What Virus Protection should I get?

Question

OK, so I'm usually up to date with the average things to know about computers, but anti-virus protection confuses me. Right now on my Toshiba laptop I have Webroot Anti-Virus with Spyware. This has been recommended to me, and I've been really happy with it for a week or so. I have the 6 month trial version but have no problem with buying the extentsion. My question is what virus protection is best? I would like it all in one program. And what about this new Microsoft Security Essentials, is it as good as Webroot or others? and how does Webroot compare? is it on the higher end of virus protection or not? Now im not completely clueless. I know Norton and Mcafee are trash, just not great at telling the differences from the others.

Answer 1

Tadaigeuss,

Microsoft Security Essentials is not better than Webroot. Actually, no free Anti-Virus program is better than a paid Anti-Virus because you get more with the paid Anti-Virus then you do the free Anti-Virus. I seriously recommend either Norton 360 or Kaspersky Internet Security 2011. Both are top of the line excellent. Also, avoid AVG at all costs, it is no good.



Still need help deciding? Feel free to send me an email or IM me, [e-mail]

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Webroot was a great anti-spyware and ONLY anti-spyware, just a few years ago. Then Webroot decided to get into the anti-virus business as well.



Webroot took the easy way out and instead of developing their own anti-virus engine, they licenced one from Sophos.



So basically you are buying Sophos anti-virus with Webroot Anti-spyware included.



Have you ever even heard of Sophos Anti-virus...didn't think so! Pretty mediocre stuff.



I would rate the MSE that you are considering a better product than Webroot A-V + A-S.



Or you could consider Avast.



Avast now includes anti-virus, anti-spyware capability and anti-rootkit components. And all for the low low price of free. You can get it here:

http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download



(Always use only 1 A-V...You must NEVER use more than one anti-virus, Even an expired anti-virus can cause a major conflict... did I mention that you MUST uninstall any and all, old anti-virus products like that Webroot?)





Avoid the anti-virus called AVG. It is wildly popular with children and the computer illiterate but has historically had the lowest virus detection rate of all the popular free anti-virus programs.

Answer 4

Look at internet security suites, rather than antivirus alone. Almost any of major companies will do good job protection-wise: AVG, AVAST, ESET,Kaspersky, even Norton would do. You just have

You can leave webroot without antivirus module. It would give additional protection from malware, which is good thing.

Answer 5

AVG free is a good program, the paid version is better only in that it will auto-update, and the freeware version is a manual update. Both work very well for VIRUSES.



I capitalize that because most problems that are blamed on viruses, are not viruses, they are malware or spyware or trojans.



You should always run at least one anti-spyware program, along with your anti-virus.

I use Spybot Search and Destroy along with the AVG free. It is shareware, but you can download it free, and they ask for a donation to support the web site, rather than a fixed price.



I have been able to download files, even from such highly infected sites as Limewire and Bearshare, and have never been infected, as between the two programs, they have stopped any infected downloads before they could damage my machine.



WARNING: Never install a second anti-virus program, without first removing the one you have already installed. Anti-virus programs can fight each other and cause very unpredictable results.

You CAN have more than one anti-spyware program running at once, but you could end up tell two, three or more programs to allow a change you are making to happen when the detect a new installation or change to your files.

Answer 6

Download Good Anti-Virus Better Protection in you Computer Avira AntiVir Personal Free http://www.download.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html?tag=contentBody;mostPopTwoColWrap&cdlPid=10986298



Why Avira Anti-Virus Better Protection Than Avast,Avg,NOD32 Anti-Virus,Kaspersky and Norton? Press This Link http://www.virusbtn.com/news/2008/09_02





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Answer 7

I use AVG anti virus and also microsoft security. microsoft security doesn't catch all the viruses AVG catches so in my opinion it isn't all that great. I haven't tried a lot of programs to say what's best though. But microsoft security I can say isn't that great.

Answer 8

I have used AVG free for the last five years. It has tracked down malware, spyware and infected Emails. Avira is a good anit-virus program too.

Answer 9

I think you can use http://nospy.blog.com/