Best Security Programs...

[Unix]

The paid version of Malwarebytes combined with BitDefender (I bought my 1-year 3 computer license for $12 used, although I haven't yet tested if it really does work on three computers) is the cheapest way to get full protection and hard to beat, at the same time without slowing down the computer too much, at least this is my experience with Core2Quad desktop. The desktop is not new, 4-5 years old - built from parts, but I'm very pleased with the performance. The only thing that slows down my desktop is that it has two 7,200 rpm HDDs, but I will fix that and upgrade to an SSD and/or hybrid drives later on before I risk getting errors on either disk.

Also remember to go to Windows settings (I don't remember where exactly I want as I was so fast) and troubleshoot Windows Update problems, especially if You get errors installing security patches, Service Packs or when it comes to Windows 8.1 the big "Update 1" (which is something between 150-900 MB depending on what updates You've installed before it).

These steps saved my Windows 8.1 desktop. I would not have had any possibility to fix it any other way and would have been forced to sell it and immediately (not waiting to get it sold) and buy a new used desktop.

Kaspersky Pure 3 is also great, but many times more expensive, slows down the computer a little bit more than BitDefender, and is a little bit overkill - although if You really put Yourself in danger You need it. I have it on one computer (my second newest laptop, Q1 '12 low-budget HP with magnesium frame and AMD dual core CPU, I didn't know of any other good security software at the time when the computer workshop installed Kaspersky on it), and my dad insists on buying it to his computer, my mom and my youngest brother:

Malwarebytes is very good at catching things both of those may not, as is Spybot. And again, both offer a free version that for my purposes is more than enough.

 

[SwordoftheLord]

I use either Eset Security Suite or Kaspersky Security suite.. In most testing, these are the two top dogs.....

 

[Qyöt27]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Most of the 'best' tactics are preemptive and passive - blocking ads and Flash (varies from browser to browser), immunization of the browsers and the hosts file (Spybot), and practicing common sense - don't open email, especially email attachments, from senders you don't know, use secure passwords, don't make a habit of visiting shady websites, learn the difference between software you can trust and software you can't and avoid installing the latter like the plague, etc.

On the general maintenance front, CCleaner. When needing to clean up any particular infection that does manage to get through, Malwarebytes, RKUnhooker, and ComboFix. Any anti-virus scanning/removal on a Windows partition should be done outside of Windows, to eliminate the chances of the malware attempting to hide or otherwise protect itself. This is why antivirus-based LiveCDs exist, although the same thing can be accomplished by equipping a dual-booted Linux partition with an antivirus (Avast or ClamAV in these discussions, usually) and have it scan the Windows partition.

 

[Wandering Cat Lady]

I find it interesting that Norton is still spoken so badly about.

My husband has owned a computer store for 10 years and has tried everything under the sun but what he has found that prevents the most viruses is Norton. He now recommends it to folks, after the first 8 or so years of HATING it. Apparently Norton changed things up and got a lot better. For a free version, he suggests Avast or AVG, and Malwarebytes for malware.

 

[Aviela]

Define "security program." It seems you mean mostly anti-virus, in which case I suggest AVG. IMO it has a much friendlier user interface than Avast, but both are good - AND free.

MacAfee and Norton are both notoriously bad. And not free.

Malwarebytes is very good at catching things both of those may not, as is Spybot. And again, both offer a free version that for my purposes is more than enough.

Thanks for your reply. I'm wondering in general terms what programs people use to protect theiir computer. What they find works well and what they like and why. anti-virus / malware ... all of it.

 

[Aviela]

The paid version of Malwarebytes combined with BitDefender (I bought my 1-year 3 computer license for $12 used, although I haven't yet tested if it really does work on three computers) is the cheapest way to get full protection and hard to beat, at the same time without slowing down the computer too much, at least this is my experience with Core2Quad desktop. The desktop is not new, 4-5 years old - built from parts, but I'm very pleased with the performance. The only thing that slows down my desktop is that it has two 7,200 rpm HDDs, but I will fix that and upgrade to an SSD and/or hybrid drives later on before I risk getting errors on either disk.

Also remember to go to Windows settings (I don't remember where exactly I want as I was so fast) and troubleshoot Windows Update problems, especially if You get errors installing security patches, Service Packs or when it comes to Windows 8.1 the big "Update 1" (which is something between 150-900 MB depending on what updates You've installed before it).

These steps saved my Windows 8.1 desktop. I would not have had any possibility to fix it any other way and would have been forced to sell it and immediately (not waiting to get it sold) and buy a new used desktop.

Kaspersky Pure 3 is also great, but many times more expensive, slows down the computer a little bit more than BitDefender, and is a little bit overkill - although if You really put Yourself in danger You need it. I have it on one computer (my second newest laptop, Q1 '12 low-budget HP with magnesium frame and AMD dual core CPU, I didn't know of any other good security software at the time when the computer workshop installed Kaspersky on it), and my dad insists on buying it to his computer, my mom and my youngest brother:

Thanks Good points

 

[Aviela]

I use either Eset Security Suite or Kaspersky Security suite.. In most testing, these are the two top dogs.....

hmm good to know. I'm familiar with Kaspersky but not Eset Security Suite...interesting.

 

[Aviela]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Most of the 'best' tactics are preemptive and passive - blocking ads and Flash (varies from browser to browser), immunization of the browsers and the hosts file (Spybot), and practicing common sense - don't open email, especially email attachments, from senders you don't know, use secure passwords, don't make a habit of visiting shady websites, learn the difference between software you can trust and software you can't and avoid installing the latter like the plague, etc.

On the general maintenance front, CCleaner. When needing to clean up any particular infection that does manage to get through, Malwarebytes, RKUnhooker, and ComboFix. Any anti-virus scanning/removal on a Windows partition should be done outside of Windows, to eliminate the chances of the malware attempting to hide or otherwise protect itself. This is why antivirus-based LiveCDs exist, although the same thing can be accomplished by equipping a dual-booted Linux partition with an antivirus (Avast or ClamAV in these discussions, usually) and have it scan the Windows partition.

interesting thanks. yes, I agree prevention is so much better than the fixng things after the fact.

 

[Aviela]

I find it interesting that Norton is still spoken so badly about.

My husband has owned a computer store for 10 years and has tried everything under the sun but what he has found that prevents the most viruses is Norton. He now recommends it to folks, after the first 8 or so years of HATING it. Apparently Norton changed things up and got a lot better. For a free version, he suggests Avast or AVG, and Malwarebytes for malware.

Well, I'll come clean about one thing here at this time. I've been holding off my opinion until now because I want peopele to freely share what their views are but...

I have found that Nortons lets things through and yes you can get some bad viruses with Noirton and the company is resistant to admitting so. Thefore the appropriate / adequate help needed to deal with said viruses is not offered by the company because the company / site doesn't want to honestly admit some of the issues etc.

I've also found that the customer service is absolutely lousy even if one pays a good price for service. Over and above that they want to charge $80 + or over a $100 to help you with a problem that is already covered by the coverage that some people have bought. They have even deleted evidence off computers that have shown that other security programs have caught viruses their program has not etc. They are slip shot and in my opinion, I greatly suspect that some of those glowing reviews by some magazines are 'padded' due to business deals such as advertising etc.

Symantec is not as secure as some people may think and the way they handle customers, speaking of Canadian customers, is horrid in my experience.

I have found that there is some great customer service with some companies but not so great programs and then some better programs but not so great customer service. So I've seen some big business shinnanigans with these services as well... with companies who sell security programs.

...just being honest. I'm thankful for your honesty but I really must disagree with part of your post.