[Lions Den Computers]

Hmm Huggy Bear, what is the spec of your machine? I have AVG 8.0 with no discernible drop in performance, my highest spec is a fast Core 2 Duo and my lowest is a P4 3ghz...

I might be able to help you speed things up a little.

[CPLTD]

Originally Posted by Lions Den Computers

Hmm Huggy Bear, what is the spec of your machine? I have AVG 8.0 with no discernible drop in performance, my highest spec is a fast Core 2 Duo and my lowest is a P4 3ghz...

I might be able to help you speed things up a little.

been running avg for 2 yrs with no one problem so I can only mirror LDC's comments and can thoroughly recomend Dans services ,

[Lions Den Computers]

Ah Simon, nice to hear from you. I can recommend CP by the way - mutual admiration society application forms available on request...

[turnerlittle]

I'm running AVG free with the worst spec laptop I've ever come across, and it still works a treat, with no discernable drop in performance.

Highly recommend if you are low on hi-tech resources!

Its never let me down.

Though I hear Kapersky is one to look out for...

[Chubster]

Originally Posted by Lions Den Computers

I regularly am asked what my personal setup for security is - many of my customers don't know which way to go!

This would be a standard list for an XP machine.

Use a cable / ADSL router to connect to the internet. Even if no-one else needs access in your home and you have only one pc.

Make sure the operating system has all current updates and patches. For XP this would include Service Pack 3.

AVG Free Edition. Good solid basic protection for virus related threats.

SPYBOT S&D. Update once a week and immunise after updating.

Adaware 2008. Update once a week and scan afterwards.

CCleaner. A more advanced cleaning program than Disk Cleanup which comes with Windows. It will clear a huge amount of rubbish from your system safely.

Use an email junk / spam filter. Microsoft Outlook has one built in which will take care of most rubbish. I receive between 2500-4000 spam mails a week but almost all of those are sent straight to junk. Just remember to 'empty' the junk folder regularly.

That would be essentially it with a few small differences for Vista. All the programs above are available free. I never pay a penny for security software - as long as you're not inviting nasties onto your system (by surfing for pron) you should be fine.

You'll also notice that none of these programs will entail a performance hit - unlike many other 'complete' packages which drag your system down ala Norton, McAfee etc. You've worked hard for your money - don't throw it away!

Excellent list there...thanks very much. Run CCleaner and noticed a big improvement in speed...

Mods....can we make this post a sticky ?

[Cherrypip]

I always use spybot as well and AVG although at the moment I am having problems with AVG for the first time since I started using it many years ago!

[turnerlittle]

Problems? What sort? AVG has never let me down once!