PCAnti-virus
 

I use PC guard as my anti-virus software, but lately since the release of the new version it seems to be slowing my PC down terribly. Anyway, I tried Microsofts security essentials on an old laptop, this seems to be fairly good, and doesn't seem to be a drain on the laptops resources. What I'd like to know, is do many people use just the security essentials software, and has it been reliable etc.

Hi,

security essentials is only an anti-virus scan, it won't protect your PC. (if you have it its only really good as a back up incase you have a problem with your normal anti-virus)

If you looking for a freeby one then AVG 9 is your best bet.
(there is no firewall though so turn on the windows one, or install a seperate one like zonealarm or online armor)

unless you're on vista/win7, team MS Security Essentials with Windows Defender and use the MS Firewall. Unless you visiting dodgy sites, you should have decent protection.

If your on Vista/win7, defender's built in and the firewall is good too, so Security Essentials should be fine on it's own.

IMO, avoid McAfee.

HTH :thumbsup:

Sorry to Hi-jack, i'm just about to install ESET NOD32, i had this on a old laptop and it was great, will it be ok on Win7 ?

Ross

I'd make sure you have the latest version as this reduces the likelihood of compatibility issues.

AVG sucks! get avira and just turn the nag screen off. Smaller footprint and better detection

+1 :thumbsup:

+1 for McAfee is shite! couldn't detect a rampaging bear in your living room.

There was a piece in the paper this week about anti-virus software. They recommended some of the lesser-known ones as being less cost and quite good. However, their point about the big-name ones was that, like MS-OS, they are so popular that people write stuff to get through them, whereas they don't bother with the lesser known ones.

I got a cheap one from PC World when buying my notebook, and it works fine. My son has a free one and he's not had any problems for years. HTH :)

I use Avast, it's free, and seems to work well...

If you must buy one, Kaspersky is about the best at the moment.

just use avg free, zonealarm free and spybot search and destroy, between the three you are pretty safe

+1!!

I have it on all 3 computers in my house. It found a virus that AVG missed!

Eset Nod32 for antivirus with a separate firewall, zonealarm or comodo or you can get the Eset smartsuite which includes the firewall and other spam/spyware stuff as well. Eset runs quickly, quietly and doesn't slow your machine to a halt every time it thinks about something.