I previously used the ZoneAlarm Security Suite but it came with a few irritating features such as IM protection and anti-Spam, (ok not irritating, more unnecessary)

What I really need I would say are Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware [preferably both together as a Malware scanner] and Firewall softwares..

Would it be better, for ease of use, resource hogging etc to have separate applications or one suite as before..

In which case, any suggestions?

I suggest Kaspersky Internet Security...I think it's the best security suite!!!
If you want different softwares you could us
Nod32 as Antivirus
Window Defender as Antispyware
And a firewall like zonealarm

You may want to try the new ESET Smart Security. It includes NOD32 as an antivirus which is pretty good in my opinion and it has a new firewall built by ESET.
Keep in mind that it's still a beta software, so it can contain many bugs.

For anti-spyware you will have to run a separate program (I recommend Ad-Aware) every once in a while. I don't think it's necessary to have an Anti-Spyware program monitoring your system for spyware. But that is also my opinion.


Edit: 2000th post!

"Antivirus" - http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=58966&page=1
"Free Antivirus" - http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=51205&pid=543919
"Free antispy ware" - http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=57403&pid=623247
"Search" - http://shoutbox.menthix.net/basicsearch.php

quote:

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Originally posted by TheGuruSupremacy
I suggest Kaspersky Internet Security...I think it's the best security suite!!!

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I use seperate programs, AVG Free Edition for Anti-virus, Ad-Aware for anti-spyware and good ol' Windows Firewall.

Top Ten Anti-Virus Software

I suggest you to see this thread too...
http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=69081

Here I use mostly Norton Anti-Virus + Ad-Aware....

The bad point of Norton it can be very "hard" to a slow computer...

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