Best antivirus software?

[Cozy Monica]

What antivirus software are you currently using guys?

What software do you recommend?

I've got a problem and I'm not sure it's entirely cured. I'm using Trend Micro's antivirus software and it found a trojan and a virus, but I'm still experiencing issues that I suspect are from a virus it hasn't found.

[sunfunbill]

AVG, best one by far.

[Cozy Monica]

I used to use AVG but it slowed down my startup so much that I got rid of it some time ago.

Now that I'm considering actually buying some antivirus, I'd like to find something that's REALLY going to function well. I'm not convinced that AVG is it.

[porn punk]

I'm using Norton on my Desktop because I was having problems using AVG there. I bought that package that lets you sign in auto and what not, but if you're worried about speed not sure I can reccommend it. It catches everything though

[HappySpanker]

Last week my kids brought me a machine which was over-infected. I used it as an informal test bed.

AVG - free version - found only about 80% of the viruses and trojans. It counted 348 infections.

PC Tools SpyWare Doctor found about 98%, including all those found by AVG. So I paid for it.

Neither could find 2 remaining trojans still on the drive before I killed it deader than Nixon.

[balls_deep]

I've been running Avast on 2 systems for about 6 months. Nothing gets through.

You also can't beat the price, which is free.

[timelord]

I run the Zone Alarm Pro Security Suite. It includes an antivirus. I also run their new product called Forcefield.

For a free spyware I use Adaware and Spybot S&D.

[Lana]

Buy a Mac. I switched a year ago and you guys are already talking a different language.
Seriously since we switched the subject's never come up.

[timelord]

Buy a Mac. I switched a year ago and you guys are already talking a different language.

Said like a true MAC user!

My issue is that many of the apps I use don't run on a MAC. Most do, but some don't, so I stick to windows and deal with the inveitable issues that come with that.

[Lana]

Said like a true MAC user!

Yeah, I thought I'd come across like that.

BUT! I thought the same but then bought Leopard and installed all my PC programs on my partitioned Mac and go full speed ahead.

I do go over to PC to convert to Flash, get Word documents and check out how IE7 lays site changes so I know what you mean, there's good in both. But no viruses.

[bullseye]

Ubuntu !!!
Viruses are not able to run on it and you can really get stuff done with all the free software that comes with it. AVG if you plain on staying in the stone age with M$, but come on people, with all the drive by viruses out there linux is the only thing that dose it all and will stay virus free. Not to mention that has a crisp nice looking GUI. Any version of linux will keep you virus free but Ubuntu is so easy to use that I would think anyone here could install and use it without any problem. I have been a linux geek for a long time but I have not been the guy who told people to install it until recently when it became user friendly enough to make that a real possibly. Also not a slackware nut I think initial configuration is the work of a programmer and not the end user.

[Cozy Monica]

HappySpanker, it's always cool to hear about experiments like that and see what programs come out on top. Any particular reason you didn't try something like Norton or Mcafee?

Lana, I'll probably be getting a Mac next time... but for now, I'm on a PC.

balls_deep, I haven't heard of Avast before.

timelord, I had forgotten about Zone Alarm. I like their firewall.

[housekeeper]

Originally posted by Lana
Buy a Mac. I switched a year ago and you guys are already talking a different language.
Seriously since we switched the subject's never come up.

I am both a Mac user and a PC user, I love my Mac but unlike some Mac advocates, I think there is some good in a PC. But still, Macs have every potential to catch viruses as well, you still need to surf and click with caution, though the risks are definitely much less.

Anyhow, I run Norton/Symantec for years and it has served me well, along with Windows Defender. I also get a weekly newsletter from Secunia which lists in detail all of the lastest vulnerabilities/virus' from top to bottom. They also have a good software inspector that will detect programs and software that are vulnerable or need patches, the upgrades or repairs are accesable right from the program.

Being smart is also one of the best safegaurds, obviously...

[housekeeper]

Oops! Doubled reply accidentily

[Cozy Monica]

What I find interesting is it appears I may have 'caught' one of these viruses while downloading QuickTime. I'm not entirely sure on that, but that's what it looks like.

[Hyballs]

Hi Monica, I've been using Avira AntiVir and EMSI a-Squared malware scan together for months with great suckCess! And I also use CCleaner 3 or 4 times a day.

PS: they all free!

[sojproductions]

Avira AntiVir
Windows Defender
Windows built-in firewall

All free, i use this setup on all pc's office and home. 1 pc is five years old and it has never had a virus - can't get a better advert than that!

Prior to that i tried paid for brands like norton/panda etc, just found the performance reduced too much although they did protect me - a pop up ad once a day for good overall free performance i can live with!!

[playful1]

After all these years and we all know the sites we inevitably stumble upon, I have only used this combo:

FireFox New version 3.0 Fast as Hell

TrendMicro Housecall

Spybot

I have yet to have a virus that was undetected. And I am sure the only way I get them is when my 16 yo goes to MySpace and tube sites

[housekeeper]

Originally posted by Cozy Monica
What I find interesting is it appears I may have 'caught' one of these viruses while downloading QuickTime. I'm not entirely sure on that, but that's what it looks like.

That is entirely possible, there was a vulnerability in QT7 sometime back. That's where the software inspector came in handy, many software programs have patches that need to be upgraded.

[tittychan]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...48849652085555

And that's all I have to say about Macs.

Also, I use McAffee. It starts up easy, it doesn't drain my memory, it updates itself at 4 AM every Friday night, and it comes free with Comcast internet. I had it for two years while having Comcast before realizing I was wasting $60 a year.