Question

Recommend an Internet Security and Virus Program?

Asked by: Howie_Lynn

Hi,
Norton Internet Security and virus protection v09 is crashing on my XP SP2 G18945P-Pro system after running succesfully for at least 3 years.  The only thing changed was an upgrade to Photoshop CS4.  I read through your knowledge base and it appears that Norton has become too invasive and using too may system resources to prevent the most unlikely of attacks.  Like it's fumegating your house to kill a nat.
I have a Linksys Hardware firewall and all of my ports are closed.  There is no access to my system except what I create through email and Internet visiting.  I am afraid of "passby" infections so I need an application to protect whatever might try to attack my machine while I'm accessing something.  I am a Comcast customer and have access to a free copy of McAfee.  However,  what I would really like is a Security application I can turn off when I'm using my system for none email or Internet processing.  My system runs much much faster with fewer problems without the Security system than it runs with it.  I could uplug my internet cable and run without Security if I could unload and reload the Security program.  The only other choice would be to dedicate one of my removable drives to email and Internet activity and not connect to the Internet with my primary financial and graphics design system.
What would you suggest for a Security system and please comment on by dedicated Internet drive solution?     Now I may have to climb under my desk and reboot to a different drive dedicated to the Internet everytime I want to check my mail.  The other concern would be an infection of my BIOS which could migrate to all of my drives.  But maybe I could scan for that before I shut down the Internet drive.

Thanks,
Howie

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Asked On
2009-08-26 at 07:09:06ID24683271
Topic

Anti-Virus

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
4

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Answers

 

by: ks_adminPosted on 2009-08-26 at 07:22:28ID: 25187962

While it's important to be cautious, I think you're going a bit overboard.  I agree that Norton in general is too taxing and invasive for everyday use, I would suggest one of the following:

AVG
BitDefender

Both of these have a small enough footprint that you can run your Adobe, or other software without losing much performance.  Your dedicated Internet drive solution would probably work as intended, but seems like a lot of unnecessary hassle.

 

by: Howie_LynnPosted on 2009-08-26 at 07:37:40ID: 25188130

Would AVG and BitDefender protect me against "passby" infections and email executalble infections which are enabled without opening the email?

I think, and I may be wrong about this, but sometimes an identifed targeted system has more to do with who is using it and the treasures believed to be available on the system than a random attack.   Even though I keep nothing of value on my system others don't know that, do they?  
But you are probably correct,  I worry too much.  Much ado about nothing.

Thanks for helping.  I'll check out AVG and BitDefender for sure.
Howie

 

by: ks_adminPosted on 2009-08-26 at 07:54:08ID: 25188326

You are correct, a dedicated and targeted attack directed at your data could bypass just about any system, if the attacker is talented enough.

Luckily those are few and far between, and you have to find a balance between security, and usability.  

Hope it helps, good luck!

 

by: warturtlePosted on 2009-08-26 at 10:49:03ID: 25190286

This might be useful:

www.av-comparatives.org

The above webpage will give you comparisons between different antiviruses and might help select the one you want. My favorite is Kaspersky because its light on resources and fast in scanning as well.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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