Internet security

[Minelson]

It's time to renew my McAfee subscription and I'm just wondering if McAfee is the way to go...what does everyone else use for security? Any feedback on other products or McAfee appreciated

[Callieslamb]

My DSIL says the antivirus programs cause more trouble than help they give. But he's a computer tech and can make them do about anything. He runs our computers through his check for us - from across the country. Other than that- we used McAfee.

[Rick]

I bought a Mac 2 years ago and have not used protection since.

[oneokie]

Have used Norton/Symantec-was useless in my opinion. Bought McAfee-crashed regularly, would have to do a clean reinstall. Both had a large footprint and were memory hogs. Use AVG free now, (3 yrs) no problems. YMMV.

[carasel]

for virus protection i use avg. they have a free home version.
for malware. i use malwarebytes. they have a free home version.
both can be loaded and updated off the net.

[Mickie3]

If you are using a windows machine, the best one I have found is the one that is FREE from M$. Find it at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/. Its easy to install, doesn't slow your machine down constantly, and actually works (better than I can say for lots of the other ones.) It is speculated that M$ is only providing this product as their software is so full of holes, they hope this will keep them from getting sued.

Seriously, its a good product, and I removed McAfee, Norton, etc. from machines in favor of it.

PS: Retired software engineer who started getting paid to work on puters back in 68 and still keeps up at it.

[Belfrybat]

AVG. It's free and has caught everything that has come along so far. They do have a paid version for more protection, but I am very happy with AVG free. I hadn't heard about the one from Microsoft. Has anyone test driven both it and AVG and have an opinion on which one works better?

[Txrider]

I have used McAfee and AVG at the office, both have let viruses by onto employees computers.

I use ESET's NOD32 for al office computers now, it is good. Malwarebytes is a good scanner as well I use it too.

I hear Microsofts is also very good, they went to the trouble of buying out a few competent security software firms a few years back to get it. Haven't used it though.

[bergere]

I use McAfee and have had no issues. But I find having two different programs covers better. I also use a couple of Microsoft products.
McAfee also works with all my programs on my computer. Some of the other programs don't.
I also keep the scanning live and active, so if someone should try to get a virus onto my computer, it is dealt with quickly.

[Bearfootfarm]

AVG works for me.

[foxtrapper]

AVG or Avast. Both are free and work much better than Macafee.

[ErinP]

Originally Posted by Rick

I bought a Mac 2 years ago and have not used protection since.

I don't either.
However, I will say, we SHOULD.

Someday, there might finally be a Mac virus and it's going to catch all of us off guard.

[SolarGary]

Originally Posted by Minelson

It's time to renew my McAfee subscription and I'm just wondering if McAfee is the way to go...what does everyone else use for security? Any feedback on other products or McAfee appreciated

Microsoft offers a free anti-virus software package:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

I've been using it for about 6 months -- its done fine for me. It is not bugging you all the time with messages and popups, and it does not appear to use much in the way of machine resources.

Before that I used Eset Nod 32, and thought it was a very good product. It gets very high ratings, and it is also very low profile and uses little of your machine resources. I've used both Mcaffe and Norton earlier and did not like either of them as much as the new free microsoft product the Eset product.

Gary

[Ann-NWIowa]

I use McAfee at home and we use Norton at the office. I've not had any problems with either. Awhile back I was on Homesteading Today on my lunch hour and opened a link someone had posted and Norton jumped on it instantly. Later people were complaining about their computers being infected by this link so I'd say Norton did its job.

The newer editions don't constantly interrupt and I haven't noticed any slow downs. Previous editions say back to 2008 and before, were a pain that way.

[texican]

I've used AVG exclusively for over 6 years, with zero problems. Can only think of once or twice where it had to warn me about a page/site having 'issues'... once last week, a link on survivalblog.com of all places.

I think if a person doesn't download from unknown sources, and if they 'do', they run a scan on the files first... and also use an online email service, like gmail, their chances of infection are slim.

And avoid Aunt Thelma's forwarded email spam. I rue the day I let some family know about my "human's only" email acct. I've had to put their addies in the spam folder, so all their garbage goes to a 'safe place', ie, the trash can...

[Rick]

Originally Posted by ErinP

I don't either.
However, I will say, we SHOULD.

Someday, there might finally be a Mac virus and it's going to catch all of us off guard.

I was thinking that as I read the posts. When I tried to uninstall Norton it crashed my HP hard drive, so I am just using a $50 back up / external hard drive to make back ups with the mac.

[stirfamily]

We have Norton. Have used it for years. No problems with it and it seems to do it's job.

[April]

I think they pretty much all have the same threat definitions, so the choice then becomes which one is the least painful to use. Norton fails in that regard. McAfee isn't too horrible. AVG crashes a lot. I like Malwarebytes, and it's free.

[MaineFarmMom]

I've used AVG and Avast successfully since dumping McAfee and Norton. I prefer Avast.

[Old Vet]

What type of operating system do you have? I use Firefox and use AVG free and have had no problems.