What anti virus/spam protection do I need?

[kelfoan]

I've downloaded free versions of AVG anti virus and Ad ware SE personal. Is this enough security or should I be using packages such as McAffee and Norton? If there are any other free packages I should be using as well please advise

[parkesquay]

I use AVG Free and the usual MS ad spyware. I think that this along with a firewall will give more than enough normal protection.

[parkesquay]

I should have added that McAffee and Norton(which I deleted) are only other versions of anti virus. It probably isn't normal to have more thatn one on the go.

[camioneur]

Anti virus is the treatment for the illness not the prevention. A decent Firewall is the first thing you need and Zone Alarm is free and very good.

[Gandy]

I have found that Avast anti virus is better than AVG. I discovered a virus after intalling Avast on an old PC that AVG had not detected. Kerio Firewall is a more user friendly experience compared to Zone Alarm.

What camioneur says is wrong, Anti Virus is the prevention too. It prevents your machine becoming infected with a virus in the first place. A firewall alone will not do this, a firewall will not scan the contents of a CD-ROM for potential virus. A firewall simply allows you to control access to the internet or other network. Imagine it as a kind of doorman at a night club that only lets in people that on your guest list.

[ugly_bob]

I use AVG and have had no problems

Don't install more than one anti-virus on one computer, they cause conflicts and think each other are virusses (or is it viri?)

[Jinky]

You could also download SpyBot Search and Destroy which is an excellent free anti-spyware app. and sometimes catches nasties that Adaware misses.