recommend a security suite?

We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner

timOleary wrote:

We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner

I don't like "suites". I prefer an antivirus, the built-in Windows Firewall,
and an antispyware program that doesn't run in the background.

I recommend NOD32 Antivirus (commercial) or Avast Antivirus (free). I like
Malwarebytes' Anti-malware (MBAM) from www.malwarebytes.org. The free
version doesn't run in the background so you have to manually update and
run it.

If you really want a suite (install-and-forget), then Eset Smart Security
(the same people who make NOD32 AV) is very good. I have one client who
really wanted a suite and we installed Smart Security on her older machine.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how light on system resources it is and
how unobtrusive.

The most important factor in computer security however, is not software. It
is YOU, the user. If you don't practice "Safe Hex", no amount of security
software will keep your computer clean.

http://www.getsafeonline.org/
https://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/
http://www.getnetwise.org/
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron.../05/82584.aspx - MVP
Harry Waldron - The Family PC - How to stay safe on the Internet
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/staying-safe.pdf (article I wrote for my
clients which you are welcome to download - right-click & Save As)

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

timOleary wrote:

We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner

I don't like "suites". I prefer an antivirus, the built-in Windows Firewall,
and an antispyware program that doesn't run in the background.

I recommend NOD32 Antivirus (commercial) or Avast Antivirus (free). I like
Malwarebytes' Anti-malware (MBAM) from www.malwarebytes.org. The free
version doesn't run in the background so you have to manually update and
run it.

If you really want a suite (install-and-forget), then Eset Smart Security
(the same people who make NOD32 AV) is very good. I have one client who
really wanted a suite and we installed Smart Security on her older machine.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how light on system resources it is and
how unobtrusive.

The most important factor in computer security however, is not software. It
is YOU, the user. If you don't practice "Safe Hex", no amount of security
software will keep your computer clean.

http://www.getsafeonline.org/
https://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/
http://www.getnetwise.org/
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron.../05/82584.aspx - MVP
Harry Waldron - The Family PC - How to stay safe on the Internet
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/staying-safe.pdf (article I wrote for my
clients which you are welcome to download - right-click & Save As)

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

On Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:14:39 -0700 (PDT), timOleary
wrote:

We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner


I think using *any* security suite is a very poor practice. It's far
better to choose each individual piece of software based on its
qualities as compared to the competing products. The company that
makes the best anti-virus program doesn't necessarily also make the
best anti-spyware program, so I recommend staying away from suites
that force you into making such an assumption

In fact, I think the same thing about almost any kind of suite of
software, including an Office suite. I, for example, use WordPerfect
in preference to Microsoft Word, but Excel in preference to Quattro
Pro.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

On Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:14:39 -0700 (PDT), timOleary
wrote:

We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner


I think using *any* security suite is a very poor practice. It's far
better to choose each individual piece of software based on its
qualities as compared to the competing products. The company that
makes the best anti-virus program doesn't necessarily also make the
best anti-spyware program, so I recommend staying away from suites
that force you into making such an assumption

In fact, I think the same thing about almost any kind of suite of
software, including an Office suite. I, for example, use WordPerfect
in preference to Microsoft Word, but Excel in preference to Quattro
Pro.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

timOleary wrote:
We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner




I recommend Avast for anti-virus software...
it's very good and it's freeware.

At one time I also used Comodo firewall and found it to be a good one...
\free also


At the present time , I understand that Comodo has a combined firewall/
anti-virus package...but I do not know how the Comodo AV software
compares to Avast...but I believe you get the option to install one or
the other (or both)

Maybe someone else will comment

timOleary wrote:
We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner




I recommend Avast for anti-virus software...
it's very good and it's freeware.

At one time I also used Comodo firewall and found it to be a good one...
\free also


At the present time , I understand that Comodo has a combined firewall/
anti-virus package...but I do not know how the Comodo AV software
compares to Avast...but I believe you get the option to install one or
the other (or both)

Maybe someone else will comment

Malke schreef:
timOleary wrote:

We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner

I don't like "suites". I prefer an antivirus, the built-in Windows Firewall,

The Windows firewall is next to useless, it is not configurable, does
not control outgoing traffic and has a whole bunch of (Microsoft?)
undocumented exceptions.
Any free firewall is much better, Zone alarm is probably the easiest,
Comodo is more configurable.

and an antispyware program that doesn't run in the background.

I recommend NOD32 Antivirus (commercial) or Avast Antivirus (free). I like
Malwarebytes' Anti-malware (MBAM) from www.malwarebytes.org. The free
version doesn't run in the background so you have to manually update and
run it.

If you really want a suite (install-and-forget), then Eset Smart Security
(the same people who make NOD32 AV) is very good. I have one client who
really wanted a suite and we installed Smart Security on her older machine.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how light on system resources it is and
how unobtrusive.

The most important factor in computer security however, is not software. It
is YOU, the user. If you don't practice "Safe Hex", no amount of security
software will keep your computer clean.

Absolutely!
And those able to read headers know how I stay safe, you may cal it the
ultimate suite

Malke schreef:
timOleary wrote:

We have been using Veriaon Internet Security Suite for a few years,
but the tech support is aweful and the PC Checkup feature crashes my
computer during POST. Besides for our two PCs, it isn't such a great
bargain.
Any suggestions for a third party product. I see a few on line, but
there doesn't seem to be a clear winner

I don't like "suites". I prefer an antivirus, the built-in Windows Firewall,

The Windows firewall is next to useless, it is not configurable, does
not control outgoing traffic and has a whole bunch of (Microsoft?)
undocumented exceptions.
Any free firewall is much better, Zone alarm is probably the easiest,
Comodo is more configurable.

and an antispyware program that doesn't run in the background.

