Which Anti-Virus?

Widkidone · Oct 16, 2006, 12:56 AM

My Symantec has just now expired today. I am currently using the Nortons Symantec Internet Security 2006. Which of the Internet Security Should I used?

1. Norton Internet Security 2007
2. Kaspersky Internet Security
3. AVG Internet Security
4. F-Secure Internet Security 2007

Lelisevis · Oct 16, 2006, 01:24 AM

Always used AVG free version and never been hit yet. Even when the missus uses the laptop

riles9262 · Oct 16, 2006, 04:03 AM

In that list, I'd choose kaspersky. Personally though, nod32 is my favourite.

Just Learnin' · Oct 16, 2006, 05:36 AM

Using AVG free for 3 years, two thumbs up!

Necrosis · Oct 16, 2006, 06:02 AM

Paid NOD32
Free Avast

Partizan · Oct 16, 2006, 07:14 AM

I agree with Necrosis and riles9262: NOD32 is the one you should get.

SFOSOK · Oct 16, 2006, 08:55 AM

Avast. http://avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

First free anti-virus and I used it after Norton. You won't know its there and its the best in terms of free service.

I have not had a single virus since I have used it though with Norton, it always found them later instead of preventing viruses.

I don't know if I'll ever pay for anti-virus software again.

Erroneus · Oct 16, 2006, 11:25 AM

Avast or kaspersky.

I like Avast software and usage more then Kaspersky, plus it free, but Kaspersky is a tad better in updating virus defs. Avast has though improved a lot on the area lately.

Vikingod · Oct 16, 2006, 09:38 PM

Avast is my choice, been using it for years. Its free and updates almost daily. I've not had one virus problem in all the time I've used it, footprint is tiny as well. It is also to my knowledge the only AV prog with support for Vista.

technonerd · Oct 16, 2006, 10:02 PM

I'd stay clear of Norton, crappy on performance, for paying program I'd choose KAspersky.

Used AVG about a year and still loving it.

Widkidone · Oct 17, 2006, 03:09 AM

Thanks guys, you know that your input means alot. Right now I am using the AVG Internet Security Trail. So far its easy to use and I am liking it so far. Kaspersky i have tried 2 years go and that used up alot of resource. Nortons.....i was not too happy with the 2006 version. It was not user friendly and used so much resource compare to the AVG Internet Secuirty that I am using now. I will give this AVG a good 30 day run and then I might try the Nod32.

Jeremy of Many · Nov 9, 2006, 01:07 PM

www.av-comparatives.org
Check out the results and focus primarily on the ones with "Advanced" labeled. I've personally and so far tested 18 individual anti-virus programs and you should be choosing your anti-virus while considering the following factors:
- GUI
- Memory Usage
- Ease of use
- Frequency of updates
- Feature set
- Scanning ability and speed

Picky users also take number of processes, Services and total filesize of the program files/common files/application data installed with the anti-virus.

The two very best when taking all these factors into consideration are Kaspersky and NOD32. Both are very easy to use, update daily (or even hourly), scan with terrific efficiency and timing, have straight-forward GUIs, and have features that many other products don't (boot sector scanning for example). I've used Kaspersky on dozens of PCs and it has never failed to rip an infection out by its roots!

Norton/Symantec and McAfee are bloated whores.

@Widkidone
You think Kaspersky takes up a lot of resources? Two processes that take up less than approx 9 MBs of memory. Mind you, I didn't install the Proactive Defense, just the virus scanner.

Widkidone · Nov 9, 2006, 01:32 PM

I have always sticked with Nortons for the past 3-4 years. The only two things I did not like about Nortons was one it was expesive and that every once in a while I would have issues with the software.

But recently I have tested AVG Internet Security, Avast, Kaspersky, and NOD32. AVG was really a pain the butt and it had a lot of useless features that I really did not have much care for. Plus the AVG scan took about 30-32 minutes to scan my Avast was a clean cut but it reminded me of the Bit Defender format. Avast took about the same amount of time to scan my system. Kaspersky, I used just before I used Nortons and I did not like it back then. Kaspersky 1 year subscription was as expensive as Nortons. The scaning of my hard drive was less than both Avast and AVG. Now finally NOD32, I am currently using and that I am very happy so far. To can my computer only took about 10-12 minutes (which is not bad compare to the other ones). So far I am using the 30 day trail version. For a 2 year subscription of NOD32 is less than a 1 year subscription of both Kaspersky and Nortons. Please reading the good reviews of NOD32...I think I am going to stick with NOD32!!!

