Comments on: Killer Download: The Big Three free security applications

Part of using the most used operating system is being the target of the most threats. I've rounded up what I consider to be the Big Three in the security category. Frankly, if you don't have a program for all three, you're not safe.

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by larrymex February 15, 2008 7:13 PM PST

Ever since I switched from the over priced and bloated Norton AV stuff I haven't had a problem since. I haven't seen anything good come out of norton labs - Symantec period. They always slowed the system down hogging resources and always had viruses get past it. They always trashed my system on every computer I installed it on. I've been using AVG free for many months now and haven't had a single problem. I've heard a lot of good comments about the other free ones too on tech sites but I can't comment on them personally. As far as spyware I've used the combination of Spybot and Adaware for so long I can't remember when I started using them and they have worked fine for me.

I used Sygate firewall software free version until they were bought out by Norton, probably just to squash the competition because it was so much better and free. Not sure if they have used it with the old Sygate name or tried to incorporate it in their's or not. So I switched to Zonealarm, which really didn't work out on any of my systems, not saying Zonealarm is bad, just didn't do well for me. I have since gone back to the old free copy of Sygate and it is still doing a perfect job for me to this day, no problems. Don't be afraid to try software that's free, because many times they are much better than the over priced junk on the market. One reason they give you a certain part of the suite free is that it's good advertising. Say you really like the AVG AV software, the company feels you will consider their other products in the future.

As far as the comment about Linux getting viruses, it's always possible, but the odds are so far against it at this stage in it's development because it's not worth the low life's time to fool with creating one. Windows is and will be the main target for a while I suppose, when Linux does gain enough market share they will inevitably attack it as well, their will always be evil minded people in the world. I'm sure they will have just as good if not better AV software for Linux when that time rolls around. XP will be my last windows machine anyway, all my others are Linux Distros, and when people finally find out how easy Linux really is and not to mention it's free, and they won't ever have to shell out money to Ms again because there really wasn't an alternative, it's use will accelerate rapidly. Until then the best things in life are still free, even in the windows world, give the free ones a fair try, more times than not you'll be glad you did. Oh yeah, like the one person said, you get what you pay for, in some things that's true, but in this case if you pay for software in this category you probably paid too much since the best ones are free. Hopefully it will always be that way, especially with Download.coms great site making it a little easier to find such great applications as some of those mentioned here. Don't be afraid to experiment, the most important thing to remember is always keep your important files you don't want to lose backed-up safely at least once a week, and good luck.

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by nigc March 24, 2008 7:37 AM PDT: Hi Larrymex
I was greatly reassured by your comments re Sygate Personal Firewall free version, which I've used exclusively since owning a PC for almost 3 years. I started out as a complete novice, but found it fairly straightforward to understand, any issues that I had occuring because of my ignorance rather than a fault with the software. All were resolved as I progressed up the learning curve.
I was somewhat disturbed by the takeover by Symantec & the loss of support thereafter. In particular, the scans & checks that were previously available no longer seem to exist. I did look at reviews of alternatives, notably Comodo & Zone Alarm, but all mentioned user issues that I wasn't having with SPF which led me to stay with what I already had.
Like you, I haven't been able to discover if Symantec have incorporated SPF into their own software packages, or just used their takeover to remove a superior product as a rival. A sad state of affairs if the latter is the case.
Thanks

Nigel; Like this


by fbudwitis February 15, 2008 9:42 PM PST: my big 3 =
AVG
Superantispyware
pc tools firewall

can u comment; Like this Reply to this comment


by raymond66 February 16, 2008 10:04 AM PST: Great stuff, thank you; Like this Reply to this comment


