The best antivirus protection

Kalina · 03-01-2006, 10:48 PM

I know everyone has a different opinion but I'd like to know before I invest in anything.

Since restoring my HD from a major crash, my Norton AntiVirus trial just expired.

I'd like to know the best AntiVirus programs out there to invest in or use.

Kitchen Designer · 03-02-2006, 12:19 AM

Try 'Avast'. Its free, works well and has a pirate word in it.

Oh, just make sure your soundcard is turned down or you will freak out when the virus database gets updated.

Avast Colleen, my buxom wench
Aye be wantin' to fire off my cannon through your porthole if ye dont mind. Arrr!
Bend over and prepare to be boarded!

Kalina · 03-02-2006, 12:22 AM

I've used it before so I will probably recognize any noises, I just couldn't remember what I had used.

Aye, you dirrty pirate!!

Going to check it out now, thanks!

krumel · 03-02-2006, 12:24 AM

I use Nod32.

**G10** · 03-02-2006, 01:43 AM

Hi Colleen,

Best antivirus protection depends on whether you're after a free one or a paid one.

For paid ones, I would go with Mcafee or Norton (latest releases of course).

Norton can be resource heavy and my personal choice is Mcafee.

As for the free ones, yep AVAST is pretty good.

If I had to pick, I would spend the few pounds and go with Mcafee solution as antivirus software is something rather important.

There is a reason corporates / colleges etc use Mcafee and that is because it is one of the best

Kalina · 03-02-2006, 01:47 AM

Hi G10,

Thanks for the feedback. After uninstalling Norton an hour or so ago, I noticed 10 less tasks in the task manager, I am thinking "woo hoo!!" I didn't know it was such a resource hog. Things are running faster.

I don't mind free or paid, I did install Avast and will see how I like it for a few weeks, then decide. I've had McAfee in the past and liked it as well.

Tomassi · 03-02-2006, 04:00 AM

I'm using Avast antivir for a year now.. It's great! never had any problems, and like the way they named their scanner

WhiteOvalStickers · 03-02-2006, 07:03 AM

I have a friend who knows about software from a company called Authentium. It is just as good as Norton or McAfee but is not nearly as well known. Apparently they do private licensing for Comcast, Bresnan, Earthlink and some others. Their site (authentium.com) says they protect 1 in 4 broadband users in the US. Not sure if that is true or just marketing. I guess it could be since it isn't under their name, just other ISPs.

At any rate, the software is supposed to be like half the memory footprint of Norton or McAfee and run as fast or faster. The GUI isn't fancy, very utilitarian but if it works like they say, who cares.

sednax · 03-03-2006, 03:47 AM

i don't know if it's the best but i use avg, it sure is the best free one!

**T0d** · 03-04-2006, 06:52 PM

AVG Free is what I use on all my systems as well as friends and families!

Mong · 03-05-2006, 12:00 AM

I use AVG its free and light.

cldnails · 03-07-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddW

AVG Free is what I use on all my systems as well as friends and families!

I run AVG on my work PC and it never seems to miss a beat, especially for being free. Just don't bog down your system and overkill your resources by running 2 antivi applications. Depending on who you ask, you really dont' need 2.

WhiteOvalStickers · 03-09-2006, 09:50 AM

If you run 2 AV programs, the liklihood of them interfering with each other is pretty high. Anticipate blue screens. No one plays nice with anyone else, by design.

DuncanM · 03-20-2006, 06:30 PM

Avoid Norton.

Their products invade your system more thoroughly than a virus. You've already noticed how it had slowed down your system. You probably haven't gotten rid of it entirely either.

The March 2006 issue of PC World magazine included an article about the various Antivirus products:

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...d,51466,00.asp

Based on this article, and several forums whose theme focuses on security, Norton products are NOT highly regarded. Several products have already been mentioned that are pretty good. There are several other excellent ones available too.

Regards,

Duncan

jamestcs · 03-20-2006, 09:29 PM

Norton takes too many CPU resource and RAM resource.. if you run on Pentium III or lower, you can see how slow you computer is after install it.

I recommend Nod 32 or AVG , its free.

At the same time, i also advise to install Anti-spyware such as Ad-aware, Spybot etc.. to increase the protection.
__________________
James
Singapore car dealers and exporters

veridicus · 03-28-2006, 02:46 PM

The best antivirus program is Mac OS X

Of course it'll require you get a new computer... but I can almost guarantee you'll be happy with it.

GuyFromChicago · 03-28-2006, 02:49 PM

Norton is a giant pile of crap. Here's another vote for the free version of AVG.

pukenerampa · 03-29-2006, 01:02 AM

I use AVG... came from norton antivirus.

**G10** · 03-29-2006, 01:13 AM

Norton is resource heavy but I wouldn't go as far as to say it's crap.

A lot of blue chip corporations use it, and they know it's resource heavy but they use it for one reason, if you keep your version number and your sigs up to date, it's pretty good.

My personal preference is Mcafee though as it just seems to get the edge on Norton.

AVG is pretty good and I do recommend that if you cant afford the cost of Mcafee but it isn't as tight.

GuyFromChicago · 03-29-2006, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G10

Norton is resource heavy but I wouldn't go as far as to say it's crap.

I would

Ever tried to completely remove Norton from a machine?

Quote:

Originally Posted by G10

A lot of blue chip corporations use it, and they know it's resource heavy but they use it for one reason, if you keep your version number and your sigs up to date, it's pretty good.

The larger the company the easier it is for bad decisions to go undetected for extended periods of time

Quote:

Originally Posted by G10

My personal preference is Mcafee though as it just seems to get the edge on Norton.

I honestly have looked at Mcafee in a long time. Last time I used a paid version I remember thinking "WTF is with all these ads? Did I buy a commercial or a piece of AV software?" Outside of that I do remember it being a decent program for the price and I'm sure it's improved 10 times over since the last time I looked at it.