've tried a lot of virusscanners and protection and in my oppinion Windows Live OneCare is the best.
It includes a firewall, backup prog, Disk defragmentation,...
But You have to pay for it. You do have a 90day trial.

Jonas

[CBMatt]

I second dl65's post.  You may also want to add on SUPERAntiSpyware and AVG Anti-Rootkit (not needed often, but still handy to have around).

Also, I recently tried out ClamWin (Windows version of ClamAV) and I was impressed.  It picked up two infections that I've apparently had for about six months.  They're low-risk infections that weren't active, but still...  It's not the prettiest anti-virus and it can get in the way (you'll want to scan while you're not using the computer), but it's very thorough and easy on resources.  This would be a good backup for AVG; just make sure you disable the real-time protection.

[patio]

I've tried a lot of virusscanners and protection and in my oppinion Windows Live OneCare is the best.
It includes a firewall, backup prog, Disk defragmentation,...
But You have to pay for it. You do have a 90day trial.

Jonas

In the most recent tests i reviewed Windows Live One Care missed over 35% of the baddies thrown at it...not something i would either trust or pay for.

[Jonas Wauters]

I open for other sudjestions but the package of DL65's did not found anything that OneCare didn't altough I did have multiple virus so far.

dl65's package is very comprehensive and will offer excellent protection...i happen to have the exact same ! !

Best of all it's all FREE.

You might want to consider adding a firewall. I am testing Jetico right now and so far so good...also FREE.

Here you say that you happen to have the exact same but what are you using now?
If I may ask.

Jonas

[patio]

I use everything DL65 listed...

[Jonas Wauters]

Alright sorry wrong context.
I thought happened from used to have.
my mistake.

Jonas

[dl65]

Jonas Wauters ......

I open for other sudjestions but the package of DL65's did not found anything that OneCare didn't altough I did have multiple virus so far.

I think I should clarify why I use the apps I listed above.
1. Many of the people who visit Computer Hope, are not aware that there is decent free software available to protect their computers.

2. Many of these same visitors, do not have the money to purchase protective software that may or may not do the job.

3. Some visitors, are under the impression that all they have to do is install a piece of protective software and thats all there is to it . They think they are protected ....... Nothing could be further from the truth.

4. Some people are under the impression that if it's free it couldn't possibly work.

It would be great if there was one piece of software which would do it all ..... and do it all well ........ To date, I don't think it has been found ....... It just doesn't exist.

I hope this clears things up a bit for you.

dl65 

[Jonas Wauters]

Yes that's true but the problem with your apps is that they aren't easy to use for a beginner.
You don't have an automatic scan, automatic update,...
Not that I'm trying to say that they are bad its just not a good protection for beginners.
When my license is experienced than I'll use your list.(Loved it and thanks for it)
I think that you get my point although I do agree with yours.(Just not good for beginners)
I know I'm repeating to much but I can't stop myself.

Jonas

[CBMatt]

Yes that's true but the problem with your apps is that they aren't easy to use for a beginner.
You don't have an automatic scan, automatic update,...

What gives you this impression?  The only program dl65 listed that doesn't do this is AVG Anti-Spyware (unless you pay for it) and maybe Spybot (not entirely sure about that).  My AVG Free, CCleaner, and Ad-Aware do these things, and they're all quite easy to use.  Even my girlfriend can use them with ease, and it's a surprise she even knows how to turn on her computer.