OT: What Should I Do?

[Atrocities]

Thank gusy. I now need to come up with the $$$ to buy new AV product. Thanks to you guys I have an impressive list to choose from. Choices.

[Fyron]

CaptainAL said:
What a coincidance, my Nortan subscription just expired too! Seeing that almost everyone says NO to NOrton, and there are many opinions on what is the best, I looked to the search engine. I found this site that evaluates anti-virus software, http://antivirus.about.com , but I don't know if it is trustworthy. It rates the top 8, and Norton isn't in there.

The #1 pick is PC-cillian. So I am asking - does anyone use PC-cillian or know enough about it to vouch for it? And thanks to AT and all those who replied for saving me from re-newing Norton, which I would have done if not for this post.

That list does not rank them by anti-virus capabities at all apparently. The top spots go to combined programs that do more than anti-virus, which really is not a good way to do it. Hell, norton internet security is _on_ the list, which tells you right away that it is worthless. :-\ Kaspersky really is number 1. It is also great because it _doesn't_ have a really crappy "modern" interface (aka WinXP style lack of control). It does not try to insult your intelligence by hiding the controls away under a shiney, flashy interface that causes pain when working with it (such as Norton does)...

For all of your firewall needs, you want <a href="http://kerio.com/dwn/kpf2-en-win.exe">Kerio 2.1.5</a>. It is possibly the best out there these days and it is completely free. Do not bother with the newer versions of the program, as they do not offer improved functionality, just a dumbed down "modern" interface.

[Instar]

I know. 60 day trials of antivirus stuff usually comes with new motherboards. Just buy new motherboards, take the antivirus stuff, and give the mobo to me....
sounds fair

[Baron Munchausen]

Kerio free is considered a good firewall, but so is Outpost free. Outpost is almost always given the best rating for ease of use (understandable interface), it has lots of features, and it is extensible. People can add their own custom modules to it. For example there is an IP address blocker, supported on the same forums as the main Outpost program itself, whith regular updates of spyware/adware site lists posted for the users.

http://www.agnitum.com/
http://outpostfirewall.com/forum/index.php?

BTW, AVG includes a limited firewall in the latest version.

[CaptainAL]

Well, I bought Kaspersky on the very strong recommondation of I.F. I don't know how it compares to others, but I can tell you how it compares to Nortan. On first scan, it picked up 12, yes 12, viruses that Nortan missed. Thanks, I.F.