Which anti-virus software?

Hello everybody--long-time reader here but first-time poster. I have a quick question about getting an anti-virus software for my laptop. I am planning to get a Dell XPS M1330 this fall, and Dell bundles McAfee with the system and offers discounts for purchasing protection beyond one year. My current laptop is currently equipped with AVG for anti-virus protection and Ad-aware for spyware protection. Both are free and both have served me well for the last year or two (no infections or spyware of any sort on my laptop). However, I am wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to invest in something more reliable for my new system. I would love to save money, but I am willing to pay for legitimate protection. Any advice (esp. those who have used McAfee) would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

 

mcfee is good stay with that

 

AVG is legitimate! If you want to pay for something you can get free go for it. I use AVG seems like you might be getting sucked in by marketing. As said so often on NBR, use AVG and take the money you save and buy more RAM or faster HDD.

 

yeah, i agree with the saving money for RAM or faster HDD.

also, as an alternative to AVG, you can try Avast home edition. all you have to do is sign up, and they e-mail you a key.

 

I have used AVG free for over 3 years, no infections. And does not sap system resources like some others (like Norton of McAfee)

 

IMO NOD32 and Kaspersky are the best. But AVG is good enough for most users and so is Mcafee. There has been many similar posts in the past. Please read them, you can find plenty of comments and some good info.

Two recent (popular) threads:
What is the best antivirus?
Kaspersky or Nod32

 

In order, from most important to least:

1. FireWall
2. AntiSpyWare
3. AntiVirus

 

Kaspersky I recommend
For its excellent engine
But you must choose a good Firewall That's most important
And in my mind Antispyware is not essential if you have an excellent Antivirus such as Kaspersky You don't have to install another Antispyware if you really want to have one windows defender is enough which is produced by Microsoft

 

If AVG and AdAware have served you well for the last year or 2 with no infections or spyware, why change?

 

Kaspersky as it uses very small resource and has great virus detection engine.

 

Don't foget about Avast! ~Real time web scanning~

 

McAfee VirusScan Enterprise + McAfee AntiSpyware Enterprise Module

Have good reputation, reliable. A bit heavy (8000-10000K memory usage?) but not too much.

You could also add McAfee Desktop FireWall, a great firewall however unfortunately developers are about to close the project so its not going to be supported (but of course you can use firewall).

Edit: Actually, this looks like a great option (for home users): http://us.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=276

 

I'd stick with what you know. AVG is a good free anti virus program and has served me well for a number of years now. If it aint broke don't fix it?!

Personally I'm not keen on McAfee or Norton (suites or standalone programs)as they are swines to get rid of if you change your mind and want to ditch them. Both are prone to leaving things left on your computer even after you've run the uninstallers.

I can recommend Comodo Firewall if you plan on getting a firewall to go with it, it's free too.