by criztopha February 16, 2008 4:17 PM PST: Definitely agree with your choices. Comodo is certainly my favorite firewall, paid or otherwise. Avira is also an excellent antivirus program. As far as paid ones, Nod32 is the best in my eyes. Jason, as for as Spyware Terminator, your problem is you have HIPS enabled. This is not traditional realtime protection, simply a system monitor. Personally I would only use the realtime shield. and have them disabled; using Comodo's Defense+ integrated into v3 of their firewall. Though, as far as free antispyware apps go, you might as well use Microsoft's Windows Defender. IMO, the best free on-demand scanner is Superantispyware. The paid version's realtime protection is excellent as well. I also use Spybot for it's immunization and other features. Can't say I care for Adaware's most latest release. Bloatware, with declining detecting; I traded it in for SAS awhile ago.; Like this Reply to this comment


by glcop February 16, 2008 5:46 PM PST: I agree with Antivir PE being the best free Antivirus. I use it and it has saved me many times.
Comodo is also very good and I used it for a while but the warning you mentioned drove me nuts so I switched to PCtools firewall.
As far as Spyware Terminator it is a good program But I think the free version of SUPERantispyware and A-Squared Free 3.1 have better detection and cleaning ability.; Like this Reply to this comment

by tonyny77 February 16, 2008 9:15 PM PST

Okay ... Jason has indicated his preferences and detailed the reasons why as well. Great. However, I wonder what Jason's choice/recommendation is for dealing with root kits, please? Thanks.

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by glcop February 17, 2008 2:43 AM PST: Antivir PE has a built in rootkit scanner when run in expert mode.; Like this

by J_A_W_ February 17, 2008 8:21 AM PST

I like to use Avast for my antivirus, Ghostwall for my firewall and for spyware program i use 3. Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search And Destory And A-Squared Free 3.1.

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by corey browm February 23, 2008 3:54 AM PST: i use to useed avg and it did not work that well for me i switch to avast its the best antivirus, thanks avast keep it up am pleased.; Like this


by criztopha February 17, 2008 3:11 PM PST: Both A-Squared and Superantispyware remove rootkits.
Both are free, and have excellent detection.

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
http://www.superantispyware.com/prerelease.html; Like this Reply to this comment

by shankar_ramani February 17, 2008 3:31 PM PST

I installed Spyware Terminator and Condo Firewall. I had a harrowing time after the installation of the firewal. The firewall was running for a very long time and I had all kinds of hangs and crashes. My 6 month old laptop with no system related problems so far, so I quickly uninstalled Condo Firewall.

I left Spyware Termintor installed and watched it for a couple of days. Though there was no problem with hanging or booting, I started seeing blue screens causing the laptop to reboot. So I had to uninstall Spyware Terminator as well.

So much for these free programs, I've never faced any issues with paid programs in the past. One wonders the price that we really pay by taking such a risk for trying out these free downloadable programs supposed to be killer aps. Yeah, they almost killed my laptop.

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by rosiemyrosie February 20, 2008 9:36 PM PST: Very surprising you encountered such problems. Have used most of these free downloads on both my PC and Laptop for years without any problems.

May want to have your lap top checked out?; Like this


by bd1886 February 21, 2008 10:05 AM PST: To say that using free apps is a bad thing for all is just wrong. Too many people have problem free use (using them) to deny this fact. Now... for those who work the net like mad,go to known types of sites for picking up the crud, or have lesser control of who uses the unit, a well chosen "pay for" application is the way to go. For me, the updated "freebies" have worked very well. Hassle free, (except for my own user errors a couple of times) and easy to use.
Having said that...a business/personal computer that has "critical usage" should only have top stuff, with IT level servicing.; Like this


by apcfrk February 17, 2008 5:39 PM PST: I Like
AVG Free
Pc Tools Firewall
Spybot Search and Destroy "with SD resident shield"
but I like trying new things so glad people have so many good apps listed off...; Like this Reply to this comment


by criztopha February 17, 2008 6:58 PM PST: shankar: What versions were you using? 2.4 or 3? beta, RC, or stable? 2, 2.1? These are rare occurrences, as ive never seen any issues on my 3 year old computer.; Like this Reply to this comment


by nikhilnaidu February 17, 2008 8:17 PM PST: I use SpyCatcher Express which is free and has real time scanning. Absolutely wonderful. I have tested it using discs and pen drives infected with spyware, and it works like a dream. Been using it for more than a year and no major or minor infection. i scan once a month. Even use Ad-Aware as a scanner, but it never finds anything!!! so SpyCatcher Express is my choice.

