antivirus

[dunr]

My wife has just bought a new pc, with AVAST 4.8 antivirus protection pre installed .I presume it is the free version.
Does she need to aquire antispyware, and/or firewall, or any other protection, and if so, will they work with AVAST.
I will be pleased to receive any info. including product recomendations
Thankyou

[ACtheTROLL]

you do really need a good all round package
Virus protection is a good start ... but not the whole story

I like Kaspersky internet security ... I'm sure the others will roll out their fave tired suggestions also (I know I just did ;-)
whichever one you go for - the security suite is probably your best bet ... plug and play ... just install and forget... and no compatibility issues.

the techies tend to prefer to use separates ... and that's good ... if you know what you're doing ... if not play safe

I've just installed a copy on a chum's machine today
(they buried the cat today as well!)

it cost �15.00
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=%22kaspersk y+internet+security%22+oem&btnG=Search+Product s&hl=en

I know... I know ... oem ... but it's a new PC ... I'm sure they MEANT to pre install it.

At the moment it's still all the magazines' favourite ...
I use it on all my machines ... and install it regularly on others.

[Buenchico]

If I'm the first to answer a question like yours, I usually remember to state that AC will almost certainly post to recommend Kaspersky. He seems to have turned the tables this time, with his reference to the 'fave tired suggestions' of others ;-)

Kaspersky gets mainly rave reviews in the PC press but others describe it as 'quirky' and don't rate it so highly. (To be fair to the product, the most recent review that I've seen gave it 'top marks').

As your post recognises, good internet security requires three components. These are a decent firewall, a good antivirus program and a robust anti-spyware solution. The important thing to note, whatever you choose to use, is that you should only ever have one firewall and one antivirus program running at any one time. If you install any full security suite (which includes all three elements), such as the one suggested by AC, you'll need to uninstall Avast! (You should also check that the program you've installed has disabled Windows own firewall).

You can have as many 'run on demand' anti-spyware programs as you like on your PC. Since you'll only be using one at a time, they won't conflict with each other. Starting with those, many people have both Adaware and Spybot Search-&-Destroy on their PCs.

Those who favour free software usually select either AVG Free Edition or Avast! as their antivirus program, so you've already got that covered.

That just leaves a decent firewall. (The firewall built into Windows XP and Vista has many critics). The most popular free solution is Zone Alarm but Comodo also has many fans.

Chris

[dunr]

Thankyou both,AC & Buenchico. you have given me all the info I need to make a decision.
As a non-tech person myself it's a great help.
Kind Regards