Antivirus software??

[87County]

Hi all,

My Norton subscription is about to expire and I was wondering if any alternatives can be recommended?

I had occasion to call/email symantec a couple of times this year and wasn't impressed with the customer service attitudes (sort of "you'll take what we choose for you to have" type of attitude).

Any ideas/advice appreciated

thanks - Laurie

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I'm running the free version of Avira, which seems to be fine,, I may pay for a version of this,,
am sick of waiting for Authentium to bring out a 64bit version:mad:

[87County]

that was a quick reply Pedro - living up to your name, eh?:)

is this downloadable from a company website or some-such?

thanks - Laurie

[Pedro_The_Swift]

all the good ones are,,:D
let the post run a bit,, some clever people on here,,

[Xavie]

Don't go with norton any more. It is rubbish and clashes with everything.

I use AVG, it's free but can buy it. I'm contemplating buying it but love my freebies! AVG gets very good ratings from what I've seen and I rarely ave issues with it.

AVG Free Advisor - Free antivirus and anti-spyware downloads (http://free.grisoft.com/)

Xavier

[Xavie]

Just another point. Most A.V programs are good. It's just some clash with other things you may do on your computer. As long as you keep it updated I doubt you will have any problems with any of them. Just as long as it is a known one.

Xav

[solmanic]

I use AVG here too.

[WhiteD3]

I use Norton's Internet security on my 3 PCs at home and I've never had a virus or intrusion issue. The latest version is designed for people who can't read (like Vista is) but it works.

[29dinosaur]

I use NOD32 (http://www.eset.com/) or Avira (http://www.free-av.com/).

Whenever I have used Norton products they 'take over' your computer and cause all sorts of conflicts.

[5teve]

avg free here too and no issues on 3 pc's we also use it on over 80 pc's at work (paid network version)

the nice thing about avg is its got very low overheads on the system unlike norton, and as others have said... i have had to sort lots of pc's out that have been infected by norton, but being honest they have all been low spec or older pcs and norton really does need some grunt to run... its proper bloatware

Thanks

Steve

[feral]

AVG Free Edition & Avast Home Free Edition for virus.

Windows Defender :D:D...evaluating for spyware.

So far no conflicts.

[rick130]

I use Avast. Seems to work fine.

[RonMcGr]

AVG, free and it works.

[87County]

thanks for all your replies guys/gals,

AVG seems to have quite a following - I've looked at their site and it seems with them that I can either opt for the free one or a freetrial of the full one - the question is - do I need the full one ?

(I've always assumed I needed a firewall - is this correct)?

thanks - Laurie

[RonMcGr]

thanks for all your replies guys/gals,

AVG seems to have quite a following - I've looked at their site and it seems with them that I can either opt for the free one or a freetrial of the full one - the question is - do I need the full one ?

(I've always assumed I needed a firewall - is this correct)?

thanks - Laurie

Laurie,

I use the free one and it picks up bad E-mails, etc.
I don't see the point in paying for it.

Prior to this one I had Avast, which was free and also good.
However my Son, the IT man, said AVG is a tad better :D

Cheers,

[RonMcGr]

thanks for all your replies guys/gals,

AVG seems to have quite a following - I've looked at their site and it seems with them that I can either opt for the free one or a freetrial of the full one - the question is - do I need the full one ?

(I've always assumed I needed a firewall - is this correct)?

thanks - Laurie

I used to use Zone alarm, but now have a wireless router to run three computers. It has a firewall built in :)

Cheers

[rick130]

I use CA...which used to be VET
Some here think its crap
Its not free, but I got it cheap, so can't complain
I like it coz its simple and I know how to use it. Sometimes can't be bothered learning new tricks :D:D


I used Vet since my first PC, then CA bought them and the rot set in...........
I'm no IT person, but my PC ended up slow and yucky* (technical term ;) ) and and it wasn't as user friendly (IMO) as the old Vet. The whole package seemed overblown and unwieldy. (more tech terms :D)

A friend suggested the free version of Avast, (he was so impressed, he bought the pro version, he's a video/doco maker)
I downloaded Avast on my then PC and laptop. Both increased in speed significantly, OS 'issues' like freeze ups dropped to near zero and haven't looked back.
Just downloaded a new of version of Avast on the new PC on the weekend.

[29dinosaur]

I used to use Zone alarm, but now have a wireless router to run three computers. It has a firewall built in :)

Cheers

Ditto .... except have 2 netwroks - home and work - but use the firewall inbuilt in router. (Hope this is sufficient).

