What’s kind of computer security program should I get?

I just got a new Toshiba laptop. I’m considering System Mechanic or Norton, which I’ve used before, but if anyone has suggestions, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

11 replies
  1. Samuel Adams says:

    I recommend you use these programs for your security needs (they are free). Also, don’t waste your money on Norton, it is pure junk.

    1) AVG Free anti-virus
    http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

    2) Ad-aware spyware remover
    http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

    3) Spybot – Search and Destroy spyware remover
    http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

    4) CCleaner – registry and privacy cleaner
    http://www.ccleaner.com/

  2. Ladan says:

    Yes, System Mech is a great one. They have System Mech 7 which you can buy. I don’t think there is a trial on that version. I have System Mech 6. That is also good.

    AVG Free Edition also is great to have. Comes with Email Scanner to check through your emails for viruses.

  3. classic says:

    All of these are ones that I personally use and all are free.After you install any of them,make sure you update them to get the full affect.

    Download Grisoft AVG 7.5 Anti-Virus,Anti-Malware.(free)

    AVG is a collection of anti-virus protection tools that gives you full protection against viruses, worms, Trojans and malware. AVG provides you with all that you need to be completely protected: including a tool for scanning your hard drive and e-mail, as well as a real-time shield to prevent infections.
    Top Features

    » Provides automatic update functionality
    » Its a reliable anti-virus scanning engine
    » Provides free Virus Updates for life
    » Options to define file name extensions
    » Real time protection with resident shield, email scanning
    http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/

    Spybot – Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven’t intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been “hijacked” (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don’t see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free.
    http://www.spybot.info/

    http://superantispyware.com/
    SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!
    Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!

    Yahoo toolbar offers FREE anti-spyware:
    Scan your computer for potentially destructive programs.
    Review suspicious-looking programs.
    Remove the programs you don’t want. Keep the ones you do.

    http://new.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/norton/

    Here is another free anti-virus-
    PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition feature highlights
    Protects your PC as you are working, surfing and playing
    Detects, quarantines, disinfects and destroys Viruses, Trojans and Worms
    OnGuard™ protects your computer against threats in real-time

    Automatically checks for frequent updates against the latest threats.
    http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

    *Never install more than one anti-virus on your PC, as they may conflict with each other. On the other hand, its always good to install more than one anti-spyware.

  4. Texas McCoy says:

    I have used Norton too for several years at home and have mixed feelings about it. It’s good software but sometimes it doesn’t behave appropriately with the computer, or blocks out EVERYTHING so I can do virtually nothing on the internet. Getting customer service over the phone is a hassle and I can never understand the technicians because of their heavy accents. I work for the feds, who use McAfee on all their computers. Nothing bad ever gets in. I’m considering switching to that when my Norton subscription is up.

  5. THOMAS A says:

    if you want free stuff try these.
    CCleaner
    http://www.ccleaner.com

    put http://www.free before the next two
    Grisoft free anti-virus
    grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc

    Grisoft AVG 7.5
    grisoft.com/doc/5390/Ing/us/…

    Ad-aware spy ware removal
    javasoftusa.com/products/ad-a…

    PcTools
    http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/...

    if your willing to spend some green?
    then also get and use these:
    Norton 2007
    Mcafee
    Registry smart this will correct and clean your registry

  6. modernneanderthal says:

    I prefer Zone-Alarm for firewall & antivirus. Also Webroot Spysweeper for anti-spyware. While not free they are top rated & have protected my computers well for years.
    AVG is also rated very good but is anti-virus only.
    Norton isn’t very good. I’ve had my computers at work infected a few times & we use Norton. The last time AVG had the virus signature 6 months prior to it infecting our machines & then Norton updated about a week afterwards.

  7. JAMES M says:

    I have used AVG Anti Virus, Zone Alarm Firewall, Spy-bot Search and Destroy and Ad Aware both spyware killers for years. They are all free for personal use and I have had no trouble with Viruses Trojans etc. AVG does not slow the system down as much as some other products and Zone Alarm allows a lot of personal configuration unlike the Windows Firewall. They can all be downloaded from the following link. http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ On the home page select downloads and then the appropriate category.I also use Windows Defender from the Microsoft site. It is safe to use two anti-spy products but never use more than one A/V as it can cause conflicts. You should run A/V and anti spy weekly. Hope this helps.

  8. Snaked says:

    I recommend getting free security.Free is always good.

    1. For your AntiVirus(Only use one)
    I use the free AOL ActiveVirusShield for my AV.But dont let AOL scare you.It is made by Kaspersky which are the leading AntiVirus makers of 2006 and 2007! In tests this always ties with kaspersky so you know its good.
    Here is the URL=http://www.activevirusshield.com/

    2.Firewall(only use one)
    Try Sunbelt Kerio for a firewall.Its very strong and keeps hackers out of your PC.
    Tust google Sunbelt Kerio personal firewall!

    3.AntiSpyware and AntiAdware
    Try Spybot S&D along With Ad-Aware
    Just google Spybot S&D and Ad-aware(seperate)

    4.Cleaner.
    Try ccleaner to clean the system of temp files that slow the PC.
    Heres the URL=http://www.ccleaner.com/

    Update these Daily and scan Weekly.
    Hope this helps;-)

    and just to say all this is safe! And free is SAFE!!!!!!!!

  9. ryan484lav says:

    Stay away from downloading that security software for free.There can be other programs included with it i would only download from trusted sites.I think you should use Mcafee

  10. Elalex Alvarez(doral,miami) says:

    both system mechanic and norton suck dick.system mechanic slows down start up.norton kills your computer.by security program do u mean an antivirus?if yes then get pc cillin 2007

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