I only use NOD32 Antivirus. I don't need Internet Security crap since Windows 7 got good firewall built-in unlike Windows XP's crappy firewall. Why you need a third-party firewall to hog up your system resources?
On Windows platform everyone MUST use an antivirus/malware real-time program... I suggest (and use): -Windows Firewall (c'moan, even an hardware router firewall it's enough for everyone) -NOD32 4.0 (AntiVirus + AntiSpyware) and I'm really really satisfied by overall performance/security/automation of my system...
I use CCBoot with gPXE and iSCSI and boot read only Targets for my Media Centers (Vista Currently), this is poor man's blade server, a lot less noisy than having a local HDD in the living room and bedrooms running all day. No AV, No Firewall, No Local HDD, no access to internet, only offline server streaming dvr-ms in basement. Internet enabled computers are different story.
Some say I'm naive not running any AV software, and people say what about all the loader downloads. Put simply I code my own lol and anything suspicious gets uploaded to virustotal.
I need an AV suite. I think it's essential and everyone needs it at least once. I use KIS 2010. It's amazing. It's always one step ahead of what I do, and warns me about everything going on.
It really depends on your habits, and how you use your computer I believe. If you just surf the same sites and don't download many programs, and of course don't open any .exe files you just happend to recieve, then you're probably safe. However if you enjoy downloading lots of cracks and keygens, then you definitely need to get some anti-virus. I still say it's best to use a good anti-virus program though no matter your habits. A anti-virus program like NOD32 uses very little resources and it also has received 57 VB100 Awards for its virus detecting abilities, only anti-virus with more than 50 awards still. Making it a good choice. When it comes to firewalls, I don't believe they're very useful for the average user. An outside "attack" on a regular windows computer won't give anyone access to the computer somehow, or make anything bad happend, unless of course you have a nasty trojan. Windows Firewall is good enough for most. Another important thing is to keep your programs up to date, like Flash, Java, browser, things like that. A program like Secunia PSI is very helpful in this regard.
Just a simple AV will do, don't need the full security suite. Windows 7 firewall and hardware firewall is suffice.
Ok. It seems ESET and Nod32 are the best. I will buy it but I like to test things first. Anyone got download links for these and cracks?
In this day and age. If you pc is online then you need an AV. I mean damn. 1, Asus shipped the Eee Box PC with a virus. 2, One Magazine shipped a virus on a cover CD ROM. Wasn't there even an oem that shipped a cracked O.S with its PC. Its your call, But your better safe then sorry. No AV is like playing russian roulette with a round in every chamber. Its not if it will happen. Its just when.
I heard somewhere if you do not have a firewall going on net, it will take you about an hour on average to pick up something. Not sure where i heard it, or if true, i would play on the safe side.
Since x64bit capable OS's are out I always used and use, Comodo 64bit firewall + Avast AV. Never ever had any problems or intrusions.
No firewall.. No antivirus... Anyone not doing this is not only doing a disservice to themselves but to inflict damage to others unknowingly. These people are complete idiot if they hook their unprotected computers to the Internet since it's like having a sex with a prostitute without a protection.
I usually dont have an antivirus package installed... But i do use a good firewall where i can state what ports are open, which are very few (html/htmls/pop/smtp/dns) - softperfect is one i have been using for about 5 years. I have been working as a network consultant for years, and usually build my own linux firewall/routers, and the only time i have had problems with viruses is when someone downloads them, or they are in an email attachment, and a good firewall that is configured properly will stop them spreading in a segmented network. Saying that, if you are on sites like this, download software/cracks etc and dont know what you are doing or dont try out the software/crack in a virtual pc environment first with a process viewer running to see what it does you should have an antivirus.
Have you ever tried sphinx-soft's product? I have. It is a very nice product, aimed to minimize the hazzle in administering the advanced features in the builtin firewall. Try it, then report back. Don't be lazy...
NOD32 Windows 7 Firewall I use Firefox with NoScript and Adblock Addon. So javascript is blacklisted by default. I think NoScript is the most important tool to avoid malware.