[87County]

Those last 4 replies caused a "click" and it was a "lightbulb" turning on in my head - thannks guys

So my broadband wireless router (std telstra issue - router at the telephone point and a usb adapter on my computer) has a firewall built-in either in software or hardware - I never knew that!

Do I need to confirm that for my hardware?

.... or do all similar wireless internet routers have this?

this help so far has been marvellous - Laurie

[29dinosaur]

Those last 4 replies caused a "click" and it was a "lightbulb" turning on in my head - thannks guys

So my broadband wireless router (std telstra issue - router at the telephone point and a usb adapter on my computer) has a firewall built-in either in software or hardware - I never knew that!

Do I need to confirm that for my hardware?

.... or do all similar wireless internet routers have this?

this help so far has been marvellous - Laurie

Look up the name of the router and either ask here or do a search on google for the instruction manual. (You should also be able to encrypt your network if using wireless.)

[87County]

Look up the name of the router and either ask here or do a search on google for the instruction manual. (You should also be able to encrypt your network if using wireless.)

thanks 29dinosaur,

my router is a speedstream 5650 & my usb adapter is a "netgear" brand

Laurie

[Rovernaut]

I'm Running linux, Anti virus ? What is it? Am I missing something?:D:D:D:p
Oh For Windoze, Although I have Access to a few, I am using AVG on my XP boot and no probs, free and daily updates.
Trend Micros not bad, but has large updates daily, no good if a poor bugger is on dialup.
Nortons , is one of the biggest resource hogs out there.
I would go AVg:D

[HangOver]

Do I need to confirm that for my hardware?


All routers/modems are different but in general most made in the last year or two should have some sort of firewall built into the hardware, (firmware) of the router.
That's getting away from the question.........
In general Yes you will need to turn on the firewall inside your router.

I would suggest getting a software firewall too, (just call me mr.paranoid) and they can be had for free.

As for anti-virus it's like asking what's the best car everyone has an opinion, (even if they are all wrong :D) .
Anything AV software is better than none.
Stay clear of Norton IMO
Some free AV software all are pretty good:
BitDefender
AVG
AVAST <- my personal fave

[gruntfuttock]

FWIW, I use Kaspersky internet suite. I have had no problems with it at all. Updates several time a day and I paid $35 for it.
I had AVG but I got infected by a virus it did not pick up and several key loggers it finished up I had to format the hard disk:mad::mad:. Then once everything was running okay again (several weeks later) my hard disk crapped itself. (Bad segment).

Since using kaspersky I have not had one single problem. I also have a spyware program that I run from time to time just in case. It is amazing what it picks up.

That is just what suites me. I am no IT expert, it just works for me thats all.

[adm333]

Another vote here for AVG.

I have paid for a full license, and I was happy because it is a 2 year license not one, so is actually very good value compared to some of the more commercial ones. (I think was $60 for 2 years at the time)

Doesn't infect the computer like the NAV - which was really getting on my goat.

[29dinosaur]

thanks 29dinosaur,

my router is a speedstream 5650 & my usb adapter is a "netgear" brand

Laurie


mmmm..... searched on that name and came up with nothing worth writing about... maybe if you still have the manual. But see post above... probably a good idea if you have a software firewall as well.

[Bushwanderer]

Hi,
Another vote for AVG (antivirus) & Zone Alarm (Firewall) - both freeware.

Since using these, with their regular updates, I have had NO problems.

I also periodically run Spybot Search & Destroy, for spyware (another freeware package). It also now runs in the background.

Best Wishes,

[Anya45]

I have been with Trend Micro PC-cillan for a few years now and it has saved me a few times. Granted I am paying for the full version, but I won't be swapping any time in the future. :p

[DiscoCam]

I prefer Avast because it has a few more features than AVG. I believe Norton is a lot better this year and less resource hungry but still slows boot times by min 30secs. That said it is still a good option for those will little/no knowledge.

I too have a wireless router with built in Firewall & recently had the joy of uninstalling Zone Alarm and now rely on Windows firewall. Didn't realise the impact of ZA till it was gone either!

I've got to say that in the 10 or so years I've been on line I've had maybe 2 genuine infections & a couple of cases of spyware hijacking my home page etc. I often wonder whether it is all worth it and if I should just get out their and practise unprotected surfing.:woot:

[Phil633]

I have been with Trend Micro PC-cillan for a few years now and it has saved me a few times. Granted I am paying for the full version, but I won't be swapping any time in the future. :p


Ditto :)

[loanrangie]

I ditched zone alarm as its such a resource hog and slowed down my system too much, been using Avast now for 2 years and my pc has never been more stable - even with windoze.Trend micro was ok till the licence ran out.