Most preferred antivirus
 

A poll came on sometime ago about which one is the better antivirus and firewall. I can't remember who got highest vote.
I want to try somethig new.
I have used avast antivirus-rubbish!
tried mcafee enterprise & desktop firewall-nt bad!
Am using avg free n mcafee desktop firewall-no problem with them!
I wanna try kaspersky firewall n anti virus. wat do u people think?

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

If you haven't got a problem with AVG free, why change it?

(I use AVG free and Sunbelt Kerio Free myself and have had no problems).

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

maybe there are better than avg out there!

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

For anti virus I would for Nod32 everytime.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Why do you think that avast! is rubbish :confused:

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Same combo here - all good so far!

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I use Avg have done for a couple of years now and it works for me

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I use kaspersky and Kerio and think their both very good.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I've been using Avast on various OS's for a couple of years now. It's always been quite reliable.

And, now I am testing Vista for Uni (we need to verfiy all our software runs on the final release), it's pretty much the only option for me.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I use McAfee VirusScan 8.0 on 5 pc's, never had a problem and you don't even realise it's running. :tu:

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I got an message from AVG today sayin the free version is to be stopped in January, presumably so they can start charging you for it.

Shame in my opinion, as i've found it to be quite trustworthy.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

No this edition is being stopped but they are bringing out a newer version which from the message I got is also going to be free

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Ooooh good to hear, i must admit i didn't delve too deep as i was having wireless router problems at the time :(

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I have decided to stick with kerio 4.2.2 with HIPS enabled and nod32 with email scanning and web scanning but automatic file scanning disabled.

The problem I have found with anti virus software is aside from the noticeable performance hit they generally create incompatibilties and sometimes stability problems, so more trouble then they worth.

Kerio isnt perfect in itself it causes high cpu utilisation on lan transfers and slows them down without I can get over 90% on my lan with under 5% cpu used.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Had avast on my mate's pc. He called me over because the PC was running realy slow. checked it out and the pc was full of viruses. had avast on and it didn't detect much!!

---------- Post added at 22:53 ---------- Previous post was at 22:48 ----------

ahummm....anyone got an idea where i can get the full version of nod32?
PM me if u lads got an idea ;)

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

for a free trial

http://www.eset.com/download/index.php

Otherwise..the home site at Eset.

http://www.eset.com/

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

well i use norton but am really considering switching to zonealarm internet security suite, which has antivirus with it! anyone else using zonealarm for your antivirus?

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Awaits flood of replies!!!

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Whatever you do, do not switch to using zonealarm. Many users on here have reported problems with ZA slowing down their interent connection!!! :)

My advice is to switch to using avast! and kerio firewall instead :D

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

i've already got ZoneAlarm pro as a firewall, with no trouble so far (3 years) fingers crossed! i was just considering adding the ZoneAlarm antivirus to my subscription, ie go for the zoneAlarm security suite

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Hi All,
have a look round and you can see it's all a matter of preference.What's good for one person can be a disaster for others.I won't use Norton because I had a mess up with it.Plenty of others use it with no problems.
I use Kaspersky Security Suite.It works well for me.I know people who have had troubles with it.It depends on how you have your computer configured.Sometimes they work well or they give you a lot of trouble.Kaspersky have a new one on Monday so my opinion may change next week.
Look around at the Free Trials and give them a whirl.You can then use the one that suits you.Plus never be afraid to change if you find something better.That keeps them making better.
Have Fun,
George.;)

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I have used avg free for some time seems to work for myself also have zonealarm

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I use ZoneAlarm Security Suite & find the only problem is that speed tests show it slows the conection, although I haven't noticed any problems with browsing or downloads on a 4Mb/s line.

I would try a 30 day trial, first, to see how you get on with it, as some people do find problems???

Recently I tried the CA Security Suite, and it kept crashing the browser, so I went back to ZoneAlarm, no more problems ....

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

NOD32. It updates its virus signature database everyday, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. I've used the AV progs mentioned in this thread and a good few more, but IMHO NOD32 does the job better. :tu:

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

personally avg has saved my bacon on several occasions ergo
i think i will stay with avg

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I've used F-Secure for several years on many computers without problem.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I can wholeheartedly say NOD32 for AV, 110%.

For firewall, I don't bother with that as am behind router, and am very careful with what software is installed on my computer - and we can forget having to worry about ActiveX controls, as running Firefox.

Never ever had a virus, trojan or any other issue on any of my systems. What I would suggest is becoming familiar with your software, and the name of the processes that each piece of software you have installed will spawn - if I can't account for a process running on my system will track it down to find out what it is and why it is running. Never failed me once.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I'm using McAfee, but only because my employer gives me it for free use on my home PC :cool:
Then MS Firewall and a Linksys router as a physical firewall.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Used Avast for a couple of years now, had no problems.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I wouldn't use MS firewall as this won't warn you and stop out bound connections to the internet by a trojan/virus.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I'm a Nod32 fan here too. Uses up hardly any system resources.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

NOD32 on my windows box and no AV on my Linux laptop.
<3 Linux :)

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

none at all just format after 5 or 6 weeks :P AV's too process hungry !