>GSXR<mrbusa · Nov 9, 2006, 02:06 PM

I second for AGV free antivirus. I have never used the suite as it is not free.

EDIT: AVG will scan all drives by default if i remmember correctly, so if you want the scan time to come down just scan your root directory.

Warhammer · Nov 9, 2006, 05:01 PM

AVG for me been using it for about 4 years and you cant bet the price.

Erroneus · Nov 9, 2006, 05:59 PM

I'm betting 0

dipstick · Nov 9, 2006, 06:39 PM

If you are looking for an all-in-one suite like Norton Internet Security check out ZoneAlarm's Security Suite. I've been running it for a few weeks and have nothing bad to say about it(the firewall is really-really good). As for standalone AV's NOD32 gets my vote

Jeremy of Many · Nov 10, 2006, 12:49 PM

I may have Kaspersky installed, but I only use it to scan files I download. I don't need the application/registry monitoring. I don't run a software firewall (nor Windows trash). I have a router and that's it. The reason being I have a lot of computer common sense. I've been doing this for a few months now and haven't had any problems.

ScythedBlade · Nov 27, 2006, 10:31 PM

NOD32 is friken unnoticable ... it's really good because despite it's lack of using up your resources, it's like a feeling of cheap invulnerability for a lightweight armor ....

Nortone USED to be good .... back in like 2002 ... then it got arrogant released crud

RoyBatty · Nov 28, 2006, 07:40 PM

If you want to pay for it, then I'd say that Kaspersky Anti-Virus is the best. And in the freeware area I vote for Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, because that's the one I use

Neshi · Nov 28, 2006, 08:45 PM

what about Trend Micro Internet Security?

BWX · Dec 12, 2006, 05:10 PM

AVG FREE is no more after Jan 15 2007 I guess.. I have it installed on all my family's PC's I build for them.

Is AVAST free the only other free AV program available that is any good? I tried it last year just to test it out, but I didn't like it - I didn't like the interface or the configurability of it. I like running JUST the email scanner (like for Outlook), but do not like auto update- and like to be able to scan single files. For my parents and other family/ friends I like to keep the auto updates on and have the scanning engine running all the time. AVG is just a lot better for configuring all that stuff, and from what I remember AVAST was not..

Is there any other free AV programs that are any good?

CompressorX · Dec 12, 2006, 05:36 PM

I use avast! pro but id reccomend Avast free (if you dont want to pay) or NOD32.

Randomletters · Dec 12, 2006, 06:28 PM

I used to love AVP ( Antiviral Toolkit Pro ) Best AV ever back in the day, it disappeared ( Became AVG?) Now i use Nod32

OmegaRED · Dec 12, 2006, 06:50 PM

I've used every Antivirus around and Nod32 is the best hands down.

RoyBatty · Dec 12, 2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randomletters

I used to love AVP ( Antiviral Toolkit Pro ) Best AV ever back in the day, it disappeared ( Became AVG?) Now i use Nod32

AVP (I used to use it too) became AVG? Poor AVP

No, I think AVP was from Kaspersky so it became KAV.

aNy_oNE · Dec 13, 2006, 03:53 AM

I use ZoneAlarm Firewall with no Antivirus, I never get viruses. Tried Bitdefender and NOD32 for a while, but found I didn't need them, so I got rid of them (they also slowed down my computer). NOD32 is quite good though, if you really need an AV.

Just Learnin' · Dec 13, 2006, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

AVG FREE is no more after Jan 15 2007 I guess.. I have it installed on all my family's PC's I build for them.

Still is and will be free, version 7.5 that is, they are discontinuing the older version and dropping support for it. Upgrade to 7.5 and all is well.

