Recommendations for firewall & antivirus, etc for Windows 7

OK, I know you guys have had this question several times, but I'm wanting some recommendations for which firewall & antivirus software to use.

It will be going on a Windows 7 64-bit operating system.

My PC currently has the McAfee Internet Security Suite that it came pre-installed with, but now I am ready to change over to something GOOD & free.

I am familiar with ZoneAlarm, I have it on old XP computer. It works fine, I guess, but is there something better?

I am also familiar with Avira, have it on our XP computer as well. It used to work fine, now I'm not thrilled with it....having issues with updates & using up system resources. The old computer used to have AVG, but I think it was a resource hog? I think that's why I switched to Avira?

So, anyway, I'm trying to decide which free firewall/antivirus to get for our Windows 7 computer. It seems there are too many good ones to choose from, and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I want software that is completely compatible with Windows 7 64 bit (and with each other of course....and compatible with SpywareBlaster, MalwareBytes, & SuperAntiSpyware, which is already on this computer), that is effective, that is somewhat dummy-friendly (but I'm not that much of a dummy...I do know a little...just not very confident in my knowledge yet), and that would be easy to uninstall if the need ever arose.

Also, is it better to get separate software, or to get a security suite (such as Comodo?)

And do you think the above listed anti spyware/malware software is enough?

Thanks!!

 

A word of caution, you can go overboard with this stuff. All you really need is 1 good Antimalware app, 1 good anti-virus, and the need for a firewall is questionable as the built-in firewall in Windows 7 does an adequate job. You already have MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, so all you really need is an antivirus. I would recommend Avast! free antivirus. Low on system resources, and updates frequently.

 

I agree. I'm using avast! with my Win 7 (32-bit) computer and am very pleased with it. For firewall, I'm using the one that comes with Windows 7.

 

I'll comment in reverse to an extent

Anything security-related can be a pig to remove - it comes with the territory, they all have to knit together with some of Windows' core components. As such, any 'tweaks', registry 'fixes', etc., applied before or after the install of the security software may have a bad effect upon the ability to cleanly install them - or even their ability to work correctly and efficiently. Any software is only as good as the latest 'engine' and the last update. No software or update can be fully tested on all combinations of software that users might have.

One of the biggest threats to PC security is the user , in your case, it reads like users.

Many of us are quite content with allowing the W7 Firewall to keep the 'back door' closed, provided we are behind a NAT router with a decent built-in firewall.

The 'layered' approach to Security is the best one but choosing the correct mix of individual programs depends to a great extent on the normal programs you run and the amount of user interaction with the security programs you like or are prepared to put up with.

Chaslang's How to protect yourself from Malware is a good read.

I'm using W7 64-bit, with the built-in firewall, Avast! free, Spybot immunisation, SpywareBlaster, MBAM and SAS with additional ad- and malware blocking in my main browsers and my DNS is 'protected' by using OpenDNS backed up by GoogleDNS. These are all free (withe exception of the OS) and the only thing I 'see' running is Avast!.

 

Thanks, guys!