Hi,

I am new to the world of internet security. I recently had an infection whilst using a free trial of a very popular yellow product (or unpopular depending on your experiences). Since then I have tried to learn and understand as much as I can about the various programmes which are available. Unfortunately the amount of time I can spend doing so is limited as I am in the final year of my degree.

I have today received my copy of Kaspersky Internet Security, which I ordered after using the free trial version. Before I install it and void my right of refund I am interested to learn about the free alternatives (money is tight), and AVG antivirus appears to a very popular alternative.

Do the free products offer a comparable level of protection? If so which mix of products will provide me with good security against internet threats?

Also, I have read somewhere that one limitation of AVG free is that it cannot scan password protected archives. What does this mean, is it a problem/vulnerability?

I would appreciate any help that can be offered. My computer is my lifeline and I just want to know that I am adequately protected against the nasties while i try to complete my studies.

Thanks for your time,

MrBee

Also I am a member of the forums, but posted whilst not signed in. I guess this is why my name appears in black, not as a link.

[quote="mrbee"]Hi,

I am new to the world of internet security. I recently had an infection whilst using a free trial of a very popular yellow product (or unpopular depending on your experiences). Since then I have tried to learn and understand as much as I can about the various programmes which are available. Unfortunately the amount of time I can spend doing so is limited as I am in the final year of my degree.

I have today received my copy of Kaspersky Internet Security, which I ordered after using the free trial version. Before I install it and void my right of refund I am interested to learn about the free alternatives (money is tight), and AVG antivirus appears to a very popular alternative.

Do the free products offer a comparable level of protection? If so which mix of products will provide me with good security against internet threats?

Also, I have read somewhere that one limitation of AVG free is that it cannot scan password protected archives. What does this mean, is it a problem/vulnerability?

I would appreciate any help that can be offered. My computer is my lifeline and I just want to know that I am adequately protected against the nasties while i try to complete my studies. ::011::

Thanks for your time,

MrBee

:ty:[/quote]

Get yourself a Router (I use a Dlink DI-604 for $25) between your modem and computer. Then download "Spybot - Search & Destroy" from
http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html and check daily for updates.
I used to have a paid subscription to AVG but it is no longer necessary, in my opinion, with the above setup.

Multi-Layered, Free, Solid.

Firewall - COMODO Firewall Pro - http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
Anti Virus - AVG free - http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-anti-virus-free
Anti Spy - Spyware Terminator - http://www.spywareterminator.com/
0 Day - Cyberhawk - http://www.novatix.com/

FireFox 2.0 - http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
NoScript - https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/722/

If you use a router and or SpyBot S&D's immunize feature. BONUS.

SERAGLIO,

If that is ALL you have, you are headed for problems.
IMO.

Later Bad

I have a router too.
Software firewalls are not useless.
I don't need to join/read a newsgroup to know this.

None of this explains your weak setup.
Regarding Virus protection, 0-day vulnerabilities, etc.

As far as this thread goes the OP wanted the best set up, for Free.
Better, Best, Bestest is always debatable, but my ship is tight.
And I'm good with that.

Later Bad.

If you have or will get a good software firewall, such as Comodo, AVG will do the job. I know many people who use it with satisfaction.

You can get by with the Windows XP firewall. I would add a couple of free anti-malware applications; SuperAntiSpyware and AVG 7.5 AS.

AVG seems to be a very trouble free AV. A couple of other free ones are Avira Classic, and Avast Home.

Avira has the highest detection rate, but gives some problems on some systems, including mine.

Avast may be a little heavier than AVG and Avira, but it too has been a very trouble free AV for me. It has a slightly higher detection rate than AVG, but not enough to bother about. It happens to be my fall-back AV.

For detection rates of the various AVs AV Comparatives is well thought of.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Although Kaspersky and some others have better detection rates than AVG, if money is tight give AVG a trial. I think it is entirely adequate for most folks whether money is tight or not. I would try it for a few days before I intalled Kaspersky. If you have time regarding the refund, you might trial Avast and Avira also.

There is also a free stripped down version of Kaspersky, but I cannot think of it right now, but someone will probably mention it.

It is my opinion that if you are a safe user, and do not visit risky sites, AVG or Avast, Windows firewall or Comodo, and a free anti-malware application will be adequate for you.

Regards,
Jerry