[MightyJoe]

I will be using windows Xp, but should I get like a whole Norton or McAfee set up or is there something better that I should use?

[Lone Wolf]

To tell you the truth Joe, you'll get a lot of different replys to that question. I personally use Zone Alarm Plus (firewall) and Panda (anti-virus). Both work great! I had some issues with Norton in the past which is why I use Panda now. Most of them do a good job, some might have issues on some systems, but for the most part they all do a pretty decent job.

Just my two cents...

[SICS]

I'll add my two cents.... If you are going to be using a cable/dsl modem, you'll be better off getting a router/firewall combo, it will offer you the best protection. You said you'll be using Windows XP, I'd upgrade to service pack 2 and use the built in firewall, it's free of cost and works great.

[Lone Wolf]

The only problem is the Windows Firewall only blocks or patrols incoming traffic and it can be easily turned off by another application, possibly a worm. Another draw back to Windows Firewall is that rival firewall makers claim that the API used to manage the Windows Firewall could also be used by attackers to modify the software or turn it off.

The fact that it does not monitor outgoing traffic and that it can be turned off easily by other applications really doesn’t make it a safe firewall in my opinion.

[SICS]

for the average home user the windows firewall is sufficent... I deal with mostly businesses so hardware based solutions will always be favored on my end

[geofrs]

Hi mighty one,
I have used both McAfee and Norton, to me they are about the same, there are free versions like AVG and others which are ok, I am now thinking about a free one as the leaders are getting expensive.
Cheers.