Gabriel said:
I need to buy some new virus software for my win xp computer, I
have done some research on two typs. One is "Norton internet
security 2010" and the other is "Kaspersky internet security 2010".
With Norton it seems to be excelent with better resources (not
using loads of pc resources) than previous versions, and has a new
"Quorum" engine that in time will tell if it is good or not, I have
used Norton 360 ver 2.0 before and I didnt like the fact that I
couldnt delete files in the "quarinteen" (please excuse my bad
spelling) and I need to know if NIS 2010 has a way to delete the
files in the quarinteen.
As for Kaspersky, I like the option in it to run programs in a
"sandbox" mode that if there is a problem in the file it wont let
it do any type of change to the system making it safe. I read the
navagation in the GUI can be a bit frustrating for some executions.
So for the two progies what is the best choice for speed and overall
protection and will this new feature "Quorum" be a way to go?
I see, per the postings, you have started many battles an obtained many
opinions on the subject. As you are the original poster and have requested
such - my answer will be to you and you alone and as it is my opinion I am
giving (based off my experience) you should take it as such.
On personally owned systems I manage or help manage or just merely clean up
from a horrible mess they have gottent themselves into, this is what I
recommend:
AntiVirus:
Avira AntiVir (free)
... you can purchase it if you like, but when I choose one for purchase, I
choose ...
eSet NOD32 (antivirus only, ~$59 for two years.)
Combine that with a decent antspyware/antiadware/antimalware application:
Malwarebytes
... Free to scan and for cleanup, which is enough if you practice some
common computing sense, but if you live a little more on the edge (or fear
you might) then purchase it for ~$25 and turn on its active protection and
automatic scanning/etc ...
Combine those two things with the built-in Windows firewall with as few
exceptions (none is best) as possible and a NAT device between yourself and
whatever network you connect to (password protected, updated and with as
secure settings as you can live with.)
Then - don't do anything dumb.
- Don't download random things and install them.
- Don't open email attachments from unknown sources or anyone
without saving and scanning it first.
- Don't accept unknown IM attachments from unknown sources
or anyone without saving ans scanning it first.
- Don't click on advertisements. Instead, take not of what is
being advertised and manually search for it and locate a trusted
source on your own.
Do wise things.
- Backup your important files like they mean everything to you.
There is no excuse. The computer is one of the few things in
life that gives you the opportunity to completely mess up, but
with minimal effort, pretend it never happened. Take
advantage of this. I recommend, for those a little nervous
about it all, a product like the Seagate Replica. Easy, backs
everything up, does versioning, can restore from complete
disaster, minimal initial cost. Get the 500GB version.
- Read carefully any message asking you to click YES or NO. You
want to know where it is coming from, what it is asking and why
- and if you are unsure at all, write down its wording exactly
then either force it closed via task manager or even go as far as
to shutdown the computer and restart. Then research it.
- Keep your installation media, product keys and serial numbers,
extra backups of really critical documents, a list of hardware in
your machine (manufacturer name and component name at
least), proof of purchase for things, etc in a fireproof/waterproof
safe place away from the computer. Keep that stack updated.
If you like to do 'dangerous things' - look into virtual machines and the
likes. VirtualBox is free, easy to use, etc. Do the dangerous things in a
virtual machine with its own AntiVirus running. Only copy things to the
real machine *if needed*. This, naturally, requires a machine with a bit of
strength on the processor and memory side of the equation (dual-core 2+GHz,
3+GB memory would be good; anything beyond that - gravy.)
That's it - my two cents.
