Best Anti-Virus / Anti-Spam? Nod32?

What would everyone here consider the best value Anti-Virus or Anti-Spam software? I've been using the free AVG Antivirus for a while because Norton and McAfee (which I get free through Comcast btw) seem to be bloatware and cause stability issues. I used to like McAfee as it was the little guy, and Norton screwed up my PC so badly I won't touch them again.

AVG has been trouble free but not sure if it is the best value (even though it is free). I have had very little issue over the years with viruses, but spyware is always annoying, however Spybot (donate yearly), Registry Mechanic (registered), eWido (occasional shareware download), and AVG spyware (shareware), seem to do an adequate job. And I do an occasional online virus scan with TrendMicro and Panda.

I hear Nod32 is pretty spectacular. It has a small memory footprint, causes nary an issue, and has the best heuristic detection out there. Is it worth investing in this software?

 

NOD32 is worth its price. I don't see why you shouldn't use it. Go for it!

 

If you're willing to pay for an AV, then definitely try out both nod32 and kaspersky. Both are at the top of what they do.

Kaspersky just came out with its latest version 7.0 a few months ago.

Nod32's version 3.0 will be out shortly - and you can beta test a rc if you want.

Overall, based on results from previous years, I'd say Nod32 is hands-down the best overall standalone AV on the market, although Kaspersky comes close (they excel in different areas).

I'm just waiting for nod32 3.0 to be released

 

I use AntiVir(spelled corect) Personal its great & I use Ad-Aware for anti-spam/anti-malware.
You can download these @ http://www.filehippo.com or http://www .download.com

 

Thanks guys. I think I'll wait for Nod32 3.0 to be released, download the shareware and give it a shot. I used to think anti-virus software was pretty much the same, but over the years realized it is not.

 

Another great AV you may want to consider is Kaspersky, htwingnut, as taelrak suggested.

 

I've been using zonealarm security suite for the last couple years and its been pretty good to me. The security suite comes with AV, firewall, anti-spyware, e-mail and IM protection.

 

Zonealarm Security Suite 2007 actually uses Kaspersky 6 (now outdated)... so yea the AV would be quite good in it.

 

What about AVG professional/non-free version?

 

NOD32 is what I use and recommend it. I don't buy much software anymore other than games, but I don't skimp on Virus or Scumware apps.

 

another vote for kaspersky

 

Why even go through the hassle of getting a new AV. If you say that you never had any trouble while using AVG, makes no sense to switch. In your situation I'd just use a nice anti-spyware utility like Spyware Blaster that takes proactive measures and blocks those "bad" sites from installing spyware on your PC in the first place.

I've been using AVG Free + spyware blaster (& Spybot S&D before) for over 2 years now, and never had a single virus/trojan or any spyware on any of my PCs or laptops. (don't forget to use Firefox as your browser)

If you really want to switch than I'd recommend Nod32 ver. 3.0 when it's released (it's definitely worth the money).

And since we're on the subject of protecting your PC, then I'd even recommend another piece of free software Ashampoo's Firewall. It's very easy to set-up and use and the protection is on par with any other firewall app. available.

My personal favorite is still AVG, as the price/performance ratio can't be beaten And since I'm a "optimizer" at heart, I only use software that doesn't slow down my system[*except windows ofc] (even better if it's free) and increase my boot times.

Maybe I should write a post with recommendations for widely used apps. (and their freeware "low memory footprint" alternatives) someday.

 

I don't use firefox because I need IE for work related apps. And find too many websites are not very firefox friendly.

I will stick with Free AVG if everyone feels it is more than adequate both in detection, prevention, and minimal resource useage.

I'll look into the spyware blaster though. That's another thing that's a dime a dozen, and hard to tell what really works.

 

NOD32, simply the best, not only in virus catching, but when resource it uses (which is very, very low) is added to it's performace as well.

 

I have a quick question (slightly off topic):
I've been running nod32 for about 3 months now and I like it. However, I do have a little qualm about the on-demand scan. I like to run the on-demand scanner and then come back an hour or two later once it's finished.
It makes sense to me that during this scan, if nod32 finds an infection it should clean it or (if it fails) continue scanning and nofity the user about the infection at the end. Instead, if it finds an infection it can't clean it will stop the scan there and give the user some options (but the only option is to 'leave' the file!).
Since it pauses the scan, when I come back an hour later I find that the scan has barely got through my disks. I really don't want to have to sit there and wait for every pause to click 'Leave' to make it continue.
I've experimented with a lot of options, but none work.
Any nod32 pros know how to change this behaviour?

