[DaveKi]

Hello there!
1) I had a reply/question to an article irt "best security suites" article but haven't received an answer.
2) Therefore, I'm hoping someone here can expand upon the topic a bit.
3) Below is a copy of what I replied to (basically Matt's reply to Benjamin) and the question I was posing "to" Matt. Please give any advice/feedback you may have on the topic.
4) Here's the link to the original article discussion thread (if you're interested or it helps):
http://forums.pcworl...post__p__602412

Thank you very much,
Dave

DaveKi, on 10 April 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

Mattvm8v, on 31 January 2012 - 04:46 AM, said:

BenjaminTangjxpr, on 30 January 2012 - 11:30 PM, said:

I've read that Win 7 is pretty robust (as compared to Win XP). And so all I do is supplement the OS' security features with "Windows Security Essentials" which can be downloaded free. Wonder how this plus Win 7's built in firewall stack up against the competition??

To answer your question you just need to go to AV-Test.org. Microsoft Security Essentials has the lowest protection rate of any AntiVirus software free or paid. Only scoring a 2/6 in protection. That said it did tie AntiVir in removal. While Panda Cloud AntiVirus ranked highest amongst the freebies in both protection and usability. AVG free and AntVir ranked highest combo with 14/18. However AVAST has the most shields and is the only one with true x64 support. AVG claims to have a x64 version but it's not full as it still installs in the programs (x86) folder. So in the end it depends on the OS you use, what is most important to you and if you're willing to pay for AntiVirus or not. If you have a 32 bit system then you can use Panda combined with other AntiVirus software (that's at least their claim). So what they say you could combine Panda Cloud with Microsoft Security Essentials for the best overall combo. But there are better options than MSE by itself. Panda,AVG,AVAST OR AntiVir are better choices due to MSE's low protection rate. I myself prefer AVAST and AntiVir. AVAST on x64 and AntiVir on x86. If I'm using paid I go with Kaspersky. It seems to be the most reliable paid AntiVirus year in and year out.

And as for Firewalls go, Windows 7 is an improvement but it's not on par with Comodo Firewall, not by a long shot. And Comodo Firewall is also free. Just remember to turn off Windows Firewall if you wish to use Comodo Firewall to avoid any conflicts.

Wow, that's some great info Matt!
1) It seems a bit difficult (getting one to run x64 and one x86) to a moderate skill level person like me. Maybe it's easier than it sounds?
2) How do you get one to only work on x86 and the other to only work on x64 without them fighting ea other? Could you expand/explain running 2 prog's ("AVAST on x64 and AntiVir on x86") at the same time?
3) Do you need to somehow disable &/or remove Microsoft Defender (that comes with Win7) if you use these other prog's?
4) I'm running Windows7 64bit (per "system" info) but I do see a "Program Files" folder that says "(x86)".

5) From your Feb 01 4:32AM post: "The only thing you have to worry about is MSE's protection. Just pair it up with Panda Cloud. I use x64 bit so my best free option is Avast. I'd choose AntiVir if I had a x32 bit system. Because as I said in my last post it's the most consistent." I'm a little confused here because you mentioned AntiVir as for x86 above. Maybe I'm confused, is it possible that x86 and x32 "bit" are the same thing?


Sorry if these seem like a stupid Q's.

Thanks,
Dave

[ElfBane]

DaveKi, on 11 April 2012 - 09:36 AM, said:

Hello there!
1) I had a reply/question to an article irt "best security suites" article but haven't received an answer.
2) Therefore, I'm hoping someone here can expand upon the topic a bit.
3) Below is a copy of what I replied to (basically Matt's reply to Benjamin) and the question I was posing "to" Matt. Please give any advice/feedback you may have on the topic.
4) Here's the link to the original article discussion thread (if you're interested or it helps):
http://forums.pcworl...post__p__602412

Thank you very much,
Dave

DaveKi, on 10 April 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

Mattvm8v, on 31 January 2012 - 04:46 AM, said:

BenjaminTangjxpr, on 30 January 2012 - 11:30 PM, said:

I've read that Win 7 is pretty robust (as compared to Win XP). And so all I do is supplement the OS' security features with "Windows Security Essentials" which can be downloaded free. Wonder how this plus Win 7's built in firewall stack up against the competition??

To answer your question you just need to go to AV-Test.org. Microsoft Security Essentials has the lowest protection rate of any AntiVirus software free or paid. Only scoring a 2/6 in protection. That said it did tie AntiVir in removal. While Panda Cloud AntiVirus ranked highest amongst the freebies in both protection and usability. AVG free and AntVir ranked highest combo with 14/18. However AVAST has the most shields and is the only one with true x64 support. AVG claims to have a x64 version but it's not full as it still installs in the programs (x86) folder. So in the end it depends on the OS you use, what is most important to you and if you're willing to pay for AntiVirus or not. If you have a 32 bit system then you can use Panda combined with other AntiVirus software (that's at least their claim). So what they say you could combine Panda Cloud with Microsoft Security Essentials for the best overall combo. But there are better options than MSE by itself. Panda,AVG,AVAST OR AntiVir are better choices due to MSE's low protection rate. I myself prefer AVAST and AntiVir. AVAST on x64 and AntiVir on x86. If I'm using paid I go with Kaspersky. It seems to be the most reliable paid AntiVirus year in and year out.

