Which security suite for my parents?

I need to send my parents some security software which they can start using, and so my choices are limited by the following restrictions :-

1. must be friendly for non technical users (no unnecessary prompts, works silently)
2. auto updating
3. easy for them to install
4. would prefer a suite so its an integrated solution

They are running XP SP2 (which I will have them upgrade to SP3). IMO Avast/AVG/Avira suites are still power user oriented and confusing to beginners. I was thinking Norton 360 but is Windows Live OneCare a better option?

 

I would advise you to give your parents Norton 360. It's the best that they can have. Works great and without prompts etc. The only thing is that they should let their PC running also when they don't use it for an extra one or two hours, every other day or so. Then Norton 360 performs all tasks by itself.

 

I agree, Norton 360 or Internet Security if you don't need the backup facilities.

 

norton...or Eset Security Suite with the firewall set at default, no prompts...even F-Secure at the default install would be a good choice...

 

ye if there pc is quite powerful use f-secure. the prompts for firewall is just a simple allow or deny. or for a lighter suite use eset setup with black spear settings

 

I use Eset but to meet the guidelines set out by the OP Norton 360 is the choice. I am not familiar with One Care so I can't say.

 

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009....(Release around June approx)

Light, doesn't bother you (they use a huge whitelist) and installs out of the box with a few clicks.

 

I'm reading the OneCare thread and it seems the 2.5 beta is free for now? (cost is not a big facttor though)

Also it seems Norton 360 copied the features of OneCare. I am just a little bit concerned about Norton being heavier (its not a very fast pc) and harder to uninstall.

This is the sort of prompt my parents would have no idea what to do with! They don't know how a firewall works (meaning of allow/deny) nor should they be expected to! The prompt will probably have exe name, like 'svchost.exe is trying to connect' which makes it even more confusing.

 

I wouldn't use the beta there are update problems. Try 2.0. https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=205572

 

For an easy suite I would go for Norton 360, they won't have to deal with firewall prompts.

 

Norton Internet Security 2008 works very well.

 

Option 1: Norton 360
Option 2: Norton Internet Security 2008

They are less intrusive and automated.

My parents are using Avira Premium AV and Windows XP firewall. They have been safe from threats many many years.

 

If your parents pc are powerfull use Kaspersky 7.0 or wait for Ver 2009

 

Norton internet security 2008 would be a optimal choice...

 

A near promptless setup

- Windows XP firewall
- DefenseWall paid (initial 29 afterwards 19 per year) (first choice) / GeSWall free (2nd choice, assuming they only use internet, no P2P - messenger - skype - chat - etc)
- ThreatFire free (build in AV)

Most ISP have e-mail checking/anti-spam as service, otherwise TF will deal with it.

Although it has a bad reputation on our XP box Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall really runs okay and uses very little resources (all logging turned off), is also a simpel FW (easier than ZA, PCTools).


A real bargain integrated suite is Blink 4 (firewall with Norman AV) with a well laid GUI).

 

I installed NIS 2008 on my parent computer. It's an old Dell with a Celeron CPU and 512 megs RAM and there is no slowdown at all. Plus, its the only suite I found that got no pop-up for the firewall. Parents are very satisfied with it since they are 100% non-technical and never know what to answer when there are pop-ups from a program.

As for the uninstall, I used Norton uninstall tool when I removed NIS 2007 to upgrade their computer to 2008, it worked like a charm. Norton really upped their game in the last 2 years.

 

Isnt this a A or B thread.

 

No- more like A, B, and C.

 

Why security suite?Windows firewall with free antivirus are enough.

 

NIS2008 is just like 360 a good choice for parents. But NIS looks dangerous for most of them. 360 is much easier and better. A few buttons and nothing to do.

Just try it out on their machine. Then you can see if it's heavy or not. Alllthe other options added here will scare elder people. Way too much things to see... And 360 does it all without any dangerous screens

 

Suggest OA AV+ meets all your criteria. Gives minimun prompts provides the FW, the hips and the av and autoupdating.

The AV is KAV,

 

I would have to agree that Norton 360 would be a good non threatning security for your parents regardless of their computer knowledge And the protecton is very good also.

 

instant recovery like PowerShadow, Returnil
Multi point recovery like Rollback.

 

TBH the best idea is to get them a firewalled router and use windows firewall and a free av that would do.

 

I bought and installed this... Windows Live OneCare.. Protects up to 3 computers in a network setup (Router, I guess). I bought it and am happy with it.. It's free ...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/re...81-0455044?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=software