Security > Viruses and Trojans

Win7, protection strategy desired

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PastyWhiteGuy:
I'm currently running Win7, SP2 on my laptop and have been using AVG2012, the free edition for the moment. I feel as though I am at a minimum under-protected and most days I feel both at risk and severely slowed down because of AVG issues.

I'm totally looking for opinions for options, but I really want to know the "why" of the choices, not just the what.

I'm not really a gamer, only the occasional cross-word or Sudoku or an MS single user puzzle. Mostly, I research whatever it is I'm studying at the moment.

I run FireFox 10 and Live Messenger all the time. I find that typing even a simple post like this gets delayed every few seconds by a pause of 3 to 10 seconds. I blame it on AVG, but have no evidence.

I'm considering going back to my familiar comfort zone of Norton/Symantec for anti-vi, but wondering if I also need mal-ware watchers or whatever other sorts of "watchers". Again, looking for supported statements, not just faves.

Thanks in advance.

Corrine:
Hi, DeanZF. 

You've answered my question in your other topic about which version of Firefox is installed so I know you just need a minor update to Firefox.

As to antivirus software, I personally stopped recommending AVG at least two or more years ago.  It is understood that there will be an occasional false/positive.  However, AVG, has had two serious f/p's that essentially crippled Windows computers.  In addition, there have been ongoing problems with the Link Scanner.  It could well be that detection has improved.  At the time I stopped recommending the program, it seemed that at least 90% of the severely infected computers I saw had AVG installed. 

As to Norton, I understand that the latest version is much improved.  However, Norton got a fail on the latest Virus Bulletin : VB100 results summary.  (There was also the recent scare about Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus source code exposed by hackers.  It was eventually discovered that Symantec's network was compromised. Following that discovery, it was learned that the secret source code for pcAnywhere, a widely used brand of remote control software was also leaked.)  That said, if you have been happy with Norton, then you may want to consider it again.

I have had no issues with the free Microsoft Security Essentials and ESET on my computers.  I use MSE on one computer and have the licensed ESET Smart Security suite on another.  ESET NOD32 is the stand-alone A/V program.

In your other topic, I see you have SAS installed.  If it is the free version, then there is no real-time protection included.  Since I haven't used it, I cannot comment on its effectiveness.  I do use Malwarebytes Pro and have found the real-time protection to be very effective, detecting and blocking malicious processes upon detection.  The website blocking option blocks access to known malicious websites.  However, the decision on whether or not you need additional real-time protection depends upon what you decide about your antivirus software. 

MikeW:
I am a very happy NIS 2012 user, having used their products for business and personal use for many years, and never been infected. I back this up with Malwarebytes free on demand. plus Spyware blaster. No hesitation in recomending these products.

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