Avast and Comodo Firewall Pro (My fav firewall, and I have tested a few of them on my test PC). Suggest you also try Comodo BOClean (Anti- Malware) as well, it is a good app to have handy. Also their Verification Engine is a must if you use Firefox or IE.; Like this Reply to this comment


by blond_tyger February 17, 2008 8:18 PM PST: Sorry, but Avast! is the better AV, as I've had issues with AntiVir. Avast I've had no issues at all, catches viruses I've accidently downloaded from LimeWire, and easy to configure. I agree with the rest, but AV the best is Avast!; Like this Reply to this comment

by stevekr February 18, 2008 5:56 AM PST

I use a Mac and have no problems, (-:

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by gtrom February 26, 2008 10:29 PM PST: yeah and I bet you have no friends to send you infected emails, files etc, my servers log files tell me that unix users overtook mac OS numbers two years ago.
And why am I not surprised that as a mac user you could not post on topic.
Apple lost, get over it.; Like this


by gc62 February 18, 2008 2:15 PM PST: I downloaded Spyware Terminator and AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition software. Once complete, was directed to restart the computer. Now it will not restart unless I start in safe mode. Tried to run rescue disk and it didn't fix the problem. Any ideas on how to correct this problem?; Like this Reply to this comment

by dirty55409 February 18, 2008 3:03 PM PST

I love all these downloads. BUT I had to uninstall Spyware Terminator because I have some online classes that require the use of the "Respondus LockDown Browser" which gets very upset when any sp_rsser.exe files are running (that exe is the real time protection). I could not get around the RT so I had to uninstall it. Does ANYONE know how I can get around that? I like the software and I want it back! If anyone knows a trick please write a message on my profile page.

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by rosiemyrosie February 20, 2008 10:11 PM PST: Conflicts if you try to run two firewalls simultaneously. Get the one you like and disable others. Firewalls on Windows are notoriously lacking. Vista is supposed to be a two way system in and out protections, but there likely is better out there.; Like this

by 123stacy February 19, 2008 8:10 PM PST

Question: I'm running vista, and installed the Comodo firewall. Should I disable the windows firewall? Running two at the same time could cause conflicts? Please advise.
Thanks!!

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by stonemichael February 20, 2008 7:01 PM PST: I also run Vista. Right now I am using mcafee (free w/ comcast) and windows defender. Do I need anything else?; Like this


by rosiemyrosie February 20, 2008 10:11 PM PST: Conflicts if you try to run two firewalls simultaneously. Get the one you like and disable others. Firewalls on Windows are notoriously lacking. Vista is supposed to be a two way system in and out protections, but there likely is better out there.; Like this

by 123stacy February 19, 2008 8:15 PM PST

Same question as above: I'm going to install comodo on my older desktop which is still running windows XP. Should I disable windows firewall?

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by rosiemyrosie February 20, 2008 10:12 PM PST: YES !; Like this

by Mr Shaun Warburton February 20, 2008 4:41 PM PST

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition, is Listed as spyware. Not for me Sorry

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by ravi16aug February 27, 2008 7:29 AM PST: who lists Avira Antivir Personal Edition as spyware? They should be banned from accessing the Internet ever.; Like this


by February 20, 2008 4:44 PM PST: It may have been something I did wrong; it may not have been Comodo's fault. But when I installed it on two laptop computers, all went well for a couple of weeks; then, although I had a connection to my router, I could not access any web sites. Changing to Zone Alarm fixed the problem, which is what makes me think that it was something to do with Comodo. But Comodo continues to work just fine after many months on my desktop.; Like this Reply to this comment

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