Best (free) software combination?

Wondering what you guys think. Would this set up be pretty good?

Antivirus:

Avast

Firewall

Zone Alarm

Antispyware:

Adaware

 

I use AVG and SafetyNet. If you use FireFox you'll have less issues to begin with.

 

What really is the difference between AVG and Avast?

 

Not much. Some will argue for one or the other. I personally like AVG because it does not require to register like Avast does although it has been a while since I used it.

 

I use AVG aswell. I feel it's the best free anti virus out there. Personal opinion bare in mind. It's worked great for me.

 

I'd reccommend

Antivirus:

AVG

Firewall

Zone Alarm

Antispyware:

Adaware
Spybot S&D
Spyware Blaster
Windows Defender

Thats my setup and its conflict free. Also uses few resources.
Oh and switch to firefox aswell, its awsome!

 

I'll second that. I have the same setup with the exception that I'm not using Windows Defender currently.

 

I use AVG for my anti-virus

Zone Alarm for my firewall

Ad-Aware and Windows Defender for my anti-spyware.

I can say that AVG really works. It warned me of a virus in what I thought was a safe program. Thanks AVG.
Tim

 

Cool, thanks guys.

I do use Firefox on my desktop currently, but what do you guys think of Opera?

 

I think Opera is nice too. I tried it for a few days but I decided to stick with firefox. I guess it really doesn't matter. Whatever interface you like more.
Tim

 

Hmm yeah, I probably try both out, but I'm intriguied by their "fastest web browser on the planet" statement, and it looks like it takes up a smaller memory footprint.

 

Yeah I couldn't really tell if there was a speed improvement using Opera. I would give both programs a try.
Tim

 

Tried opera for a while but went back to firefox because it offers a better user experience.

Although opera is faster (slightly) i think its far more enjoyable to block ads and "stumble upon" cool websites. Plus, when you encouter cross browser problems, FF has IETab but in opera if a page looks messed up theres nothing you can do.

So it just depends what you want more - a more enjoyable & customiseable internet experience or a faster web browser.

 

I don't see any reason to run a firewall if you have a good router. And the MS firewall works fine for outgoing traffic. I find I'd rather run a leaner machine.

That's just me. It works for my needs.

 

I'd recommend

AV: Avast!
Firewall: Windows Firewall (ZA pisses me off)
Antispyware: Windows Defender (Adaware seems to be a lost cause these days)

Mike

 

antivirus: AVG

Firewall: windows firewall (ZA is too much if u have a good router)

Anti-spyware: Ad-ware

ide also recommend CCleaner (**** cleaner) it's a great program (highly rated) and it's FREE...and it does exactly what the name says....cleans up the **** on ure computer where most spyware is so that combined with 1 spyware program is more than enough.

 

Yeah, ccleaner is great. I personally use (and have used):
Anti-Virus: AVG and Avast
Firewall: Hardware firewall on my router
Anti-spyware: Ad-Aware and Spy-bot

 

is zone alarm absolutely free, or just a trial version that i see on their site? is there another link to dl free zone alarm?

 

Zone alarm basic is completely free, and awsome IMHO. I think when you install it you can select the free version or a trial version of the premium one.

try here:
http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm/3000-10435_4-10532258.html?tag=lst-4-1

 

Well , Router + Windows Firewall is a good combination. AVG seems to be a good antivirus too

Anti-Virus : AVG Free Edition [less memory footprint and its free]
Firewall : Custom IPTables rule [DD-WRT on Linksys WRT54G] (It also blocks proxies , cookies and other good stuff....] + Windows Bulit-in Firewall
Spyware Microsoft Anti-Spyware or BitDefender...

 

I would recommend AVG Free for antivirus (if you must go free).