Please I need help with a firewall and virus checker

Hello Folks

I used to use Zone Alarm Pro Firewall, spyware and virus checker. When I had my new computer built I purchased a router. My computer guy did not like Zone Alarm and installed AVG free, Spybot and said windows firewall was sufficient.

I paid $25 - $35 a year for the Zone Alarm Package and have been using it for 5 years. I like it very much it makes me feel safe.

2 computer techs do not like it and think I waste my money. I do not surf much on the Internet I use eBay and seldom open jokes. What do you guys recommend?

Many thanks Yvonne

I use Zone Alarm Pro for a software firewall and NOD32 for antivirus.

If you want a free antivirus, AVG should serve you just fine, as should Zone Alarm free version. I just need the Pro version of the firewall because it allows more control over traffic.

In any case, I would avoid Symantec and McAfee.

However, I would also wait for other opinions from some of our other resident techies before you take my word for it. Anyone else have thoughts?

Uh--I have the windows firewall disabled and use the McAffee suite (mainly cause it comes free for comcast customers!!!!!!!!), but I still use both Spybot and Adaware along with McAffee. So I really cannot say anything about the freeware/shareware stuff out there. If I need something, I usually go to majorgeeks.com for the freeware necessary for what I'm doing.

Zone alarm is pretty good from what I hear. I haven't used it personally, however. Your router should also have a packet firewall on it. What kind of router is it? Is it a wireless one? If it is wireless, they typically come with the encryption disabled, so you would want to enable it. If you don't, then people can sit in front of your house/apartment and get on your network. The instructions for your router should show an IP address that you can access your router through the internet explorer or whatever program you use to access the internet. Anyway, I don't really think the windows firewall is all that great. I also use McAfee and haven't had any problems with it, so far. I have an anti-virus and firewall that seems to work. It sounds like you are a low risk person on the internet, which is good.

Zone alarm is a good package...and AVG is decent ati-virus package.

I would check into your router as Cham mentioned. Make sure the firewall is active and if it's wireless that the encryption is active and restrictions are set.

I use the EZ armor suite from Computer Associates. Takes care of everything. Mostly cuz, like Demon, it was free with my service. I used to use Norton AV along with the rest of the stuff with System Works, but Norton AV is an incredible resource hog. So I axed that when I installed the EZ armor suite.

I guess it all depends on how much "security" you want. A router based firewall should be fine for most, but doesnt stop what you let it. Just keeps from people poking from the outside. That's what the rest of the software is for. Some are better than most, but something is better than nothing. If your subscription to Zone alarm is still active, and you purchaced it online thru their site, you may be able to DL it again.

The free stuff out there is good, but nothing is perfect. My experiance is that if you want more intuitive and thorough utilz...that stuff is paid for.

My router is not wireless. I no nothing about it the computer guy plugged it in and I have never had to do anything with it and if I did I would not know what to do.

I like Zone alarm I get firewall, virus checker and adware all under 1 function which is easy for me.

Thank you for the replies

Don't worry too much about not knowing how to use a computer. I don't know much about them either, but what I do know, I just tought myself.