[Nick B]

I have XP Home Edition and soon I'm having some computer problems fixed. Currently have Kaspersky, but it is a bit complex for me. In the past, I have  also tried Panda, Norton, Trend Micro, and maybe NOD. A couple of the tech guys I spoke with like the free version of AVG. I would prefer comprehensive firewall, antivirus, rootkit, trojan etc protection. Would appreciate suggestions for effective and yet user friendly
software. Thanks

[WGH]

I would prefer comprehensive firewall, antivirus, rootkit, trojan etc protection.

All that suite stuff will bog down your machine, especially Norton, though it does work. I ran Norton products on my machine for years, getting rid of it was like getting a faster computer. NOD32 is real nice, lightweight, and just works, what didn't you like about it? I pair NOD32 with ZoneAlarm Pro and never have had any problems or infections and I think I visit some potentially dangerous sites on my quests. Using Firefox helps too.

Scott Finnie has been testing firewalls and anti-virus programs for a long time. His blog has a lot of info regarding some new and old programs.
http://blog.scotsnewsletter.com/

[Crimson]

I've used Norton's and McAfee's bundles in the past. While good, they are resource hogs. I now use a combination of AVG, ZoneAlarm, and Firefox and haven't had any issues.

You could also consider switching to a Mac.  aa

[Rasta]

I don't use anti-virus software on my home machine because of the reasons mention above - resource hogs and they muck everything up.

If you are careful, all you need is ZoneAlarm and maybe Ad-Adware to remove spyware.  Occasionally, I will run Bit Defender's free online scan, which is excellent.  Another excellent product is TrojanHunter, if you really want local trojan protection (and you thought Trojans were for protection ).

The only decent AV software I have come across is Symantic's AV Corporate Edition.  Surprisingly, it is quite good.

[Nick B]

I would prefer comprehensive firewall, antivirus, rootkit, trojan etc protection.

All that suite stuff will bog down your machine, especially Norton, though it does work. I ran Norton products on my machine for years, getting rid of it was like getting a faster computer. NOD32 is real nice, lightweight, and just works, what didn't you like about it? I pair NOD32 with ZoneAlarm Pro and never have had any problems or infections and I think I visit some potentially dangerous sites on my quests. Using Firefox helps too.

Used NOD at least 3-4 years ago. Can't remember the particulars...maybe wasn't user friendly enough??

Scott Finnie has been testing firewalls and anti-virus programs for a long time. His blog has a lot of info regarding some new and old programs.
http://blog.scotsnewsletter.com/

Thx. Interesting reading.

[Nick B]

I've used Norton's and McAfee's bundles in the past. While good, they are resource hogs. I now use a combination of AVG, ZoneAlarm, and Firefox and haven't had any issues.

You could also consider switching to a Mac.  aa

Yep, wife has one. It's on my wish list 

[WGH]

No anti-virus/firewall suite will protect your computer if you have kids (or you are a big kid yourself). Clicking "OK" to install anything you find online is a recipe for disaster, especially if it ends in .exe. As an example: lohan_nude_photos.jpg.exe

My Cousin's computer wins the prize with over 250 spyware and hijack programs I cleaned off it.

A couple of free programs work great if you have kids: Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster. Get them both here:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/products.html
They hardly take any resources at all so leave them running all the time.

[Nick B]

No anti-virus/firewall suite will protect your computer if you have kids (or you are a big kid yourself). Clicking "OK" to install anything you find online is a recipe for disaster, especially if it ends in .exe. As an example: lohan_nude_photos.jpg.exe

My Cousin's computer wins the prize with over 250 spyware and hijack programs I cleaned off it.

A couple of free programs work great if you have kids: Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster. Get them both here:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/products.html
They hardly take any resources at all so leave them running all the time.

No kids. Just assumed..or actually a techie friend suggested I do so a long time ago IIRC. I understand better now about the exe commands. I use Firefox which I much prefer to IE. Is it important to scan for rootkits, worms, keyloggers ?

[WGH]

Is it important to scan for rootkits, worms, keyloggers ?

Well yes, I guess it is important to scan for them, but I never have found one so the odds of your computer having one is low. But then I don't know where that 'lil bugger has been. There are a lot of free spyware scans available, a couple are Webroot and PC Pitstop besides the ones previously mentioned like AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy.

RootkitRevealer will find most rootkits, but you almost have to be a techie to interpret the results. If your are really afraid of having a rootkit the only solution is to re-format your drive and a clean re-install of the OS.

I'm still running a fast and stable XP Pro installed in Feb. 2005 on my main machine. Regular scans have showed up nothing weird after many, many torrent downloads and visits to warez sites (for educational and research purposes only...really).

I think you have more to fear by giving your credit card to a waiter to pay for a meal than anything in your computer.