Matrix Games Forums

For about the hundredth time (OK maybe an exageration) I've been attacked by malicious software while browsing the CivFanatics Center forums. I currently use the free version of AVG anti-virus. That's basically all I have on my computer other than Malwarebytes which is good at detecting and removing malware "on demand". But I don't have a dedicated Internet protection suite.

Problem is I like to play H2H games and when I put some Internet protection suites on my computer they seem to screw up my ability to play. Right now I have no problem playing H2H (maybe a bad thing in and of itself).

Does anyone have any recommendations for good Internet protection software? For starters I dislike Norton so I don't want to put it on my computer. It seems to screw everything up and then doesn't give all that great protection sometimes.

Thanks.

Try PC Tools' Spyware Doctor combined with ESET's NOD32 Anti-Virus.

Zonelabs and Avast!

Well, Gary, when you get a pop up that won't go away telling you to download and install an anti virus program, go a head and do it. Your computer is only trying to help you. Go ahead and give up your credit card number.

After all, what kind of world are we living in if we can't trust anyone? Reach out, practice tolerance and forgiveness, and give peace a chance.

Also, I recommend using FireFox with NoScript and NoAd add-ons.

Thank you Erik. I checked out some ratings on antivirus and anti spyware. NOD32 got very good reviews. However, Spy Doctor looks like it might not be as good as some of the other programs out there.

I think I will probably get the NOD32 but Spy Doctor I'm still wondering about. Is there any particular reason why you reccomend Spy Doctor over others?

Thanks.

ORIGINAL: Doggie

Well, Gary, when you get a pop up that won't go away telling you to download and install an anti virus program, go a head and do it. Your computer is only trying to help you. Go ahead and give up your credit card number.

After all, what kind of world are we living in if we can't trust anyone? Reach out, practice tolerance and forgiveness, and give peace a chance.

Oh brother.... [8|]

I've been using Avast as my antivirus for several years and i'm very happy with it.
Its free for home user, updates daily, its not intrusive and don't slow down the computer.
And the most important, it protects me well. [:)]
Cheers!

ORIGINAL: Arsan

I've been using Avast as my antivirus for several years and i'm very happy with it.
Its free for home user, updates daily, its not intrusive and don't slow down the computer.
And the most important, it protects me well. [:)]
Cheers!

I'll second everything Arsan just said. The free version has all the real time scanners in place, automatic updates...it's a nice program that's been a big help (and given a pre-emptive warning) a couple of times already. There is also a paid version which has full 24/7 Tech Support if you need it.

ORIGINAL: Gary Childress
I think I will probably get the NOD32 but Spy Doctor I'm still wondering about. Is there any particular reason why you reccomend Spy Doctor over others?

It's worked well for me. Honestly, I didn't check the reviews, just went on recommendations and trial versions. I used to have Webroot's Spy Sweeper, which was the top rated on there. It was effective, but it was too slow for me (system hog) in the version I had and I haven't found anything (so far) that Spyware Doctor has missed while it seems to have a low overhead. I like NOD32 for the same reason, I don't even realize it's running 99.9% of the time. YMMV, of course.

Regards,

- Erik

I've been using NOD32 for a few years now and IMHO it's the best out there, yes it's not free, but worth paying for.

Gary,
 
NOD32 is good but has been moving down in the eyes of the experts with version 4.  I used NOD32 for years but have moved to Avira.  Check out http://www.wilderssecurity.com for some good information.
 
Bill

I use Avast! with no problems except perhaps a little longer boot up. I used to use AVG but my tech likes the Avast! and CCleaner along with the program you mention.

Madgamer

Cute LOL you must be that dude I see in that hamburger place in the early hours.
You do OWN a PC,RIGHT?

Madgamer

Ha ! Nice one.

I have been using both AVG and Avast free on multiple machines. One is not always better than the other-good competition. Right now I think Avast is better. I tried Avira free, but it was a nuisance on my machine-pop up reminders to buy...

I also use Adaware for spyware removal. I also occasionally double check with a program tool from IOBIT. IOBIT has a program called Advanced System Care Free-which is actually free. It has multiple useful tools including a security scan and spyware removal.

I was a fan of Zone Alarm for about 9 years, but I actually don't see the need for it anymore. As for Norton; I had a 90 trial of the full thing (with my new Vista) and dumped it in about 30 days. It is better than before but still uses too much-don't think it is needed.

I also have had some bad experiences with Norton. Been a nightmare to remove sometimes when it has malfunctioned. I only kept buying out of amnesia, stupidity and laziness (plus the discounts for renewal were not bad, so also because I am cheap.

This year I also had a big search around - Nod32 seemed a good bet - but was very expensive where I am.

Since I heard Norton had made some improvements, I ended up with the same old.

I must say that this year's version is very significantly improved - much smaller footprint, much faster scan (I like the precertification of checked files to speed up), the idle scan etc. Overall it is far better than last year's. Only issue I have come across is losing my " Cards and Logins" data twice, which is irritating but no biggie, probably caused by all my loading and unloading and CCleaning.

I used to use NOd32 and it is very good.
Moved to free now though, and use AVAST for antivirus and emsisoft's free bundle of ONLINE ARMOUR (firewall; easy to use) and ASQUARED (Malware scanner). Very happy with these 3.

Do you run in a limited user account? That's the best thing you can do to stop malware from installing. Also use Spywareblaster and Spybot S&D pre-emptive immunization against known malicious urls. The noscript in FF is a must too. If a script can't run it can't harm your PC.

Don't know if it's been mentioned here, or not, but MALWAREBYTES is excellent for nuking spyware and the like.

PoE (aka ivanmoe)