Need a GOOD Internet Security, Antivirus and Firewall program!!

We have a 4 pc Home Lan system. All 4 pcs are WinXP with SP2. Two pcs run NIS 2004 and two run NIS 2005. I am having a lot of trouble configuring set up for the Lan with Norton. I also don't seem to be able to run a firewall with the Lan. Can someone PLEASE recommend a GOOD Internet Security/Antivirus program that is user-friendly and compatible for Lan use? I have done some checking on Kaspersky and I've been finding that they are not really very supportive of English speaking customers, preferring to just offer a refund than fix a problem. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks much,
pansygirl

 

I currently use Avast! as my virus checker and Sygate for my firewall

Avast!
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1968


Sygate
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3356

They are both free.

 

theefool i use the same 2 programs (both free), and i'm very happy with them...

Avast seems to update its definitions rather frequently and the Sygate Firewall is rather easy to use...

pansygirl i would also recommend finding good Anti-Spyware programs to run on the computers... i would recommend:

Spyware Blaster
Lavasoft Adaware
Spybot Search & Destroy

(all availlable for download here at Majorgeeks, spyware section)

 

Thanks! I am willing to pay for a good one of both, because I am concerned about the Lan and protecting all 4 pcs. I hate to have wasted money on NIS but I've got to get it RIGHT this time...lol!

pansygirl

 

Hi Midget!

I have all of those Spyware items. In fact, I went to the Spyware forum, cleaned my pc and downloaded and still use all of the spyware recommended. I am in the process of cleaning the other 3 pcs.

Thanks!
pansygirl

 

I've had the following ones suggested:

Panda is good, McAfee, ZoneAlarm or System Mechanic Pro, kaspersky antivirus, sygate, outpost, or tiny firewalls.

Anyone familiar with these?

Thanks,
pansygirl

 

my knowledge is that Sygate Personal Firewall and Zonealarm Personal Firewall are the 2 most popular free firewalls... while i have personally never tried Zonealarm, i can say that i'm quite happy with Sygate....




basically you just tell it which components of your computer you want accessing the internet... you prohobit everything that doesn't need access... as you can see in the screenshot.... basically i don't mess with my firewall other than deciding whether or not a new program should have access to the internet...

 

Any of the AV prgs and firewalls in the below thread are free and worth a try.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showpost.php?p=449963&postcount=1

 

Don't let the word 'free' fool you, some of these free programs are MUCH better than the pricey counterparts.


(eclayton, posting on Marty's computer! )




.

 

Ditto!
I'll never buy when such good ones are avaible for free.
I'd never buy Norton, if was free, wouldnt use either.

I like:
Avast anti-virus
Sygate firewall
Ad-Aware SE
Spywareblaster
All free, Keeps my home Network Safe & Sound.

AVG & ZA, is good too.

 

Totally agree with all the above but PLEASE ensure that you root out all of Norton before you install any of the good free stuff above.
Robert

 

what are all the problems are you having?

 

I agree as well. I'm using Avast anti-virus and Zone-alarm on all my LANed pc's in the house. ZoneAlarm has a "Anti-virus monitoring" function which does not recognize Avast, but this is not a vital part of the firewall.
So far they work as well as Symantec products, and have a smaller footprint.
I used to love Symantec products, but after 2003 they seemed to become "bloat-ware" and were more trouble then they are worth. Word of caution - if you have more then one Symantec (Norton) product installed, they become intertwined and can cause problems when removed. If you have any problems removing Symantec programs, go to their site (www.symantec.com) and download the appropriate uninstaller aids - Rnav2003 (for Norton Anti-virus) and RnisUPG (for Norton Internet security), are the ones I had to use. There may be others for other versions.

 

This Symantec Help Article has instructions for removing all Symantec/Norton AV products and NIS

Removing your Norton program using SymNRT

 

You guys forgot Mozilla Firefox.

 

SymNRT is fairly decent for the 2004 and 2005.

Also, running Ccleaner, then a manual search throught the registry and manual search through the hard drive for items that both seem to miss. At least that is the habit I go through with uninstalling that program.

 

That article also has the instructions for Rnav2003 and RnisUPG

 

Kaspersky is very good, i'd stick with that. I'd also get Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro and Spyware Doctor

 

Thanks to everyone for all of your input!! I think I have things fixed, at least for now...lol!

Enjoy your weekend! Happy 4th of July, to those celebrating!

Pansy