ANTI VIRUS SOFTWARE

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MikeinBaja

MikeinBaja

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Sep 9, 2008
869
15
San Diego area (CA)
What is everyone running these days for AV software? Advantages & pitfalls?

I currently run McAfee on all my machines and have for many years, but I'm pretty disappointed in their lack of response to a stubborn infection I have on one of them (no, it's not connected to my network right now!).

Subscription to McAfee is up in a few weeks and thought I'd ask opinions since I'm at option/renewal time.

Not leaning for or against paid or free - just looking for the best.
 
I run Symantec AV (aka Norton) on all of our home computers because the licensing if paid by my employer, but AVG offers the best freeware version. Also, don't forget about rootkit detection and removal - I recommend the free Sophos Anti-Rootkit tool that can be downloaded here.
 
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Check to see if your ISP provides anti virus software as one of the benefits so you don't have to buy one or go with freeware.
 
Several have suggested Norton - remember years ago (when XP was first released) had an associate that ran Norton and he got an infection that rooted in the restore files.

Norton was unable to scan/clean the restore files. Anyone know if that issue still exist?

(Remember, that was right after the XP release and all of us were struggling with the concept of auto restore points - and the memory it hogged! Took us a few days to figure that one out).
 
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NOD32

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

IIRC, these folks test twice a year. The results will vary from test to test because of the nature of the beast. The industry is always trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

I like NOD32 for several reasons.

It will update itself every hour if there is an update available.
It runs a quick scan at startup that does not slow the computer down in any way. It's very good at not hogging resources.
No user initiated scans are needed.
Pricing - substantial discounts for multiple computers.
Substantial discounts for multiple year purchases.
Substantial discounts for renewals.

I should say that these attributes are shared by many of their competitors products.

BTW, should you decide to not stay with McAfee (which would be an excellent decision IMO), Google McAfee removal tool. Removing it through normal means will not remove the software completely. You'll want it totally removed before installing another product.
 
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I have been using Norton 360 since the original version came out. I'm currently using version 3.0 and it is definitely one of the most solid antivirus programs I have had.
 
Scott Greczkowski said:
I like AVG the best. :)
Click to expand...

I used to be an AVG fan, but the newer versions are getting really bad. I also used to hate Norton Anti-virus, but the 2009 version is really good. I recently switched away from AVG to Norton Internet Security (Free after rebate from Fry's). I could not be happier with the Norton Product, it is much easier on system resources than AVG.
 
boomerang said:
NOD32

AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Welcome to AV-Comparatives.org

IIRC, these folks test twice a year. The results will vary from test to test because of the nature of the beast. The industry is always trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

I like NOD32 for several reasons.

It will update itself every hour if there is an update available.
It runs a quick scan at startup that does not slow the computer down in any way. It's very good at not hogging resources.
No user initiated scans are needed.
Pricing - substantial discounts for multiple computers.
Substantial discounts for multiple year purchases.
Substantial discounts for renewals.

I should say that these attributes are shared by many of their competitors products.

BTW, should you decide to not stay with McAfee (which would be an excellent decision IMO), Google McAfee removal tool. Removing it through normal means will not remove the software completely. You'll want it totally removed before installing another product.
Click to expand...

I second that recommendation. I have ESET at home, and we use AVG at work. Not impressed with AVG in the slightest.

NOD32 has never failed me! :D
 
I use NIS 09. Very light on resources as tbenning has said. Works great for me. Very satisfied. I have Norton 360 on my moms machine. Works great and cleans up/defrags her computer automatically. A little heavier on resources than NIS 09 but does a lot of maintenance that she couldn't otherwise do herself.
 
AVG Free addition for the last 2 years on all of my computers. Paid for McAfee and got viruses; paid for Norton, and got viruses; use AVG free and never had an issue (other than spyware which I easily remove). I will never pay for AV software again; biggest waste of money.
 
I have been using kaspersky on personal machines and McAfee on servers. I like kaspersky, it has been easy to manage, and you can download new versions and use your old key as needed.
 
I've been using Avast free version for a while now and am very satisfied with it. McAfee and Norton have both failed me, slowed down my computer and been absolutely awful to try and completely remove from a computer. I've used AVG, Avira and Avast for free protection. Avast seems to be the most complete and least annoying.

I suspect all antivirus programs will fail you at times. Would you rather a program that was free failed you or one that you spent money on failed you. Someone I know was recently infected while running McAfee. McAfee didn't block it. McAfee wouldn't remove it. McAfee customer service wouldn't help him. His computer runs painfully slow (even when virus free) and he's paying them every year. I don't get it.
 
DodgerKing said:
AVG Free addition for the last 2 years on all of my computers. Paid for McAfee and got viruses; paid for Norton, and got viruses; use AVG free and never had an issue (other than spyware which I easily remove). I will never pay for AV software again; biggest waste of money.
Click to expand...
I have never tried AVG so I am in the dark there but have always been leary of free stuff. Have you given NIS09 a spin? It is a lot better than prior versions. Miles apart.......:) Every now and then I will run SpyBot SD. Always comes up clean.
 
Frank Jr. said:
I have never tried AVG so I am in the dark there but have always been leary of free stuff. Have you given NIS09 a spin? It is a lot better than prior versions. Miles apart.......:) Every now and then I will run SpyBot SD. Always comes up clean.
Click to expand...
Let me put it this way. When I had McAfee, AVG would find stuff that McAfee wouldn't.
 
I run and install AVG Free Edition (currently it is at 8.5) on all of my computers and my client's computers. Its free, effective, and simple.
 

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