Best Freeware Security Configuration?

SHO · 09-09-2007, 09:57 PM

I just put a new hard drive on my Gateway laptop and I'm trying to get the best security configuration possible, free from conflicts, programs that don't work well together or at all, and programs that are too much of a drain on performance.

The Vista OS computer (w/ 2 Gigs of RAM) I have comes w/ the free 3 months of McAfee. So, I am currently using McAfee for anti-virus and firewall, Spybot Search & Destroy for spyware as well as Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware 2007, AVG Anti-Spyware, and Super Anti-Spyware.

I am now currently thinking that I should remove McAfee, add AVG Anti-Virus, and grab a better firewall like Zone Alarm or Comodo. What is the best possible configuration of security freeware to encompass my or anyone else's overall requirements?

By "requirements", let me clarify to say that means: Free, effective, no conflicts, and not a system drain.

Thanks!

PC eye · 09-09-2007, 10:39 PM

I would dump McAfee not AVG there right off the bat! That's about the worst antivirus program seen. AVG on the other hand is about the top for a free program. You have two exact oppposites in conflict already since one antivirus program should never be run along with another.

For retail Trend Micro's antivirus software features adware/spyware removers there. The 2007 version of Ad-Aware was tried here but turned out to be a shareware version not like the earlier free versions. That always works well with AVG and one newer adware/spware remover called Spyware Terminator found at http://www.spywareterminator.com/

The ST program there is a freeware that includes it's own mild firewall. Zone Alarm Free is useless as found out by many while Jetico and Commodo are good there. AVG, Ad-Aware SE Personal, and Spyware Terminator have worked well together. But there is never a thing you could actually call the "best possible configuration" since no one, two, or three programs will stop everything with new bugs arriving at any time. Being familiar with several especially special removers for certain types of viruses and malwares is the best move.

SHO · 09-09-2007, 10:50 PM

I'm running McAfee and AVG Anti-Spyware, not AVG Anti-Virus.

If I dump McAfee, I'll add AVG Anti-Virus.

What I'm looking for is the best possible overall configuration.

PC eye · 09-10-2007, 01:10 AM

The three used here AVG, Ad-Aware, and Spyware Terminator will never see problems with each other. But even with 3 or more programs installed you can still see things get past even good firewalls. Some of the bugs out there are well written to do just that. This is why I recommend being familiar with several since trying to find the absolute one configuration will never likely be seen. You still have to be flexible to stay ahead.

09-09-2007, 09:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
SHO Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 51	Best Freeware Security Configuration? I just put a new hard drive on my Gateway laptop and I'm trying to get the best security configuration possible, free from conflicts, programs that don't work well together or at all, and programs that are too much of a drain on performance. The Vista OS computer (w/ 2 Gigs of RAM) I have comes w/ the free 3 months of McAfee. So, I am currently using McAfee for anti-virus and firewall, Spybot Search & Destroy for spyware as well as Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware 2007, AVG Anti-Spyware, and Super Anti-Spyware. I am now currently thinking that I should remove McAfee, add AVG Anti-Virus, and grab a better firewall like Zone Alarm or Comodo. What is the best possible configuration of security freeware to encompass my or anyone else's overall requirements? By "requirements", let me clarify to say that means: Free, effective, no conflicts, and not a system drain. Thanks!

09-09-2007, 10:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,226	I would dump McAfee not AVG there right off the bat! That's about the worst antivirus program seen. AVG on the other hand is about the top for a free program. You have two exact oppposites in conflict already since one antivirus program should never be run along with another. For retail Trend Micro's antivirus software features adware/spyware removers there. The 2007 version of Ad-Aware was tried here but turned out to be a shareware version not like the earlier free versions. That always works well with AVG and one newer adware/spware remover called Spyware Terminator found at http://www.spywareterminator.com/ The ST program there is a freeware that includes it's own mild firewall. Zone Alarm Free is useless as found out by many while Jetico and Commodo are good there. AVG, Ad-Aware SE Personal, and Spyware Terminator have worked well together. But there is never a thing you could actually call the "best possible configuration" since no one, two, or three programs will stop everything with new bugs arriving at any time. Being familiar with several especially special removers for certain types of viruses and malwares is the best move. __________________ Turning auto exhaust into a new energy source http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5552209 Ahead of theCurve: Extreme gamers play 45hrs. a week http://blogs.abcnews.com/aheadofthec...extreme-g.html

09-10-2007, 01:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,226	The three used here AVG, Ad-Aware, and Spyware Terminator will never see problems with each other. But even with 3 or more programs installed you can still see things get past even good firewalls. Some of the bugs out there are well written to do just that. This is why I recommend being familiar with several since trying to find the absolute one configuration will never likely be seen. You still have to be flexible to stay ahead. __________________ Turning auto exhaust into a new energy source http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5552209 Ahead of theCurve: Extreme gamers play 45hrs. a week http://blogs.abcnews.com/aheadofthec...extreme-g.html

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09-09-2007, 10:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
SHO Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 51	I'm running McAfee and AVG Anti-Spyware, not AVG Anti-Virus. If I dump McAfee, I'll add AVG Anti-Virus. What I'm looking for is the best possible overall configuration.