What do you use to protect your computer?

[Calamity]

Having just received a new computer I was going to re-think my setup, currently using (adaware, search and destroy and kaspersky)

Any recommendations for spyware/adware/virus protection?

[Logan]

Anti Virus: Avast Anti Virus
Spyware: Spybot Search & Destroy

Avast is the best. Trust me. I've used my fair share of commercial and free anti virus software over the last ten years or so and the free version of Avast pisses on everything else!

EDIT: If your new pc comes with anything by Norton, I suggest you remove it immediately.

[Steve_R]

All Free:

AVG

ZoneAlarm - Link on the far right of the page

Spybot

As long as you are switched on with computers, cant see you needing much else....

[Calamity]

I'm not switched on with anything technological :P Although indeed a fair amount of common sense is applied as a protection for most things.

Lol yep Logan, I quickly removed that nonsense.
Thanks for your suggestions :)

[mcbain]

AVG anti-spyware
AVG ant-virus
and SuperAntiSpyware (best i've used)
And ive used a fair few, had a bit of virus trouble last year.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Calamity

I'm not switched on with anything technological :P Although indeed a fair amount of common sense is applied as a protection for most things.

Yes, when I said 'switched on' I just meant common sense really. ie. not opening the attachment that comes with the email titled 'make him go all night with viagra' or words to that effect.

Also, with that avast, the last time I tried it, it was quite literally awful. A system hog, and really, REALLY annoying "speaking" warning system. Couldnt uninstall it quick enough!

[Metalman]

Best protection is knowing what you do, what you download and what you visit. I Haven't formatted my PC for 7 months now and it stills works as new.
Imo though you also need some software too. Would suggest Adware SE for spyware etc and NOD32 for antivirus. Work perfectly. Wouldn't sugget AVG though. It's free but its also so bulkish. Got 2Gigs of RAM and still lags my pc as gell when its scanning. Too annoying.

[mcbain]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Also, with that avast, the last time I tried it, it was quite literally awful. A system hog, and really, REALLY annoying "speaking" warning system. Couldnt uninstall it quick enough!

I agree, i used it for a while, has a great UI but i will tell you all that SuperAntiSpyware detected ALOT of threats the ALOT of others couldn't

[Gizmoratty]

ZoneAlarm and AVG are all I have set up. Been that way for a few years and works great

[Bartmanekul]

You can adjust the sounds in avast, which is one of the first things I did.

NOD32 is generally accepted as the best commercial AV, but as long as you know what your doing and dont frequent the darkside of the net often, Avast is fine.

Spybot also is good (Im echoing someone here).

And norton, f****g norton, dont get me started.

You should have something on your computer to protect it FROM norton. Bar stewards.