Vista Tutorial - Antivirus protection/firewall help!!

hey everybody iam having a problem with knowing what works best with vista, i have vista home basic 32 bit and the laptop came with mcfee security center which i guess is anti virus and firewall etc etc...however my windows firewall says its running to and the mcfee i think is only valid for 30 days. my question is what is the best firewall and anti virus software to use? does the windows firewall work that well, if so people have said to download avast for full protection and leave it as it is.

cheers

Welcome islandmixed.
I suggest you have a look at this good stuff before making any decisions.

Free Software List for Vista

If you decide to remove the trial antivirus it is recommended to use the appropriate uninstall tool.
As to the 'best' anti virus & firewall to use, you will probably get a confusing number of different opinions.
Your security level required also depends on the different types of sites you intend visiting.
[The best security program is the hand /mouse, eye & mind combination. ]

hi !

"Outpost firewall free" is VERY good !

Outpost Firewall FREE

read the test results:
Results and comments - www.matousec.com

i have tested Outpost with:

1. Gibsons "Security test" & "Leaktest" https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

2. Comodo´s "firewall package test" (CLT)
http://download.comodo.com/securitytests/All_tests.zip

3. Audit My PC Firewall Test - Free Internet Security Testing

i´m using:

1. a "normal" user account

2. Outpost´s firewall "block most" setting

3. Outpost host protection at max.

the computer is completely invisible (stealth) and it has *NO* leaks !

I use Avast, Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes. I also run as a standard user with a strong password on the Admin and User accounts. I have a firewall on my router and the Windows firewall.

Your greatest protection is you. Unless you trust the source, don't open/download/install/click things.

When something says you have a gagillion viruses and for only $19.95 they'll fix it for you RUN! You are not the winner of a brand new iPod, I don't care what they say. You can see breasts anytime you want for free without signing up for anything so don't. You did not win the Nigerian lottery. Limewire is a free virus download service, get rid of it.

Absolutely correct.