Best internet browser and anti-virus software

[kevbeck122]

Once Apple switches to Intel based systems in their next gen products I'm sure that will change (not the free part).

Linux lacks support for many games (quake, doom.. all of id's games.. that's all I can think of), but that's what I'm mainly using nowadays (suse).

[Mark Strube]

I tried Firefox a while back but stopped using it because it didn't allow me to use RoboForm and the Google Toolbar.  While I checked it today and found that both can now be used with Firefox. So I downloaded Firefox today and have been using it all day with no problems. I use Norton Internet Security for my anti virus software and it works fine for me.

Why would you need the Google Toolbar with Firefox? There's a Google search bar built in, and the pop-up blocking functionality is also built in.

I definitely recommend AVG's free anti-virus software. They've been making it harder and harder to find from the Grisoft website... the easiest way to get it is do a search for it at Cnet's Download.com

And as far as firewalls... I'd either stick with the Windows XP firewall or the built-in firewall of a router. However if you need more customizable functionality, I'd invest in Sygate Personal Firewall... it takes a tiny amount of system resources. ZoneAlarm just sucks your resources the longer you use it, and the free version doesn't offer much more functionality than the built-in XP firewall already provides with much less system resources being used up.

[Bebop]

Google Tool Bar is available for the Firefox.

http://toolbar.google.com/firefox/index.html

[Bebop]

If you use Firefox, this is one of the must have extensions:

http://www.noscript.net/whats

[jkane]

I use firefox on Linux.  Good combination.  No viruses.  No Spyware.

There may be some decent virus software as long as you buy the constant update portion of it, but I have yet to find a single adware/spyware program.  No one works all the time.  They are not as advanced.

[Racer47]

Thanks a lot for all the advice. I'll go with Firefox. Linux is interesting but I'm just not that into it to put in the effort to switch and get it working correctly. I like Mac's (had a couple 15 yrs ago) but my $750 Dell turns into about $1800 worth of Mac. Thats too much for me for a machine that will spend most of its time surfing and emailing. I'll also be using a Linksys wireless router, but I'm not sure about its firewall capabilities. As for anti-virus software, I'm still undecided, probably AVG, etrust or trend micro. Thanks again.

[Drummerboy]

I love seeing all this justification for why I use this and that.  Its a farse to believe that you are "less vulnerable" just because you use this or that.  All software has bugs.
My vote is use what is easiest for you.  I've used nearly every PC OS and browser out there and one thing I keep running into is compatibility.  If you don't do main stream, you WILL ALWAYS have compatibility issues.
Also consider how easy it is to keep your software up to date.  Most linux-based software requires the latest this and that which leads to downloading 3 or more components and compiling them before you can even update your main software.  Or else you have to download full binaries all over again and do a full install and then you have no idea what your final product will look like if it even works.
As far as AV, I use what came free from my ISP.  Every AV company is either ahead or behind the game at one time to another so it doesn't matter.  Use whatever you can get your hands on.
The only safe software out there is the software used by a mindful user.  Don't push all of the responsibilties of being a safe user on software because it will fail you.
Always PATCH!
Always PATCH!
Always PATCH!

[PatM]

If you go with FireFox, make sure not to use the update button in the upper right corner to update to a new version.
This has caused a lot of problems for people going that route.

If you want to update, download the update to your hard drive.
Then use Control Panel to remove the old program
Then install the new one.
You will not lose any extensions or other configuration settings because they are kept in a seperate Profile folder.
I have been doing it this way for 2 years and never had a problem.
This is for persons using Windows.
I'm not sure how it works with Linux.

[jkane]

For anti virus (with automatic updates), check with your employer.  If you are in a technology field, many places offer their employees a deal (if not free) on anti-virus software to keep them from sending them selves a virus ridden email from home to their work computer!   :eek:   For my Windows based computer, that's what I use.  They pay to keep it automatically updated, and I get full time virus protection.  We both win.

[waterhead]

Your lucky, my boss prevents unwanted computer viruses by not giving us internet access! That means no email and no security updates either, it's frustrating.

[jkane]

Waterhead,

I see by your signature you are a Fedora user. My teenage son came home with a CD for it last night and wants to partition his computer to use both XP and Fedora.  I've never used it.  I use Suse myself.  Why did you chose Fedora?

[waterhead]

It seemed to have the most support, especiially for new hardware.

I'm currently trying to set up my pcHDTV card using Fedora Core 4, and MythTV.
The FC4 kernel is suppose to support the card, without any problems.
We'll see....

If Interested, check out this site:

FC4/MythTV

I have SuSE 10.0 on a partition on my laptop.I like the fact that I can access the windows partition(s). I created a vFat partition, this partition is accessable by both operating systems, but can only write to it (with SuSE) if I'm logged on as root.

[waterhead]

Oh, by the way, I had trouble installing a plugin for Firefox on SuSE. I needed one to post links in this forum. I think it was the java plugin. It totally messed up my firefox installation. I had to delete some folders, after uninstalling it, and start with a fresh install.
You have any problems like this?

(I posted the previous link with a windows pc)

[jkane]

I avoid any site that requires special plug ins!  IMHO, if they can't offer something that works for me without risking a virus along with the install of an extra tool, then they don't want my business.   :OnAir:

I guess I'll let him do what he wants.  His "friends" are gonna help him with the install.  As long as he leaves me out of it, I'll be happier.  If I make him use my SuSE disks, I'll be on the hook to help him out.   :p

[Mark Strube]

If everyone avoided sites that required special plug-ins, there would be no flash animation and no online video or audio. That doesn't work for me. :p