Free Internet Protection

What is the best collection of programs to use for optimum internet protection? I'm only interested in freeware obviously. Which anti virus and firewall software is best to use? My bitdefender account is expiring soon and it is too expensive to upgrade it. I can't afford the upgrade. Please reply here or PM me. Would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I use AVG anti virus. Don't run a software firewall since my router has one, so short of anything actually getting onto my computer I'm pretty safe.

Is AVG a good option? I have read up on it and there seem to be a lot of people that say its rubbish, yet more swear by it. I know Windows XP has a built in firewall, but is it good enough is what I am wondering. Why does software have to be so darn expensive :( Thanks Seph

AVG is one of the highest rated free AV's around. Most of the people who say it's rubbish have a problem with free software in general (or they assume free == rubbish without doing any research). Just because you pay for software does not make it any good necessarily. Windows firewall, (especially the firewall in XP) is absolutely useless and isn't worth the space it takes up. For a free firewall that is very highly regarded (albeit no longer available), download sygate personal firewall from www.oldversion.com

Thanks Loony. So this firewall is still a good choice to use?Just a question. My friend recommended me Avast antivirus. He said its really slow but otherwise it is a very solid package and I should use it instead of AVG. Any thoughts on that?Also with either AVG or Avast, will I need additional anti adware, malware, spyware etc software?
Thanks for the help.

Avast is ridiculously slow and should not be used for that reason alone. if they sped it up significantly then yes it would be a valid alternative to AVG.You will still need spybot search & destroy etc. Antivirus and anti-malware programs are not the same thing.

A thread I found on AVG's forums suggests you having these applications to keep things running smoothly:Spybot Search & Destroy
Hijackthis
Malwarebyte's Antimalware
CCleaner
And a good Firewall

personally I also recommend javacool spywareblaster; although its more concerned with preventing malware than removing it. Also hijackthis is of little use until you actually have a problem.

what i like about avg is that they have an "all in one" solution for free, which is basic. additionally, it is very conveniant as you just install it and that's it. you just update it two to three times a week or so and you're good. i've never had such a program that is so simple to use.avoid going to those "infectious" sites.

how about windows definder is it any good? and i got this software with my laptop called webroot spy sweeper have you heard of it? is it any good?

Windows Defender is just standard Windows Virus scanner. If you want Microsoft shit, download Live OneCare

no i was just wondering. So im better off just only runing avg

I still use avast even though it's slow, I am impressed with it's detection rate.
Spybot Search and Destroy
Malwarebytes Anti-MalwareIs Zone alarm's firewall a good firewall to use?

Replying to #13

tends to be a bit resource heavy, but otherwise yes.

Here are some Anti-virus and other stuff ones I found, only tested one though XD
-ArovaxShield
-e Trust Antivirus
-Spy-Ad Exterminator
-AVG (the one I tested, love it)
-Kapersky
-NortonAs you see in my list it lacks anti-spyware which is different from anti-virus, Norton is the most updated but of course cost money.

AVG, and Zone Alarm or Comodo. Good stuff.

Awesome. Thanks to everyone for their contribution. Hoping to test some of those and will settle on a certain combination. Currently using Sygate firewall, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Avast but will try AVG too. Going to get spybot too.

Dr.BedLove · #15Here are some Anti-virus and other stuff ones I found, only tested one though XD
-ArovaxShield
-e Trust Antivirus
-Spy-Ad Exterminator
-AVG (the one I tested, love it)
-Kapersky
-NortonAs you see in my list it lacks anti-spyware which is different from anti-virus, Norton is the most updated but of course cost money.

Norton is also one of the worst, and you missed out a lot of the best ones, such as NOD32, antivir, F-secure, and others. Also, e-trust is now called CA Antivirus.

loony seem to be the expert on the matter :Di at the moment use stopzilla and also have an expired mcafee (which is constantly begging me renew)any tips?

mcafee isn't much better than norton, especially if its expired. Stopzilla I have no experience of.