Best anti-virus program to use ? if you want to buy it?

I have tried the free versions of Cyberdefender, Prevx, ESET, PC Tools, AVG and Webroot. Most are just scanners, or 30 day trial versions, but I am looking to buy one of these.

All of these offer a $29 paid version (except AVG - $34 is cheapest paid version). I am leaning to Cyberdefender, but we would like some feedback on this. I like that Cyberdefender is a public company (NASDAQ) and that they have 24/7 computer help that goes beyond tech help for the software.

I would like to know if someone has some information on the performance of the paid version of these programs? Which offers the best protection/speed balance?

 

I will advise Norton 2009. Light and one of the best at the moment. I've used, Bitdefender, Avira, Kaspersky...did not like them. Especially Avira...all talk and when it came to removing stuff, Malwarebytes had to do it .

 

I moved this thread to the correct subforum.

 

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

Enjoy.

 

I second NIS 2009. Very good performance.

 

i tried, avg, norton, kspersky and nod32. the one i like the most is nod32 and it is really fast

 

Yeah NIS2009 seems really good so far (I'm only using the trial for now).

One of our IT guys gave me an evaluation copy of Symantec Endpoint Protection to put on my company laptop running vista and I have to say I'm impressed with that one too. No slowdowns whatsoever and the UI is simple enough yet has a ton of options for both managed and unmanaged/standalone systems. It's supposed to be replacing our Symantec Anti Virus which we've been using forever and has been good too.

I'm shocked I'm saying this because I was never a fan of Norton/Symantec and used to tell people to avoid them but their new line-up of products is impressive.

 

NOD32 user here since 3 years! and my current license has just been renewed for another 2 years!

NOD32 is the lightest on system resources while still being very good at catching viruses! never had a virus in my life

 

I wouldn't touch CyberDefender with a 10 foot pole.
Read for instance this complaint about their " bundled ‘MyIdentityDefender’ Internet Explorer toolbar, which monitors users’ web browsing behavior and transmits users’ URL history to CyberDefender, and which changes the user’s default search settings to display a CyberDefender branded, advertising predominated search engine."

While this might be an option during install (haven't ever installed it and not planning to, to be honest), it's not something any normal/decent company should put in a security program.
CyberDefender free also relies heavily on ads. Not necessarily a bad thing but there are better free AV/AS alternatives that offer much better protection for free with less hassle; Avira, Avast and AVG.

If you're looking for a decent all-in-one package, try Norton IS 2009 and/or Kaspersky IS 2009.
Use the trial versions to test whether you like the programs before purchasing one.
Cheers.

 

I bought Norton Antivirus 2009 one year subscription for $16.99. It's performance is impressive.

 

I know what you mean . They "Conroed" the AV market .

 

another vote for norton. good stuff.

 

HMMM, after reading this thread I am going to have to check out Norton. I've always had decent success with AVG but I have had a desktop crash with it.

 

Make sure you remove AVG completely. For optimum norton 2009, install on fresh system.

 

For some reason, Norton AV 2009 live update kept failing when I first installed it.

 

It must be an issue with your link to their servers. I've never had that.

 

Do you have an active firewall?

 

I am using Windows firewall (Vista). I think the symantec servers were a bit over loaded during that time. Finally the live update downloaded all (20 MB) updates.

 

Sort of a different vote here, Norton 2K9 Gaming Edition with Comodo Firewall.

 

Hello just have a look at this:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/124475/top_antivirus_software.html

 

That's three years old.

Bill

 

i think that zone alrm is really good.

 

It depends on your OS, 32-bit or 64-bit, and on your particular system. You had the right idea when you tried out all those 30-day free trials. From my own perspective, if it's just pure AV, Nod32 is the one to get.

Generally, as people have mentioned, you won't go wrong with Norton Internet Security 2009 (the 2009 part is key), Avira, or Eset. But again, it depends on your particular setup.

For example, NIS2009 works great on Vista 32, but it has problems in Windows 7 64-bit, and 2 features are disabled in 64-bit OS's regardless.

Avira also lacks full 64-bit integration (blame MS).

Nod32 as an antivirus is great, but the latest System Security 4 RC has firewall problems that can shut down your network.

Obviously, these are just some random bugs and examples that won't apply to everyone. The point is, try each of them out and see how each of the programs works on your rig.

 

I never tried Norton 2009, but I used older versions.
Many say that Norton 2009 shall be faster than the previous versions. But I still won't go back to Norton, because I found a, in my opinion, much better AV software: Eset NOD32.
It's one of the fastest and lightest out there and I also like the user interface. It's simple, lightweight, you find what you search, not so with the Norton Versions I used in the past.

