Steve Erbach
erbachs at gmail.com
Fri Feb 17 08:23:38 CST 2006
Rocky, You probably know that Microsofts' Antispyware product was purchased from Giant software. I remember that I tried it out while it was still owned by Giant and it caused odd behavior, so I uninstalled. But when Microsoft bought it and offered the free beta, I installed it and haven't had a problem. I found out about Giant from reading a thorough review of a couple dozen ASW programs. Giant performed the best in the review, but it was impressed upon me that no single ASW program catches everything. Matter of fact, according to the review, no combination of THREE ASW programs catches everything. http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm Steve Erbach On 2/16/06, Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software <bchacc at san.rr.com> wrote: > John: > > Thanks for the recommendations. Have you looked at the new Microsoft > anti-spyware product? > > Rocky > > > John Bartow wrote: > > Rocky, > > I quit using Norton (on my main machine) when Norton's 2005 turned out to be > > such a pain. I have a lot of clients using it (not by my recommendation-they > > upgraded without asking me) so I still have it on a secondary machine just > > to keep tabs on it. Up until 2005 I used to recommend Norton Internet > > Security for SOHOs. > > > > I have moved my main machine (and many clients) to Computer Associates EZ > > Internet Security (which is the home version of its corporate security > > products. The suite includes eTrust antivirus, PestPatrol (one of the best > > anti-spywares), Qurb (anti-spam works very good but not with TB yet) and > > CA's branded ZoneAlarm firewall. You can pick this up with rebates for $0 > > right now, along with a nice little kit of cable adapters: > > http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpN > > o=1389168&CatId=984 > > > > I never pushed Norton's corporate edition for business clients. When I > > could, I've used CA eTrust for small businesses with networks. Most of my > > small business clients have been using eTrust AV for a couple of years now. > > No problems. > > > > I also have the benefit of working in area where SBC is offering a free > > security suite for customers that includes CA's AV. So most of my work is > > now with CA's products. I joined their "partner program" but really get no > > benefit from it. Some phone calls andmailings that just annoy me and a real > > contact if something goes wrong - but I've never had to use it. So I am > > really not jaded by it. If they do a "Norton" on me I'd drop it like I did > > Norton (and McAfee before them). > > > > Like McAfee a decade ago, I have abandoned Norton for another company that > > seems to put customers first. If your Norton is stable and your subscription > > isn't in need of renewal you may want to wait a month before buying CA EZ as > > they have released a new version which integrates the product's interfaces. > > But of course you'll pay for that version too (I think this is the very > > reason for the nice rebates). > > > > I use AVG personal edition when the license agreement allows for it. Just > > because I refuse to rip off software from anyone. (Once you've had your own > > stolen it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth!) You can use it on anything > > but the license says only for "personal home use" not non-profit, schools or > > business use. You can purchase AVG for that purpose though I have never > > known anyone that actually paid for it. Top notch product. If you're one > > that likes to use separate products for separate purposes it is one to > > consider. I don't know about their suite bundles though as its not all their > > products anyway. > > > > The same for Antivir. > > > > I don't care for Panda's products - they do work though. > > > > The local cable co. is offering a free security suite for their customers > > and it includes F-Secure's products. Although it works properly it is a pig > > and really slows down the machines. I have replaced it with AVG where > > applicable. > > > > I don't use McAfee any more and am almost Mcafee free with my client base > > now. > > > > I like Trend Micros AV product but not there anti-spy. > > > > So, if it isn't evident from above I recommend CA's security products. > > > > I really like CounterSpy for antispyware. As I do Spysweeper. If you decide > > to go with something besides CA's suite - I would recommend one of these for > > antispyware along with it. No other AV company has a decent antispyware > > product yet (certainly not Norton's ant-spyware!). And to be honest CA just > > bought up one of the top antispyware products PestPatrol which I guess has > > now been proven as a better way to accomplish the goal than trying to build > > their own ;o) > > > > HTH > > John B.