I have had so many problems with my pc in the past and I am looking for some reliable software to keep my pc clean from spam, trojans and all the other things you get from the internet. Is there something like a bundle that makes my pc safer?

What kind of problems?

Anyways, if you are looking for a good security suite, check out Norton Internet Security 2006.

It has a virus program, firewall, spam protection, etc.

Everything is easy to use and install; you control it from a program called "security centre" where all the settings are concentrated for the individual modules.

You also get a year's worth of updates when you first buy it, and you can always continue your subscription if you want to.

The few bundled security suites (NAV and McAfee) tend to be a little bloated. I have found that the free software route works better (AVG, older version of Tiny Firewall, AdAware, S&D) for me.

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The free version of AVG and Windows Defender is what I have and it works the best for me... without those bundled stuff sapping out my system's resources... I can have the machine to myself and not to those "protective programs"

Just my thoughts.
Regards,
netnut.

I've heard Linux is a pretty good software bundle.

I'd agree with the other posts that separate programs generally perform better. There's less code bloat to worry about and you can choose which programs to run and when. I've noticed NAV uses a lot of resources for it's real-time AV checking on my work computer, so I don't recommend it anymore.

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I didn't notice any "bloating" on my PC.

On the other hand, Norton is a big and feature-rich security suite, so I would expect a little size to come with it; plus the integration of all modules would come at a cost, too. I think that's good, though, since that way the antivir won't try and delete the spyware detector or anything like that ...

Well, I am happy using Norton and have no complaints.

I'd need to check what Norton Internet Security is doing, or how it compares to AV ... but I would assume that real-time checking might require a bit of processing power, right?

Yes, but real-time checking is for sissies. Seriously, if you set it up to auto scan your system during your downtime, why do you need realtime checking? As long as you practice safe computing, you shouldn't have any problems.

I've been using computers for over a decade and have never got a virus. The most I've got was a few spyware programs that AdAware or Spybot took care of. Now that I don't run Windows (except at work), I don't have any problems at all.

If running a Mac or using Linux isn't for you, then just take precautions and you shouldn't have any problems.

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Would you mind helping out some more, and explain if the new Norton Internet Security 2007 is much better now? What are the new functions, and should one upgrade?

Honestly, I can't say anything (good or bad) about Norton2007. I haven't used Norton for four years now so I don't know exactly what's included nor do I know how well it does it's job. I'd recommend looking at review sites to see what others say about it. Try www.cnet.com or www.epinion.com.

As I said before, as long as you practice good computing you really don't need to spend the money on the Norton suite. My personal recommendation is to install AVG for anti-virus, ZoneAlarm for firewall, and Ad-Aware and Lavasoft for spyware. When I last checked, these are all free.

ZoneLabs (the makers of ZoneAlarm) also have a pay version of their software which is supposed to be equivalent to Norton. I actually trust ZoneLabs more than Norton nowadays since Norton has been spreading FUD about Mac viruses and bogus attacks on computers in general. They've moved away from having the best software to having to compete against McAfee and Microsoft so they are less about the consumer now and more about keeping their hold on their business model.

So, take a look at ZoneLabs and see if it might meet your needs, then check out Norton. Take a look at review sites to see what they say. And, if possible, use trial versions to see which one meets your needs best.

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