How do I test anti-virus programs?

I'm having a tough time deciding between Avast and AVG for my free anti-spyware program. I'm using Avast right now, but I'd like to try out AVG. Should I discontinue (is that the right word?) Avast before I download AVG? If I do, will I be unprotected? Thanks.

 

Use the EICAR test virus, of course

http://www.eicar.org/anti_virus_test_file.htm

You can't have both Two AV programs simultaneously or you will get problems.

 

Thats just asking for trouble, because inadvertently, someone will turn on the real time again.

Use something like WinClam if you need additional security from more than one AV.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/ClamWin_Free_Antivirus_d5544.html

Not only that, real time protection isnt the only problem. Sometimes antiviruses will cannabilize each other, detecting each other as a virus. It happens, I've seen it happen myself.

 

I have one on-board AV, and rotate through a set of online scanners (Trend Micro, Panda, Symantec, Bitdefender) for backup. No resident conflicts possible this way.

 

Interesting all but the title read

Anyone else going to address this question?

 

Well, I messed up twice. Firstly, I realize that I did not mean "test," I meant "compare." Thanks, Studiot. Secondly, I see that I used "anti-spyware" in the message when I really meant "anti-virus" as in the title. Glad you gave me answers for anti-virus. Thanks to all. It appears that most of you think I can just disable my Avast from real-time running without having to remove it altogether. Right?

 

Thanks again. I will compare the two.

 

The testing has already been done here: http://www.av-comparatives.org/

The biggest issue for me, while I had a slower machine, was which one of the better freeware AV apps, bogged my system the least. I chose AVG , after comparing it to Anti-Vir and Avast.
It seemed to be the least resource hungry for me and did keep me protected well. I used it it for over two years, with no infections.
Now that I have a faster system, I use Avast. I didn't notice any system slow up after changing from AVG, which I installed when I first got the new system. It has more bells and whistles, but I haven't noticed if it is actually better.
There is no scheduled scan in the freeware version of Avast, but there is in AVG.
You are your best protection. Smart surfing and downloading will help in protecting your system.
If you do download another AV app, keep your old running, get offline after the DL is complete, Disable or uninstall your old AV and install your new. For a short test period, it won't hurt having them both on your system as long as you are only running one at a time.
Remember that you may have a startup entry for both and make sure you delete the startup entry of the old, so there won't be an accidental running of both.

 

Well Mr. Geedunk, I couldn't have said it better myself. I've been using AVG for over 4 years now and I've never had an issue. I'm pretty sure that it's my internet hygiene habits more than any thing else but AVG has saved me from some nasty downloads.

It's darn good money spent($00.00) to avoid the hours it may take to get rid of this crap. BTW, NOD32 is good if you want to cough up the cash.

 

We are trying to offer help here, not run a gladatorial contest.

There are many considerations to be taken into account when choosing and using antivirus.

'Professionals' often have access to expensive software and equipment so can employ different techniques and considerations than are available to more casual users. Their costs are spread over many users.
This is why I sometimes find myself recommending courses of action I would not take myself.

frybo I don't know why you want to change your AV, but it's not like the lounge wallpaper you change because you are tired of the pattern.

The last time I tested AVG it did not find the latest Eicar test virus, but AVAST did.

There are quite a few threads on Major Geeks about testing AV, I have posted some myself so do a search.

One thing to consider is what happens if things go wrong? How will you recover your system?
If you leave Avast on and try a system restore, you will undoubtedly encounter problems as the references will still be there.

I am not at all certain that AVG will allow install at all with any component of another AV still on the pc, this is true for most AV programs. It is possible to trick the system into allowing multiple loadings and even multiple installations but I regularly have to fix the results of users who do this and get into trouble.

When Windows boots or shuts down it is actually at its most vulnerable to malware because it is not fully installed itself and some of its own inherent protection is missing. (yes it does actually have some).
For this reason a good AV will be the first thing to load and the last thing to switch off, before the main bulk of Windows is actually loaded.
Those with Panda will note the little panda that appears early on and last thing.

What you will not see is any of this showing in TASK MANAGER try it and see if you can stop Avast this way as Mark suggests.

These days this is even more true of antirootkit software. Rootkits cannot be definitely eradicated from within Windows. So techniques such as that used by system file checker (sfc)are employed by antirootkit software. You are no doubt aware of the windows message to the effect that the check can't be run from windows so would you like it run, at the next reboot?

So don't be lazy, store a copy of the Avast install files (they are not big), and uninstall Avast before installing another AV.

Couldn't be more true - again are many MG threads explaining all the ins and outs of this.

 

I'm growing tired of this. Stick to the subject, and take childish bickering to PMs. Its already been noted that running two antivirus is bad. Someone disagrees. So be it. The evidence here is more than enough for the poster to make their decision, or gamble, whatever it may be.

Thanks.

 

Well, folks, I certainly didn't mean to cause any difficulties among you. I will report this: Rightly or wrongly, I decided to try keeping Avast in a disabled state while installing AVG. But AVG wouldn't let me; I had to remove Avast first. The only reason I considered changing from Avast is that I thought it was just a tad difficult to understand and I wondered if AVG or some other MajorGeek-recommended program would be easier for me. I found that AVG did in fact seem easier, but I was bothered by the fact that the icon in the system tray did not revolve or jitter or something to let me know AVG was on the job. The Avast blue ball does revolve. I don't know much about computers, and this revolving ball security blanket made me feel better. Fact is, I still think AVG is a bit easier for me to use, but I have removed it and gone back to Avast. Thanks to everyone for their interest in helping me.

 

Hi:
Someone else has tested and compared them for you.

Antivirus program comparative tests (Feb08) http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2008_02.php

I used AVG for quite a while. I now use Avast! on two boxes and AntiVir
on a third.

Happy trailz,

 

If you like Avast but don't like the media player type interface you can set it for a simpler one.
Goto your Avast icon, right click, choose Settings, choose Common, and uncheck the box that says, "Enable skins for Simple User Interface." (see thumbnail)

 

I like the looks of your reproduction of the Simple User Interface, and I did what you suggest. But how do I call up the Simple User Interface? I don't see anything like that when I right-click the Avast icon or when I left-click it. Thanks.

 

After you set your settings, just right click the icon and choose Start avast! Antivirus.
The new interface should pop up instead of the media player- like one.

 

Fantastic! Thanks, musksnipe. That makes Avast just right for me.