BWX · Dec 13, 2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Learnin'

Still is and will be free, version 7.5 that is, they are discontinuing the older version and dropping support for it. Upgrade to 7.5 and all is well.

Oh sweet. I guess I did not read that update notice carefully enough.. My mom actually e-mailed me all freaked out because she saw it and when I did too I just assumed she was right that it wouldn't be free anymore.

Well that's cool.. Thanks for the info!

See I didn't read the fine print..

Al_Vampyre · Dec 13, 2006, 01:49 PM

Of the paid ones I've always used NOD32, small footprint and very reliable

Oct 16, 2006, 12:56 AM	#1
Widkidone DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 711 Rep Power: 0	Which Anti-Virus? My Symantec has just now expired today. I am currently using the Nortons Symantec Internet Security 2006. Which of the Internet Security Should I used? 1. Norton Internet Security 2007 2. Kaspersky Internet Security 3. AVG Internet Security 4. F-Secure Internet Security 2007 __________________ Case- Cooler Master ATC-201B-BXT Aluminum Case Power Supply- Antec 480w TrueBlue480 ATX-12V MX518 Mouse CPU- AMD Athlon 64 processor 4000+ (2.4GHz) Socket-939 Motherboard-K8N Neo2 Platinum 2 GB DDR (2 pcs 1GB) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Dual Channel Platinum Hard Drive- WD 74GB 8MB 10000rpm S-ATA WD740GD Sound Card- Creative SB Audigy 2 Zs Platinum CDRW- LG GCE-8525BI 52X32X52 CD-RW OS- Microsoft Windows XP Pro Edition w/SP2 Video-Radeon X850XT AGP 256MB

Oct 16, 2006, 04:03 AM	#3
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	In that list, I'd choose kaspersky. Personally though, nod32 is my favourite. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Oct 16, 2006, 07:14 AM	#6
Partizan Fun loving criminal Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 1,182 Rep Power: 62 System Specs	I agree with Necrosis and riles9262: NOD32 is the one you should get. __________________ Live and let live!

Oct 16, 2006, 08:55 AM	#7
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	Avast. http://avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html First free anti-virus and I used it after Norton. You won't know its there and its the best in terms of free service. I have not had a single virus since I have used it though with Norton, it always found them later instead of preventing viruses. I don't know if I'll ever pay for anti-virus software again. __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Oct 16, 2006, 11:25 AM	#8
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,415 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Avast or kaspersky. I like Avast software and usage more then Kaspersky, plus it free, but Kaspersky is a tad better in updating virus defs. Avast has though improved a lot on the area lately. __________________

Oct 16, 2006, 01:24 AM	#2
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	Always used AVG free version and never been hit yet. Even when the missus uses the laptop

Oct 16, 2006, 05:36 AM	#4
Just Learnin' HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 1,414 Rep Power: 56 System Specs	Using AVG free for 3 years, two thumbs up!

Oct 16, 2006, 06:02 AM	#5
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Paid NOD32 Free Avast

Oct 16, 2006, 09:38 PM	#9
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 111 System Specs	Avast is my choice, been using it for years. Its free and updates almost daily. I've not had one virus problem in all the time I've used it, footprint is tiny as well. It is also to my knowledge the only AV prog with support for Vista.

Oct 16, 2006, 10:02 PM	#10
technonerd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 594 Rep Power: 0	I'd stay clear of Norton, crappy on performance, for paying program I'd choose KAspersky. Used AVG about a year and still loving it.

Oct 17, 2006, 03:09 AM	Thread Starter #11
Widkidone DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 711 Rep Power: 0	Thanks guys, you know that your input means alot. Right now I am using the AVG Internet Security Trail. So far its easy to use and I am liking it so far. Kaspersky i have tried 2 years go and that used up alot of resource. Nortons.....i was not too happy with the 2006 version. It was not user friendly and used so much resource compare to the AVG Internet Secuirty that I am using now. I will give this AVG a good 30 day run and then I might try the Nod32. __________________ Case- Cooler Master ATC-201B-BXT Aluminum Case Power Supply- Antec 480w TrueBlue480 ATX-12V MX518 Mouse CPU- AMD Athlon 64 processor 4000+ (2.4GHz) Socket-939 Motherboard-K8N Neo2 Platinum 2 GB DDR (2 pcs 1GB) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Dual Channel Platinum Hard Drive- WD 74GB 8MB 10000rpm S-ATA WD740GD Sound Card- Creative SB Audigy 2 Zs Platinum CDRW- LG GCE-8525BI 52X32X52 CD-RW OS- Microsoft Windows XP Pro Edition w/SP2 Video-Radeon X850XT AGP 256MB

