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Anti Virus Software Recommendations

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Jeff FV

Jeff FV

Free Member
Jan 10, 2009
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Somerset
I currently have McFee & Norton 360 on my PC, but they are due for their annual renewal.

Before I part with my cash, does anyone recommend any alternatives (free or otherwise) to protect my computer.

I'd describe myself as reasonably tech. savvy, but have never really explored this area before. Both the above came bundled with the PC when I bought it nearly 2 years ago, and last year I just paid to have them renewed.

As I understand it, McFee is my anti-virus software and Norton 360 is an online back up?

I've never had call to call upon Norton 360, although I now keep getting a message to say its nearly full and to buy some more space. My computer seems to go on a 'go slow' at about 6pm each evening - is this because its backing up to Norton 360.

Could I just back up everything onto an external HD each evening? Would this be simple & quick to do?

Any thoughts and advice welcome.

Many thanks

Jeff
 
Microsoft Essentials!
 
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None of the above.

AVG antivirus.

I've used the free and paid version and never had a virus in four years, since I started using it.

Currently on the free version and it works just fine
 
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AVG Free edition for me personally but as Crumble posted Avast is also a good one. AVG Free only provides anti-virus protection but in my experience the Windows Firewall seems to do a reasonable job.

Worth also getting another free application called Spybot Search and Destroy as some virii circumvent traditional anti-virus software. This works alongside AVG and is run manually but you can use it to protect the registry and your internet browser from unauthorised changes.

For backing up securely I can also recommend Dropbox. You get a free 2GB area online and it automatically syncs with your PC everytime you make changes to one of the backed up files/folders. You can also access any of your files from any PC over the internet.

You can pay a monthly fee for more storage or if you refer someone else they give you a little more storage for each referral.

Hope that helps

James
JLM Network Services
 
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maxh said:
None of the above.

AVG antivirus.

I've used the free and paid version and never had a virus in four years, since I started using it.

Currently on the free version and it works just fine
Click to expand...

AVG for us - we upgraded to the paid for version when we started the business, but probably free would be equally good.
Cheers
Phil
 
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Avast is good That's why i'm a partner :D

they do internet security as well which has a firewall and the anti-virus.


i've got some product sheets, one sheet overviews and a case study for avast if you would like me to send them to you pm me

joe
 
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Thanks to all - I'll have a look at AVG & Avast.

Dropbox sounds like its worth exploring too.

Thanks again,

Jeff
 
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I'd run Avast.

Most machines I see on a daily basis that have AVG and Norton are generally infected.

Back this up with Privacy Guardian by PC tools (free edition) and Spybot and you'll have no problems.
 
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Having tested just about every AV, I would highly recommend Kaspersky. If you have a online Barclays a/c, you can get Kaspersky Internet Security for free (3 user licence) worth about 39.99!

Keep well away from Norton or McAfee - unless you know about defraging and optimization. They are a serious 'resource hog', eating your memory as if it was a free lunch!!!

Millions use the free programs such as AVG or Avast, but I prefer to have the extra controls which only come with paid versions.

Hope this helps.
 
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AVG is a bit too bloaty these days. It slows too many older computers down. There is also too many snag screens. I personaly recomend Microsoft Security Essentials. I recomend it to all my domestic clients.
 
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The free ones have always let me down or bloated the running of my machines.

Can't recommend ESET Security 4 enough. think I pay about £40 a year. So worth it.
 
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I used to recommend AVG but have seen it fail to find things lately.
You can't beat Microsoft Security Essentials for the price (free).
Kaspersky is decent enough.
 
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Personally I use AVG at the moment, mostly because its free and it doesn't give me much hassle, I assume it works as I've not really had it find any viruses as of yet but then again I don't really tend to pick that much up.

However, my current favourite would be Kaspersky if you're willing to pay for it.
 
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I've used avast free for years with little issue but lately it seems to be hogging things a bit more and taking a while to update and load. May be my machine though........
 
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I suggested Avast earlier on - the free version. AVG Free is also perfectly adequate (I use both on different machines) but it has a larger footprint on your machine.

Antivir is also worth considering on that basis as it also has a low footprint.

Both Kaspersky and Eset NOD32 (I am a reseller) paid editions are also fine.

In summary, each is pretty much as good as the other!!

I'd avoid Microsoft Essentials...it's not been around for long enough for anyone to rave about it yet!
 
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I've known Microsoft Essentials to completely screw up the Firewall so beware. Otherwise it's had some pretty good reviews.

Kaspersky is good but I've found it to be a huge resource hog at startup. It's fine if you have plenty of RAM but if not you can be sitting around waiting to regain control of your PC while the KAV.exe process sits at 99%.

Norton and McAfee - forget it.... both nightmares!

A great deal of my work is virus eradication and I haven't yet found an antivirus program that fully protects a PC, be it free or paid for.

James
 
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If you're looking for something free, try Avast or AVG - they're the market leaders and I know both have already been mentioned. Personaly, I use AVG.
 
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Another vote for Kaspersky AV!

I used Norton until about three years ago when I had a problem caused by Norton Ghost. This caused so much trouble that I eventually had to reformat my hard disk. This was after using their paid support line, where they did not know how to help me.

I would not go anywhere near Norton now. I had a legal copy I wasn't using and I threw it in the bin rather than selling it on because I would not subject anyone to the hassle that is Norton.

I have been using Kaspersky ever since without a hitch. It does slow down the start up process by a few seconds but when it is running you don't even know it's there.
 
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I believe that some independent tests have recently shown that the free MS security software is as good as anything, and better than most. I've been running it on a couple of W7 boxes for the last few months without a single incident and it doesn't seem to signficantly slow the PC down. One of those PCs is used at home by the family (including teenage son and pre-teen daughter), so you can imagine the amount of spyware etc that they would manage to install if the PC isn't well protected.

On business PCs I used to run AVG but I switched to Avast (very good, I think) because I found that AVG was getting clunkier and clunkier on the PC, and also registering a couple of false positives. But if the MS experiment carries on being successful I'm considering discontinuing Avast when the renewal comes up.
 
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Top of the free ones for me is Avira Antivir: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html

I supplement this with Immunet Protect: http://www.immunet.com/main/index.html

It is also important not to forget that software on your computer can be vulnerable to attacks. I use Secunia PSI to warn about vulnerable software: http://secunia.com/

On top of that there are the anti-malware/spyware things: Spybot Search & Destroy, SpywareBlaster, SuperAntiSpyware etc.

Nearly forgot, don't forget to use Windows Update regularly to patch vulnerabilities.

Regards,

Brian
 
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I could be wrong but there seems to be little point parting with any cash for virus, firewall, spyware protection these days. Many of the programs already mentioned have solid feedback. If you go to the majorgeeks site you will find all of them in the one place, along with ratings, reviews and forum help and feedback. The paid 'pro' versions are there as well.
 
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Just a note of caution.

AVG and Avast free versions are for personal, non commercial use only.

It seems that there might be some users here who... (cough, ahem)...are not aware of that.
 
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