Well I like to have a security service that I know has a good reputation and that I can count on. I've never really heard of any trustworthy free programs.

Hi polk_wildcat:

 

If you come here seeking advice you should at least investigate the advice given by the regulars on these forums. They have a lot of experience and know what they are talking about. The free products mentioned in the above links have proven to be effective and generally reliable. Any bugs in new updates or releases are patched up fairly quickly. The same can't necessarily be said for the all-in-one security "suites" The general consensus here is that these recommended separate products work better and with less hassle than the brand name paid for products. The opinions expressed here are based on extended use and testing of the free products by the users here, many of whom are techs ,IT people, and perhaps a few engineers here and there. Most of the companies offering the free stuff are reputable and trustworthy and also have commercial programs available that require purchase.

 

 

Well I don't really see anything wrong with all in one suites.  I've had a lot of experience with computers and never had a problem with them.  I came here to just get some advice on which of the three I mentioned to use, not really to debate on free ware.  All I wanted was some pros and cons on each of the brands and their products, and which product would be best for my situation.

With all due respect, you won't find much agreement here as to the "best" standalone antivirus,  firewall, antispyware, etc. much less the "best" suite. There are too many variables. Which do you value most- AV protection? ease of use? ease of uninstall? vendor support? low CPU usage? The list is large! Expecting a suite to excell in all areas is problematic. The experts I trust almost all advise against suites for that reason.

 

If you are determined to use a suite, I would suggest you avoid single opinions, and check out the features of each:
http://internet-security-suite-review.toptenreviews.com/

 

Only you can determine which features you need. Any reputable suite should offer a free trial period, which I would suggest you use before buying.

 

Although a bit dated, you might also want to read this:
The Best Security May Still Be Free
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/03/AR2006110302018.html

Polk wrote: " I was wondering what the best internet security software would be for me?" (message 1) "... and which product would be best for my situation." (message 6)

 

As such, your question is completely subjective... yet without providing sufficient [nor hardly any] specific criteria applicable to "you" and "your" situation.   The responses have been objective, and the advice given is sound, yet you choose to reject it outright, as not answering your question.

 

in our collective experience, we have found no lowering of standards in the use of the particular "free" products we've recommend here.  moreover,  we in fact believe there is a gain when it comes to picking and choosing the best of each individual components --- getting a quality product in each case, that does not bog-down system resources, nor cause any conflicts.   if these seemingly critical factors don't matter to you, then what does?

 

our lists include very good anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall protection.   i'm not exactly sure what you mean by " a very good wireless security program" --- a router should include a hardware firewall [which can be used in addition to a software firewall], as well as wireless encryption [WEP at a minimum, WPA for better protection, WPA2 for the best --- being sure to use a sufficiently long password/passphrase].   Are you looking for something more?

 

Since you've " had a lot of experience with computers and never had a problem with them", you may already "know" the answer to your questions, and are just seeking confirmation of your belief, rather than seeking out our honest opinion.   We have responded honestly, and sincerely... in a public forum where not just you, but others, will be reading this thread to learn what we have to say.

 

" Well I like to have a security service that I know has a good reputation and that I can count on".   Speaking of getting what you pay for, I wonder how much of the cost of each of the paid products is simply "buying" their good name/reputation?    Norton and McAfee were the original, old/reliable names... offering anti-virus protection since the days of DOS.   Certainly, these were great... in fact, essential... products, at one time.   And they indeed had a well-deserved reputation.   but in recent years, many believe they've been living on their names/reputations --- along with the fact that they've come pre-installed [trial or full version] on most PCs --- rather than because of a continuing level of high quality.   Nowadays, many people view these as "bloatware"... which in addition to consuming system resources and slowing down PCs, are also very difficult to uninstall completely when the user finally decides it's time to throw-in the towel.   Hopefully, this last sentence (or two) fully explains why we're not happy with security "suites" --- and in particular, with Symantec/Norton and McAfee.

 

" I've never really heard of any trustworthy free programs".   In many cases, the difference between a free version and the corresponding paid version is just a matter of "bells & whistles".   Let's take AVG anti-virus as an example.   Be it free or paid, you're getting the same anti-virus signatures, and the same level of resident protection, and the same scanning/removal capabilities.   So what's the difference?   In AVG Free, you can program an automatic update for only once a day.   [You can still manually update it as many times as you wish, if you want to keep that "current"].   In the paid version, you can schedule multiple automatic daily updates.   And the paid version presumably offers you more support from the company, in the event of problems.

 

Bugbatter nailed it on the head in saying " the best line of defense against becoming infected online is the person sitting n the chair [in front of] your computer [ --- YOU]. In other words, it's how you surf, and where you surf to ".

 

But if you're still interested in pursing a McAfee or Norton suite after all this, then Joe53's link to TopTenReviews should give you some feedback on that matter.

Ok I see I can't get some good, honest advice around here without somebody being "cute" with their comments.  I'll take my questions elsewhere.

"Ok I see I can't get some good, honest advice around here"

 

Sure you can, and you HAVE. You just don't like the answers or the answers don't conform to your preconceived notions.

Message Edited by 1972vet on 02-20-2008 04:17 PM