What is your list of the best free security softwares?

Question

I understand that we should not pay for the security of our computers. Many others think the same way and created free softwares like Comodo, Crawler, Javacool....e.t.c....
What do you think is the best combination of free softwares? Are you currently using them on your Windows?

Answer 1

Being an IT Manager, I firmly believe you get what you pay for, PERIOD. Using a combination of freebies will cost you not a dime, but will cost you PLENTY of performance on your computer, and in many cases bring it to a standstill. The best pay AV/AS I've found, that I use on all our office machines and mine at home is BitDefender. Very reasonably priced and has been doing the right thing for us here for over a year. Doesn't weigh down your system like Norton, McAfee or Panda. BitDefender does have a freebie available, but again, you get what you pay for. Trend Micro is also decent, not slowing your computer alot, but is pretty pricey compared to BitDefender. Cheers!



You will need a REALLY FAST computer with lots of memory to follow some of these suggestions ... loading 3- 5 programs to run in the background is like putting 3-5 paper filters in your coffe maker.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

I have used AVG Anti Virus, Zone Alarm Firewall, Spy-bot Search and Destroy and Ad Aware both spyware killers for years. They are all free for personal use and I have had no trouble with Viruses Trojans etc. AVG does not slow the system down as much as some other products and Zone Alarm allows a lot of personal configuration unlike the Windows Firewall. They can all be downloaded from the following linkhttp://www.computeractive.co.uk/. On the home page select downloads and then the appropriate category.I also use Windows Defender from the Microsoft site. It is safe to use two anti-spy products but never use more than one A/V as it can cause conflicts. You should run A/V and anti spy weekly. Hope this helps

Answer 4

I use Avast Home, Comodo Pro, and Windows defender. I also use common sense to help keep my computer's at home safe. I've only come close to having a virus infection once in last 2 years!



But why shouldn't we pay for the security of our computers? someone has to write the programs, update the files, watch for new virus and spyware attacks? would you be willing to do this for free for 40 something hours a week, 52 weeks a year with no pay? I think that they should charge something, but i understand that they give basic protection for free, which is good, helps keeps everyone else safe too. A lot of people who create free software do it for a reason, usually to sell some other type of product

Answer 5

These days you need more than just a virus protection. Only about 15% of all malware is viruses. The rest is worms, trojans, phishing schemes, spyware, etc.



Here's some ideas to "roll ya own" Internet Security Suite for free. Free is always the best.



---------------------------------------

1. For your Anti-Virus......(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)





For your anti-virus needs, I would suggest Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic. It has excellent heuristics, a virus detection rate that is better than many of "paid-for" anti-virus programs and is light on using your computer's resources. And did I mention that it's free!



Download here:

http://www.free-av.com/



Avoid an anti-virus called AVG (free version). It is wildly popular but has poor virus detection rates.



--------------------------------



2. For your Firewall..........(Always use only 1 software firewall)



A decent free firewall that is PC Tools Firewall Plus. One can either choose "Normal User Mode" Or "Expert User Mode"'depending on the desired detail of alerts and application custom rules.



It is one of the few free firewalls that will work (and work well) on Vista as well as XP and 2000.



http://www.pctools.com/firewall/



-------------------------------



3. For your Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware needs...............(use at least 1 anti-spyware, but 2 is OK):



SUPERAntiSpyware:

http://www.superantispyware.com/



Spybot Search and Destroy:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html



Ewido (now known as AVG Anti-spyware) Do NOT download AVG Anti-virus.:

http://ewido.com



AdAware 2007

http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/



A-Squared:

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/



Windows Defender:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx







-----------------------------------------



4. And to help protect your computer from ever getting infected with malware in the first place............ (use them both)



SpywareBlaster helps to immunize your computer again certain selected malware.:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html



SiteAdvisor warns you when visiting a potentionally malicious web-site:

http://www.siteadvisor.com/



-----------------------------------



5. And always keep your Windows 100% updated and patched with all critical and security updates from Windows Updates. THIS IS A MUST! In Internet Explorer just click Tools then Windows Updates.



----------------------------------

Everything here is 100% free!!!!!!



Great luck! Enjoy!

Answer 6

Anti Virus:

Avg Free http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/



Firewall:

Pc Tools Firewall Plus http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

Zonealarm http://www.download.com/3000-2092-10039884.html



Spyware Adware Removal:

Spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Adware 2007 Free http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

Superantispyware http://www.superantispyware.com/

CCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/



ALL FREE



Having a safe and clean computer does not have to cost a penny.



Hope this helps.

Answer 7

All free and work well, I am using the spyware doctor, avg antispy, adaware, Advanced windows care, and the kasperskey antivirus,,



PC Tools free antivirus, free, Works well; Note you should only run one antivirus at a time;



http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/



Kaspersky free antivirus; Note, you should only run one antivirus at a time,



http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/free-virus-scanner.php



This is a free antivirus tool called avg free, Note; You should only run one antivirus at a time;



http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff



The free edition of spyware doctor, The best for removing spyware and malware and it finds backdoor trojans and its free,



http://www.download.com/Spyware-Doctor-Starter-Edition/3000-8022_4-10754824.html



Advanced Windows Care;



This tool is an optimizer with a registry cleaner and imunization tool against infections from the internet,



http://www.download.com/Advanced-WindowsCare-Personal/3000-2086-10407614.html



Here is the adaware se free personal and is a good spyware removal tool



http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html



Here is an antispyware software called avg free antispyware,



http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=asf





PREVX 1sass and malware remover





http://fileinfo.prevx.com/QQ177616957394-1SAS10189374/1SASS.EXE.html







SG

Answer 8

Windows firewall, avg anti virus, and avg antispyware why???

windows firewall is continuealy updated my microsoft, and it being the big corporation it is has to have good firewall to keep it name in good graces with the millions of companies it works with on a dialy basis.

avg anti virus-its one of few truly free and dependable anti virus i have used, avast, avira, nod32, norton, macaffe, and panda and of all i liked nod32 even though its pretty spendy and avg free. because of simplicity and high detection rates.

avg antispyware- i have used superantispyware, spywaregaurd/blaster ad-aware, spyware sweeper. and im the most pleased with avg, 1 reason is you can have it set to automatic removes tracking cookies. which i tested by having it on/off and it actually worked. do not download anti virus from anywhere but the official website. for avg its Grisoft.

good luck with your decision.

Answer 9

i am currently using AVG free edition, Lavasoft ad aware, and Spybot search and destroy..



hey, get ready to read a lot, there would be a lot of people answering your question very long, they have templates of their answers you know..haha..

Answer 10

The best anti-virus program is AVG Free. (anti-virus only)



It can be found right here

http://free-download-center.org/avg/index.asp?googleid=1060204444&gclid=CIPu65a1mZECFQNCgwodv0DCPA