After sooo many problems, any advice on which anti-virus to install or purchase?

Ok, after everything I have gone through in the past few days, I am hoping someone can give me some advice on a good anti-virus program to purchase.

I have been having problems and reformatted my computer several times this weekend in hopes to fix the problem. I actually think I had the original problem fixed. As I was reinstalling all my programs/software I encounter a problem with my internet security. I probably just ran out of times I could install it since I had to reformat soooo many times!!

Anyway, since my computers associates internet security suite will not work, what would you recommend?? Should I just purchase a fresh copy or try something else? I ran the Panda ActiveScan and it found 3 viruses... bck/ircbot.jy (disinfected), Trj/qhost.gen (renamed), and win32/gaobot.jqk.worm (disinfected).

Y'all are great and the information you give here is priceless. I truly appreciate all that everyone does here!! Thanks in advance...

Oh, I am currently running windows 2000 progessional if that is of any help!

 

Well, the firewall is probably first..afterall if they can't get in..you won't need a hunter/killer. I like Zone Alarm, next McAfee..but I can't get McAfee to work with Norton Anti-Virus..
Norton is my choice for anti-virus
then for anti sypware....I like to change up regularly...they get 'wise' and learn to evade if you stay static with just one program. I like ewido, SpyHunter, and the AOL spyware seems to find 'em lately. I also use/have BPS Anti-spyware, the Windows Defender(Beta 2), Pest Patrol is still pretty effective.

 

Well, I am cheap, and take advantage of any shareware/freeware that is available. I do make donations via PayPal to those who have taken time to develope tools I find useful, and forums that do the same. With out user support,even if just a small amount, we would all suffer there loss. That said I use ZA free , AVG free, Spybot Search & destroy, Ewido AntiMalware,A squard ant trojan, Spysweeper, Peergurdian 2. I keep my OS updated,and all the above updated. I schedule all my updates and do not relie on auto updates. Use Firefox as my regular browser as much as possable and never use any toolbars other than Google, and keep your Java Scripts up to date. I don't open mail I am unfamiliar with, I scan every file I download even from trusted sites. I Have used a router for over 10 yrs, even when on dialup and when I wasn't networking my systems. Just, get one an added layer of protection. Routers are cheap today and do provide another layer of protection, get one. There is also a very good list of security software listed in the top few listings on this forum. No lossers in that bunch. Any will serve you well.

Others will probable recommend other programs and thats okay by me. Not all users have the same needs or configurations, This just works for me, and has kept my systems clean.

Will this keep you protected,,, Well keeping yourself aware of new threats and your software updated and a good set of rules for surffing should. As you can see,,, you are responsible for quite alot and can't blame the software if you aren't willing to do something also.

Cheers
Xeres

 

AVG, Spywareblaster, Spybot, Ad-Aware, Ewido, and ZoneAlarm are all excellent (free) programs. Keeping Windows up to date is important too. By simply running these programs and keeping everything updated, I have run into ALOT less problems (if any) with spyware/viruses, etc.