Firewall?

[Matt]

I appreciate your links and will read and study them promptly, but is Spybot all I need?

Hi compdummy,

which AntiVirus tool do you use?

Best regards,
-Matt-

[compdummy]

I had McAfee free through my AOL. But my "free" agreement is ending. And McAfee was not polite or helpful last year when I had the virus. Their advice was just to remove everything from my computer and start over!

I want to remove the McAfee program ASAP.

If I have to pay for something, I want it to be the best.

And again, I am too computer dumb to know if Spybot covers all my needs.
Anything I know about computers, I taught meyself. When I worked, I had a systems administrator and used "canned" programs. So I know darn little!

I use a Dell Dimension with Windows XP.

I am still confused, but after reading various links, etc. I believe I will need more than just my Spybot program....

Now the question is what will I need after I remove McAfee... Will I just need a firewall ? Or also a anti-virus program?

And which company should I use? It has to very user friendly or I will be in trouble.

[drragostea]

And McAfee was not polite or helpful last year when I had the virus. Their advice was just to remove everything from my computer and start over!

Don't mind me, but McAfee is pathetic to just tell users to reformat their computers without getting into any details. A bit lazy if you ask me.

A solid security for your computer will consist of a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware application.
Post#3 of this thread tells you about the firewalls.
Good, robust anti-virus programs include:
-Avast! Anti-Virus
-Avira Antivir
-AVG
-NOD32 Anti-Virus (a trial)

You have Spybot-Search&Destroy covered for your anti-spyware.

[compdummy]

Gosh! I can't thank you enough! I have gotten a real education, fast!

I now have:
Zone Alarm-----Firewall
AVG -----------Anti-Virus
Spybot---------Anti-Spyware

Also, I have removed McAfee from my computer. And my "Windows" firewall is off, because the Zone Alrm Firewall is installed and running.

I have just one more little question, as this is all so very new to me.

Do you think rather than using the free AVG and free Zone Alarm, it is needed for me to purchase any additional coverage from either company?

When I read about their additional coverages, it was all way over-my-head.
So, I thought I should inquire with someone that is knowledgable in these areas.

Thanks again!

[drragostea]

Additional coverage just gives you a little more taste of anti-rootkit protection and real-time surfing protection from AVG. It is up to you to decide which ones you need and what you don't need. Additional coverage by ZoneAlarm includes built-in malware/virus scanner scanning. So you might want to decide what kind of additional coverage you might actually want.

[129260]

I think your coverage is fine. I would recommend one more tool however to your arsenal, malware bytes anti malware. It too, is a free program. With the tools you have now, you are perfectly fine. There is no need to purchase additional protection. However, if you do decide to get the zonealarm antivirus, make sure you uninstall avg first.

Remember: You can only have 1 firewall turned on, 1 anti-virus, but you can have many antispyware programs. As long as they are not all having there own tray next to the clock. Basically, you are fine and ready to go. Just thought i would offer my advice to you. Good day sir, and keep learning!!