Regarding virus detection: I had a virus on my PC while Norton AV was running, Norton was not able to detect it, so I had to remove it manually. The same happened with NOD32. Last year I noticed strange internet traffic, found a trojan, NOD32 did not detect it (even with their advanced heuristics), I removed it manually but send the file to Eset (don't know if you can do it that easy with Norton, at least I did not know it), after a definition update it recognized the virus.

So both failed. But I prefer NOD32.

I also dislike Norton because on almost every PC is a Norton Trial preinstalled which needs a special tool to remove it, hopefully, completely.

Now they've also released a further special "Gaming Editon". Why do they need a gaming edition, why can't they implement this in their normal edition, their products are just strange and I just don't like such a policy.

 

NOD32. no contest IMO.

 

Norton 2009 is pretty lightweight and fast...nearly to the extent of Nod32. In terms of most improved AV, I'd say Norton wins hands down. Of course, that's due in large part to the fact that it's not that hard to improve from being the worst AV on the market for 6 out of the past 7 years

But in all fairness, NIS 2009 is quite good.

 

Norton Antivirus 2009 uses significantly less resources than, yes, NOD32. I have used both products, in addition to Kaspersky, McAfee, and Zonealarm.

In addition, it also scans the fastest out of all the options I've used.

 

ESET Smart Security here. Never had a problem. I may try NIS 2009 later.

 

I would absolutely NOT reccomend McAfee 2009. It was using 70% of my CPU on scan, over 120mb of RAM, froze 200 files into it, and drove me insane with thousands of Comodo firewall alerts. I only got it because it was free after rebate.

 

i would also recommend norton 2009, its updates every few minutes automatically, and it automatically scans your computer then you leave it idle. the best part is it uses so less resources

 

using ESET...frustrated after using Norton all those years (2002-2007).

 

Norton FTW.

 

I've had this problem, but can not duplicate it now to help you. But I remember that after the downloaded Live updates would not install, in the live updates window, there was an underlined -- for more info--and I clicked on this link which brought me to a Live Update installation tool. Download this tool, select install/run. RESTART your computer. Run live updates again, Good luck.

 

What is your justification, specifically, for classifying Norton as an inferior product?

 

lol no way you can say this after reading over at wilders..

 

..in bizarro world.

 

Ive been using Eset Nod32 from their first version, always worked great, I am now running Eset security suite 4 on all my machines and they still run great, I have no reason to switch, I would love to see Nod32 imbeded into my routers firmware like Dlink is doing now.

 

NOD32 v4 FTW

 

I'm using Kaspersky and I for my part are fully happy with them
Works great.
But then I belong to the people who never seem to catch a virus in the first place

 

Why I knew that you will advertise Kaspesky here?

Maybe because I draw my conclusions based on the way you react to my warnings about Kaspersky's affiliation with Russian FSB (ex KGB)?

 

dude enough man.. seriously.. no offense but c'mon already

 

Yikes Baserk - that's pretty rough - 10ft pole? I use Cyberdefender at the referral of a friend of mine. I researched before I downloaded and it has gotten some great reviews - even on CNET.

http://www.download.com/CyberDefender-AntiSpyware/3000-8022_4-10811874.html?tag=mncol

Plus their a NASDAQ company which a lot of them aren't. Personally I use it, and I've been very happy with them - AVG was slow and took up a lot of space, which Cyberdefender doesn't and it caught some stuff that Norton didn't even find.

 

hate to say it but i have to agree with baserk on that one

 

Would you mind to post those stuff? Tracking cookies????

 

+1 for Norton Internet Security 2009. Run's well on my Vista box and it does not hog resources while I'm using my machine. I like the fact that it monitors how much CPU it uses compared with the rest of the system. Also a plus is how quick it installed on my machine (under a minute). Just wish full scan's were as quick on all attached drives .

 

Avira is also an best Anti Virus software.

 

norton always slows down my computer and i have a dv7-1135nr with a duo core 2.0 i need to find something though so my computer will be protected

 

I find it hard to believe that Norton is slowing down your laptop. Sure it's not some other program running in the background ?

 

Since Norton apparently had an epiphany (sort of like MS and W7) and decided to make a good, lightweight product for the first time in 10 years, I have to ask... are you using version 9? Or an older one?

 

i used AVIRA , its performance is good.it detects the threads easily .

so you can take the avira for your use .