Best Anti Virus Software?

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Experienced IT guy

Experienced IT guy

Free Member
Mar 1, 2010
416
102
Henley on thames, UK
  • #81
    AVG or Avast both have free versions for home use. Both have a better track record than McAff for catching viruses, Both have a smaller footprint and consume less resources and are better behave than McAfee.

    http://free.avg.com/us-en/download

    http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

    In fifteen years I have never felt the need to use anything else and have never had an infection that has not been stopped. They can be a little over sensitive to some apps I use as a developer for TCPIP sniffing issues.
     
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    M

    matildawilson86

  • #84
    There are many antivirus programs on the market and all are good. It is very important who is behind the computer. Problems do not come from the programs, but the people. I personally use NOD32. Inexpensive and lightweight, this is what I'm looking.
     
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    Experienced IT guy

    Experienced IT guy

    Free Member
    Mar 1, 2010
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    Henley on thames, UK
  • #85
    mit74 said:
    How can you possibly comment on any AV when you've used the same one for 5 years?

    People just base their recommendations on that fact they've used a certain one for so many years and never got a virus so must be good!
    Click to expand...

    Actually this is quite a good measure, providing you continually expose you machines to potential virus sources. New viruses are constantly being written and so AV packages that are updated slowly will eventually suffer an infection, which then may be "healed" when it is "found" in an update. The lack of this finding infected files and then healing them means you are keeping ahead of the virus game. Of course you constantly need to expose your machine to potentail virus sources (e.g "interesting" web sites) to give it a good test...
     
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    insightgroupplc

    Free Member
    Feb 16, 2011
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  • #88
    I like Avira Antivirus , I have been using it since 4 years and I didn't got any problem with that.Although I have also used some other antivirus software but i think it is the best antivirus.You can go for this without any doubt.There are also some other good software like defender, kaspersky, Norton,etc.
     
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    G

    graciemullins

  • #90
    ESET Smart Security is fairly good at detecting some spyware in the form of spam and trojan horses. The spam filter contained in this internet security software is effective and integrates fully with MS Outlook.My brother told me that it will also look at all email coming to your system using the POP3 protocol which is great by the way.
     
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    aisec

  • #97
    Hi All,

    I am the sales manager of an IT Security reseller (AIS) Also known as Access Information Security. Having worked at a few vendors in the past I think it depends what you are looking for from your software.

    If you are looking for a lightweight AV solution with an excellent detection rate I'd take a look at Kaspersky (Which we sell).

    If you are looking for more of an all encompassing package, i.e. you want encryption, device control etc then perhaps you may benefit from looking at Sophos.

    Personally I'd steer clear of Symantec and McAfee as they tend to be a bit bloated and and don't have the best detection rates.

    I'd also avoid the free ones - there's a reason they are free... Detection rates are poor, support is by email etc etc.

    Just my opinions of course!

    Feel free to contact me if you would like more info...

    Thanks

    Aidan Simister
    Access Information Security

    web address is ...
    aisec
     
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    cjd

    cjd

    Business Member
    • Nov 23, 2005
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  • #98
    aisec said:
    Hi

    Just my opinions of course!

    Feel free to contact me if you would like more info...

    Thanks

    Aidan Simister
    Access Information Security

    web address is ...
    aisec
    Click to expand...

    what this thread is lacking is actual evidence - as an industry professional, have you any that you can share with us?
     
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    F

    Feature

    Free Member
    Jul 9, 2010
    41
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  • #99
    I've tried Avira, Avast, Nod32 (Eset), Trendmicro, AVG in the past


    I didn't like Avira because of their advertisement popups.

    I used Trendmicro many years ago. Seemed to be heavy on the system.

    When it comes to free AV's, AVG seemed good but my preference goes to Avast. Especially since Avast changed their whole UI. A friend of mine recently had a virus but AVG wasn't able to stop, disinfect or remove it. Not sure if any other AV could have.

    My all time favourite is NOD32, a few years ago I paid a license for 1 year. It has caught quite a few viruses and is lightweight.

    At the moment I use Avast, but as soon as I can afford it I will go back to Nod32.
     
