What are the current hot Anti- virus, spam, malware, etc?

[MPTech]

I helped a friend build a new PC and freshly install XP Home and he's asking me what I recommend for PC Protection.

At this time, I'm not sure what to advise him.

I installed AVG on my PC last year, but I've been told that it's been problematic in recent versions.
What is the latest free anti-virus (not trial ware please).
I already installed Adware, Spybot S&D and SUPERAntiSpyware.

I saw WOT and I'm thinking about installing that as well.

[Broni]

As of now (talking free products):

- Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html

- free PC Tools Firewall Plus: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

- free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

If you decide to install Avast, or Avira, make sure, Windows firewall is turned on, or use PC Tools Firewall Plus.
If you decide to install Comodo, make sure, Windows firewall is turned off.

IMPORTANT! Make sure, you use only ONE antivirus, and ONE firewall.

Antimalware:
- Malwarebytes
- Superantispyware

Startup "cop": Winpatrol

P. S. I use WOT as well.
I don't recommend neither Spybot, or Ad-aware anymore.

[HAN]

Broni has covered it well. The only thing I do different is I use Comodo's suite as a firewall and HIPS (called Defense +) only (no AV). You have the choice when installing what components to use or not...

[fink]

What they said plus Spywareblaster and a non-microsoft browser like Firefox or Opera. And tell him to be sure to stay up to date on all patches and security updates for the operating system too.

[oystergirl]

question....what is the best Paid for antivirus program--and why use only one? i have had trend micro pc-cillin and spyware dr. running on one computer and the spyware dr. picks up much more "crap"...trend micro came loaded on my system, but after a bad bout of the XPantivirus issue, i got the spyware dr. and it shredded it...

please advise...

[Broni]

what is the best Paid for antivirus program

There is no answer to the above question.

why use only one?

Having more than one AV program is asking for problems, sooner, or later, because they'll keep stepping on each other.

Spyware Dr, is not an AV program, and as such, it can coexist with AV program.

Personally, I run only firewall, and AV in real-time.
However, I use few on-demand scanners, once in a while.

[oystergirl]

ok, so, is there a tutorial that explains the difference between things like trend micro and spyware dr? and what is AV in real time? for folks like me who have no clue? that would be very much appreciated!

[Broni]

TrendMicro is an antivirus program.
Spyware Dr is antispyware program.

Real-time means, it loads with Windows, and it's running all the time.
On-demand means, it's installed on your computer, but YOU invoke it for occasional scan.

[oystergirl]

AH! so NOW i get it--i was ONLY running trendmicro on my other PC and thats how the spyware got in there! that explains it! THANKS!

So, whats the best AV? and is spyware dr. a good spyware program?

and how do i get something to run in real time? thanks again oh mighty Jedi!

[Broni]

There is no best AV program. No program is perfect, but check my reply #2.
I don't use Spyware Dr., so I can't vote here.

[oystergirl]

ok, thanks! now i gotta go and do tons of stuff on that other computer to get it straightened out! So off i go!

[Broni]

Good luck