anybody have a recommendation??
i currently use norton 360 and i'm looking for something different/better.
free or buy doesnt matter.
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anybody have a recommendation??
i currently use norton 360 and i'm looking for something different/better.
free or buy doesnt matter.
I use avast (its free). I haven't had an infection, but it has caught a few before it made it into my machine. I also use firefox and adaware and stay pretty clean for the most part.
I like McAfee, it is seamless, doesn't take up as much room on my computer as Norton. I also purchased Spy Sweeper, but the truth is that McAfee has caught almost everything that Spy Sweeper gets, but I like the redundancy. Check out this link:
This was done in April of 08: http://reviews.cnet.com/1990-6600_7-...rColumnArea1.1
Rick
I've been using AVG Free Anti virus for a few years now. I really like it. I took off Norton in favor of it. Norton slowed may computer to a snails crawl. AVG doesn't do that.
http://free.avg.com/ww.download-avg-...s-free-edition
I use Norton. Which, after what Mato said, might explain my puter's slowness these days. I tried AVG and it messed up my puter beyond belief, so it left in a hurry.
Any of the commercial programs should work just fine. I hesitate to use off-brand software because I stongly suspect that the people who wrote it spend their off hours in Kazakhstan hacking into people's puters through the software they got you to buy, or install for free. Nothing is free.
We had Norton on our last computer and it was just fine, except it was a bit pricey.
On our current computer, we've been using AVG Free since day one. No problems at all. We do have anti-virus protection and a firewall from our ISP also, which may make AVG seem better than it really is on its own ??
I use Norton. I once tried McAffee but found that once it's on a computer, it's impossible to get off unless you completely wipe the hard drive. I also had a computer at work that McAffee effecitvely 'killed' but it was a special case in that it didn't get along well with the software. I haven't gone near it since then. There's a number of good programs out there, several of which are mentioned here.
TxEngr
Normand,
I use CA ETrust antivirus. CA (Computer Associates) isn't as well known as Norton or McAffee, but they are a major computer software company and the software is excellent. It uses about 1/4 as much system resources as Norton, and is just as effective.
I've used Avast, AVG and others and for my money ETrust is the best. It is priced at $49.99 for up to 5 systems so if you have multiple computers in your house you only have to buy one copy (whereas with other companies, Norton included, it is $49.99 or more per system).
If you are running Windows Vista with SP1 I would avoid AVG Free as there is a bug which makes it impossible to print from Internet Explorer (not an issue if you don't use IE however). I have heard (though I have no personal experience) that AVG Full (the pay version) does not have this bug.
Just my professional opinion (and yes I can claim that).
Brian
MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) Windows Server 2003
Norton sucks! Normand, Here is my new Virus program that I get free from my Internet provider;http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm
Doug
AVG and won't ever use anything else ever again!!
I've found that no matter what virus protection I use, there is always something that comes along which can infect my computer. And that's true even if you update regularly. I had an attack the other day that took over my computer with flashing lights, noise and an unremovable pop up that told me I had been infected with spyware and I must buy the best virus remover on the market. You couldn't make the popup disappear, not even with a computer restart, it was still there. All it wanted was my personal information and credit card number to order this great antivirus program. BTW, I was not on a questionable site at the time; I was actually researching the history of deductive reasoning----honest.
The computer professionals at my university have decided that McAffee antivirus protection is the way to go. When I told them about this incident, they weren't surprised but still insisted that McAffee is the best on the market. One added that this is the type of problem you run into when you have millions of highly computer literate people in third world countries who have no opportunity to find jobs commensurate with their education level.
I won't argue with the computer geeks---McAffee, I guess. 8T :)
I'm a free AVG fan.
I suppose you all know not to run two at once.
One other thing. Like mentioned previously. It doesn't matter which anti virus program you put on, you CAN get a virus. There are hackers out there writing new virus programs on a daily basis. Even the best anti virus programs can't keep up with them.
Most do it for the thrill, but some do it to for more devious reasons. It's the newest level of international terrorism and this is growing. You still need to be responsible for what you do and where you go with your computer. I can guarantee that if you like downloading pirated material like movies, music, software etc...you WILL get a virus sooner or later. Also if you like hitting those adult sites...you'll get infected with tons of spywear and worms. If you open emails and go to web sites that they may have in them ...and you are not absolutely sure you know who sent them...you'll get a virus. If you have tweenies and teens...you will get viruses if your not watching them 24/7. :???:
AVG added something new on it's free program this year. A Link Scanner that checks for malicious drive by downloads. I love it.
:D Another vote for AVG free. I've had Norton, McaFee, Stop Sign, etc. and AvG worked the best for me !
