Firewall and Virus Software
Computer Protection is perhaps one the most important aspects of being on the internet. In fact if your surfing the web and you are not protected with at least the minimum of a Virus Program then your leaving yourself wide open.
For me its simply not possible to talk about Virus Software without also talking about Firewall Security. However today it’s simple as you can now purchase both the firewall and the virus protection together as one complete package. Which is great as once upon a time I can remember way back when you had to purchase these separately, but thankfully those days are over.
.
Windows Firewall
Yes we know that windows comes with a firewall inbuilt into the operating system; however this is a brick. Its like asking your mechanic to fix your electrics in your car and then expecting him to resolve the problem for you. Whilst a lot of mechanics know basics its almost always necessary to go see an auto electrician.
Well the same goes with the Windows Firewall; don’t trust it and don’t expect it to save the day, as from my perspective its a dog without a lead. You need to be protected by those in the business of computer protection. The virus program I use below can also be purchased as a complete security suite that comes with a great firewall.
.
Virus Software
Who do we use?… Why do we use them?… Why don’t we use others?…
Those questions above are the most useful ones to ask. The problem is that I could go on for days and tell you about the drama’s I have seen over the years but I don’t think you have that long. So I will try to keep this really short.
Who do we use:
We use Nod Antivirus and Internet Security from ESET.
.
Why do we use them:
This has its foundations way back in around 2003, I have been using Nod for over 13 years and in this time I personally have not had any problems related to viruses or internet security.
I started using Nod after working with an Internet Service Provider in Australia where I was setting up modems for both business and domestic clients. I found that those with ESET installed had no problem with viruses on their computers, whereas those with some other programs almost always had a virus on their computer.
My position at that time was to go out on site and take care of service calls, which obviously meant that the client I was visiting was having problems with accessing the net (everyone else hated doing service calls, but I loved the service calls because I understood computers) As such I quickly discovered if someone was having computer issues and they had one or two particular antivirus programs installed then 98% of the time they still had a virus as those programs still let viruses in. This is where my loyalty for Nod first come about, because if they had Nod installed then it wasn’t usually a computer issue it was another problem.
I personally believe Nod is the best in the market place, but of course your free to disagree and for sure there are always going to be some other programs equal to Nod. But anyone that knows me knows what a huge fan I am of Nod (ESET)
To be fair Nod is not capable of everything. Remember I mentioned above that at a bare minimum you need antivirus software. Well there is also another program that I use along side NOD Antivirus which helps to prevent malware. But Please be aware that I would never use this particular malware program on its own without a virus software to support it, you must at a bare minimum always have a virus program, you can certainly do without the malware software but you can never do without the antivirus software… In fact I think I will discuss the malware software on a separate page as I don’t want to confuse this issue: follow me to see additional info about the malware program.
.
Why don’t we use others:
I have used other antivirus programs on some of my computers in the past, but my computer both in the office and my personal computer and laptop are all now setup with Nod. But if I wasn’t using Nod then I would most likely use AVG, in fact this is the other program I have previously used and although I don’t use it today I still have no problem recommending it as I never had an issue with AVG.
I still believe NOD is the better software (but that’s me I am just a loyal fan). One of the other huge reasons all my computers and my kids computers are now all using NOD is because of cost. ESET are great at offering price bundles, in fact I still believe they are the only ones to do this.
When you purchase you can select to purchase the software over a number of years (its either 3 or 5 years, I am not sure I haven’t had to purchase for a while), but if you elect to pay for more years up front the price reduces. Yes you pay more up front but when you divide it over the years its so much cheaper to purchase this way. I think the last time I purchased the software it was something like a 30% discount when I divided the full cost to purchase over the number of years being purchased…. And the same goes for multiple computers, you can purchase the software for multiple computers over multiple years, its just a terrific way to purchase as the cost reduces so much.
For me I would have purchased their software anyway, but the huge discounts they give for adding more years and computers are just great.
ESET Smart Security is by far the best