Nov 9, 2006, 01:07 PM	#12
Jeremy of Many DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 42 Rep Power: 0	www.av-comparatives.org Check out the results and focus primarily on the ones with "Advanced" labeled. I've personally and so far tested 18 individual anti-virus programs and you should be choosing your anti-virus while considering the following factors: - GUI - Memory Usage - Ease of use - Frequency of updates - Feature set - Scanning ability and speed Picky users also take number of processes, Services and total filesize of the program files/common files/application data installed with the anti-virus. The two very best when taking all these factors into consideration are Kaspersky and NOD32. Both are very easy to use, update daily (or even hourly), scan with terrific efficiency and timing, have straight-forward GUIs, and have features that many other products don't (boot sector scanning for example). I've used Kaspersky on dozens of PCs and it has never failed to rip an infection out by its roots! Norton/Symantec and McAfee are bloated whores. @Widkidone You think Kaspersky takes up a lot of resources? Two processes that take up less than approx 9 MBs of memory. Mind you, I didn't install the Proactive Defense, just the virus scanner. __________________ [b]Antec P180 \| OCZ PowerStream 520W \| DFI LanParty NF4 Ultra-D \| AMD X2 3800+ @ 2.4 GHz \| 160GBx2 + 500GB Seagate SATA2 NCQ 8MB & 32MB \| 2GB OCZ PC3200 DC (2.5-3-2-5) \| GeForce 6800GS 256MB \| Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 \| Razer Copperhead Laser Mouse \| Standard M$ 101/102 Keyboard \| Windows XP Pro SP2

Nov 9, 2006, 01:32 PM	Thread Starter #13
Widkidone DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 711 Rep Power: 0	I have always sticked with Nortons for the past 3-4 years. The only two things I did not like about Nortons was one it was expesive and that every once in a while I would have issues with the software. But recently I have tested AVG Internet Security, Avast, Kaspersky, and NOD32. AVG was really a pain the butt and it had a lot of useless features that I really did not have much care for. Plus the AVG scan took about 30-32 minutes to scan my Avast was a clean cut but it reminded me of the Bit Defender format. Avast took about the same amount of time to scan my system. Kaspersky, I used just before I used Nortons and I did not like it back then. Kaspersky 1 year subscription was as expensive as Nortons. The scaning of my hard drive was less than both Avast and AVG. Now finally NOD32, I am currently using and that I am very happy so far. To can my computer only took about 10-12 minutes (which is not bad compare to the other ones). So far I am using the 30 day trail version. For a 2 year subscription of NOD32 is less than a 1 year subscription of both Kaspersky and Nortons. Please reading the good reviews of NOD32...I think I am going to stick with NOD32!!! __________________ Case- Cooler Master ATC-201B-BXT Aluminum Case Power Supply- Antec 480w TrueBlue480 ATX-12V MX518 Mouse CPU- AMD Athlon 64 processor 4000+ (2.4GHz) Socket-939 Motherboard-K8N Neo2 Platinum 2 GB DDR (2 pcs 1GB) PC-3200 (400) OCZ Dual Channel Platinum Hard Drive- WD 74GB 8MB 10000rpm S-ATA WD740GD Sound Card- Creative SB Audigy 2 Zs Platinum CDRW- LG GCE-8525BI 52X32X52 CD-RW OS- Microsoft Windows XP Pro Edition w/SP2 Video-Radeon X850XT AGP 256MB

Nov 9, 2006, 02:06 PM	#14
>GSXR<mrbusa im a FREAK Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,107 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I second for AGV free antivirus. I have never used the suite as it is not free. EDIT: AVG will scan all drives by default if i remmember correctly, so if you want the scan time to come down just scan your root directory.