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

It asks for permission to enable new software to send out these days.
Also the thing has to get there. How does it do that if the AV is good, I don't download crap and the firewall is hardware / nat based?

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

If the infection is not in the AV signatures, it can easily get through. AV companies are playing a 'cat and mouse' game with malware writers, once one infection is found and added to AV signatures - a small part of the script is changed and a new signature has to be created. Heuristics does help, but only a small amount.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

avg zonealarm:p:

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Avast 4.7 Home Edition

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

nod32 looking niceeeeeeeeee....
yay!!!!!

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Hmm....I've been using Avast for years now on the 4 PCs in my house with never a suggestion of a virus. :p:

I visit loads of clients to clean up PCs with AVG installed though ??

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Possibly to do with the fact that many large PC manufacturers will use AVG free these days to minimise end costs - and its those people who are buying these dirt cheap budget PC's from places like PC world that are generally the less educated users... I'm hazarding a guess it maybe something to do with this based on similar experience of helping out friends with their computers.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

How does an AV software affect a large manufacturer's selling price of a PC???
'These dirt cheap budget PC's' target a category of people, those who believe it suits their needs or their budget. Not less educated users.
If u had the money am sure u would go for an Aston Martin instead of buying cheap spare parts for your budget car. It certainly does not mean you are a less than capable driver.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Linux is the best anti virus software around at the moment, if you use it you can't catch a windows virus ;)

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Run CP/M and you wont even be able to catch Linux Viruses...

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Getting very bored of these "My linux / Mac is better than Windows" replies...

Linux Viruses

Mac Viruses

Now please - SHUT UP. :2up:

Windows is more prone to viruses because it's more wildly used and an easier target. Period.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

A very simple way to reduce your vulnerability in Windows is to use a limited user account (which basically Linux has). As Windows sets accounts to administrator as standard, you are more at risk as you have complete access to all areas of the OS (nearly) :)

Have no real AV favourite, apart from I would not use Norton again - or McAfee

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

You missed my point entirely :D read my post again & you'll see what I mean, Using Linux keeps me perfectly safe from the dreaded WINDOWS virus curse. I never said Linux is better than Windows. I use both Windows & Linux on a single pc (this one) they both have strengths & weaknesses & at the moment Virus is the biggest weakness that Windows has over Linux. Now feel free to grow a sense of humour.:Yikes:

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

doesnt keep you safe from linux exploits tho, this may shock some people but in terms of xploited computers vs online computers for each os linux has a higher exploitation rate then windows with freebsd been the most secure. Linux exploits dont make the same headline stories so many think its a much safer os.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

Links, proof statistics please ?

I think you also need to differentiate between servers and desktops. There are a hell of a lot more compromised desktop machines which are Windows - mainly because they are more popular, but also due to the distinct differences between Linux and Windows (some which Vista should address).
There are far more Linux severs on the web, which are badly protected - or incorrectly setup, hence they become zombies.
An OS is only as secure as the knowledge and ability of the operator in my opinion, far too many people see the 'free web hosting' 'cheap web hosting' stick a forum or website on there and just leave it without ensuring the forum software is fully patched. For those with their own servers, it is amazing how many SSH password guessing attempts are actually successful because the operator of that server has left their password as 'admin' :rolleyes:
Ok rant over :)

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

After all, you can have a computer with the best security system in the world, hidden behind the best firewall in the world, but if you leave the default passwords,or use passwords that are easy to guess, you still have an insecure system.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

ADd you have the answer in your post.

Most people using a linux desktop are usually more computer literate then your average windows user and are likely to harden the box security, whilst your average windows user doesnt although thankfully people are more aware recently and at least tend to look for a antivirus/firewall solution which helps. The main problem with windows which I think m$ have sorted out in vista is people logging in and browsing with admin level accounts.

I think the bulk of the linux exploits are on servers and its no surprise given the amount of amatuer webhosts out there who install the fancy gui cpanel and leave the box in a insecure state.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

When I'm talking about these cheap PC's, I'm talking of systems where manufacturers skimp on even a cheap commodity such as RAM, thus seriously slowing down a machine by only fitting 256Mb (with 32Mb of that often being used for video) when 512Mb would show a decent performance increase for very little cost. I'm talking less educated users, because a less educated user won't normally know the difference between a £300 PC and an £800 PC other than the cost.

I'm not trying to stereotype, just making what I feel is a valid point. How many of those users who know very little about computers would think of changing from that free AV software - very little I would have thought. Its these 'less educated' (ok rephrase what I said originally as 'more PC-literate' is more appropriate) users who wonder why they keep having pop-ups and wonder why their internet connection is so slow.

Re: Most preferred antivirus
 

I am with you on the ram, when my dad asked me what pc should he get I commented a £300 pc should be fine before checking the specs, then I checked the ad in the paper and indeed they skimped on the ram and I thought the tight ********. Ram is very cheap especially for an extra 256meg. The difference between 256 and 512 is huge likewise between 512 and a gig. The pc came with a 80gig hd so they would have been better supplying a 40gig hd but with double the ram.