keep symantec or get AVG/Avast?
- Thread starter 97tbird
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Panda has best AV (latest version with TruPrevent Technologies).
I'm no PC tech, but I will definitely say "ditto" to the advice above to only run *one* av program. Don't ask why I'm so sure about that.
I've run AVG Free for a little over a year now, & recently had to update from the AVG 7.1 to the AVG 7.5 version. The upgrade to the newer version was pretty quick & completely painless- and it's still free.
Just remember that the free version is anti-virus only, no firewall etc included. And the 7.5, like the 7.1 version, does automatic updates daily when the computer's first turned on.
I've run AVG Free for a little over a year now, & recently had to update from the AVG 7.1 to the AVG 7.5 version. The upgrade to the newer version was pretty quick & completely painless- and it's still free.
HP to buy Symantec. Stay tuned
AOL AVS IS Kaspersky 6 for free. It does not have the proactive defense or HTTP moniter though.
I've been using the free version of Avira Antivir for over a year now. In testing at AV-comparatives.org, it's one of the, if not the best antivirus out there. And it's free! Has the best heuristics out there currently. IMO, you'd be a fool to pay for something like Panda or PC-Cillin. They suck compared to AVS or Antivir. Symantec and Mcaffe are a bit better but still not as good.
Antivirus in general is quickly becoming a worthless security option. You need something like Prevx, SSM, Defensewall or other HIPS programs to really protect yourself. Gizmo at Techsupport tests this stuff throughly, and antivirus products in general fail at stopping multifaceted, blended attacks.
I 2nd this one.... No loss at all in speed..
Kaspersky here. Used NAV for years but since I switched to K last month, I notice a big improvement in PC performance, expecially start up.
I have used AVG for years with good results. I also use Kerio as a Firewall.
One should use only one anti-virus program and one software firewall.
If you are using a software firewall, shut off the Windows XP built-in firewall.
I have had good luck in using the free versions of both programs for home use.
AVG has a good Trojan - Scumware remover too.
One should use only one anti-virus program and one software firewall.
If you are using a software firewall, shut off the Windows XP built-in firewall.
I have had good luck in using the free versions of both programs for home use.
AVG has a good Trojan - Scumware remover too.
I agree with Greggy.
Symantec and McAffee are total #@$%! (the home side anyways) There have been some computers that I wished I was dealing with problems from a virus instead of problems from either of those products.
We also had a ton of people bringing in computers with Viruses on the that were running AVG. My own computer had AVG and was nailed. Since then I switched to Anti-vir and haven't had a problem yet.
Free, better at detecting then Norton/McAfee/AVG and its not a resource hog either
Symantec and McAffee are total #@$%! (the home side anyways) There have been some computers that I wished I was dealing with problems from a virus instead of problems from either of those products.
We also had a ton of people bringing in computers with Viruses on the that were running AVG. My own computer had AVG and was nailed. Since then I switched to Anti-vir and haven't had a problem yet.
Free, better at detecting then Norton/McAfee/AVG and its not a resource hog either
gonna research Antivir now...Thanks
I've used AVG, Antivir, Norton, Mcafee, Panda, Pccillin.... over the years. IMO, all are excellent, and the free ones work just as well.
I have no warm feelings for Norton/Mcafee. They tend to be resource hogs.
Any antivirus program is only as good as the user. Update it regularly and perform regular scans.
Also, the default settings seem to be lacking with all of them. Enable the more detailed features.
Housecall still has their free online scanner. This way if you grab one of the free AV programs, you can still run a competing product once every now and then to see if anything questionable has been missed.
You can supplement your free slim AV with regular Spybot and Adaware scans, which are also free to scan, clean, and update, but not run in the background. Spywareblaster and Spybot have immunizations that can help. AVG, Tenebril, also have free antispyware programs too.
Spysweeper, Counterspy, Pestpatrol, SpywareDoctor... are also pretty good but cost to use. There is another program, free to use, but can't remember its name. I'll have to check my PC when I get home.
For a firewall, XP has its own that is good enough. Zonealarm is pretty good and free for older MS operating systems. A router makes firewall choice less of an issue.
Keep your software as up to date as possible.
I have no issues with any of the programs. None have ever really failed me. I find that user error, lack of regular updates and scans, lack of software patches, settings not set well, and questionable surfing/downloading habits, can cause issues with ANY computer regardless of protection being used. .
I have no warm feelings for Norton/Mcafee. They tend to be resource hogs.
Any antivirus program is only as good as the user. Update it regularly and perform regular scans.
Also, the default settings seem to be lacking with all of them. Enable the more detailed features.
Housecall still has their free online scanner. This way if you grab one of the free AV programs, you can still run a competing product once every now and then to see if anything questionable has been missed.
You can supplement your free slim AV with regular Spybot and Adaware scans, which are also free to scan, clean, and update, but not run in the background. Spywareblaster and Spybot have immunizations that can help. AVG, Tenebril, also have free antispyware programs too.