(N.B. The only time the scan seems to pause is when it finds something inside an archive and it wants me to delete it)

 

In the NOD32 Control Center and under Threat Protection Modules, click NOD32 -> click In-depth Analysis -> immediately click Stop once the scan starts -> click the Actions tab and set your options to automatically clean or delete infected files (and other categories in the list box) without prompting.

 

And then save the profile.


Select Clean and on the right under "If cleaning cannot be performed" select Delete. Do it for everything (ie, files, archives etc).

 

Does this Spyware Blaster slows ur internet speed since it would enforce some proactive measure before each access of a web site ?

 

Just get the latest HOST file from here, and replace your old one. It should take care of MOST of the ads, and spyware related websites. Then, get SpyBot S&D, update it, and click on Immunize.

Also, I would suggest you try Opera. With this browser, I have not, and I mean it, had ANY spyware problems. I use SpyBot S&D, Ad-Aware, Webroot Spy Sweeper and Windows Defender, one after the other after updating them, when I clean my PC/Notebook everyweek. It's been 3-4 years now (touchwood). Also, it is the fastest. Give it a try, for a week, and then chose whether to keep it or not. Download a stable built though, and not the 9.5 Alpha.

Also, I think NOD32's IMON takes care of the websites with virus' etc isn't it?

 

I don't recommend using a modified HOSTS file to block ads while browsing the web, since it usually takes a few seconds for the DNS client to resolve hosts that resolve to nothing (if you don't run a web server) and the browser to find non-existent files on your localhost. You'll definitely notice a decrease in speed while browsing. Instead, use the Adblock Plus, Adblock Filterset.G Updater, and CustomizeGoogle extensions with Firefox or IE7Pro with Internet Explorer 7.

 

NOD32 is recommended to me by most my friends, but I use Avast because it's free, low on resources, and does it's job good enough. If NOD32 was free I would give it a try.

 

Norton 2008

 

^^^ Is that a Joke?

 

No, RogueMonk really does like Norton Antivirus 2008, as I've observed in many of his posts in similar topics .

 

Well, Norton always was decent for viruses and whatnot. It just was so slow and bloated that it itself made the computer drag more than most viruses could ever hope to...

I hear 2007 was finally the version that brought it out of the gutter though. How is 2008? Maybe Norton will surprise us all once again and come out on top.

 

Norton Antivirus 2007 was certainly a major improvement over Norton Antivirus 2006. Much lighter, nice UI, faster. I know because I have had Norton AV on my desktop PC for years, trying out all the versions .

Just a note, its not my choice what AV the desktop PC uses. If I had a choice, I'd be on Kaspersky or NOD32.

 

I am unceratin if NOD32 has a firewall within it. Couldn't locate it in the usermanual for v2.7. Also, should I give it a go with the trial version for 30 days hoping that v3.0 will come out during that time frame? Or, should I just assume that I will be able to acquire the v3.0 as a free upgrade or at a discount?

I just got rid of Norton 2006. Yick.

Thanks for the help.

 

Nod32 2.7 does not have a firewall.

Nod32 3.0 will come out with a suite and standalone version. The suite edition will have a firewall.

 

I suggest Opera too. This is not to start anti-firefox or anti-IE thread but i have been using it for the past 7 years and i have always found it good inspite of little plugin troubles here and there. The problem today is that a'mature website designers are very shortsighted in web designing and design sites with only IE and now firefox in mind.
Also, NOD32 is really good and does what it claims.

NOD32+ Spybot + opera --- > i am trouble free so far so long...

 

best FREE anti virus- AVG

best PAID anti-virus-NOD32

for spyware i run both spybot search and destroy as well as lavasoft adaware.

 

I use NOD32 + SpySweeper. Like them. Spysweeper was causing a BSOD when the computer went to sleep, and again it was Vista. A hotfix cured the problem. Can't wait for SP1

 

I've used NOD32 AV for a number of years. I like it very much and find it efficient and reliable. I also use AdAware and Spybot S&D.

 

I think that I'm going to give NOD32 a chance. I keep hearing nothing but good things about it. I had Kaspersky once-upon-a-time, and I really have no complaints about it. It did its job very quietly. Sometimes, you'll wonder if the thing is even on because you don't notice it at all. It never interrupted anything I did, so I don't know if that means it just never found anything on my PC or if it just automatically got rid of what it may have found automatically. Its a good program.

 

hi htwingnut

i use kasprersky anti-virus 6.0

you can download whit run to date 11-03-2010 by pahch from this website :

http://www.arab999.net/showthread.php?t=104

thanks for your nice topic

 

To me it's Kaspersky or NOD32. I use NOD32 because it seems so non invasive and light.