All anti-virus programs have pros and cons. I recently came upon one that I like better than any of those mentioned here. It's called a Mac Book Pro. It was a little different to use at first, but as I became familiar with it, things got better. I doubt that I'll ever go back to a PC .... Best Regards!
My kids keeps telling me that he doesn't need virus protection on his Mac. While I agree that they are less of a target than a PC, just because of the sheer volume of PCs vs Mac's out there, that he still needs something for it. He is a musician and loves his Mac. I will have to tell him about Mac Book Pro. Thanks,
Rick
Spyhunter nailed a slew of things that AVG did not find and my computer is no longer slow. Norton is used because it pays a fee to computer manufacturers. AVG nailed some things that Norton missed. Hooray for Spyhunter. Spyhunter costs twnty bucks or so and is well worth it. It cleaned a ton of crap that other programs left.
Clay,
The reason for the "immunity" of a Mac to viruses is that when these nuts who write the viruses do so, they want to infect the greatest numbers of computers; PC's. They write them to hurt PC's and use PC programming to do so. Mac's run differently, use different programming, etc. I don't presume to be "immune" just because I use a Mac. It's just that my exposure to them is dramatically lower than someone who uses a PC. Also, I know a lot of Mac users who have never had an issue with viruses in spite of running no anti-virus software. Best Regards....
I use ESET Smart Security product ( www.eset.com ) even though Symantec and McAffe are available to me for free.
ESET Smart Security includes anti virus, anti spam, anti spyware and a firewall which is much better than Microsft's included firewall and the easiest one to use that I have come accross. We by the license in two year increments.
I have been working with PCs since they came out and this is the best protection product that I have used that is available to the consumer at an affordable price. The ESET NOD32 Antivirus software is available seperately from the Smart Security suite at a lesser cost.
I prefer to have a firewall running in addition to an anti virus. It provides better protection and also I use it to keep my software applications from phoning home (making an internet connection) to the vendors servers without my knowledge. Microsoft apps are notorious for this, but many other applications do this too.
For those with Macs, the Mac OS still has vulnerabilities. If I had a Mac, I would still have a firewall and make sure I downloaded the latest OS updates from Mac.
The Mac OS is Unix based. A very bright software engineer that works for me once demonstrated how he could penetrate and remotely gain access to files on a Mac in about five minutes earlier this year. A firewall would have prevented that. Mac OS updates since then closed off the vulnerability he found but other probably lurk.
I have the Mcafee suite. Ten years ago Mcafee used to slow my puter way down and give me no end of problems. They have gradually improved it so that now I almost never see it on there and haven't had a problem for at least 4 years. I usually get one or two automatic updates per day from Mcafee. When there is a new virus out there sometimes There will be several updates per day.
I have not gotten a virus on my puter in the last 10 years. Except once when we had two darling teenagers who were visiting us ask to use my puter to check their email. I left them alone with my puter for about an hour while we adults went to sit out on the deck. Then I heard their mom start to yell at them for being on a porn site. I turned on my puter to discover that they had turned off my firewall and virus checker because Mcafee kept warning them that they were visiting a dangerous website. I turned on the virus checker and the firewall only to discouver that I had numerous virus and all kinds of spyware on my computer. I had to format the hard drive to get rid of all that junk. Now when someone asks me if they can borrow my puter to check their email I tell them NO, sorry it has a very bad virus and I don't want you to get it spread to your email. If they insist I say No!!!!!!!
We are a converted Mac family (I came into the fold kicking and screaming) and have not seen a virus since our conversion about 5 years ago. We also use Firefox as the browser of choice for our Macs. We stay current on OS updates for the Macs and updates on Firefox. Is it perfect? I don't know that answer, but I do know that we are virus free and pop-up window free, and that makes using the computer a lot more enjoyable.
Oh, and I'm thrilled with whatever the Apple engineers did that makes the batteries last so long on our MacBook machines. My previous PC laptops could not hold a candle to the long life I get on my MacBook. Pure genius.
Joe -
I guess you are a really SERIOUS Mac user - posting the exact same message twice.
Or does your Mac stutter ??
John
I got this too, it's called Antivirus 2009
My computer hasn't been right since
Quote:
Antivirus 2009 is a new rogue anti-spyware program. It is also a clone of Antivirus 2008 - also a rogue, and one that's produced more clones than any other recently. The list of these clones is long: System Antivirus 2008, Ultimate Antivirus 2008, Vista Antivirus 2008, XP Antivirus 2008 etc.
