Recommended Antivirus, Antispyware Suite...
 

Just a few minutes ago I've completed the installation of a custom built PC for a friend and installed Windows XP Pro with all current windows updates available. I would feel awful just handing over a PC without securing it with some sort of antivirus, antispyware suite. So can anyone comment on either Trend Micro's PC cillin Internet Security 2006 or ZoneAlarm Security Suite. If there are other recommendations out there then feel free to post them.

I use AVG Free for my antivirus needs and Spybot S&D for my spyware nuking needs. I am very satisfied with both products at this point, plus they won't set you back any cash.

My thoughts exactly, only problem is I doubt she'll update or bother updating reference files for spybot or AVG. Something simplified and effective at the same time, which is why I'm going through the hassle of choosing a security suite. :fishing:

PC cillin is an okay program, but the Internet Security edition does eat up a noticable amount of RAM. It uses about fifty megabytes will all its features active, about fifteen with only the antivirus portion running. If you have a gigabyte of RAM, it isn't much of a hit, but less than that and it does have an impact. ZoneAlarm I can't comment on since I haven't used it.

You will also want to have something dedicated to spyware threats, so my recommendation would be Ewido Security Suite. It is very effective and uses little RAM when running, so it is good for both new and older systems.

I'm an AVG user. I used Symantec, McAffee, and BitDefender in the past. This is the least intrusive and uses the least amount of system reasources while getting the job done.

Also, Sypbot is a go.

AVG updates itself every day, if an internet connection is available.

Thanks fellas, I installed AVG and spybot...hopefully she'll update the reference files for Spybot once a week. Here is to hoping.

Here was the setup by the way...

-AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core
-ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX
-Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD4000YR 400GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150
-eVGA 256-P2-N356-LX Geforce 6500 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16
-Antec PERFORMANCE TX TX1050B Black Steel Server Computer Case 500W -ATX12V v2.0 Power Supply
-CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
-Windows XP Professional SP2

For alittle less than $900, I'm glad with how it all went out.

I use Norton for antivirus and antispyware I use Hitman Pro

From what I heard GData Internet Security Suite or BitDefender Internet Security Suite are pretty good. I dont know how friendly they are on resource usage but their antivirus engine is awesome.

just remember to load zonealarm on it since you're not using pc cillin security.

just in case you forgot or something!

All good programs, free and effective. The best advice is to only go to sites you trust (or have loads of protection, like Firefox+Adblock+G.Filterset) and only download and run files you either trust or have scanned manually (AVG might not always catch it the first time around, so use ClamAV with ClamWin for all your manual scanning needs).

well get info from their Official help forum Bitdefender.
Notice: you need to be registered to View/Post into the forum, welcome:
http://www.BitDforum.com

The combination I'm running is:

-FireFox
-Eset NOD32 AV
-Sygate Pro 5.5
-updated Windows HOSTS file

My system isn't bogged to shit with retarded FireFox add-ons or lame anti-spyware crap.