G'day guys, I need a litte advice here.

I'm getting a security suite for my old grandma and need something that both works good and is very simple to use. I mean, I can set it up once we've installed it but then it needs to work well on it's own after that, with as little user interference as possible, she's REAALLY 'handicapped' with computers. When an user interference really is neccessary then I want the suite to at least recommend the user what to do..

I myself use the ESET Smart Security which I personally think works great, but there's no recommendations when it asks the user what to do..

I recommend giving her AVG AntiVirus Free Edition, Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal, and ZoneAlarm Firewall. All are available through our Downloads section here.

The only problem you may encounter is that while using ZoneAlarm, it will often prompt to Allow or Deny internet access with certain applications. Make sure you run all the applications on the computer for her afterwards, and use the "Always respond with this" for each application you choose to Allow or Deny access with. This way, she won't get confused when this pops up each time a program is started. After programs automatically update, it may pop this message up again, just leave her a note telling her to check the box and click allow if it pops up.

brett5348:

I have warned you once before. Please do NOT spam.

When I used Zone Alarm about 3 years ago I remember it to be a ***** with settings and that it sometimes randomly make you press the refresh button about 4-5 times to get into a site. thats why I stopped using it.. Maybe there's some setting I couldn't find then or that they've fixed it, I dunno, but isn't there just a complete suite to buy with all that you need that mostly takes care on it's own? how about AVG Internet Security? I've heard some good about it but I've never used it..

PS, it doesn't have to be free software...

Unfortunately I don't have much experience with security suites, I tend to go more down the multi layer route and combine different products, or sometimes not run anti-virus and a third party firewall at all. What I would say is that there probably isn't a security solution out there user friendly enough to not trouble the most noobish PC user out there, it may be worthwile getting one and then taking a little time to show her how to use/configure it properly. (they may be old, but they ain't stupid, lol) There are ones that can be a real pain to use, ie Mcafee (at least the 2004 version was for me) Zone Alarm can pop up seemingly every two seconds from what I remember, so a 'user friendly' solution can be less talkative, but then this can raise questions about their effectiveness. Most will have options of what to allow/block from accessing the network each time you open something that requires access, so it's either up to you to configure these for her, or show her what applications she should allow or block. (I tend to just click allow each time whilst shouting 'GO AWAY' like a man possessed. Works all the time lol.

I would recommend installing Spyware Blaster, especially if she will be using IE, it's a simple security solution. I think the payed version has the automatic update feature which would further simplify things as the user wouldn't have to do a thing. I think this is only really necessary for Internet Explorer users however. Install something like AVG or Avast, they should scheduele a time and day to scan and will update automatically, so that's not much of a problem.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but hopefully that's given you some ideas. Google some security suites, read some reviews etc etc. That should help make your mind up.

ok, thanks for the help guys...