Time for anti-virus software, but choose which one?

Yes, it is.
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AVG is GREAT. Even though I got a free 90 day trial of norton, i immediately uninstalled it and threw avg free version on.

 

You should check the PC World review for the anti-virus softwares. The best 2 are Kaspersky and Norton. You won't be wrong with these two at any time.

Check the review and you will see these two are the best two generally speaking.

 

That's just one review, from a "commercial" mag.
I generally don't put too much of trust in those.
And the fact that they've placed Norton on top should make you very, VERY suspecious.

I would suggest checking out this site first:

http://www.av-comparatives.org
(Click Comparatives, line 14, online reports of May)

 

Be careful since AV Comparative only compare norton antivirus. NAV is considered average as a stand alone security program. If you want to use norton, use their more complete suite, like Norton Internet Security or Norton 360.

 

PC World has almost zero credibility, lots of people (including me) have had problems with Norton. Not to mention the waste of resources it uses.

Kaspersky or NOD, you can't go wrong with either.

 

I can sympathize with that...

I previously had a subscription for McAfee antivirus software. After a few years of that, it had never detected anything, ever. So enough of that, I decided. Now I've got AOL Active Virus Shield installed (free, based on Kaspersky). Even that may not be worth what I paid for it.

I have Windows Defender installed, again, it has never identified a single piece of spyware on my system. Probably not worth the cycles it takes.

So what do I rely on for security?

A hardware firewall (wireless router) in addition to XP's firewall. I use gmail and don't open spam. And I use Firefox with Adblock, instead of Internet Exploder. And, I guess I just don't feel an urge to do obviously stupid stuff.

 

Everything you do sounds good, CrazyPete (I like your screen name, btw lol), except for having AOL.

Fortunately, I've never had to subscribe to AOL, but have had several machines which came with its program(s) installed. Took forever to get rid of them and all the included processes. Ugh. On the same computers were Norton (not the 2007 variety which seems to be very good), links to every damn thing including eBay, many MS applications I never use and all sorts of invitations to buy this or subscribe to that. What a mess!

Fortunately, the machines did NOT include any true malware.

Our AV programs have only ever detected one virus that I can recall, and it was recent. Kaspersky found something nasty and stopped it from installing. My son had been surfing My Space . . . He has been banned from using my Windows machine!

 

Symantec antivirus corporate edition is pretty nice. It is far better than the consumer version. Uses the minimal amount of resources.

Version 10.2 and above are compatible with Vista.

 

I have university free Norton, so I use it and for 2 years, it works well.

 

This may be off-topic, but i would advise against Anti-Virus software. I am a computer programmer, and i know Windows in and out. The thing is, most of your viruses come from your own actions, and you can learn pretty fast what not to download. For instance if you use peer to peer networks, each in every 20 to 100 files you download is patched with virus/trojan code. Skipping forward, i would just tell you that the only kind of code you cannot stop conciously is the code that gets in the machine thru remote exploits of Windows network ports.

Still, what you do is you create a user in Windows, which is part of the Users group, and unless you install stuff (which you use the Administrator account for) , you login as that user. Even if you run a code that exploits Windows it wont be able to do anything, because the way Windows is built it cannot do what viruses do - propogade. I.e. it will try to set itself for startup - without luck, and it will try to replace the system files with its own patched versions - also without luck.

Disable the services you do not use.

This setup has worked for me since about 2002 when Windows XP came out.

What you win is you get a clean&lean system running with no antivirus monitoring and taking cycles off your CPU and slowing down your already slow disk subsystem, not to mention sitting in memory. If Windows were built better, you would not notice an antivirus software, but since it has to run in user space you can feel its presence.

I cannot claim to have the only truth on this, but i tell you it works for me, and it works better thana anything else i tried.

 

This method might work for you, but i advise against not having any degree of protection at all. Some users might not know the symptoms of a virus attack, some are polymorphic viruses (other less variants) that makes it even harder to detect their symptoms. Prevention is always better than cure. A computer that is buried 20 feet deep, i am not confident that it is going to be secure and virus free when i dig it back up.

Virus writers will release newer viruses that may circumvent any current detection methods in the near future. A genuine executable file that is downloaded from the genuine site can have their executables infected. You can never tell what and where to download, and assume that genuine sites are always clean. You will never know. Most Windows XP machine users are adminstrator by default, which increases the chance that the machine will get infected, with or without notice/action from the user. I recommend AVG antivius as it is lightweight on memory and resources, and it is easy to learn. Also, no software is perfect. Microsoft had learned on improvement to security for the past decade, and we are seeing the fruits of it in their latest operating system ; although it still has room for improvements.

 

Sorry, but your reasons for not running the anti-virus sound like complete nonsense.
A good anitvirus like NOD32 takes virtually no toll on system resources.
Even on a single core processor its presence is undetectable and can only be seen in the task manager.
Unless you're still running a Pentium3 with 256 MB of memory.

