[Windrunner]

I personally use Avira Antivir in combination with Kerio Personal firewall on my laptop mostly beacuse both they are resourcefrendly.And i use  Avast and Kerio on my PC.

Like everybody says that using 3 in 1 software is a bad idea unless you  have a monster CPU and loads of RAM.

[colecampbell666]

Kaspersky and AVG are both good choices, and Kasperskys firewall is quite reliable. The only downside is kaspersky is not free. I would recommend AVG for an Anti Virus and Peer Gaurding II for firewall, although PG II Is a bit hard to configure, so do that for your parents if they're anything like mine

Yeah, my parents would want to pay for it. They need to to feel like they're actually getting something. Don't quite get the open-source concept. If it were me, I'd go with AVG Free or something, I'll show them AVG and Kapersky.

[Hellstryker]

I use AVG free myself, its quite good

[Jeff Vader]

Yeah, my parents would want to pay for it. They need to to feel like they're actually getting something. Don't quite get the open-source concept.

Weird people. Back in the summer, I noticed that my dad's work computer had a cold war era antivirus and only the Windows firewall. So I asked whether I could install something better on the rig and he was like "Knock yourself out, as long as it's free". So I punched Comodo and Antivir on the computer, managed to remove some worm that had been creating files containing the word 'Kaspersky' in the file names, and explained that his computer is now better than ever. And he was happy. But the point is that for my parents, especially for my dad, the pattern is: cheaper is better, free is the best.

[colecampbell666]

My dad is that way, but not my mom. He's that way about everything but PC stuff. He thinks that M$ is God, and refuses to use OpenOffice, Firefox, anything else.

[karajorma]

Install AVG and charge him £100 then.

[colecampbell666]

Thats over 200$!

[Jeff Vader]

Just say him that the quality of an antivirus is directly proportional to the price. And then charge him £100.

[Send in the TMF]

i currently use AVG free and windows defender
so far i have only had one really bad virus *stupid friend wanting to look at something that gave me a FREEKING ADWARE!!!*
both are actualy very good, but i have had a problem with AVG once, it stopped updateing so i had to re download and install it (grumble)
but avg will find almost EVERYTHING and its free Too   

[MP-Ryan]

Use Avast for antivirus.

Software firewall's aren't worth the time it takes to install them.  Most have hidden "features" that will piss you off, hog resources at some point or another, and generally annoy you.  I say this having used Kerio, ZoneAlarm, Norton, and a few others at some point or another.

Take the time and money you'd put toward a software firewall and go buy a decent router with NAT protection.  Then make sure you set it up properly.  Turn on the Windows firewall just in case you ever foolishly decide to plug straight into your modem ever again.

Finally, engage in safe-surfing practices.  Actually take the time to verify or research files before you clickity-click on the download button.

Software firewalls are garbage.  It's been three years since I ran anything more than avast (more for peace of mind than actual use) and the windows basic firewall and I've had nary a problem with any serious security threat since.

Go spend the $100 on a GOOD router instead of some el-cheapo and then take the time to learn to set it up properly.  You won't regret it.

[Gortef]

I'm using Avast aswell as an antivirus, actually I've used it for 6 or 5 years now and so far I've been extremely pleased with it.

[colecampbell666]

I'm using a Siemens SpeedStream 6520. Anyone know if it has a firewall?

[MP-Ryan]

I'm using a Siemens SpeedStream 6520. Anyone know if it has a firewall?

http://whirlpool.net.au/index.cfm?a=h_view&model_id=279

Google says yes, it has NAT protection.

[Jeff Vader]

Hmm. That Little Britan was on to something.

"Google says yes."
"Computer says no."

[jr2]

The computer will say no firewall installed except Windows firewall (unless you turn that off)... It's outside your computer's realm of control.  To access the config for that router, point your browser to 192.168.2.1 and enter your Username & password (if you didn't change them, it's admin & admin for user / pass).  From here you should be able to configure stuff.

[Flaser]

ANY router BY DEFINITION should be doing NAT.
Otherwise it's NOT A ROUTER.

Sorry for all the CAPS, but after studying this stuff for years, I tend to be something of a zealot.

[MP-Ryan]

ANY router BY DEFINITION should be doing NAT.
Otherwise it's NOT A ROUTER.

Sorry for all the CAPS, but after studying this stuff for years, I tend to be something of a zealot.

I know that.

I also wouldn't put it past some budget ISP to pass out modems or hubs and call them routers.  hence why I checked =)