AntiVirus Recommendations Please

andygrif · 04-01-2005, 13:01

Hello all....

I'm running a server - well I say server, it's an old PC running XP Pro SP2 with some shared folders on it as a central point to store my files in from around the house.

I'm cleaning it up as it moves as slow as a dead snail - and getting rid of Norton Internet Security, AntiVirus and Sysyem Works from it.

I'm OK with Windows Firewall as part of SP2 - as it's not doing much on the internet, mostly only acting as a file server, but occasionally doing email on there - and it's behind a router - so it's no big issue.

However I do want to replace the antivirus software.... as it's an old machine Kaspersky seems to slow it down a lot, so do you have any recommendations for a very light AV program (free preferably) that won't hog the resources?

Cheers!

Jon M · 04-01-2005, 13:03

I'd swear by Sophos for resource management.. but lately I've been using http://www.avast.com for a free alternative.

bob_builder · 04-01-2005, 13:11

There are a number of people on this forum who use AVG:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=19972

You can download it free from here:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1/lng/us/tpl/v5

andygrif · 04-01-2005, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by s1lv3r

I'd swear by Sophos for resource management.. but lately I've been using http://www.avast.com for a free alternative.

Thanks mate....I'm using Avast on my old lappy...and it's a big resource hungry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob_builder

There are a number of people on this forum who use AVG:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=19972

You can download it free from here:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1/lng/us/tpl/v5

Thanks Bob....I'm just installing it now, looks fairly light on first inspection which is exactly what I need! Thank you!

Paul K · 04-01-2005, 14:07

Install AVG v7, set it to auto update and just let it get on with the job in hand

I've been using AVG for quite some time now and it hasn't let me down yet. Not bad for a freebie

AndrewJ · 04-01-2005, 14:22

Personally I find Avast! Home which is free to be a resource friendly AV, and works well with sp2.

SOSAGES · 04-01-2005, 14:22

Trend Micro

Dave Stones · 04-01-2005, 14:24

i use BitDefender here.... AV and firewall, is good

Toto · 04-01-2005, 14:25

Norton 2005 (waits for the hiss, boos)

MovedGoalPosts · 04-01-2005, 14:31

I think the OP wanted a freebie AV. Most of the recent ideas are paid for

AVG does appear to be the market leader in the freebie stakes.

You need to be aware that there are differences in the free to paid for products. Most are created in the hope you will upgrade. The biggest must to ensure is that updates are frequent enough to protect you. New viruses are released daily. If you connect to the internet, even just for email, daily, you need a daily update. You might remain lucky but if you do get an infection will the freebie AV software help you to clean up your PC when you have no support?

andygrif · 04-01-2005, 19:45

Thanks everyone....including the Norton Suggestion...I was trying to get away from them not give them even more money! TBH I'd swear by Norton if the PC was doing a lot of surfing, but it's just a file server and I want to make sure than nothing with a virus gets stored on it.

AVG seems to be working out just fine - in fact just losing the Norton has sped it up unbelieveably!

Thanks again...green reps all round

SOSAGES · 05-01-2005, 14:02

norton virus isnt to bad its system works etc that slow it down - the enterprise version of norton isnt to bad either

*go for trend*

Matthew · 05-01-2005, 15:41

I use AVG and Sophos. You can download and evaluate Sophos for 30 days on their site and in that 30 days it only updates about twice. At the end of the 30 days or maybe longer I just re-register and they do not have a problem with that. I have been doing this for about two years now.

Bifta · 05-01-2005, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by andygrif

Hello all....

I'm running a server - well I say server, it's an old PC running XP Pro SP2 with some shared folders on it as a central point to store my files in from around the house.

I'm cleaning it up as it moves as slow as a dead snail - and getting rid of Norton Internet Security, AntiVirus and Sysyem Works from it.

I'm OK with Windows Firewall as part of SP2 - as it's not doing much on the internet, mostly only acting as a file server, but occasionally doing email on there - and it's behind a router - so it's no big issue.

However I do want to replace the antivirus software.... as it's an old machine Kaspersky seems to slow it down a lot, so do you have any recommendations for a very light AV program (free preferably) that won't hog the resources?

Cheers!

The 12 month trial of e-Trust is very good (apart from Google desktop refusing to work with it)

Paul K · 05-01-2005, 17:32

E-Trust is good

Wasn't that the piece of software that was originally free but then was renamed and sold commercially?? Inoculateit PE I think was what it was called before they realised they could make a lot of money from it