Retail internet security, what should my Dad buy? Options

[thesorehead]

Hi all,

My Dad is a maths teacher and a complete computer luddite, and today he asked me what antivirus he should buy. Personally, I use Avira AntiVir, have a regular backup regime and periodically run SpyBot S&D. However I want Dad to have someone to call on the phone when (not if) he has questions and he's going to need something completely automatic. He has already learned about backing stuff up, so what I really need is a recommendation on full-featured retail internet security software for Windows.

Based on universally good reviews, I'm leaning towards Norton 360 but as always I'd like some at0mic advice before I tell him how to spend his hard-earned.

What would you recommend for your n00b relatives?

[Master_Scythe]

NO!
No 360! The ammount of bloat and attempted automation in that software leads to trouble.

Noob relatives? I follow the Keep it simple, stupid - method

Windows firewall
Hosts file patched with MVPS hosts file
AVAST Antivirus.
Seperate 'guest' and 'admin' account. (they only log in as admin to install a new program. They know this)


I too use Avira, but I can set avast to auto-delete\quarantine files, and then set it to 'silent mode'. They dont even have to see it update (but it still gets an error icon if it fails).

I think you may be overemphasising phone support. Besides being normally useless; if your relative is noob enough to not know how to use an antivirus, do you really think he should be modifying it or phoning support in the first place?

High detection settings, silent, and automatic. For the people I assist, this is priority.
They dont want to see 9and are often spooked by) a malware warning, so if i can set it up so they just turn it on and use it, so much the better.


EDIT: If you DO go paid software, go for the best - ESET Security (formerly Nod32). They've won 100% awards for how many years running now? And not had one major issue to patch (besides virus updates)? And, despite being so good, being a smaller company, has almost no 'viruses' that disable it, unlike others.

This post has been edited by Master_Scythe: Jul 7 2011, 12:01 PM

[bowiee]

Don't get nortons, grab Kaspersky it does a great job without the annoyance.

[thesorehead]

???
All the reviews praise Symantec's turnaround with Norton's speed, size and efficacy. Have you tried the latest versions?

Hosts file patched with MVPS hosts file

I understand everything except this bit. Also, was hoping to avoid having to visit (and future phone calls) just to set up bloody internet security. I suppose there are other things that I could do while I'm at it, but really not keen on the drive right after work.

*sigh* but you're the expert. *grumble*

Any thoughts on Kaspersky? The Jackie Chan ads put me off that one...

bowiee - thanks for the recommendation.

[mudg3]

NO!
No 360! The ammount of bloat and attempted automation in that software leads to trouble.

Noob relatives? I follow the Keep it simple, stupid - method

Windows firewall
Hosts file patched with MVPS hosts file
AVAST Antivirus.
Seperate 'guest' and 'admin' account. (they only log in as admin to install a new program. They know this)

So simple.... : /


The newer versions of 360 are pretty good for just the mum and dad that or kaspersky is what I've been installing for friends etc.

[bowiee]

???
All the reviews praise Symantec's turnaround with Norton's speed, size and efficacy. Have you tried the latest versions?

Hosts file patched with MVPS hosts file

I understand everything except this bit. Also, was hoping to avoid having to visit (and future phone calls) just to set up bloody internet security. I suppose there are other things that I could do while I'm at it, but really not keen on the drive right after work.

*sigh* but you're the expert. *grumble*

Any thoughts on Kaspersky? The Jackie Chan ads put me off that one...

bowiee - thanks for the recommendation.

Jackie Chan ads ? Must have missed them. Any how If you are going to buy antivirus Kaspersky Is what I recommend to my clients, but personally I use Microsoft Security Essentials, it works as well as others and is very light on resources. I have tested it by feeding it virile and trojans and it grab them as soon as they were introduced.

[aliali]

Don't get nortons, grab Kaspersky it does a great job without the annoyance.

Another one using Kaspersky IS. Seems to be quite good and not too expensive.

[bnew]

The more recent Nortons are fine. My Dad was in a similar situation and hs is very happy with Norton Internet Security 2011.

[Master_Scythe]

NO!
No 360! The ammount of bloat and attempted automation in that software leads to trouble.

Noob relatives? I follow the Keep it simple, stupid - method

Windows firewall
Hosts file patched with MVPS hosts file
AVAST Antivirus.
Seperate 'guest' and 'admin' account. (they only log in as admin to install a new program. They know this)

So simple.... : /


The newer versions of 360 are pretty good for just the mum and dad that or kaspersky is what I've been installing for friends etc.

Simple for the USER.

Once its set, nothing can go wrong.
They touch nothing.

also, installing a hosts file and an antivirus really isnt to 'complicated'.
Windows firewall is on by default, and if its Win7 UAC handles the guest account thing.

The more recent Nortons are fine. My Dad was in a similar situation and hs is very happy with Norton Internet Security 2011.

