McAfee

[fairfax]

My McAfee Security Suite is about to expire ,does anyone have experience of the latest one ? The version that I have at the moment makes my PC run very slow .Is this just a price you have to pay for tight security?

[Ethel]

I am a huge fan of free security software and see no reason to pay for it. Both Norton and McAfee cause pcs to run slow, in my opinion.

There are some excellent free programs out there.

[rojash]

"Is this just a price you have to pay for tight security?" No, it's the price you pay for buying cr@p products.

As Ethel says, they are other products that are not only free, but vastly superior in terms of manageability, reduced footprint, and improved performance. Check out the free versions of AVG antivirus and ZoneAlarm or Comodo firewalls.

If you feel you MUST have a paid for product, the Eset Smart security is the best integrated solution, or try Eset NOD32 antivirus with one of the above free firewalls.

[Brooksy]

I`ve used AVG (free) for about 8 years after a Norton update download trashed my Windows installation. Both it & Zone alarm (free) have kept my PC perfectly fragrant! Also, Ad Aware or Spybot (both free) will help remove spyware you collect on your internet travels, as it will slow you down.
If you haven`t got broadband, all these are often on the free discs on PC magazine covers.

[Goofy]

hear hear. AVG and Zone Alarm are both excellent and free. why pay for rubbish!

[ACtheTROLL]

indeed .... why pay for rubbish when you can get it for free!

basically it depends on your surfing habits.
if risque for you is listening to I'm sorry I haven't a clue .... then avg is good enough.

If you have kids surfing and swapping files ... then you need to think about protection which is a little stronger

all scanners have two modes
scan - which they all have .... this can usually be scheduled .... but if you catch something on monday .... and don't scan 'till sunday .... then you could be in trouble

the bought scanners also use real time scanning .... the down is that it takes time and resource to check every operation .... the up is you (hopefully) stop it there and then.

so it's up to you.
All the mags review scanners quite regularly .... and will list the best/worst
(unfortunately AVG is generally bottom of the worst list (or should that be top??) - but top of the good value list).

best thing to do is lurk round the PC mags in your local newsagents .... and see what the pro opinion is