And as for Firewalls go, Windows 7 is an improvement but it's not on par with Comodo Firewall, not by a long shot. And Comodo Firewall is also free. Just remember to turn off Windows Firewall if you wish to use Comodo Firewall to avoid any conflicts.

Wow, that's some great info Matt!
1) It seems a bit difficult (getting one to run x64 and one x86) to a moderate skill level person like me. Maybe it's easier than it sounds?
2) How do you get one to only work on x86 and the other to only work on x64 without them fighting ea other? Could you expand/explain running 2 prog's ("AVAST on x64 and AntiVir on x86") at the same time?
3) Do you need to somehow disable &/or remove Microsoft Defender (that comes with Win7) if you use these other prog's?
4) I'm running Windows7 64bit (per "system" info) but I do see a "Program Files" folder that says "(x86)".

5) From your Feb 01 4:32AM post: "The only thing you have to worry about is MSE's protection. Just pair it up with Panda Cloud. I use x64 bit so my best free option is Avast. I'd choose AntiVir if I had a x32 bit system. Because as I said in my last post it's the most consistent." I'm a little confused here because you mentioned AntiVir as for x86 above. Maybe I'm confused, is it possible that x86 and x32 "bit" are the same thing?


Sorry if these seem like a stupid Q's.

Thanks,
Dave

Some answers:
1. It's not difficult, you just load multiple AV's on your PC and run them. Be aware they may fight each other and almost certainly will slow it down.
2. I can't explain this one. I know of no way to get multiple AV's to do what he describes.
3. If you run MSE, it will automatically disable/uninstall Defender. It's also possible that other 3rd party apps may disable Defender.
4. That's because there are many x32 apps still out there. If you laod an x32 app onto an x64 machine... it will install into the x86 folder.
5. x86 and x32 are synonomous, basically.

Hope this helps.

[coastie65]

Hi. First, you DO NOT want to run multiple A/V programs actively at the same time. You can run Avast! actively and have the FREE version of Malwarebytes as an on demand scanner, which is fine. You would then need the antispyware stuff as well. I have run the paid version of SUPERantispyware ( $39.90 for a lifetime subscription ) and it is very good. I also think that MSE is much better than has been reported here and I am using it in two machines and have had no problems.

[LiveBrianD]

I also use MSE (Avast is my second choice), and keep malwarebytes around just in case (the free version isn't an active scanner, only on demand).

[SpiritWind]

Hi Dave :

The other topic was on security "suites", which I do NOT
favor ; I am an Advocate on the "Layered" Approach to
security . In addition, it mentions using the "services"
of AV-Test.org; however, I feel the testing done by the
INDEPENDENT RESEARCHERS at http://www.av-comparatives.org
is superior and when it comes to "Suites", their "Whole
Product Dynamic Test" is 2nd to none . As far as I know,
Operating System(s) come with only 1 on a computer ;
therefore, except under highly unusual circumstances, it's
best to have ONLY 1 "ANTIVIRUS" program on a computer .
I feel quality of "Customer Service" should be a major
factor in choosing an "antivirus" program and Avast's I
feel is the best; they even have an experienced, trained,
certified, VOLUNTEER "Malware Removal Specialist" on their
Support Forums .

[Car54]

SpiritWind, on 11 April 2012 - 08:30 PM, said:

Hi Dave :

The other topic was on security "suites", which I do NOT
favor ; I am an Advocate on the "Layered" Approach to
security . In addition, it mentions using the "services"
of AV-Test.org; however, I feel the testing done by the
INDEPENDENT RESEARCHERS at http://www.av-comparatives.org
is superior and when it comes to "Suites", their "Whole
Product Dynamic Test" is 2nd to none . As far as I know,
Operating System(s) come with only 1 on a computer ;
therefore, except under highly unusual circumstances, it's
best to have ONLY 1 "ANTIVIRUS" program on a computer .
I feel quality of "Customer Service" should be a major
factor in choosing an "antivirus" program and Avast's I
feel is the best; they even have an experienced, trained,
certified, VOLUNTEER "Malware Removal Specialist" on their
Support Forums .

I still have to very much agree with the first part of SpiritWinds post (I opt for other security solution ). The AV-Comparatives Security Survey (I did take part in it) is interesting as far as the PC communities understanding of computer security...it might be worth a read. http://www.av-compar...rvey2012_en.pdf