Security Suite vs Antivirus Software Only

[Panthur]

What would you guys suggest - get the security suite or just the antivirus software? Building a new system and would appreciate opinions - and any brand reccomendations would be great too....thanks.

 

[lxskllr]

Just A/V. Here's what I use, and it's worked great, with no intrusions...

Free Antivir
Windows Firewall
SpywareBlaster
SpyBot S&D
Router

If I want a better spyware scanner for some reason, I use Malwarebytes(free doesn't have active protection)

 

[KamiXkaze]

Well it all depends on how much you are willing to spend or not(free version)
as for me kaspersky has work quite well for me.

kXk

 

[dguy6789]

Microsoft Security Essentials
Windows Firewall

Works like a charm(One that works)

 

[Panthur]

It looks like Norton Security Suite 2010 is getting good review...used to be a hardcore Norton fan a few years ago...anyone have any good experience with this?

 

[bruceb]

I agree with "lkskllr" post above

Free Antivir (I use Avira)
Windows Firewall
SpywareBlaster
SpyBot S&D
Router

I also run AdAware but that is getting bloated and probably not needed

 

[ShawnD1]

I agree with "lkskllr" post above

Free Antivir (I use Avira)
Windows Firewall
SpywareBlaster
SpyBot S&D
Router

I also run AdAware but that is getting bloated and probably not needed

This is my config as well. Avira is surprisingly good when it comes to detecting stuff. My university has a USB virus going around which isn't detected by any of the school's virus scanners, but Avira on my home computer saw it immediately and fixed it for me.
At one time I had AdAware and Spybot but they seemed to detect the exact same problems. Now I'm just using Spybot.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I agree with "lkskllr" post above

Free Antivir (I use Avira)
Windows Firewall
SpywareBlaster
SpyBot S&D
Router

Exact same config as well and has worked great for several years. I run Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware periodically as well.

 

[tcsenter]

I just get the antivirus + antimalware version. The all-encompassing suites are usually very bloated and drag performance down.

 

[insect9]

Windows Firewall
Router
Avira Antivirus
Restricted user account

 

[sonoma1993]

For me it's
Avast Antivirus
Windows Firewall
Malwarebytes
Router

 

[sonoma1993]

For me it's
Avast Antivirus
Windows Firewall
Malwarebytes
Router

 

[Phynaz]

It looks like Norton Security Suite 2010 is getting good review...used to be a hardcore Norton fan a few years ago...anyone have any good experience with this?

Fantastic product, and FAR at OD this week.

 

[spikespiegal]

Given that 99.9999% of Malware/Spyware infections occur due to the user installing the junk by accident, how the hell is a Firewall / Router supposed to help? You people do understand the difference between a Firewall / Router and content filtering, don't you?

Virtually all the bad Spyware / Malware infections I fix for friends involve them having one of the security suites above, yet the box in compromised.

I've never seen this happen with a restricted account, but, that's for adults.

Also, Spybot and Spyware blaster are two of the biggest waste of times since a saltpeter salesman at Plato's retreat.

Yeah...I go out to eat, and I'm really going to hand the waitress my debit card knowing it's going to be run through a public PC with full admin rights and running Spybot, Spyware blaster, and a NAT based router.

 

[bruceb]

No, actually Spybot & Spyware Blaster do a good job at keeping bad sites at bay.
AdAware has gone to crap. Only thing better would be Superantispyware or Malwarebytes, in paid form, for real time protection.

 

[snarl]

I tend to shy away from suites, I look at them as a Jack of all trades Master of None kind of scenario (just my opinion) so I always tending to pick the current best Firewall, A/V etc.. and build my own "Suite" however for the last few years it's been:

Kaspersky A/V
Windows Defender
Windows Firewall
Router

Never had a problem yet

 

[Rottie]

Netbook is running right now is Avira AV and Comodo Firewall Pro both are free and low resource that is very important to me

 

[Lemon law]

My only comment is that the thread title is screwed up.

Namely a security suite vs. Anti Virus alone.

As Lxskllr and others have pointed out, just a stand alone anti virus in not enough to have computer security.

A security suite is supposed to have a comprehensive one stop shop to cover all aspects of computer security.

Or one can do as well or better, IMHO, by mixing and matching various stand alone programs to do the same basic job as a security suite.

Each way is multi layered, but an AV is just one layer in a comprehensive whole.

And at the end of the day, we make our choices and take our chances as we run the gauntlet of the internet. As long as we do not get hacked, we are happy, but if we do get hacked, its a wake up call.

 

[RedRooster]

Microsoft Security Essentials
Windows Firewall

Works like a charm(One that works)

+1

 

[abaez]

My only comment is that the thread title is screwed up.

Namely a security suite vs. Anti Virus alone.

As Lxskllr and others have pointed out, just a stand alone anti virus in not enough to have computer security.

A security suite is supposed to have a comprehensive one stop shop to cover all aspects of computer security.

Or one can do as well or better, IMHO, by mixing and matching various stand alone programs to do the same basic job as a security suite.

Each way is multi layered, but an AV is just one layer in a comprehensive whole.

And at the end of the day, we make our choices and take our chances as we run the gauntlet of the internet. As long as we do not get hacked, we are happy, but if we do get hacked, its a wake up call.

How is an anti virus not enough to have? I've been running with just an A/V for years. I know my router's firewall settings very well, and I have total control over it. Just don't do stupid shit on the internet and you'll be fine.

 

[Dark Penguin]

How is an anti virus not enough to have? I've been running with just an A/V for years. I know my router's firewall settings very well, and I have total control over it. Just don't do stupid shit on the internet and you'll be fine.

You can't always avoid stupid shit. The number of times my brother has found malware on his PC because his kid downloaded something is just ridiculous.

 

[lxskllr]

You can't always avoid stupid shit. The number of times my brother has found malware on his PC because his kid downloaded something is just ridiculous.

In addition to that, the antispyware apps help prevent the nuisance stuff from getting in. The malware that falls short of costing you data, identity, or bandwidth, but still sucks to have.

 

[santz]

kaspersky internet security, the best security suite there is. read the reviews. I dont have time to post links or I would have had. Also its made by da Russians.

DA COMRAD PREMIERE, LOL

 

[GrumpyMan]

Avira has a new security suite, but I haven't read any reviews on it yet.