Input needed plse

After yet once again cleaning up the pc of malware, I am on a mission for a better mousetrap.

My present "prevention" consists of Avast AV (free) and Sygate firewall, none of which has prevented some malware from installing.

After reading up for hours on AV and suite program reviews, I am totally unable to make up my mind WHICH programs are actually superior, since it seems every review site has their "favorite".

I would like to combine an efficient AV with a firewall in one program, and it should be user-friendly. After much deliberation, I am now looking at Kaspersky Internet Security and Bitdefender Internet Security, both about the same price, but Kaspersky gives me the sandbox component, as well as the possibility of a 30 day trial.

In addition to better malware protection, I am also looking for a good mail program. At present, I am using Outlook out of 2003 Office and have been cussing it periodically, ever since I installed it.

If anyone has any experience with the 2 different AV suites or some good experiences with a mail program, I would very much appreciate their thoughts.

TIA

 

Thanks for your reply plodr. I also have malwarebytes (the paid version) installed and I use it to scan the pc every night. Unfortunately it also was unable to detect any of that last rash of garbage :-(.

 

Marisilver,

I have used all different AV Suites, Firewalls, Malware Detectors and Protectors, I am a PC Technician x24 Years, and after alot of searching, experimenting, I have came up with Using, MS Security Essentials, has built in Malware Protection, and Very Good AV Engine and I use Win 7 Home Premium x64, I use The Built in Firewall that comes with Win 7, and since I have had NO Problems to speak of, and NO Cost either.

Marine50

 

I have a Personal set up of Comodo Internet Security Suite (all in one,Free) IObit Malwarefighter Pro (Paid version) Super anti Spyware (Free, as an additional back-up scanner), All are very light on system resources and very good at what they are meant to do, touch wood I have not encountered any malware issues using this combination .

 

Very solid inputs and advice.

Unfortunately, there is no software in the world which will keep one 100% safe, or even close if computing habits are not good.

Person comes up to me and says, "here is my thumb drive or external hard drive", I almost have a stroke. No matter what protection I have installed.

Same goes with surfing, a lot of sites are unrated by WOT- and other site advisors- but you get a sniff, and back off. :-D

If you have the time please check out, http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35
You will find machines with all kinds of protection, infected.

Any idea on how you got infected?

Cheers and stay safe.

 

I agree with sikvik, internet hygiene is most important. There's only so much a program can do, the rest is up to the operator.

Since you mentioned e-mails, don't open attachments unless you're expecting one. Never click on an unsolicited pop-up etc...

If you have to open these things for work etc., I'd buy Acronis and make a daily back up. You can easily restore your machine in some 10 minutes to your last backed up state if you get infected.

 

FYI, an earlier thread.

Bazza

NB: An AV review site I have just come across, re-reading an older PC mag, is:
www.av~comparatives.org from PCUtilities mag. #125, p82. I haven't visited it yet, though.

Baz

 

My link at www.av~comparatives.org
should be
www.av-comparatives.org

Rare typo by PCUtlities mag, or maybe I need new glasses.
Sorry :-o

Bazza

===

Baz

 

Thanks ever so much to everyone who answered with suggestions and advise.

To Marine50 - I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that I am using xp pro, so an external firewall is needed.

To iain.t - Thanks for the input.

To sikvik - I checked the link provided and according to it, I'm a pretty "hygienic" internet user and no, I have no earthly idea HOW I got infected. To tell the truth, that was the most aggrevating part of this infection. I did have several firefox tabs open when the firewall asked me if something out of the temp folder was allowed on the internet....before I could say no, the machine shut down and the damage was done.:cry

To augiedoggie - The only thing I know for sure is that it did NOT come thru the mail. I am super careful and finnicky about the mail. Years ago I got a lot of paypal phishing emails, and though I never fell for any of it tg, I learned a lot of lessons. I asked for advice about a mail program because I often find the 2003 Outlook quite counter-intuitive, so was looking for an easier program to use. I will definitely look into Acronis, much thanks for that thought - though I do not use the pc for work, I have to check in on the pc.

And to bigbazza - I have read every one of your links....thanks so much for the input. I just lately bought the router from my internet provider, but have very little confidence in it's ability as a firewall. It seems that I just have to install the trials and check them out for myself.

In conclusion, his has only been my second major infection, but the time and effort required to clean the machine is horrendous. In addition there is always that sneaky feeling that one did not get it all . Perhaps a clean install is in order, just to make sure.

 

No Prob's.... .... If you have the facillity to do a clean install then that is a very good route to go down, gaurantees a "clean" system, plus there is the added bonus of having that nice new super fast machine feeling back again .

 

You're savvy enough, I agree with iain.t though I hate to format, it's the only way to be sure and I also agree to that 'new car feeling' too.