I recommend NOD32 Antivirus (commercial) or Avast Antivirus (free). I like
Malwarebytes' Anti-malware (MBAM) from www.malwarebytes.org. The free
version doesn't run in the background so you have to manually update and
run it.

If you really want a suite (install-and-forget), then Eset Smart Security
(the same people who make NOD32 AV) is very good. I have one client who
really wanted a suite and we installed Smart Security on her older machine.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how light on system resources it is and
how unobtrusive.

The most important factor in computer security however, is not software. It
is YOU, the user. If you don't practice "Safe Hex", no amount of security
software will keep your computer clean.

Absolutely!
And those able to read headers know how I stay safe, you may cal it the
ultimate suite

Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

Malke schreef:

The Windows firewall is next to useless, it is not configurable, does
not control outgoing traffic and has a whole bunch of (Microsoft?)
undocumented exceptions.
Any free firewall is much better, Zone alarm is probably the easiest,
Comodo is more configurable.

Sorry, I completely disagree with you. However, you are certainly entitled
to your opinion and to run whatever applications you like on your machines.
As am I.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

Malke schreef:

The Windows firewall is next to useless, it is not configurable, does
not control outgoing traffic and has a whole bunch of (Microsoft?)
undocumented exceptions.
Any free firewall is much better, Zone alarm is probably the easiest,
Comodo is more configurable.

Sorry, I completely disagree with you. However, you are certainly entitled
to your opinion and to run whatever applications you like on your machines.
As am I.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Malke wrote:
Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

Malke schreef:

The Windows firewall is next to useless, it is not configurable, does
not control outgoing traffic and has a whole bunch of (Microsoft?)
undocumented exceptions.
Any free firewall is much better, Zone alarm is probably the easiest,
Comodo is more configurable.

Sorry, I completely disagree with you. However, you are certainly entitled
to your opinion and to run whatever applications you like on your machines.
As am I.

Malke

You *completely* disagree? Then you believe the XP firewall *does*
monitor outgoing traffic??

Malke wrote:
Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

Malke schreef:

The Windows firewall is next to useless, it is not configurable, does
not control outgoing traffic and has a whole bunch of (Microsoft?)
undocumented exceptions.
Any free firewall is much better, Zone alarm is probably the easiest,
Comodo is more configurable.

Sorry, I completely disagree with you. However, you are certainly entitled
to your opinion and to run whatever applications you like on your machines.
As am I.

Malke

You *completely* disagree? Then you believe the XP firewall *does*
monitor outgoing traffic??

On Apr 17, 9:32*pm, "Raymond J. Johnson, Jr." wrote:
Malke wrote:
Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

Malke schreef:

The Windows firewall is next to useless, it is not configurable, does
not control outgoing traffic and has a whole bunch of (Microsoft?)
undocumented exceptions.
Any free firewall is much better, Zone alarm is probably the easiest,
Comodo is more configurable.

Sorry, I completely disagree with you. However, you are certainly entitled
to your opinion and to run whatever applications you like on your machines.
As am I.

Malke

You *completely* disagree? Then you believe the XP firewall *does*
monitor outgoing traffic??

Yes to using separate products rather than suites. Both me and my wife
are not disciplined enough to keep our virus definitions up to date,
so I need to think about that some more. What is the value of an
outgoing firewall? Protect others from something I might be
unknowingly sending them? Besides the Verizon Internet Security Suite,
I have SUPERAntispyware 4.26.1000 running.
Is this good?
Maybe I can shut down the Verizon Anti-spyware module.
I like free software, but am also willing to pay if a product has a
distinct advantage, for example if it automatically updates or
presents a minimal load on my system as was mentioned.
Then I am anticipating the uninstall process for the Verizon Internet
Security Suite. Has it woven itself inextricably into my registry
Or can I just disable it and forgetaboutit.

BTW: I do not understand the following and would like to learn:
"Absolutely!
And those able to read headers know how I stay safe, you may cal it
the
ultimate suite "

Also: what does "schreef:" mean?
thanks to all for the thoughtful replies and advice.

On Apr 17, 9:32*pm, "Raymond J. Johnson, Jr." wrote:
Malke wrote:
Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

Malke schreef:

The Windows firewall is next to useless, it is not configurable, does
not control outgoing traffic and has a whole bunch of (Microsoft?)
undocumented exceptions.
Any free firewall is much better, Zone alarm is probably the easiest,
Comodo is more configurable.

Sorry, I completely disagree with you. However, you are certainly entitled
to your opinion and to run whatever applications you like on your machines.
As am I.

Malke

You *completely* disagree? Then you believe the XP firewall *does*
monitor outgoing traffic??

Yes to using separate products rather than suites. Both me and my wife
are not disciplined enough to keep our virus definitions up to date,
so I need to think about that some more. What is the value of an
outgoing firewall? Protect others from something I might be
unknowingly sending them? Besides the Verizon Internet Security Suite,
I have SUPERAntispyware 4.26.1000 running.
Is this good?
Maybe I can shut down the Verizon Anti-spyware module.
I like free software, but am also willing to pay if a product has a
distinct advantage, for example if it automatically updates or
presents a minimal load on my system as was mentioned.
Then I am anticipating the uninstall process for the Verizon Internet
Security Suite. Has it woven itself inextricably into my registry
Or can I just disable it and forgetaboutit.

BTW: I do not understand the following and would like to learn:
"Absolutely!
And those able to read headers know how I stay safe, you may cal it
the
ultimate suite "

Also: what does "schreef:" mean?
thanks to all for the thoughtful replies and advice.