Spysweeper, Counterspy, Pestpatrol, SpywareDoctor... are also pretty good but cost to use. There is another program, free to use, but can't remember its name. I'll have to check my PC when I get home.
For a firewall, XP has its own that is good enough. Zonealarm is pretty good and free for older MS operating systems. A router makes firewall choice less of an issue.
Keep your software as up to date as possible.
I have no issues with any of the programs. None have ever really failed me. I find that user error, lack of regular updates and scans, lack of software patches, settings not set well, and questionable surfing/downloading habits, can cause issues with ANY computer regardless of protection being used. .
I do have spybot, adaware SE, C-Cleaner and spywareblaster on our desktop and the 2 laptops. and I'm very disciplined abour updating & scanning regularly. and xp firewall, and the router firewall are there, too.
I do use AVG free on our main desktop. it's the laptop I'm trying to decide on.
unDummy:
about AVG antispyware, though: I didn't think that was free, only their antivirus. or am i mistaken?
EDIT: you were right it is free...just got that one, too.
thanks.
I do use AVG free on our main desktop. it's the laptop I'm trying to decide on.
unDummy:
about AVG antispyware, though: I didn't think that was free, only their antivirus. or am i mistaken?
EDIT: you were right it is free...just got that one, too.
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In addition to SpywareBlaster, AdAware, and Spybot....check out a-Squared.
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
These four are an awesome combination.
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
These four are an awesome combination.
so on the computer at work today i noticed a process in task manager i wasnt familiar with. found the exe in the windows dir, threw it into a hex editor... something didnt look right.
turns out it was a worm! the computer is running mcafee av with updated definitions. trust no one!
turns out it was a worm! the computer is running mcafee av with updated definitions. trust no one!
My parents Windows 98 was locking up using McAfee. I had an old laptop and found AVG would work, but McAfee would lock it up. I ended up buying a subscription with the firewall. I found it works well on older computers that would lock up with Norton or McAfee. Also, I was able to install the firewall and the computer is stable.
As far as spyware, I have been using A-squared free and Edwido (AVG free spyware). A-squared just found a nasty trojan. Also, I have used Trend Micro's Web base free spyware scan. It found two trojans. That was after 2 of my credit cards were stollen. It seemed like the Trend Micro one found things other spyware programs did not. Before that I used Adaware. I have since removed it from all my computers.
http://www.download.com/3642-20_4-2673921.html
As far as spyware, I have been using A-squared free and Edwido (AVG free spyware). A-squared just found a nasty trojan. Also, I have used Trend Micro's Web base free spyware scan. It found two trojans. That was after 2 of my credit cards were stollen. It seemed like the Trend Micro one found things other spyware programs did not. Before that I used Adaware. I have since removed it from all my computers.
http://www.download.com/3642-20_4-2673921.html
I use the free program called Spyware Terminator which also comes with a free anti-virus program.
Link to Spyware Terminator
Link to Spyware Terminator
Superantispyware has a free scanner version as well; probably the best antispyware product out here these days. Why even use Spybot and Ad-aware? They are useless againts todays modern malware threats.
Adding either Prevx2 or Cyberhawk HIPS programs would also be advised for zero-day threats in real time. Simply using an on demand scanner won't protect you. Once you're infected, you're infected.
Be aware that Crawler, the makers of Spyware Terminator, were once involved in the adware/spyware business.
Windows firewall is useless for protection against malware, as is a NAT router. No outbound protection at all; if you get malware that phones home a payload of credit card numbers or passwords typed into your keyboard, you screwed. I recomend Comodo firewall. Version 3 upcoming will have full Host Intrusion Provention System/application firewall as well which will basically mean you no longer need an antivirus or anispyware anti-anything; there will be a firewall for every program/application on your machine. They "may" add virtulization/sandboxing as well for the application firewall which will really be the end of anti-"anything"! And, it's FREE.
Adding either Prevx2 or Cyberhawk HIPS programs would also be advised for zero-day threats in real time. Simply using an on demand scanner won't protect you. Once you're infected, you're infected.
Be aware that Crawler, the makers of Spyware Terminator, were once involved in the adware/spyware business.
Windows firewall is useless for protection against malware, as is a NAT router. No outbound protection at all; if you get malware that phones home a payload of credit card numbers or passwords typed into your keyboard, you screwed. I recomend Comodo firewall. Version 3 upcoming will have full Host Intrusion Provention System/application firewall as well which will basically mean you no longer need an antivirus or anispyware anti-anything; there will be a firewall for every program/application on your machine. They "may" add virtulization/sandboxing as well for the application firewall which will really be the end of anti-"anything"! And, it's FREE.
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I too use Super Anti-Spyware free version for scanning of my system. Here is a link to their web page.
Super Anti-Spyware web page.
Super Anti-Spyware web page.
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