internet

[wales1976]

what is the best Anti-Virus avg or avast

[Ethel]

I prefer AVG.

Others prefer Avast. It's personal choice.

[ryepie]

Bitdefender or Kaspersky

[Paulst30]

I think the best is common sense. Anti Virus only tries to get rid of something you already have, so just dont let it in.

I'm not trying to be smart btw, but theres a wider confusion on the actual way that we get Viruses, spyware and trojans.

If you learn about them you will know how to stop it.

I only run Windows firewall and Ad-aware Pro i never get anything. I altered my cookie handling too so i dont get spyware. As long as you have a firewall, dont open unsure attachments and be careful then all should be well.

When all that falls flat on its face theres always Bitdefender haha.

Oh i also have Stinger, a stand alone scanner.

[Wolfeymole]

Both are good

I would however disagree entirely with the point of view from Paul.
There are three things you MUST have if you are to engage in Internet activity.
1: A Firewall
2: An Anti-Virus program
3: Anti Spyware/Malware software.

At some stage we all download software from the Net, not everything is available on cd, so as soon as you do the Firewall will kick in and ask if you want to allow it, you do, so you say yes. (Inbound Traffic)
The software will then possibly want to update and ask for permission to access the net. (Outbound Traffic)
The Windows firewall is good for stopping Inbound traffic only.
So if you download some dodgy software and you do not have a firewall that can stop the access, then you could leave yourself wide open for that software to send all kinds of information about to god knows where.
An AV program is essential for scanning pop3 email with regard to malicious .exe files.
Windows Defender is about as good as the windows firewall or in other words trash.

Anti Spyware is good for sorting out what's ok and what's bad amongst all the trash that you pick up whilst surfing.
Malicious cookies are one.

Be warned people it's a dangerous world out there.