 

Do you use the private disk thinkvantage software with Nod32? I had tremendous problems and needed recovery disks. Do you find you need to turn NOD32 off whenever you are doing disk partitioning or any installation of new software etc.? I had bought a copy which is sitting in my inbox because twice it's eaten my system in different ways. I ended up sticking with the symantec corporate edition which seems to run well (I run Win XP mind you, not Vista).

Just thought I'd get your thoughts on NOD32.

Thanks,
S

 

AVG is very good and its free, also I use ZoneAlarm for its firewall, anti-virus and spyware cleaner. Consider ZoneAlarm, it gets the job done.

 

I just bought NOD32 and the system startup is apparently faster than Norton.

 

I have been looking at both Kaspersky and NOD32. I think i'm probably going to get NOD32. Anyone know when version 3.0 is due out? I need 3 licenses and I'd hate to buy 2.7 now only to find the next version released in a month or two...

 

Which antivirus is the most effective and uses the least amount of resources. I have AVG right now with the resident shield running and it seems to use a good amount of resources

 

I do the same thing

Many people don't realize that you have to be in certain places or doing certain things to get a virus or spyware. I know so many people who get spyware and don't know why... It's because they personally said yes to install the software.

I've been antivirus-protection-free since 4 years ago and have never had any problems.

Sure there's a risk, but I'd rather have the convinience of a fast and clean system than of a slow and clumped one. Just as long as you back up your data to external sources and make a hard drive image clone onto dvd's then I wouldn't worry.

However, I must add that I am very computer savvy and I know where you can catch a virus and what it feels like to have one. Just be sharp and don't make any obvious mistakes (like search for warez on google).

I'm not condoning to everyone not to have one, but to those who know a lot about computers and can handle themselves should think about getting rid of it. One good rule of thumb is if you have lots of spyware, then you might not know how to effectively monitor your system and therefore wouldn't be able to spot virus hang-outs.

Just my honest opinion, its your preference to install it or not but I choose not to.

 

NOD32 AntiVirus (Windows) $24.99 Free Shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?CMP=AFC-TechBargains&Item=N82E16832114002

 

So am I only the one who has problems with NOD32 and the Thinkvantage Security client? I am assuming that is what it is because I did a complete custom factory restore today withou symantec and once I installed my NOD32 as usual if I hit the right track pad button over a file it will just keep on with the hour glass symbol until you manual power down. Just spent another 4 hours today with reinstalling everything, I am a glutton for punishment.

 

Why bother, I dont understand how people get viruses, I have been a developer for 14 years working mainly with windows as my os. I have never used any anti virus protection, and have never had a virus. Just use your common sense, that is the best anti virus protection ever made.

 

No computer will be infected with virus/spyware unless the user visits adult websites and click on the links in unsolicited/spam e-mails.

Aol Active virus shield is a pretty good free (for 1 yr) antivirus+ antispyware program. Click here http://www.activevirusshield.com for more info.


Avast antivirus is a decent program. http://www.avast.com

 

I prefer Kaspersky in general, but it is a little taxing on the CPU, as it has an ongoing file scan going, as well as scanning anything you view on the computer, or download. However, the main feature I do like about it, is the Active Defense, which has already saved my behind several times. Yes, it may be a little hard on the computer cycles, but you can disable certain functions, such as the file scanner, and just do regularly schedules scans instead.

As for firewall, I use Kerio, which is well worth it. Though it may be annoying for the first few weeks when you set it to learning mode, but eventually its worth it to see that all the programs you're running are working, rather than having anything and everything running.

As for Mcafee, I can assure you, that is the WORST possible anti-virus you can get. One time, after a reguarly scheduled update, it nearly destroyed my entire MS Office installation. Nearly 24 hours later, a new update was released, and by then, my MS Office installation would have disappeared.

As for Norton, I used the professional version for about a year, and its much more taxing on the computer than Kaspersky is, despite having less functions. Yes, it does have a ongoing file scanner such as Kaspersky does, but not as thorough.

 

i totally agree with you. the first/last time i got a virus was when I was in the 8th grade downloading from warez sites(sorry macromedia and microsoft!). I stopped using them as most of the software I need has been given to me for free through either work or school. haven't seen a virus since.

I still choose to keep an AV on my system just in case for two reasons (1)If I manage to roam into forbidden territory and manage to get infected. (2) Its rare, but if a moron uses my laptop.

Sorta like being with a chick, you could be with her for a few yrs but you should still wear a sombrero because you never know what she's been up to

 

Where is Trend Micro?

That is the only ant-virus software I will ever use

 

Not sure what problem you have. Mine is working smoothly. Good luck.

 

Anyone try Windows Live Onecare?

 

I've been using Trend Micro but I have also tested BitDefender and Nod32, both very good programs.