Like any other of it's predecessors, Antivirus2009 uses trojans, such as Zlob or Vundo, to spread. These trojans lurk in porn/warez websites disguised as video codecs, and, upon entering the system, floods the user with popups and fake system notifications, supposedly to inform him of an infection. While the system at hand may indeed be infected, Antivirus 2009 will inform the user of this regardless of whether it's true or not. The point of this disinformation is to convince the user he is infected and therefore needs an antispyware program to dispose of the threat. The user might click on one of the popups or notifications, all of which claim they will take him to a legitimate security tool, but try to make him purchase Antivirus2009's "licensed version" instead.
Antivirus 2009 is a scam and should be treated as such: do NOT download or buy it and block it's homepage using your HOSTS file.
ANYTHING is better than Norton!
AVAST is good.
tailingloop,
I use a wireless router that I got from Mac called the Airport Extreme. It serves as a "hard" firewall. I agree, a firewall is important. Best Regards....
Just like flyfishing products there are lots of opinions on software. ;)
I had and hated most of the big name programs. Getting completely rid of McAfee is a tricky proposition but it can be done without reformatting your hard drive. It takes some registry work and some clean-up programs but after it was completely gone; I went with what was recommended to me by a Microsoft tech support person from Hotmail:
Trend Micro
It doesn't hog system resources, it includes a full suite of products like spam blockers, spyware, firewall, kiddie protection, key logging protection and lots more and is boxed as a three licence copy at WAY less than McAfee or Norton. I get a discount each year for a new license and pick up my copy at Staples.
[quote=Bamboozle;249196]Just like flyfishing products there are lots of opinions on software. ;)
[quote]
boy is there!!
after reading all of the opinions/suggestions on this thread, i'm still not sure which one to go to.
thanks to all who responded.
avast = 2
avg = 6
macafee = 3
norton = 2
ca = 1
microsoft = 1
trendmicro = 1
mac = 1
spyhunter = 1
eset = 2
I am switching to this;http://www.eset.com/
Thanks tailingloop!
Doug
Normand,
Just to add an additional .02 to the mix. You have recieved a ton of good suggestions. I'd advise trying a few and see which one fits your needs. Most if not all of the recommended solutions have a trial of some kind (30 day, 60 day, etc.) so you can see if they work for you.
Better than anyone on the board, you know what your situation is, and what will work best for you (sounds like a rod recommendation doesn't it?). Download a trial of one of the recommended AV solutions, install and see if it works for you. When the trial is over uninstall and download another and so on. In the end you may have tried 6 or seven products and then you can decide which one fit you best.
In the end, any reputable AV solution is better than none at all.
Brian
I use Windows One care. I like it, pretty neat.
While this is a good suggestion it may not be an easy one. I can't speak to personal experience with any other program except McAfee but COMPLETELY uninstalling some virus programs can be EXTREEMLY difficult.
While a complete uninstall may not be necessary; some software for the same purpose may have conflicts with incomplete uninstalls. I had a HECK of a time getting Trend Micro to work properly until I completely vanquished McAfee from my system which wasn't a simple one step process.
YMMV
Bamboozle,
In my experience (going on 10 years as an IT guy in a variety of capacities), I have only seen one product which subornly refuses to uninstall and that is McAfee. Over the past year or so I have been researching various products trying to find the one which best fit my performance needs but also provided high quality protection. As a result I had to have installed/uninstalled at least every one of the mentioned products from my Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 system. None of them (McAfee did not make the cut on even getting a trial install) caused any system problems on uninstall and none caused me to revert to backup becuase of an issue.
As you noted YMMV and this is true with anything. As I noted, it was just my opinion based upon my experience.
Brian
thanks to all that responded. i went with Computer Associates and really like this program.
I have used AVG, Zone Alarm, Mcafee, and Norton. I am now using a trial version of Micro Trend. It doesn't use the resources of my computer, like the others did. Hence, no slow down in computer performance. They are a little shy on the Tech support though. My recommendation is to download the 30 day trials, and see for yourself which one works for you.
I know, you're sorry to hear I have a computer with ME. There is no longer any support for ME and I can't use my isp's free 'High Speed Security Suite' since it won't load. What's weird though is that I use that comp from time to time and I'm running without virus protection or a firewall. I do notice after about 50 or 60 uses that it begins to slow down. Before that happens though, it's really fast. Maybe faster than my new wiz-bang vista home premium. Maybe.
Here comes the really interesting part. Once it slows noticeably, I'll reformat the harddrive, which takes all of an hour. But then it's really fast again and since I don't store anything on the ME, it's a great email, FAOL and general surfing tool. Kinda like a stripped down car...no back seat, no radio, no carpet or mats etc. You, know...gets great mileage, is fun to drive and no one else wants to drive it.
Not advocating 'running bare' but I sure can whiz through my email, FAOL and even do some high velocity surfing.
Cheers,
MontanaMoose