Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: BirdDog on November 08, 2009, 08:03:44 PM

Title: AntiVirus Software
Post by: BirdDog on November 08, 2009, 08:03:44 PM
I need Antivirus , malware etc software.  What are you running.  Do you like it?  My Computer is new. 
I'm running norton right now.   
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Chalenge on November 08, 2009, 08:05:29 PM
Norton IS a virus in a lot of ways... ESET NOD32.  :aok
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: batch on November 08, 2009, 08:08:10 PM
there are many great alternatives both free and paid....... the BEST recommendation  is any OTHER than McAfee or Norton
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: TilDeath on November 08, 2009, 08:46:14 PM
Norton IS a virus in a lot of ways... ESET NOD32.  :aok
x2
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: ink on November 08, 2009, 08:49:57 PM
im using Threatfire, free and works good!
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: BirdDog on November 08, 2009, 08:50:35 PM
x2 ?
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: guncrasher on November 08, 2009, 09:18:41 PM
x2 ?

means he recommends the same thing.  I had mccaffey but way too many processes that came with it were slowing my computer switched to nod32 and seems to go ok.  only complain is that its kindda hard to figure out to set it up.  and by that I mean it sets up itself with the recommended settings and I have to trust it, which seems weird coming from mccaffey where it was a little more user friendly.

semp
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Chalenge on November 08, 2009, 10:46:43 PM
Wow! You learned how to setup AH and you think EST is hard?  :D
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Masherbrum on November 09, 2009, 12:06:31 AM
ESET Smart Security 4.   My parents bought an HP a couple weeks ago with 8GB of RAM on a good deal.   They asked, my pop sprung for the 2 year subscription of ESET Smart Security 4 suite as well.   
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Ghosth on November 09, 2009, 06:31:33 AM
Yes, lose Norton or Mcaffee

Yes, get threatfire! I've run with just threatfire for almost 2 years now with no problems.

For cheap, you might try AVG, but your getting what your paying for. Better than nothing though.

For the price from all I've heard nod32 is the best.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on November 09, 2009, 07:22:21 AM
Believe it or not, Microsoft security essentials has fared well in recent AV comparisons. It's free so definately an option to keep in mind.

http://www.net-security.org/malware_news.php?id=1137
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: BaldEagl on November 09, 2009, 08:04:52 AM
I've used McAfee for years.  I continue to use it now because I get it free from Comcast and have it installed on three computers.

You can tweak McAfee a lot to get it to run smoothly on any machine.  One thing I do is to turn off the auto-updaters and update manually twice a week.  I also turn off the reporting function as I'm sure they already have lots of people sending reports.  Those seem to be the most obnoxious features.

I used to always leave everything in McAfee turned off in my gaming rig when I played AH but recently had to do a reinstall and left everything set in it's default settings (except auto-update and auto-report).  I logged into AH.  The firewall let me right in and having everything turned on didn't affect my game performance or frame rates one bit.

I'm running pretty much default settings on all three machines now at all times and even my 650Mhz PIII laptop doesn't seem to get bogged down by McAfee.

Like I said, I've been using it for years and they seem to be getting better.  The new versions are much better that those of ten or even five years ago as far a resource useage.

[EDIT]  I've also tried AVG and Avast.  I hated Avast... it was a resource hog.  AVG works well but but seems a bit lightwieght.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: gyrene81 on November 09, 2009, 08:36:02 AM
McAffee stinks...especially the security suite...not very secure. Though you might be able to "pare it down" a bit all you're doing is opening the holes by doing so. Norton is just as bad with the exception that the 360 version tends to be more virus like in it's activity than some viruses. Trend Micro is only slightly better but still a background resource hog...and can cause problems with games.

From experience...download and install DOT (domain of trust) for whatever browser you are using, that will help steer you clear of known bad websites. It's not 100% but if you surf the web a lot you can avoid most of the infected websites. If you don't mind paying for an anti-virus, Nod32 is probably the best thing going right now for a lightweight anti-virus solution that is highly effective. If you want "freeware", Avira Antivir or Avast...either one is very effective and highly lightweight. I've switched to Avira Antivir for now...tested against some rather nasty viruses (they can shut down Norton and McAffee) and it stops them cold...tried one known infected Chinese website and it stopped the auto installer. Avast was pretty good but it was still pretty bulky compared to Nod32 or Avira.


Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Denholm on November 09, 2009, 10:14:34 AM
I think the only security software you need is ESET Smart Security 4, PCTools Spyware Doctor (Don't turn on active security for Spyware Doctor), and AVG Anti-Rootkit Free. I've used them all and combined they have removed every infection I've ever encountered (Confirmed with additional scans from different software).
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Getback on November 09, 2009, 11:05:56 AM
Norton IS a virus in a lot of ways... ESET NOD32.  :aok

Ditto: You may find you won't need any spyware removers.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Gatr on November 09, 2009, 04:24:41 PM
Well I have been using Avira.... freebee version and love it...  I am trying the Microsoft Security Essentials on my new build and it seems fairly nin intrusive.....
thx Gatr
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Mister Fork on November 09, 2009, 05:44:23 PM
Microsoft Security Essentials - its free and unfortunately they know their stuff best.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: guncrasher on November 09, 2009, 06:36:01 PM
just a point to make here, "even the lowest ranked anti-virus is still pretty good and the best ranked antivirus  wont fully protect you unless you know how to surf the net safely."  , that statement was made by consumer reports looking into all the anti-virus programs available.  lots of people dont use internet explorer because of it security issue (I use mozilla firefox) and also have some kind of webite ranking add-on installed along with a script blocker, ad-blocker, etc.

I had nod32 along with malware bytes installed on my computer.  my youngest son came to visit and decided to d/l some songs from a file sharing website that he knows ( have asked him many times not to do it), guess what, my computer got messed up really bad, and that was the 4th or 5th time that he does it.  computer wouldnt even boot at all, I ended up throwing away the hd (I was planing to replace it anyway), and reinstalling everything. but at least he got his 4 or 5 free songs  :mad:.

semp
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Fulmar on November 09, 2009, 07:43:33 PM
I'd avoid Norton like the plague.  I'd only use Mcafee's corporate editions over their retail products.  Avoid Avast, Avira, and AVG - their threat detection is generally pretty bad.  Never tried Microsoft's product yet.  I couldn't stand Kaspersky.

My hands down recommendation is ESET.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: cattb on November 09, 2009, 08:19:29 PM
I use kaspersky and like it, I am on my 3rd year. Kaspersky has sandboxie in it now.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: DustyR on November 14, 2009, 07:14:09 AM
If you have a teen at home you need ESET Smart Security Four.  They have a promotion going that you can buy a subscription that covers several computers. 
Seriously the best program that I have used and I have used the 30 day free trial to straighten several computers out. :cheers:
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: TheZohan on November 16, 2009, 02:00:08 AM
AVAST w/ Malwarebytes is all you wil ever need .. both are free and low overhead. but if you want the 24/7 protection theres a 25.00 lifetime license fee for the malwarebytes. well worth it.


we put this on all our customers computers and stand behind it 100%
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: dirtydog on November 21, 2009, 03:15:42 PM
anyone use CA? I can get for free from brighthouse
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: BirdDog on November 22, 2009, 09:41:10 PM
CA Sucks.  We had it at work.  It passed 2 bugs.  Had to wipe out my HD twice in 2 or 3 years. 
I bought ESET.  Great so far.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: soda72 on November 24, 2009, 03:50:39 PM
I installed Microsoft Security Essentials to try it out and was disappointed that it only allows you to schedule a scan once a week.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Gatr on November 24, 2009, 04:42:24 PM
Soda I think you should look again... I have mine set to daily scan....
salute Gatr
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Shamus on November 24, 2009, 08:49:33 PM
.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: soda72 on November 24, 2009, 09:04:02 PM
Soda I think you should look again... I have mine set to daily scan....
salute Gatr

Ah, I didn't see the 'daily' option in the drop down list, just Sunday through Saturday
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: ozrocker on December 04, 2009, 09:36:41 AM
AVAST
Been using it for ever. FREE and never had any issues, or viruses
                                                                 <S> Oz
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Ghastly on December 04, 2009, 10:25:00 AM
Personal recommendations on the order of "I use XYZ brand and it works for me" for A/V software are about as meaningless as a politician's promise.

I can run with NO A/V on my system for years at a time and never get a virus or malware.
My son can can't run more than about two weeks to a month or so regardless of which A/V is installed without picking up something, unless I disable nearly all active content (Java, ActiveX, runtime scripting etc.) and block IM, P2P and social networking sites (which eliminates about 90% of why he wants to use a computer in the first place). 

Close to 90% of your vulnerability comes from your browsing/downloading habits on your Windows system.  Close to 10% comes from whether or not you keep your Windows system up to date with all known patches. 

And when you do the math, close to 100% of your vulnerability comes from running Windows in the first place!  :huh (Not that most of us have many realistic options...)

<S>
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: BaldEagl on December 04, 2009, 12:15:12 PM
I'm going to develop an AS package and be RICH!!!

(Anti-stupidity)
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: Brooke on December 04, 2009, 08:42:48 PM
I use and like Avast.  I've used Symantec and McAffee in the past and didn't like them because they were resource hogs that slowed down my gaming.

http://www.av-comparatives.org/ (http://www.av-comparatives.org/) seems to do a thorough job of evaluating the effectiveness of various antivirus products.
Title: Re: AntiVirus Software
Post by: stickpig on December 05, 2009, 07:26:21 PM
Saw alot of negatives for Norton.

Whats the deal with them? I thought they were they top of the AV ladder