Recommendations
People often ask what I recommend for antivirus or firewall or laptop or you name it. Many times, the answer is, "It depends", because, well, it's true. Many times the answer depends on the intended usage of the system whether it's a PC, a server, a network, or whatever.
Rule Number One: If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
Rule Number Two: If you need to replace something, then don't go immediately to the cheapest thing. You'll be sorry. That cheap thing will cost you more in the long run. And yes, we'll always have some recommendations for starters. Check back often as I will add to this list as time allows.
Anti-virus and anti-malware
I keep looking for better antivirus software and I have tried many of them. Currently, the only one I recommend is the one that I sell; I would never sell any of the others, not even for a kickback like the big stores always get. The one I sell is from Sunbelt Software and is called VIPRE Antivirus and Antimalware. VIPRE stands for Virus Intrusion Prevention Remediation Engine. It provides one engine, or software program, to handle both antivirus and all antimalware. It runs small, fast, efficient and effective. I think it's the best out there.
How about some "unrecommendations". Under no circumstances should anyone use the heavily marketed, well known, big name products. They come installed for free on new PCs for a good reason: they pay the PC manufacturers for that privilege. I have seen some very buggered up systems that have been, ahem, 'protected' by these big name products. If you have one of them installed and you're absolutely sure that it's still functioning then fine, apply Rule Number One. But if its time to renew your annual subscription, uninstall it, and install VIPRE. Your PC will run faster and safer.