Just tell me......

I have a new Gateway with Windows XP, AOL 9.0 and just went from dial up to DSL.

Although I have had a computer for 5 years, I am still a novice. My computer came with 3 month trial version of Norton. My last Gateway had McAfee. I never had a virus or anything with it. From all of my recent research, I don't feel comfortable with either of these anymore.

However, I want/need to install an AV software and a firewall. I need a program with good customer support (I know, ha-ha), but free phone tech support is important to me. As is software that is easy to install and configure as I have no one to help me.

I have been lurking on this board, reading lots of posts. I know some of the software suggested. I am afraid of downloading too many because if I have problems, I won't know where to even start trouble shooting.

It doesn't have to be free.....just easy. I have been eyeballing AVAST or PC-cillian. I read where PC-cillian requires you to do a lot of disabling for certain things. I read where AVAST should only be installed by people with computer knowledge.

Sorry to ramble on. I need an easy AV and a good firewall that won't take up too room. Can someone please help me?

 

i use AVG free here at MG and have had no problems with it but you might want to check out panda i here its good .

 

I did download Panda. The salesman at Staples talked me into it. I immediately had problems. 12 hours after downloading the free 30 day trial, I got a pop up that wouldn't go away that said it had expired and gave me two choices......buy it or buy it. I emailed tech support 5 days ago and still haven't gotten a response. I ended up calling sales and they are not too helpful or knowledgeable. Also, their phone tech support is free the first 5 minutes and then $19.95 after that.....so the sales rep told me.
So Panda is out but thanks for the suggestion. Still searching.............

 

Avast

I don't know where I first read that too about AVAST but I'm certainly not high on the "computer knowledge" scale. I dumped McAfee which gave me no end of errors and trouble and downloaded the free version of AVAST and have had no trouble, it downloads small updates automatically, I was able to configure it without any trouble and I like it.

 

Re: Avast

Have you ever had to contact tech support with AVAST?? If so, what was your experience with them?? What firewall do you use with AVAST??

 

Personally,, I use and recommend AVG free for an AV,, and Sygate (free) for a firewall. The fact that so many people on here, use these programs,, you would probably find the fix for any problems you would encounter with either one of them, right here. (also free) Paying money for a product does NOT ALWAYS mean you get a better product.

 

Re: Avast

I emailed Avast tech a couple of times with minor stuff. The response was fast and accurate. One tech answerted me from a cyber cafe in Paris. It was his annual vacation when my question came in and, since he was the most expert on my problem/question Avast contacted him and he answered my mail even though he was on vacation. That's service And as far as the thing about needing to be an expert to use Avast the simple answer is Nope. It's easy. It stays out of your way and runs invisible if you want it to, no sweat. I run it about once every week or so. I let it auto-update (though some here on MG don't like to let any proggie do that <shrug> so far no surprises) and that's about it as far as paying attention to it goes. Like I said, No sweat

 

I'm currently running 'Kaspersky AV'. I have not had to contact their tech-support but I have heard a few stories of people that did and they seem to have good things to say. (like they were responded to quickly and with a helpfull response).
Kaspersky is a paid app but very cheap and well worth it (IMHO).
It hasn't let me down yet.
Yours,
522.
(edit: spelling)