AntiVirus and Firewall needed for parentals...

[TopGun]

Hey guys,

I've been reading some reviews and it appears like Norton AntiVirus 2011 and BitDefender AntiVirus are among the most consistently top rated AV programs for 2011.

My girl's parentals are about to have their Kaspersky subscription run out in 10ish days. I'd say their main concerns are protection from identity theft, ease of use (they aren't very technically savvy...would prefer a set it and forget it solution), and getting a virus that will either slow or shut down their PC. I'm just wondering what you guys are thinking would be the best product/products for them to get next. I think they would be more comfortable with a paid solution than a free one. I'm not sure what windows they have, if you need that info, I can find out. I think it's either Vista or XP though.

Do Norton and BitDefender have a firewall included besides just the AntiVirus? If not, which Firewall?

I'm also interested in getting the best free security setup for my own PCs. I'm currently using Avira for a AV and Comodo for a FW on a Windows 7 PC. I've read the following-"You can augment a free tool's basic security with countless security utilities. For instance, you can start with Avast Free Antivirus, add PCTools's Threatfire Free (which does a good job at bolstering malware detection), toss in one of the many firewalls available and a link-scanning utility to create your own custom security setup."

So, I'm interested in hearing your opinions for the folks, and for myself.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http/www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php

free and rated the highest!


http/www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

your parents might like this software look here!

http/www.tomshardware.com/forum/241275-49-gdata-internet-security-antivirus-software-discount

 

[TopGun]

I'm a little confused by the results of the matousec tests. Are they testing a Firewall + AntiVirus Suite (Comodo Internet Security for example) vs. just AntiVirus (Avast, Avira, AVG) programs? I've never read anywhere else where Avast, Avira, AVG, etc. only scored 3% in virus/spyware/malware testing. I've also never read anywhere else where Comodo scored 100%...it's usually not even tested in the same tests as Kaspersky, Norton, Avira, BitDefender, etc.

What that matousec test looks like to me (to my non-expert eyes keep in mind) is that it's mainly (if not only) a test for firewalls...not necessarily for AntiVirus. Either that, or almost every other review I've ever read is lying when they rank Avira and Avast so high. Like the following...

http/anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

http/www.theantivirusfirewallsoftware.com/

http/www.pcantivirusreviews.com/

http/www.pcworld.com/article/217389/antivirus_2011_digital_defenders.html?tk=hp_ess

http/www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/summary/summary2010.pdf

http/download.cnet.com/windows/antivirus-software/?tag=mncol%3Bsort&rpp=10&sort=editorsRating+asc

So....I don't mean to be rude, and I thank you for your opinion...but, anybody else have some opinions?

 

[TopGun]

Anyone?

Or is there a different site that would be able to better help me?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http/usa.kaspersky.com/products-services/home-computer-security/pure

 

[TopGun]

Better late than never right?

They weren't comfortable with a free program so I suggested going with Norton in that case.

I would have suggested Avira had they been OK with a free AV.