Internet Security vs. Antivirus + Firewall

[italia2006]

Hello everyone, I need an advice. What security software ist better to use, Internet Security software (like KIS, NIS or othes) or Antivirus + Firewall software (like Outpost/Online Armor + Antivir/a-squared/KAV or othes). Please help me to decide. Thank you in advance.

[sm1]

Hi, I prefer an internet security suite rather than installing av, firewall, HIPS from various vendors. An internet suite has all those components and there is no chance of any conflict among the components. Updates for all those components come from a single vendor. However if you feel that a product is not sufficient in any aspect a combination from many vendors is preferable. But for me I would use an internet suite or an av with HIPS along with windows firewall.

[hellnoire]

Internet Suites are asking for trouble.

You find the weakpoint in any of them, and I do indeed mean ANY of them (they all have a weakness), you can shut down or destroy the entire IS. I've seen it happen to Norton, KIS (pre-cracked but the point still stands), BIS, and NOD32 IS.

If you want to run them, go for it. I never will.

I'm using ESET NOD32 AV at the moment with the Windows 7 Firewall (which is the most powerful one I've seen that actually works with 7 atm) It can block certain EXEs from crossing the internet, so you can make sure it actually does what it says.

[bonishah88]

good point hellnoire, the only problem i see with IS suites is that the components are all connected and if one component goes down, the other will surely too.

and if you go with AV + firewall, you have compatibility issues, so if you find a good enough combination, AV + firewall is good, but then again IS is better than a mismatched pair.

[BTOR]

It depends on you , the way you use the computer if you are a home user with no crappy software ect then just av is enough

[luffy]

It depends on you , the way you use the computer if you are a home user with no crappy software ect then just av is enough

Did you mean AV software and Windows firewall? Or just AV software?

[kantagara]

well windows firewall is set as default so I think that he thought win firewall+AV. Now I really more prefer an IS. because some of them have more options then just av+firewall (Now for an example avast free has real time protection web shield,p2p shield,etc but avast 5 IS has all that + firewall anti spam,virtual mode,etc.)

[safeguy]

I agree with both hellnoire & bonishah

My 1st and foremost choice is AV + Firewall as long as they're compatible with each other....and that each does a good role in security...

However, that doesn't mean I'm against the idea of using IS...it might have its weak points as stated by hellnoire & bonishah previously but apart from that, using an IS is a good idea when you can't find a pair of compatible of AV + Firewall that suits your needs/liking....or if you believe that the IS is a better option than the current AV + Firewall combo you're using...

Let me quote this wise words I found on the web by an anonymous person:

A “good” program is only as safe and as good as the person using it, and the purpose for which it is designed to be used.

Have a good time deciding

[drthanhtai]

I'm still using Kaspersky Internet Security 2010, it very good - I think
(with some AntiSpyware softwares)

[LunarWolf]

I will pick my choice with suite. It is easier cause you don't need to go around hunting for software that can complement your security. Besides, sometime, the software are incompatible (I was a victim once of mix and match and not in a hurry to find out again.

In addition, what are the chances of you running into malware that can disable any one part of the suite and cause the rest to malfunction? I will say probability is zero IF you are safe user.

I will find out my own combo once I get my own laptop. That is after I am done with a major examination at the end of the year. After that, I am free and I am going to test out my own combo for the best combo.