Best Anti Virus and Firewall?

[craigj2k12]

Whats the best to use, iv been using MS security essentials, it uses minimal processor and RAM, and does the job nicely.

I had norton before and it was a nightmare, my dual core PC with 4gb RAM was slowed down to a crawl!

[alexcopeland]

I use MSE too and the Windows 7 firewall. Works well and doesn't hog the dual core processor and 3GB memory.

[Mick Fisher]

Private firewall and Avira free here.

[Web-Junkie]

If Avast wasn't screwing up I'd be using that + Comodo Firewall, currently using Windows Firewall + M$ Security Essentials!

MSE has not been doing well in detection tests, WHICH magazine run tests and MSE scored quite low. Avira did well but I can not stand the nags. Currently using Avast with no issue at all Windows firewall with advanced settings and firewall in router

[SnoopZ]

Using Avast here and Comodo firewall with no issues.

Eset's Nod 32 and Comodo firewall.

[djmagnifique]

I use avg as it's the only one out of all the ones i've tested that actually picks up and warns you about dodgy websites.

Originally Posted by djmagnifique

I use avg as it's the only one out of all the ones i've tested that actually picks up and warns you about dodgy websites.

Nod 32 warns me about dodgy sites.It even denies access to them..

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Nod 32 warns me about dodgy sites.It even denies access to them..

thats not always a good thing. There are false positives with all AV's

I use a sandbox or virtual machine if I am in any way unsure so no damage can be done to my machine in any case

[Jimmy-J]

Avast with Windows 7 firewall +router FW

[djmagnifique]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Nod 32 warns me about dodgy sites.It even denies access to them..

Every time i've tried nod32 it has NEVER warned me about or blocked any sites that avg has. Come to think of it, it has never warned me or blocked any sites for me period.

Originally Posted by Zing

thats not always a good thing. There are false positives with all AV's

I use a sandbox or virtual machine if I am in any way unsure so no damage can be done to my machine in any case

I'd rather be cautious than caught out.That's the whole point of having an AV.

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I'd rather be cautious than caught out.That's the whole point of having an AV.

I do not get caught out though. I have an AV but it isnt always right. All tests on AV's show their are false positives . I have the knowledge and knowhow to judge for myself the risks and then I also have the software that makes it safe to try. Avast 6 for example comes with a sandbox feature


Also AV's are not 100% either and malware often sneaks past as seen in various threads with the fake antivirus scans. Please do not think you are totally safe just because you have an antivirus installed

[Rockabilly Spike]

had no problems with norton speeds since their overhaul in 2009.
it now scores very high at dennislabs, av-comparatives.org and quite a few others