oops, ignore the Nod32 :S, quite right Styx, thats an AV app. BTW, forgot to add XPs own firewall, does anybody just use that on its own?

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This thread is very similar to http://www.trap17.com/forums/index.php?sho...417&hl=firewall, but since you're asking about software instead of hardware, I'll let it slide.

The best software firewall is Outpost Pro, and I'm not just saying that - I have backup. I found a forum that talked about the best antivirus and firewall. They also did various tests to achieve these results. Relating to firewalls, Outpost Pro was the only one that performed the best in those tests. Check out the tests ( http://www.pcflank.com/art41c.htm and http://www.agnitum.com/php_scripts/compare2.php ) for yourself. As you can see, Outpost killed the competition. It did not pass some tests, but, according to Outpost, the most recent build of their firewall will pass all those tests.

Outpost Pro is, unfortunately, not free. The best free firewall would be Sygate Personal Firewall Free Edition and Kerio Personal Firewall 4, but since you did not ask about the best firewall financially, I voted for Outpost instead.

 

 

 

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I use IPCop, this is a linux firewall. I'm running this in as a VM on my windows. It captures my network cards and all data that is going in and out is not touched by my windows but dynamicly forwarded to the VM and from there transferred to the internal network, a virtual networkcard to connect to the win xp machine or to a virtual DMZ (demilarized Zone, where i can host virtual servers...).

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I use Spyware doctor. This is very good programm.

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Kaspersky Pro-The best!

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I have tried Norton (Your right BIG resource hog) and I have also tried Avast. Avast was better for cleaning the viruses I caught, but Norton was better at catching them as they infected my system. In my opinion though, both Norton and Avast are too sluggish and somewhat annoying. I like AVG now. I have been using it for about two months now and it seems to be working smoothly. Since I have used AVG I have had about 50 or so virus infections and all (so far) were fixed promptly by AVG. (only one had to be quarantined)

AVG is great FREE antivirus software. Why pay for Norton when you can get AVG for free?

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I'm using Avast home edition (free) because of the price: free, and because It doesn't slow down your computer so much. I must say that it isn't the best antivirus program. On an other computer I've installed Norton Antivirus 2003, and that program keeps all the virusses outside. On my alvast computer I have got sometimes a virus

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For adware, spyware, etc.. Norton Antivirus usually picks it up, but I also run Lavasoft Ad Aware to see if I have any additional spyware that Norton didnt find. I would recommend Ad Aware

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I use Norton AntiVirus 2005, I think it sucks... I need a new, better one... What do you all suggest? I wish there was a good one for free... I'm a cheapscape

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Avg is free and pretty fast. I have norton but the scans took the whole entier day on my 500gig hard drive. It was getting pretty annoying when i was playing games and the scheduled scan just randomly came on 3 hours erly. Then auto prtect stoped working and they wouldnt let me renew my subscription. I tried PC-cillin but it never worked with my PC...

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