AV Software Questions

Hey all. I haven't gotten rid of Norton AV on my new HP yet, but it's happening soon. I've just always had the feeling that it uses a lot of resources (maybe I'm wrong?). When I was in college, they distributed a very different version of it that seemed to be much more non-invasive - The icon in the task bar was even different looking - must have been a business version?

I do have a few questions about all this protection crap that my friend doesn't have on his macbook (why doesn't mac need all this?):

1. My ISP offers CA Antivirus for free - should I just use that? I don't really feel like AV software does all that much, so I just want some basic protection. Would the Computer Associates one be adequate and use LITTLE TO NO resources considering it's free from my ISP?

2. What the HECK is Windows defender (Of course, I went to the "about" and "help" files and Microsoft still doesn't explain what it is)? I assume it's like a spyware remover? If that's the case, should I still use Adaware and SpyBot or will "WINDOWS DEFENDER" do it all?

3. I turned off that thing in Account Settings where VISTA asks me 123,840,213,844 times if a program is allowed to do something. OBVIOUSLY, if I clicked "RUN", the program ALREADY HAS my permission!!!! Is it necessary to have this thing on (I can't remember what it's called, but you MUST know what I'm talking about - it asks your permission constantly - I'm at work and we use XP Professional here)

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

1. norton uses too much resources in my opinion....i use avg...it is a minimalist i think.......CA antivirus must be just fine 4 u....however for making sure of infection free environment scan with avg or norton once in a while.....(once in 3 months will do)......

2. windows defender is supposed to be an antispyware.......i think it does its job with decency......however if u do not require this feature u can always disable it from msconfig

3. user access control is a holy crap in vista.....if u r the only user of ur pc u wont need it.......disable it

 

Is this what you're talking about? It will do a more thorough scan than the Computer Associates?

http://free.grisoft.com/

 

Macs don't need Anti-virus because apparently there aren't viruses for Macs or they aren't targetted or maybe Macs OS is more secure than Windows, it's something along those lines anyway.

1. I personally use nod32 www.eset.com it uses just 18MB of RAM and is rated extremely highly at www.av-comparatives.org, although it is quite expensive for just one PC.

2. Windows Defender is an anti-virus that comes with Vista, personally, I disable it a long with all other windows security, I use my own firewall/av.

3. You don't need it on and it's the first thing I turn off when I use anything with Vista on it

 

$60 I think I'll just use the CA Antivirus that my ISP is letting me have for free. It got decent ratings as well. I don't really believe in the whole antivirus thing anyway - if someone really wants to mess up your system -they're gonna do it regardless. That's why I always take my own precautions. Thank you for all the useful info though everybody!

 

Theres no viruses for macs cause only noobs use them haha. Truth is not enough people use them. Crackers go for Microsoft, its the big fish.

Get rid of Norton AV NOW! All it does is slow down your computer and cause problems and give you annoying pop ups. You will need to download a Norton Uninstaller to get rid of it.

I recommend you use AVG or kapersky, these have been proven to work well and doesnt eat resources. Dont think cause its a free program, it doesnt do a good job. AVG updates their virus list nearly everyday and have kept my computers bulletproof for years.

Keep windows defender, its quite handy. Its like spybot S&D but built-in vista to protect from adwares and spywares. If you disable it, windows security will keep giving you annoying pop-ups asking you to enable it. Its best you leave it running. I still recommend downloading spybot S&D and scanning every month or if something is going funny with your system

 

Yeah - I"ve been using spybot and adaware for years. They're excellent!

 

Stay away from kaspersky, it'll hog your system and never return it. I installed it once, and was never able to get rid of it completely.

The best, and I mean best thing would be to install Avira AntiVir for an anti virus, works extremely well and barely uses any resources. when you boot up it takes seconds to start and thats it. the only pop ups you'll see is when it's updating. BEST OF ALL, ITS FREE.

Second best program would be COMODO free firewall. In my opinion and the opinion of most PC users is that it's the best firewall out there. BEST OF ALL, ITS ALSO FREE.

I've been using my system for 2 months now. Not a single virus. nothing even came up with a full scan from spybot. Seriously just stay with these programs and you'll be fine. I personally disabled Defender. being that it's windows. and I don't think windows is very good at creating programs to block spyware. VISTA IS ONE BIG SPYWARE. lol

There is a website that'll check your computer for security holes. run it and post back how secure your system is. It went through almost every open port on my PC and every single one was 100% secured by Comodo.

http://www.pcflank.com/

 

Yeah - so I went and installed that CA antivirus today - it got decent ratings, but after I installed it, I didn't like how it put itself all over the place. Then I noticed another thing. My hard drive light keeps going. Now, this could be one other thing. Shortly after installing the CA AV, HP did an Update and included the new routine BIOS upgrade f.14. I really don't recall my hard drive light coming on constantly like this. I don't know what's going on - it just keeps blinking. At one point, windows took like 5 minutes to shut down when I tried to turn it all off.

 

Go with AVG or Avira, these programs wont give you any hassle at all. AVG has the most downloads worldwide last time i checked at www.download.com

 

Definitely get Comodo as your firewall, it's free and one of the best firewalls out there.

Windows Defender can be turned off without any annoying popups. In the security window click 'change the way security center alerts you' then you can just click 'never show the icon and never alert me'. Something along those lines anyway.

 

Downloads mean nothing .... I'm not digging this AVG - it's seems pretty purile. And it pops up a window everytime my computer starts. Last time, that window popped and then the computer stopped responding ... had to do a hard reset. I need something that is there, but NOT there if you know what I mean. Why can't they make an antivirus that DOESN'T try to take over your computer?

 

Avira doesn't pop up.

 

Install eset NOD32, it is the BEST AV program out there, what i do is to install the free 30 day trial program, then after 30 days i uninstall it, then reinstall it, (make sure you delete ESET program folder in C/Program files.)

So you then have the best AV program for FREE

Also windows defender is a anti-spyware program, plus it will also stop any programs from starting it it thinks it's a threat.

MACs don't need all this because virus writers only attack windows based systems, (although there are now a few viruses for MAC's also.)

Lastly, switch vista UAC back ON !!!, this is a usefull utility so YOU are in control what programs run, this maybe in the future your only opportunity to stop a virus completely taking over your PC.

 

Yeah - you're probably right about UAC. I heard it stops asking you after a while anyway.

Yitzer - I'll check out Avira - I just haven't seen any reviews on it anywhere.

 

Listen, all I know is, that Avira is probably the least intrusive anti virus, never pops up. And it has an extremely small footprint on your system. NOD32 is a very good anti virus also. Try them out.

Thats the only way you'll find an antivirus that you like.