Hardcore Protection?

[nub]

So I've been thinking about my system recently. I've been going through this phase where I believe that nearly 100% of the anti-virus programs and such are utterly useless, and the ones that aren't worthless still aren't good enough.

But I've been flying free of protection on my system for nearly 2 years now, and I think it's time that I fucking recognized how stupid that is. So basically, I need opinions from anyone with plenty of experience under their belt with anti virus programs that work. I don't care if I have to pay for it. Even if I'm realizing I need protection, I still don't trust free AV.

You know, I'm basically looking for something that's designed to protect the shit out of your system without failing at doing so, and without whoring up all your resources. Recommend me anything that you know for a fact has served you well and hasn't ever failed you.

[spare8ball]

I've always used Spybot - Search and Destroy! I think it works great.

[HeroinRob]

Free doesnt mean it is of poor quality. You recognize you need protection, so recognize that the free shit isnt exactly shitty! I deal with stuff that leaves my PC constantly at risk of catching something and for a few years now I have been perfectly fine with just free stuff. Yeah you might catch something, but you can locate and remove it with a simple scan and just avoiding stupid stuff that is risky. I think that some free AV progs come with the popup thingies to warn you too. So yeah long story short; free =/= shit

[SlappyBag]

I got the premium suite for AVG, acquired through various means and I've never ever had a problem with my PeeCee.

[source-maps]

seriously download avast, it's simply the best and free

[Psy]

The best protection is common-sense.

[whiffen]

Best Free:

-Virus: (Only one please, I will list in order of my likeness)

Avast! http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
AVG Free http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download?prd=afg
Avira AntiVir http://www.free-av.com/en/trialpay_download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html

-Spyware: (Both can be downloaded if necessary)

Spybot Search and destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
Superantispyware http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

-Firewall: (Only one please, I will list in order of my likeness)

Zone Alarm http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm
Comodo http://www.comodo.com/home/download/download.php?prod=firewall

----------

Best Pay:

Eset NOD32 Smart Security (My personal favourite ) http://www.eset.com/purchase/
Kasperspy http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/HomeProducts.php

Other free goodies:

CCleaner (Cleans temporary data, history and other options. Also a registry cleaner. http://www.ccleaner.com/download

Avoid:

Norton
Windows Defender

Tip: You only need one firewall and antivirus. Such programs usually conflict with each other so your not effectively doubling your protection... The Pay to use programs above are usually 3 in 1, like ESET Smart Security. Its AntiVirus, Anti Malware and a firewall, so thats all you need! I use that suite and CCleaner. Never been infected once in years. It auto detects programs that try to change settings on your computer before such a virus is even listed in the virus database. It then calls home and they can determine if its an attack program and then send out an update to everyone. Good system, low resource, good UI.

So whats the best defence of all? You are. Browse safe, don't go to sketchy websites and download everything from everywhere! Clear your cookies and other temp web browsing data. Get a password on your wireless networks. KEEP THINGS UP TO DATE!!! WINDOWS, YOUR BROWSER, JAVA, ANTIVIRUS BEING TOPS!!!

[Niserox]

I agree with whiffen about Avast. Its also the one i currently use.

I've been using Avast for close to around 4 or 5 years now and i have never gotten a virus since. There have been times where my younger brother used to download those fake MP3 files from limewire and it would scan the file before even being fully downloaded. Also if u go on a site with a potential virus, a warning will popup and it will close the whole connection between your IP and the website. Avast is AMAZING, i highly recommend it to anyone wanting good, free, and stable virus and spyware protection.

[nub]

I think I've used ESET before, and it was pretty light on resources. I don't think I kept it though because I ended up reformatting (not from a virus) and I simply forgot to use it again.

I've always have MBAM, Spybot, and CCleaner. I used to have Super Anti Spyware but it didn't really do anything. MBAM and Spybot took care of spyware for me pretty easily. I love CCLeaner since it actually works well.


Anyway, I'll look back in to ESET, and if that doesn't satisfy me, I'll try Kaspersky.

[trcc]

what makes you think you are infected?

[Major Banter]

I use AVG, CCleaner and Regcure.

And I don't browse dodgy sites.

Never had a problem.

[Hollow]

I've got Spybot, Avast anti-virus, CCleaner, Mcafee and Dell's own shizz. I'm sure there's a windows firewall running too nice and safe.

[nub]

what makes you think you are infected?

Nothing like that. I've just decided that I need to get protection after 2 years of having next to none.


PS: Anyone got some pro-tips on defraggers? Is the one integrated in to Windows good enough? I'm pretty sure I really need to defrag my drive too.

[Hollow]

I used to run windows XP 'naked' as it were for a while, never got any nasties strangely...
Not going to risk it though on my Windows 7 Laptop though.

[Chopium]

I use Avira and love it besides the ads that pop up once a day.