The other day, my computer got infected with a virus including my external (which has important stuff). When I sent both to the computer technician whom i bought the computer from (now that I hate), I told them very clearly to use my computer (already infected but still usable) to disinfect my external which is very important (un-formattable). Just today I got my computer and they formated my computer and told me to dissinfect my hardrive myself (made both me and my father very angry). They told me that if I add a virus program to my computer, I would be able to at least scan my hardrive without the virus infecting me. I was just wondering if that was true since I don't trust him anymore, and that just a virus program would help. *Another topic relating this* Earlier this year, when I bought my computer, I installed both Avast(virus program) and Zonealarm(firewall) to protect my computer. During that time, I did not recieve any viruses and my computer was very protected but later, my computer malfunctioned and could not start up. I brought it to that technician and told me that I had to many protection programs. I believed him so I only installed Avast and now I have the virus. Another question I have now is that if I could install both Avast and Zonealarm to protect my computer. Thanks so much for any help!!!
A software fiewall is pretty useless because spyware and viruses can compromise them. If you can get your hands on a modem/router or just a standalone router this would protect you a great deal more. Secondly I have had major problems using internet security packages and since changed to one anti-virus program and one spyware program. Now I don't want to sound like a salesman but the two I use have given me so much confidence as far as browsing goes that I don't really care what website I go on. I have even gone to wesites that host a whole lot of nasties and these two programs never let me down and they are not resource hungry like internet security packages are. I use windows firewall along with nod32 anti-virus and counterspy v2 and CCleaner to clean windows junk. The first two offer free trial periods and ccleaner is free. Trust me here, you will never look back and you will never have to deal with that dumb ass at your local computer shop. Let me know how you get on.
For best advice do a search of cnet for antivrus & firewall performance as everyone has their own opinion on what's best,if your comfortable with zone & avast then use them,a firewall is more important than antivirus or antispyware as it's your frontline protection from attacks from the net of port probing,you'll also need an fully updated OS so make use of windows update,also do resaerch on what firewalls do & how they work that goes for antivirus & spyware scanners
I completely disagree that a software firewall is more important than antivirus or antispyware software. A software firewall will not tell you the file you are currently downloading/downloaded contains a virus. Software firewalls are just alot of work, take up too much pc resources and are just a waste of time when you can get 10 times the protection from a router without changing a thing except for port forwarding. I can also tell you that cnet will not give you any real satisfaction either. Do yourself a favour and take my advice....... What have you got to lose........ "nothing"
