What software is worth buying to protect my PC ?

[jamieuk23]

I am more than happy with AVG free anti virus and never seem to have many problems. Is it worth paying for some type of spyware protecion or some other type of protection ?

Thanks!!

Jamie

[jim]

I personally like to have antivirus, firewall and anti-spyware running to keep my PC safe.

However, of late Kaspersky has been doing a great job with regard to spyware so I don't bother with that any more, and it has the firewall included, so I've effectively just got Kaspersky running these days.

You certainly don't need to pay for anti-spyware though, I'd look at Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware if you're interested. After all, you can install them, do a quick scan and see what they've picked up. If there's nothing, then maybe you don't need to bother and you can uninstall them. I don't know enough about AVG to comment on it's ability to stop spyware, but if a spyware scanner has picked nothing up then I'd imagine AVG is doing its job.

[smargh]

The built-in Windows [XP XP2+] firewall, plus free Microsoft Security Essentials, plus perhaps the Malwarebytes actibe protection module for one-off ~ £15 cost.

In the case of AV or anti-malware apps, however, it's often the case that once it's got on to your system it's too late anyway. The cure for that requires three things:

- Firefox + NoScript + Adblock Plus
- Disable USB auto-run
- Common sense

The third thing is the most important.

Scan suspicious stuff with virustotal.com

[PeteSmith]

Is it worth paying for some type of spyware protecion or some other type of protection ?

No not really. Plenty of free alternatives available which do the job just fine with some common sense. Spybot used to be good, CCleaner for general good keeping, and MS Security Essentials with OS firewall should be enough for general usage. AdAware may be another one you might want to try.

[Sputnik]

If your with Barclays you can get Kaspersky IS for free!

[wazi]

nod 32 "the gamers choice"

[lodore]

I reccomend f-secure since it does its job and doesntr ask pointless questions.
the best protection is your brain and standard user account.

[[GSV]Trig]

I dont rate f-secure at all tbh, we use it at work and it slows the machines down something cronic..

[12GaugeShotty]

nod 32 "the gamers choice"

Why is it the gamer's choice? Does it improve framerate?

[Barrichello]

I am more than happy with AVG free anti virus and never seem to have many problems. Is it worth paying for some type of spyware protecion or some other type of protection ?

Thanks!!

Jamie

AVG only is fine.

[jim]

Why is it the gamer's choice? Does it improve framerate?

Has a reputation for using very little memory and cpu time.

[lodore]

I dont rate f-secure at all tbh, we use it at work and it slows the machines down something cronic..

it was mostly the fault of the kaspersky engine which has been removed in f-secure client security 9.
I ditched it a few years ago because it was heavy but recently changed back because its getting lighter. the protection has always been fantastic. version 9 uses bitdefender and f-secure's own engines and its quite light.

[arthurleung]

I have ditched anti-virus for all of my machines for the past 5 years and I haven't got any virus (I do a full drive scan before reinstalling OS). As long as windows is patched and you don't download programs of unknown source / program known to have loads of bundled "crap" and you sit behind a router there shouldn't be any chance to get any virus.

[Jay]

I dont rate f-secure at all tbh, we use it at work and it slows the machines down something cronic..

Same here, we used to use it and it was pretty crap to be honest.

[Steve A]

Kaspersky is the only way forward for me, the Best I.S out there .. (IMO anyway)

[12GaugeShotty]

Has a reputation for using very little memory and cpu time.

Most AV programs are that way unless they are in the middle of a full system scan. Realtime scanning doesn't use up that many resources and most gamers are going to have 4GB RAM or more. NOD32 is probably the best for its detection rate. Realtime memory and CPU usage will be on par with 90% of the other AV programs on the market.