Vista - Whats the Best Antivirus/ Security Suite??

I wouldnt get it. Its redundant, and there are still bugs in it. I would just use NOD32 4 Antivirus/Antispyware, Defender, Vista Firewall, Hardware firewall, and IE8

I have set my Vista firewall to block all outbound, and created rules for applications/traffic. I have passed all leak tests with Vista firewall as well as trojan/malware/port tests.

You can also download the free Sphinx firewall control to do it for you If you dont want to configure the firewall yourself.
Vista Firewall Control : Sphinx Software

What does Spinx do for you? Just decides what gets let through or not or something else?

It prompts, then creates rules for you. I would get the more advanced control (Plus)-not the free as its limited to a few apps (like IE)

What kind of rules did you create for your applications/traffic? Is there a tutorial on how to do this or is it pretty self explanatory?

No there is no tutorial I could ever find online. Block all three profiles, or just the Public profile if you are not going to behind the hardware firewall (i.e., notebook on public hotspots).
create a rule for the profile to allow (i.e., click program, next, browse to the IE .exe), after the rule is created, restart browser. Do this for all the apps you want to outbound connect through the firewall. its pretty easy, just tedious. You can also google for apps that need Internet access, then create a rule for them. Keep it simple, IE and Antivirus and Win Update are the most critical.
Use the Task Manager to see what processes need Internet access through Outbound. (for example, while blocking all outbound [ and IE aready with rule created], open Task manager, close all non-essental processes, try to execute program, note the process and add a rule for it).

e.g.
iexplorer.exe x64
iexplorer.exe x86
MSASCui.exe (Defender)
Sidebar.exe
egui.exe (eset)
ehmsas.exe (MCE)
%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe (port 80/443)
svchost.exe_BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer BITS)

I use Avast Pro and it works well.

I use McAfee Total Security 2009, it's great and McAfee really means "Total Security" on this one

nah your all WRONG Eset Antivirus and commodo , im running them so their obviously the best

This argumanet will go on and on lol and nobody here can prove their point , everyone has their favourites and everyone has their reasons , just get a well known one and stick with it , in 10 years of computing and surfing the net i have NEVER had a virus , the only people i know who have simply got it because their operating system was not updated regulaly , thats the single most important factor and its the OS loopholes that hackers exploit , and no AV software or firewall on the planet is going to stop that kind of attack.

The single most important tool is anti spyware , get that and i dont think you'll ever need anything else ........... but im far too paranoid to prove my point

G'Day rive0108,

For the past 2 years I've been a subscriber to MS Windows Live OneCare and like many others in the same situation, I'm now scrambling around looking for a suitable anti-virus program to take over from WLOC.

WLOC is about to be dispatched to the waste-bin by Microsoft, in favour of the new malware program Morro, which I understand will be made available 'free' to anyone running Windows. Obviously, MS have conceded that other AV developers do a far better job than they can in that field of software, and it appears that MS have now dumped that from their development portfolio. Not sure though, about MS Malicious Software Removal Tool that usually comes with the monthly MS Updates.

At my post here, Windows Live OneCare is Dead - Alternatives? , I've outlined some alternative protective measures that I'm considering, but your post here has me second thinking the issue, because you have introduced ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4, to the selective mix.

First of all, by Defender and Vista Firewall, I'm presuming you mean Windows Defender and Windows Firewall, both standard applications included with Windows Vista - Home Premium Version?

Second, can you explain what you mean by Hardware Firewall, and give an example please? IE8, I have already installed, although I do use Firefox 3.0.10 as my default [with 'No Script' Add-on, unlike IE - no crashes since installing in Nov.08].

Third, so based on your suggestions, I should be thinking along the lines of;
Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4, and a Hardware Firewall (?), as my protective applications, in lieu of Windows Live OneCare security applications?

Your comment?

sassofalco