Good free Full Security Suite

S

SuzukiGS750EZ

Joined
Dec 30, 2008
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My Norton 360 V4.0 ran out today, so I'm looking for a free means, and hopefully lighter suite. Setup and forget. I want anti virus, firewall, spyware and adware, everything. I'm not up on all the new free programs, it's been a while. it doesn't have to be an all in one program, it would be nice though. As long as i can set and forget and it's free and hopefully lighter than 360, i'll be fine. Any ideas?
 
I'm assuming you're using a Windows operating system. They have built in firewall...so once you uninstall Norton (which sux ass btw), it should prompt you to enable the Microsoft firewall. As far as antivirus, once again Microsoft kicks ass. Get MSE. It's free and has the least bloat out of any antivirus. Also, it's more or less one of the best firewalls you can get. Free doesn't mean shoddy. And if you're still skeptical about Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft basically bought the rights to an antivirus, programed more stuff into it, and renamed it MSE. The 'old' firewall was around for years before Microsoft made it shine.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

I've had Norton for years. Then I switched to Mccafe...then I found out about MSE.
 
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Windows firewall is suitable enough?
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No, it's crap.

It's effective in blocking your computer from the outside, but does NOTHING to prevent rouge programs on your computer from sending out data. It's crap and utterly worthless. :thumbdn:

I use a combination of AVG Ant-Virus and Zone Alarm's firewall, both freeware versions.

I don't know of any all-in-one suites that are no-cost. Does your online brokerage or ISP offer anything?
 
Bob W said:
No, it's crap.

It's effective in blocking your computer from the outside, but does NOTHING to prevent rouge programs on your computer from sending out data. It's crap and utterly worthless. :thumbdn:

I use a combination of AVG Ant-Virus and Zone Alarm's firewall, both freeware versions.

I don't know of any all-in-one suites that are no-cost. Does your online brokerage or ISP offer anything?
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My ISP Offers this:
AT&T Internet Security Suite powered by McAfee®.

***Nevermind, i'm not "premium" so i'd have to pay for it.***
 
I have had them all at some point or another and they all let me down.

Avast is the only one I will use now and it has saved me a few times.
 
harkamus said:
I'm assuming you're using a Windows operating system. They have built in firewall...so once you uninstall Norton (which sux ass btw), it should prompt you to enable the Microsoft firewall. As far as antivirus, once again Microsoft kicks ass. Get MSE. It's free and has the least bloat out of any antivirus. Also, it's more or less one of the best firewalls you can get. Free doesn't mean shoddy. And if you're still skeptical about Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft basically bought the rights to an antivirus, programed more stuff into it, and renamed it MSE. The 'old' firewall was around for years before Microsoft made it shine.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

I've had Norton for years. Then I switched to Mccafe...then I found out about MSE.
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In the past year I have had many problems with virus programs not working and my computer almost becoming a complete loss. I found the above security program and it removed a virus other would not and my computer has not had a problem sense. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: for this program.
 
Roger999 said:
I'm using Mcafee, as Bob said, firewalls will do nothing once you have the actual virus.
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Just to clarify, a real firewall like Zone Alarm can perform that function but the 'pretend' firewall built into Windows operating system does not. :thumbup:
 
Bob W said:
Just to clarify, a real firewall like Zone Alarm can perform that function but the 'pretend' firewall built into Windows operating system does not. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

It's not pretend. It works. :confused:

knifenut1013 said:
In the past year I have had many problems with virus programs not working and my computer almost becoming a complete loss. I found the above security program and it removed a virus other would not and my computer has not had a problem sense. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: for this program.
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Glad to help!

What I love about the combination is that the install is so small. The programs are very unobtrusive.

I've tried them all over the years. I started with Norton until they had the thing where you basically have to buy a new version every year. Then I switched to Avast, AVG, and finally McAfee before I got tired of getting installation errors that basically thought McAfee wasn't installed anymore. I've switched to MSE after doing a bit of research. I swear by it.
 
Cautionary note...I've used the free version of the AVG anti-virus for years, but I downloaded the latest version (with more bells and whistles) and had immediate problems loading websites.
Drove me crazy for about a week till I recalled the problem started about the time I installed the new version.
I went to Avast and everything was fine again.

I've also been using Zone Alarm for many years with no problems.
 
I can second the combination of Avast and Zone Alarm. I use Macs now but when I had Windows computers I used Avast and Zone Alarm. The both worked well and worked well together.

The price is right as well.

Chad
 
harkamus said:
It's not pretend. It works. :confused:
Click to expand...

No, as I explained, the Windows firewall does not offer protection against unwanted programs from stealing data (passwords, keystroke records, email contacts, credit card information...) and sending it out over the internet.

Windows XP's firewall offered no outgoing protection at all, not even for pretend.
Windows Vista pretends to offer outgoing protection, but it's reportedly defective and ineffective, and turned OFF by default.
Windows 7 I have no personal experience with, but it appears to be turned OFF by default and seems to be rather complicated to set up. http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/windows-7-firewall-outbound-protection/
 
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