My daughter is getting a new pc. I bought NortonIS 2011 but returned it after my computer tech told me it was a resource hog and tends to slow everything down. I just would like to know what antivirus program to buy????? I want one that is effective but won't slow it down.

On Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:16:05 +0000, linnyhawk wrote: > My daughter is getting a new pc. I bought NortonIS 2011 but returned it after my computer tech told me it was a resource hog and tends to slow everything down. > I just would like to know what antivirus program to buy????? I want one that is effective but won't slow it down. Returning it was a good idea. Your computer tech was right. In my view Norton is the worst security software available. For an anti-virus program, I recommend eSet NOD32, if you are willing to pay for it. If you want a free anti-virus, I recommend one (do not run more than one) of the following three (they are all good choices, even though they are free):   Avira AntiVir Avast Microsoft Security Essentials   You also need anti-spyware software. I recommend that you download and install (both freeware) MalwareBytes AntiMalware *and* SuperAntiSpyware. Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP

Thank you. I did see the three you mentioned for anti-virus when I asked the question in google. Is eSet NOD32, a program available in stores? Are you saying that you recommend I buy that and also install BOTH the MalwareBytes and SuperAntiSpyware? I hadn't heard of either of them before. I'm willing to pay. That's not a problem. My problem is how confusing it is to try to find things that don't conflict with each other or other programs I'm running and also don't take up the resources and slow it down.

On Mon, 29 Nov 2010 23:00:40 +0000, linnyhawk wrote: > Thank you. You're welcome. Glad to help. > I did see the three you mentioned for anti-virus when I asked the question in google. > > Is eSet NOD32, a program available in stores? I'm not sure, but I don't think so. Get it from their web site. > Are you saying that you recommend I buy that and also install BOTH the MalwareBytes and SuperAntiSpyware? Yes. Unlike NOD32, which is an anti-virus, they are both anti-spyware programs. They look for different kinds of malware than an anti-virus does. You can run both MalwareBytes AntiMalware and SuperAntiSpyware; just don't run them both at once. > I hadn't heard of either of them before. MalwareBytes AntiMalware is the *best* anti-spyware program available. SuperAntiSpyware is right behind it. And no such program is perfect; they each find some different things, so scanning with two (or more) is a good idea. > I'm willing to pay. That's not a problem. > My problem is how confusing it is to try to find things that don't conflict with each other or other programs I'm running and also don't take up the resources and slow it down. The anti-virus should always be running. The anti-spyware programs should be used to do scans periodically. If you don't do them at the same time, they won't conflict with each other. Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP

Not meaning to be a bugger but if I should not run both of the "free" programs at the same time what do I do? Disable them? I always thought that they ran in the background to catch any spyware or malware from getting on my computer? I kind of need things spelled out for me step by step. Can you tell it's all foreign language to me? :-)