Which AV program?

I've started a thread about my husband's computer needing a Windows re-install following an infection with a virus/malware/something. I'm reinstalling as I was going to do this soon anyway and now seemed like a good time, rather than faffing about trying to rid it of the infection.

However, I am wondering whether now would also be a good time to get some stronger anti-virus software installed (on my machine as well). We are both running AVG Free, but I think I would now prefer to have something a bit more robust and have been considering purchasing some protection.

Looking in the recommendations in the malware protection page, you seem to recommend some free programs. Are these better than AVG? Or is a paid-for program better?

I am looking at Norton 360, Avast Internet Security or Kaspersky AV2011, or even the paid-for AVG. I think they are all capable of installation on up to 3 machines, which would be handy as we have a laptop as well.

Does anyone have any other preferences?

 

Digibirder,
I have come to the conclusion that the AV software is like Linux distro's. It's all in what you like. I can say, that the free version AVs are just as good if not sometimes better than the paid for versions. I recently did A LOT of research when I decided what AV program to put on my wife's new computer. We used AVG for years. After version 7.0 (this is of course opinion) I started seeing issues with AVG. Now with that being said, AVG still stopped a couple of virus' coming in.
I personnally chose Comodo. It's a free AV program with very high marks. I would also recommend installing MalwareBytes and SuperSpyware and run them at least weekly to make sure you are completely free of those malicious infections.
I personally would not go with Norton because it's very resource hungry. (once again, that is just my opinion)

I hope I have given you some food for thought. Best of luck on your search.

 

Thank you, ichase. I will look into that one.

I am also lining up some malware and spyware detection programs.

I had read that the newer versions of Norton are not as resource-hungry. I've had previous versions and couldn't wait to get rid of them!

 

I agree about using Malwarebytes and Superantispyware.
Personally I like the Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) free antivirus.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

ccleaner should also be used.

http://majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_d4191.html

 

Agreed.
I'm also using Malwarebytes Antimalware paid version
and Avast! Free Edition with Windows XP and PC Tools Firewall Plus

You might also consider Privatefirewall 7 OR Comodo Personal Firewall
If you choose Comodo, be sure to specify to install ONLY the firewall portion
during the install procedure as I think this is actually a type of security suite.

As ichase recommended, also get SUPERAntiSpyware for periodic scans.

I also use SpywareBlaster which adds additional protection for Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and K-Meleon.

Be sure to read How to Protect Yourself form Malware.

 

Many users are moving towards AV programs that work in or monitor the 'cloud', an informational network environment consisting of many users. These programs such as Panda Cloud AV are truly zero maintenance, no updating necessary, use few pc resources, and protect you very adequately. Coupled with a good firewall, most users won't need any additional anti-malware protection. Quite a breakthrough in anti-virus technology.

 

I would also like to add that ESET is also very good AV program, formerly known as NOD32.

 

Hi

Personally, I've been using Comodo Internet Security for years. It's Comodo's Antivirus, Firewall, plus what they call Defense+, which prevents files from being modified on your computer without permission.

It also has a Sandbox feature (which I disable, because I don't like it) that automatically catches programs it doesn't like from running on the machine.

The Defense+ can be a pain at times, but is definitely useful in preventing any unauthorized changes on your computer. It's like User Account Control on steroids.

The things I like about Comodo are:

Even with the whole suite installed, it barely uses any system resources (I'm running it on a 5 year old computer)

It's easy enough for a computer novice to use, but configurable enough for a Major Geek to like

It gives you options with everything (for instance, when it detects a virus or what it thinks is a virus, it gives you the option to clean, quarantine, ignore once, add to safe files list, etc., instead of like most AVs it won't leave it alone until you let it do what it wants)

It's completely free! They have a paid version, but the free version does me JUST fine, and has kept my computer infection-free for years

It has a very useful and knowledgeable forum/help base for questions or issues

It has full 64-bit and 32-bit versions (I run 64-bit Windows 7)

Training modes and multiple modes for every aspect of the suite (training mode is great so you don't have to approve a million things while it learns what you normally do on the computer)

Easily accessible logs for its activity (this is especially useful for the firewall)


There are plenty of other good, free antivirus applications out there... as it's already been said, it's all a matter of preference. Good luck with your choice!

 

MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) is my choice and been found to be superior to some paid programs.
The bottom line? Microsoft’s free antivirus solution found and removed a threat that two well-known paid products missed. Here are the details.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/microsoft-vs-mcafee-how-free-antivirus-outperformed-paid/2614

 

Thanks everyone. Very interesting information.

I still haven't sorted out the XP reinstall yet, due to other issues, but I will certainly consider some of the suggestions.

I might even have a go at getting rid of this infection tomorrow, following the guidelines here, if reinstalling Windows XP looks like it's going to continue to cause me problems. Then I will get some extra security in place. It seems to be something along the lines of VirusMelt. It certainly looks like the description on the Symantec site - http://www.symantec.com/en/uk/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-031117-4351-99&tabid=2

My husband said he got a message that the computer had been attacked and the message encouraged him to click to eradicate the virus. He thought AVG had initiated the message, so he clicked and was taken to a page which was a sales page to buy an update. Obviously he clicked off, but it was too late. It seems to have got rid of AVG altogether. I Googled for the Spybot website, but when I clicked on the link it went to a porn site. I shut that down immediately and pulled out the network cable.

Whenver I start up that machine, there are numerous messages pop up regarding infections, and it keeps saying how many infected emails have been sent - obviously fake as the machine is not connected to the Internet now.

Do you think this is a lost cause, or is it possible to cure this? I was thinking that a format and reinstall would be the better option, but with the problems I'm having I'm beginning to wonder!

 

Didn't see WinPatrol even mentioned.

 

I just had a windows reinstall fail to get rid of a virus and come with a whole new set of problems. I'm a bit of a beginner, so please ignore me if you know what you're doing, but I suggest getting rid of the malware first. The malware forum guys are really helpful

 

Well, I'm coming to the conclusion that I will get rid of the virus (or whatever it is) first. You might be right, englyn. It could be the reason my XP install is not going to plan. I'm not quite a beginner, but there are quite a few things I don't know!

Over to the malware forum!