Yes. 360 though I dont believe s one of those? (is it? is there an updated one?)

???
All the reviews praise Symantec's turnaround with Norton's speed, size and efficacy. Have you tried the latest versions?

Hosts file patched with MVPS hosts file

I understand everything except this bit. Also, was hoping to avoid having to visit (and future phone calls) just to set up bloody internet security. I suppose there are other things that I could do while I'm at it, but really not keen on the drive right after work.

*sigh* but you're the expert. *grumble*

Any thoughts on Kaspersky? The Jackie Chan ads put me off that one...

bowiee - thanks for the recommendation.

kaspersky is fine; I just dont see the need for paid products for a home user. If they dont know enough to fix it themselves, over the phone support likely wont help when it comes to infections.

Also: http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

edit: and it was jackie chan, on a segway, fighting malware... whats not to love? lol

This post has been edited by Master_Scythe: Jul 7 2011, 01:21 PM

[mudg3]

NO!
No 360! The ammount of bloat and attempted automation in that software leads to trouble.

Noob relatives? I follow the Keep it simple, stupid - method

Windows firewall
Hosts file patched with MVPS hosts file
AVAST Antivirus.
Seperate 'guest' and 'admin' account. (they only log in as admin to install a new program. They know this)

So simple.... : /


The newer versions of 360 are pretty good for just the mum and dad that or kaspersky is what I've been installing for friends etc.

Simple for the USER.

Once its set, nothing can go wrong.
They touch nothing.

I'd love to meet a user who touches nothing and does this most dont care enough to do anything that you've stated they want a solution they can pay $60 for that work. Norton 2011 and kaspersky is perfect for home users they dont need to fuck around and they dont need anyone else do either just install and follow the simple promts.

[Master_Scythe]

The only thing they need to do is have a guest and an admin account.
or if its win 7, NOT disable UAC.

Once ive initially set it up, they dont touch it.

My parents paniced first time they got a virus and a big popup appeared. Theyd never seen one before. They didnt know what quarantine meant; they didnt know what the file was, or what a 'path' was. They just had 'the internet' open and it 'covered the internet with a virus screen'.

I quickly changed to my above silent solution; works 100%

On win7?
Install AV, install MVPS.
Tick 'silent mode' in the AV
done.

I dont know what you consider 'simple' but I dont think it gets much simpler for the user IMO

[Hubbo]

I think you need to go for a paid solution, free antivirus or firewall software isn't going to cut it.

Making things "simple" is hard to do unless you go Mac or iPad ;-)

[B82R3S]

kasperspy is cheap

i would not reccomend any norton stuff mainly because symantec has pissed me off again (liveupdating backup exec forces you to restart. even though its a fucking software update..., no restart later option either).

[thesorehead]

FWIW folks I'm going to attempt Master_Scythe's solution first, as the downside to retail options is that you have to pay for it year after year. Plus I guess I can spare one night of my time now and again for my Dad :--P

Going to visit him tonight after work. Wish me luck!

[chrisbrownie]

Jackie Chan ads ? Must have missed them. Any how If you are going to buy antivirus Kaspersky Is what I recommend to my clients, but personally I use Microsoft Security Essentials, it works as well as others and is very light on resources. I have tested it by feeding it virile and trojans and it grab them as soon as they were introduced.

What bowiee said. MSE is one of the better products on the market. It's to some extent a derivative of Microsoft's excellent FEP solution and is a great performer with widespread features. I am not good with computers but I use this in combination with Windows Firewall and Windows Defender and have had great success. I'd suggest you try these FREEEEE options before you go buying software you and your dad don't need.

[mudg3]

Making things "simple" is hard to do unless you go Mac or iPad ;-)

Not sure if serous

[Master_Scythe]

I think you need to go for a paid solution, free antivirus or firewall software isn't going to cut it.

Making things "simple" is hard to do unless you go Mac or iPad ;-)

[.:Cyb3rGlitch:.]

I think you need to go for a paid solution, free antivirus or firewall software isn't going to cut it.

Making things "simple" is hard to do unless you go Mac or iPad ;-)

I don't know, his emoticon made it pretty obvious that he was jesting.

This post has been edited by .:Cyb3rGlitch:.: Jul 8 2011, 05:18 PM

[Hubbo]

I think you need to go for a paid solution, free antivirus or firewall software isn't going to cut it.

Making things "simple" is hard to do unless you go Mac or iPad ;-)

I don't know, his emoticon made it pretty obvious that he was jesting.

Or was I?
Most people don't worry about any antivirus on Macs, maybe that will change. And with Apples tight control on the iOS there's not too much concern here (hence iPad maybe a consideration).

But kinda expecting to get flamed...

[.:Cyb3rGlitch:.]

Well he was calling you stupid, and I was defending you, so you should have just run with it. :P