My Choices for Security
Over the years as new programs come along I have tried and tested many of them. Most of the programs I used did the job and a few did it really well. Some of them I stopped using because they were too resource heavy. Others I replaced in order to test a new and maybe better scanner. Most of the time I used free programs and they usually performed well.
After a while I decided there are things I would rather do than constantly run and update a scanner manually and so I went to commercial programs. I tested a number of the suites available. I wanted a suite as I wanted a firewall, malware/virus sanner that would 'play nice' together. A bonus is the fact that most of the suites include a spam filter. I tested several before deciding on the one i would use.
This is my curent arsenal of security programs.
ESET Smart Security This includes Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewall and Antispam. This suite does exactly what I want it to do. It updates automatically frequently several times a day. It blocks infections from hacked websites. it scans downloads before they are saved. And it is so easy to use and doesn't gobble resources. I have used this suite for over three years and never had an infection.
Malwarebytes I keep the free version installed and I update and run it about once a month, just in case!
SuperAnti-Spyware I keep this one as well, but disable the on all the time scanning. The website states it won't interfere with my antivirus/spyware scanner, but I think two scanning all the time is a bit of over kill.
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard These old standbys are too good not to use! These are installed on my HP notebook. SpywareGuard went nuts when I installed LinkScanner. Something must have made SpywareGuard think LinkScanner is spyware!
Microsoft Security Essentials This is the free scanner by Microsoft for malware. I have a test computer, an HP Compaq notebook with Vista and this is what I use on this computer. I like this scanner, but I wish it had a few more options for viewing.