Choosing an anti-virus solution...

[GeekyGirlfriend]

I have four computer systems on my home network, and although we're using McAfee anti-virus, there's the occasional spyware or other nasties sneaking through. Recommendations, anyone? If anyone knows of a good article on the Web that discusses the pros and cons of different solutions, I would be very grateful if you could share it with me.

Thanks in advance!

[Whyzman]

Many here use AVG which has a freeware version for home use. It updates pretty much daily. They also have a pay-for version.

http://free.avg.com/ww-en/homepage

[Sylvander]

Do what I did.

Give up using Windows as the main operating system...
Use it only occasionally if at all.
Avoid using it for risky activities.

What I did was to switch to using 3 FREE Puppy Linux's [they can access/fix each other and Windows]:
(a) BoxPup 4.1.3 installed to an ext3 partition on the internal HDD.
[The MAIN OS; typing this from it right now]
(b) Puppy 4.31 loaded from a CD-RW.
(c) Puppy 4.2.1-rc3 installed to & booted from a 1GB Flash Drive.

My Puppies only need the native firewall [5 seconds to bring into use]...
And Firefox has the NoScript add-on.
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE NEEDED; never heard of any Puppy that got infected or hacked.
I use Avast! Antivurus [FREE for domestic use] on-demand scanner [installed in BoxPup] only for scanning the Windows partition when Windows isn't running.
What a relief it is to feel secure whilst running an OS that isn't armoured to the hilt.

In Windows I have anti-infection software galore that's just a PAIN.

[PrntRhd]

Security threats are not all virus related, so garden variety antivirus programs are not totally effective.

Defense in layers is more effective.
1) Update the operating system by applying available patches.
2) Update the web browser. Use browsers more resistant to exploits.
3) Update Java RE, remove old versions.
4) Consider adding a HOSTS file to stop known sites from installing malware.
5) Add a router to screen the PCs from open Internet port scans that search for weak PC security.
6) Consider carefully where you web surf, many social networking sites spread malware.
7) Update all application software with available patches. This includes pdf readers, Flash, & MS Office.
8) Use up to date antivirus software, keep it up to date on definitions.
9) Never use known unsafe P2P or cracked software of any kind.
10) Don't open or even "preview" emails or pdfs from unknown sources.

I recommend Avira or Avast for AV, but you have to know the limitations.

[Sylvander]

Typing this from Win2000Pro->Firefox-3.0.14->with-NoScript.
Have:
"Online Armor": Firewall.
"Avira Antivir" Personal: Antivirus.
"Trojan Hunter": just that.
"Spyware Guard": just that.
"Threatfire": Intercepts/warns of possibly malicious activity.
"WinPatrol": Similar to threatfire, but catches different things.
"Spybot Search and Destroy": Scan for spyware etc.