Purchasing AntiVirus Software

Requesting suggestion for Antivirus software to replace my Norton Antivirus 2003 package. What is the best package out there?

Thanks

 

Kaspersky

 

CA's e-Trust Antivirus is also pretty darn good

 

I would go with Avast. There are free alternatives out there, you dont have to purchase one.

Do a search for this topic, there are a ton of threads like this already out there and some pretty useful posts too. Perhaps you can get a broader range of ideas this way.

 

I just installed the Avast on my XP Home system, and to my extreme displeasure found that it interfers with installing some hardware drivers, even with the scan engine disabled. I ended up uninstalling Avast to get the hardware (HP all-in-one device) to install correctly.

I have been using AVG Free on my XP Pro system and have been very pleased with its performance.

 

Don't know if reviewer had any biases, but an interesting review of anti virus software.

http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=69&mnu=69

 

AVAST has a better detection rate over AVG, according to that test. However, I can't whole heartedly recommend AVAST when it intefers with hardware driver installs, even when the scan engine is disabled, while performing the install.

 

Another vote for Kaspersky -it has never let me down. You have to pay for it so keep in mind that there might be other proggies out there that work just as well (but for free) -read all the replies and decide for yourself.
Yours,
522.

 

I appreciate all the responses. I have already paid the suscription money for the definitions this year. So, I might as well let it run its course. I am just wondering if I'm missing some protection by using 2003 software.

 

I agree with most on the free versions. I have used AVG and works great. However, at this time I am using Trend Miicro (PC-cillin security) w/firewall, and have had no probs at all To renew PC-cillin is $25.00 so I am toying with going back to AVG w/kerio firewall.

Jack

 

NAV 2005 norton antivirus 2005. i have a copy i might be able to give you.

 

I have access to both SAV 10 CE and McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.0i under DoD Site License. So, I can run either one at home at no cost for the software or AV updates.

But of late I have been trying to find an effective no cost solution, for AV + Firewall. I have been fixing systems in my spare time, and have found in each and every case the individual has not been using AV software and a Firewall.

When I ask them why, they don't want to pay the $49.95 for each piece of software separately, $79.95 combined and the $25/year subscribtion fee to keep their systems protected.

So, if I can get them AV and Firewall software for free, they say great, install it.

I am currently running AVG Free + Kerio Personal Firewall. And the standard suite of Spyware Tools, Adware SE, Sybot S+D 1.4 rc1, SpyBlaster 3.3, SpyWare Guard 2.2, and recently added MS AntiSpyware..

So far, so good.

 

On an Added note, all the current and updated protection in the world won't protect your system from a "loose nut behind the keyboard."

 

Avast has been protecting my PC for a good while now with no problems at all, even installing and uninstalling. I even use it to clean out other peoples comps. However if you do have problems runnig certain programes maybe checking out Avast's options might help. Just keep in mind to use whatever your comfortable with.

 

You have already made more than 50% of the right decision: you ditched Norton.
I am currently using ZoneAlarm and have PC-cillin for the second comp. Both work great and are easy to set up, with the kudos going to ZoneAlarm for slightly better interface.

My list of problems with Norton:
1) Could not set up the firewall properly and it was blocking access to some websites (Norton's tech support claimed it is AOL fault and vice versa)
2) LiveUpdate run only once after every install, and had to be re-installed after each update
3) When I extended the subscription, their download page did not have download button (not a joke, and so far they failed to tell me why)
4) When I un-installed Norton System Works in order to re-install the system, Norton AntiVirus failed to re-install (everything else installed OK)
5) When I un-installed all of Norton software and tried to Install MacAfee, MacAfee told me that Symantec is blocking the installation

Whatever you get you will be better off...

 

Virus report:

Found 1 virus

Unable to heal virus "Sheer idiocy"

 

As in to say the best virus checker in the world can't stop someone opening a virus from an unknown e-mail, despite countless warnings in the media and on the net.

 

Refer to my earlier post about repairing systems in my spare time. Guess what I just finished repairing a system that actually has Norton on it. Norton 2000 that is, and the virusus definitions had not been updated since Norton use installed.

So, as I stated before you can not protect a system from a "loose nut behind the keyboard."

 

For those of you who have Norton on your systems and what to remove it, so you can install and try one of the free AV programs or another retail product. Do the following:

1. From Control Panel run Add/Remove Programs.

2. Uninstall everything that has Norton and Symantec in its name.

When that fails to unistall everything from Norton/Symantec follow the directions from STEP 2 of these instructions .

3. Install your new AV program.

4. Update your Virus Definitions immediately. All the newer AV prgs that I have used do this automatically at system restart.

5. Do a full system scan. Again automatic at system restart.

Make sure you configure your AV program to update defs daily, and set it to do a full system scan at least once a week.

 

A vote for Nod32!