Virus/Firewall protectors

[honda_man]

I am currently using Norton System works 2002. However I had contracted a virus on my one computer. It has been reccomended to me to go with AVG by a friend. Is this system any good? I want a good virus protector but at the same time I also need a good firewall system. Your input would be greatly appreciated!!!

[shadymg]

i've heard good things about AVG, or you could just upgrade to Norton IS 2004, which works fairly well as well

[stmok]

I typically use two separate apps (on the system) for this...

One is NOD32 AV...This is far more efficient (and quicker) than NAV in both detection and use of resources on your system.

2nd I use Zone Alarm, since its easier to teach family members to use it in a short time.

And 3rd, I have a FreeBSD-based firewall PC setup infront of the network.

In this setup, I have both perimeter and client defence. Its a bit overkill, but I've yet to get issues of virus/trojan/worm or spreading on the protected end of my network.

Almost forgot...
I also use TDS-3 on the client PCs as a dedicated "anti-nasty" detector. (AV solutions is NOT the "be all" to remove "nasties".)

AND I "harden" the Windows PCs on my end by removing unnecessary services I (and family) don't use.

[honda_man]

I am not sure if stmok is using AVG or if it is something else. They do not say. As for Norton's i am looking to replace them as they could do nothing to help me remove the virus I had. My friend was able to get it removed for me. Still not sure how he did it but I will learn through anyone who replies. Thanks for the info so far. Anyone else out ther know anything about AVG. My friend uses it and so far is happy but he has only been using it for a short period of time. Thanks and god bless you.

[stmok]

As stated above...I use NOD32 AV...See www.nod32.com

[The_Jizzler]

i use avg and love it. simple, and it doesnt hog resources. reccomended

[PatrickBateman]

I use only my SMC Barricade hardware firewall/router, unstupid program execution, and no virus scanner.
I have received a letter from my ISP saying that I download too much (more than 100x the national average, apparently) although the end-user agreement mentions the word bandwidth only once and nothing about a cap; so I'm bringing in gigs upon gigs of data.

I have had only one virus, that was fairly easy to get rid of (the one that keeps changing IE's start page). I guess I clicked "yes" accidentally on some pop-up. It was annoying, but fairly mild and fully rectifiable. Even with a virus scanner, you can get a virus if you're not cautious in your behavior. Sure, a VS update will probably remove it after a short while, but you could still get one that screws up the system.
I didn't get hit by a car on my bike until I mounted lights on it... thought I was safe, but I shouldn't have let my guard down (not to mix metaphores).

My no-virus-scanner setup is very light on resources, and rather effective... so far.