Best anti-virus program ?

Jorn Rudolph · Apr 1, 2011

:cool

What would you suggest as the best anti-virus program for:

1. Windows XP
2. Windows Vista
3. Windows 7

abekl · Apr 1, 2011

This has been asked so many times it's not funny.

Most people end up recommending either Avast! or Avira.

satrow · Apr 1, 2011

It really depends upon the users' abilities and usage habits. Some people could infect a live CD

Avast!, Avira and MSE are all good for free, MSE seems to have more problems with XP - this may just be down to previous 'tampering' by using random 'tweakers' and Registry-type 'fixers' though.

Study this thread, there's a lot of fine info there, not just about A/V's but general 'safe surfing' tips, too.

DavidGP · Apr 2, 2011

Hi

My advice is to follow this guide HERE and in the end the onus is on you as the user to safe surf and download, if you don't then malware risk is heightened.

No matter what the AV or security apps are they will not account for user stupidity, in what they download or click on, we can only minimise the risk.

moparman · Apr 6, 2011

personally all these other av's don't sound that good, avg sorry to tell yall but it SUCKS. I've had it but for my money bit defender total security 2011 is the best if you configure it right. so far haven't had a single problem!

plodr · Apr 6, 2011

Know about the Bit Defender problem from March of 2010?
http://www.technibble.com/recent-bitdefender-update-renders-windows-64-bit-systems-unbootable/
NO av product is perfect. After quite a few people had unbootable computers caused by Bit Defender, you will find them not touching that av any more.
Use what works for you; when it stops working, gets to bloated or causes the computer to slow down, try something else.

w7pro · Apr 7, 2011

I run Windows 7 and I use Microsoft Security Essentials and turn on my firewall (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-firewall). It's pretty basic, but at the same time, it's worked really well.

-- Ryan
Windows Outreach Team

beanier · Apr 7, 2011

Avast gets my vote.

plodr · Apr 7, 2011

I'm no longer recommending MS Security Essentials to anyone. If you see anywhere I've recommended it before April 7th, dismiss my recommendation. I can't go back and edit my posts to remove it.

Read this to find out how it does not detect nor stop the LizaMoon
http://windowssecrets.com/2011/04/07/01-LizaMoon-infection-a-blow-by-blow-account
Fred Langa up to this point recommended MSSE. I suspect he won't any more.

theefool · Apr 7, 2011

Well, personally, for the entire time of me being on win7, I've had no issues with mse. But, that is in my environment, on my system.

And to top it off:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Threat/Encyclopedia/Entry.aspx?Name=Win32/FakePAV

usafveteran · Apr 7, 2011

beanier said: ↑

Avast gets my vote.
Click to expand...

Mine, too. I'm using it with all three Windows OS now.

Jorn Rudolph · Apr 9, 2011

Thank you to all of you ... !

Log in or Sign up

Best anti-virus program ?

Jorn Rudolph Private E-2

abekl First Sergeant

satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

moparman Private E-2

plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

w7pro Private E-2

beanier Specialist

plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

theefool Geekified

usafveteran MajorGeek

Jorn Rudolph Private E-2