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    mit74

    Free Member
    Jun 4, 2010
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  • #100
    aisec said:
    Hi All,



    I'd also avoid the free ones - there's a reason they are free... Detection rates are poor, support is by email etc etc.



    web address is ...
    aisec
    Click to expand...


    Personally I've found that not to be true. I work in IT and spend a considerable amount of time each week removing viruses from customers computers and regularily see how effective paid and unpaid versions are. The free ones detect just as much as any paid versions and in most cases more (comparing norton, mcafee etc). Free ones have an advantage that they can target one area eg malware bytes is superb and removing rogue AVs even nod32,kaspersky wouldn't even recognise were there. Plus I regularily do a scan with kaspersky reporting no threat only to find avast or superantispyware detect some spyware or browser hijack.
    I have found that the better paid versions tend to deal with more sophisticated viruses better but generally I don't think the gap is that huge.
     
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    colinmacmillan

    Free Member
    Feb 15, 2011
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    London, UK
  • #104
    Our company provides IT Support for London based businesses. Over 95% of our customers use ESET antivirus.

    I don't believe any antivirus program will protect you from all viruses/spyware, but ESET is fast, unobtrusive, and also low cost, which is why we recommend it.

    If you want to beef up security on your network I would also recommend a web proxy and in-house spam filter. We also work with Spamtitan which is a great appliance you can install on your network and to block spam. You keep everything under your control and it has great personal reports so you will never miss an email that has been blocked by accident.

    Kind regards
    Colin MacMillan
    Publicus Solutions Ltd.
     
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    mit74

    Free Member
    Jun 4, 2010
    2,463
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  • #107
    s2004060 said:
    I use Norton 360. I tried ESET but it was not as good as Norton IMO.
    Click to expand...

    you created an account just to tell us that?

    Norton 360 is terrible!! They're concerned more about marketing than actual signature detection. The stuff that gets by undetected is just shocking. I found 90 different malware/trojans on one computer once after Norton had said the computer was clean. For any AV not to pick up 1 or 2 variants is pretty normal but for it to miss this many is pretty unacceptable. I think I remember some of the trojans to be a couple of years old as well. I remember it benig this many because I actually printed a list off for the customer to prove how useless Norton was.
     
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    LuKOsro

    Free Member
    Sep 29, 2011
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  • #109
    I have tried loads of anti-viruses including Avira, Kasperski and BitDefender, but the one I`m satisfied with is the ESET antivirus. It is smooth and does all the dirty work in a manner that doesn't take to many computing resources. It`s not cheap, but it brings peace of mind.

    Cheers,
    Lucian
     
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    WestbrookUK

    Free Member
    Sep 30, 2011
    1
    0
  • #111
    FunkyBears said:
    I need to get some new anti virus software installed. Any recommendations would be most appreciated. I had McAfee installed but I believe there are better options.
    thanks
    Click to expand...
    We'd recommend Sophos for business use or Kerpinsky Labs for personal. They've both got excellent detection rates. It's a good idea to supplement it with Anti Malware. You can view a blog about anti-malware on our site. Can't put the URL on as we've only just joined the forum, but you can search for Westbrook Communications on google and go to the blog page.
     
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    aptnet

  • #118
    used to be avg for me, but when doing rebuilds i tend to use Microsoft security essentials. as avg 2011 is more resource intensive, you'd hope that a company that built the OS the anti-virus is running on would of done the best they can for it. also liked comodo anti-virus, but it has had a few hic-ups in the past that tarnished it's image for me.

    personally, i use ubuntu, so don't get viruses targeted to my OS of choice.

    There needs to also be a common sense approach too, keeping the OS and apps up to date from exploits, not using illegally (well, copyright infringing) sourced apps/music/movies from p2p sites/apps as you can't verify validity.
    Keeping to trusted sites/sources of media would go miles.
    A routers firewall and computer firewall set in public mode (if > vista) helps too.

    anti-virus is much like insurance, you can insure up everything, but it really depends on your risk and if the covered things matter compared to the outlay of resource. minimal is always better than none.

    hope this helps.
     
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