ZoneAlarm Security Suite

[photon]

AntirVir is another good free antivirus program.

I've tried it on a few computers now and really like it.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

No offense, but its people like you that are a big threat to the rest of us out there. Hackers find people like you all over the place and make your computer do the dirty work for them when they go after us/our businesses. There are several free solutions, and it takes about 5 minutes to protect yourself.

that's a pretty blanket statement. i use a router now, but for years i didn't and only had the xp firewall and nothing else. however i've been using computers almost my entire life and know windows inside and out, so i know how to avoid anything getting on my PC and if something did i know how to remove it myself without having to rely on some bulky program that sucks up resources. antivirus programs are not a requirement, they're a safeguard for those who don't know how/don't want to learn how to prevent or fix problems themselves

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Well you are definitely ahead of the other poster since you are behind a router (which is a hardware firewall). There have been many viruses out there that you can get just by browsing the internet however, so I wouldn't consider yourself immune.

those are generally worms, not viruses. they're the ones that search out any IP addresses they can find and infect the computers with nothing to block them (ie no firewall). the best example of this is the Sasser or MSBlaster worms, which automatically shutdown your computer when you went online (they're also easily circumvented if you know what to look for). most actual viruses are of the email attachment or .exe variety, which require tricking the PC user into opening them so they can then install themselves on the machine and do their work. so a firewall is deffinetly a good idea, same as locking your front door. on the other hand an antivirus or antispyware app is a nice luxury, but it's like hiring a maid service to clean your house instead of doing it yourself