Nov 9, 2006, 05:01 PM	#15
Warhammer DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 56 Rep Power: 0	AVG for me been using it for about 4 years and you cant bet the price.

Nov 9, 2006, 05:59 PM	#16
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,415 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	I'm betting 0 __________________

Nov 9, 2006, 06:39 PM	#17
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	If you are looking for an all-in-one suite like Norton Internet Security check out ZoneAlarm's Security Suite. I've been running it for a few weeks and have nothing bad to say about it(the firewall is really-really good). As for standalone AV's NOD32 gets my vote

Nov 10, 2006, 12:49 PM	#18
Jeremy of Many DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 42 Rep Power: 0	I may have Kaspersky installed, but I only use it to scan files I download. I don't need the application/registry monitoring. I don't run a software firewall (nor Windows trash). I have a router and that's it. The reason being I have a lot of computer common sense. I've been doing this for a few months now and haven't had any problems. __________________ [b]Antec P180 \| OCZ PowerStream 520W \| DFI LanParty NF4 Ultra-D \| AMD X2 3800+ @ 2.4 GHz \| 160GBx2 + 500GB Seagate SATA2 NCQ 8MB & 32MB \| 2GB OCZ PC3200 DC (2.5-3-2-5) \| GeForce 6800GS 256MB \| Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 \| Razer Copperhead Laser Mouse \| Standard M$ 101/102 Keyboard \| Windows XP Pro SP2

Nov 27, 2006, 10:31 PM	#19
ScythedBlade DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	NOD32 is friken unnoticable ... it's really good because despite it's lack of using up your resources, it's like a feeling of cheap invulnerability for a lightweight armor .... Nortone USED to be good .... back in like 2002 ... then it got arrogant released crud

Nov 28, 2006, 07:40 PM	#20
RoyBatty HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 1,941 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	If you want to pay for it, then I'd say that Kaspersky Anti-Virus is the best. And in the freeware area I vote for Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, because that's the one I use

Nov 28, 2006, 08:45 PM	#21
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,373 Rep Power: 177 System Specs	what about Trend Micro Internet Security? __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

Dec 12, 2006, 05:10 PM	#22
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	AVG FREE is no more after Jan 15 2007 I guess.. I have it installed on all my family's PC's I build for them. Is AVAST free the only other free AV program available that is any good? I tried it last year just to test it out, but I didn't like it - I didn't like the interface or the configurability of it. I like running JUST the email scanner (like for Outlook), but do not like auto update- and like to be able to scan single files. For my parents and other family/ friends I like to keep the auto updates on and have the scanning engine running all the time. AVG is just a lot better for configuring all that stuff, and from what I remember AVAST was not.. Is there any other free AV programs that are any good? __________________

Dec 12, 2006, 05:36 PM	#23
CompressorX DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 161 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I use avast! pro but id reccomend Avast free (if you dont want to pay) or NOD32. __________________ Bah !

Dec 12, 2006, 06:28 PM	#24
Randomletters ))<>(( Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 54	I used to love AVP ( Antiviral Toolkit Pro ) Best AV ever back in the day, it disappeared ( Became AVG?) Now i use Nod32 __________________ <----------- Sexy Budget Rig stats to the left.

Dec 12, 2006, 06:50 PM	#25
OmegaRED Relapsed Gamer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa , Canada Posts: 5,686 Rep Power: 173 System Specs	I've used every Antivirus around and Nod32 is the best hands down. __________________ E Penis Specs: <------------- See System Specs

Dec 13, 2006, 03:53 AM	#27
aNy_oNE DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 162 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I use ZoneAlarm Firewall with no Antivirus, I never get viruses. Tried Bitdefender and NOD32 for a while, but found I didn't need them, so I got rid of them (they also slowed down my computer). NOD32 is quite good though, if you really need an AV.

Dec 13, 2006, 01:49 PM	#30
Al_Vampyre HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,532 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Of the paid ones I've always used NOD32, small footprint and very reliable __________________ "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad" - Brian O'Driscoll - Ireland Rugby Team 2009 Grand Slam winning Captain.