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General discussion

Which antivirus utility protects your computer?

Jan 14, 2005 4:01AM PST

Which antivirus utility protects your computer?

AVG Anti-Virus (love or hate it?)
Kaspersky Anti-Virus (love or hate it?)
McAfee VirusScan (love or hate it?)
Norton AntiVirus (love or hate it?)
Panda Titanium Antivirus (love or hate it?)
Trend Micro PC-cillin (love or hate it?)
Other (what is it?)
I don't need no stinkin' antivirus app. (really, why not?)

Discussion is locked

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NOD32 Kicks ***.
Oct 13, 2006 5:35AM PDT

Somehow, NOD32 has that "Safe computer" feeling. I have written my own C viruses and it caught them with it's heuristics. It's detection rate is crazy at around 98-99% of viruses with no signature files for the virus.

Second, NOD32 is the only antivirus that I know of that blocks the virus BEFORE THE DOWNLOAD starts, when it finishes, when EXPLORER.EXE (the Explorer shell that comes with XP) views it, when you run it (via verclsid.exe), and while it's running (when it runs, when it closes, when it accesses other files). In total, the file is scanned 5 times before you even run it. Norton only scans it once you run it!

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Norton Sucks
Nov 24, 2005 11:12PM PST

My message is similar to others about Norton; they are very difficult to get ahold of, the cost just kepp going up and whenever my subscription would come up for renewal I would start getting all these new viruses.

I now use Hauri's ViRobot program which is cheaper than Norton and for almost a year now has completely protected my pc.

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If McAfee support has gotten any better...!!!
Dec 4, 2005 7:03PM PST

I have been dealing with McAfee since buying my computer in early 2001. After the virus protection that came with that purchase expired I purchased McAfee Internet Security ver. 5.0. When that expired I began getting annoying and frequent pop-ups telling me to update my service. I went and purchased McAfee internetsecuritysuite 2005 ver. 7.0. After I installed it the pop-ups continued. McAfee support failed to provide the correct means of stopping them. I finally stumbled across something that looked promising in my Add/Remove and got rid of the pop-ups.
My ver. 7.0 was due to expire March 29, 2006 but something went wrong. It somehow expired a few weeks ago. I had to Add/Remove expunge all of it from my computer before I could get my internet service to be allowed to operate. Of course I could not get to McAfee's internet support site without doing this.
McAfee's Customer Support responded that I should go to its Technical Support. McAfee's Technical Support did not even verify that their response matched my computer's operating system. I have still not re-installed the software because McAfee has yet to respond to my response to their response to being informed that their first Technical Support response was useless to me. So if you have not learned to operate 4 networked computers and are concerned about more than virus problems, try to find something user friendly.

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I use AVG free anti-virus, why spend the money?
Jan 18, 2005 5:42AM PST

It's free (including updates), it's much less "bloated" in terms of weighing down system resources than Norton, and Windows XP SP2 Security Center considers it to be legitimate anti-virus protection. No wonder it is #2 to Norton in this poll so far.

Unfortunately, I don't think any anti-virus is perfect. To "keep it honest", I from time to time run the free on-line scans that Trend Micro (www.housecall.com), Panda Active Scan (don't remember the url), Norton Security Site (and don't remember url), and McAfee Free Scan (I don't run this directly, I go to the link at www.pcpitstop.com) provide. Funny, sometimes AVG finds things the others don't, other times Norton, other times Panda, etc. It's kind of a shame actually, maybe this is one case where it would've been good to have a Microsoft "monopoly" or something.....(or not Happy).

One funny thing though, when you run the Norton online scan (which also looks at your firewall and spyware protection to see how 'secure' your computer is), if you have AVG it flags it as "not enough virus protection". I find this kind of funny, corporate jealousy I guess.

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AVG may be free, but things that don't work well should be.
Jan 18, 2005 11:31AM PST

AVG is the poorest in catching all viruses, it doesn't even catch the EICAR test file every time! I have asked tech support at AVG, but they have no response, maybe someone here might have a clue

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I used AVG and Norton side by side -
Nov 25, 2005 9:21AM PST

Here are the results I had -

AVG - free
Norton - $49.95

AVG - Free updates and upgrades
Norton - free for a year, then $19.95 a year for updates

AVG - detected 7 viruses on my PC
Norton - detected 2 (one the same as AVG)

AVG - Deleted all 7 viruses
Norton - steered me to a webpage where I had to download a virus removal tool (and it wasn't Norton's Page!)

Hmmm - Which is the better "buy"? I think it's obvious

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that is odd...
Dec 8, 2005 12:32AM PST

After reading your post, I can only wonder if you have missed a setting. I have the current version of AVG and loaded database. I am running XP pro. with SP2. I downloaded the test files. ran a FULL SCAN, and viola! found them in less than a min. It also found a couple of questionable files that I did not know were even in the scan area...so much for a "hidden" partition Wink
So please, try it agian..get all the updates, and check your settings.. Remember a Viper is useless unless you know how to shift it. GOOD LUCK and GOOD HUNTING!

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PC-cillin vs Norton
Jan 18, 2005 5:52AM PST

I had Norton for a long time switched to PC cillin loved it. Got a good deal with Norton and went back. As SOON as norton expires I will be heading back to PC cillin.

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Bad luck with Norton
Jan 18, 2005 7:45AM PST

Norton came with my motherboard for a 7 month trial. I was playing Mechwarrior4 online with no problems. My free trial expired and I removed Norton from my machine. That was the last time I could play online. I could see the servers but could not join. I contacted Norton customer support and explained the problem and received a very blunt email saying "Since you have removed our product from your machine, it is no longer our problem."
I SAVED THE EMAIL AS PROOF.
Nothing Norton will ever go back on my machine. PcCillin is the best I have ever used.

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PC-Cillin Vs. Norton
Jan 18, 2005 3:17PM PST

I had Norton for a couple of years, but renewing my subscription was a hassle. I heard good review on PC-cillin, and tried it, so far so good. I am going to stick to it and see what happen.

Oggie

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antivirus
Jan 18, 2005 6:01AM PST

avg i found it to be the best have tryed norton,mcafee,panda. but still go back to AVG. gets my vote.

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Virtual Machine Technology
Jan 18, 2005 6:02AM PST

I find VmWare works the best for me. I have a new sterile PC whenever I want and I can test new applications to my heart's content.

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VmWare
Jan 18, 2005 6:17AM PST

What's VmWare?

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VMWare
Jan 18, 2005 10:05AM PST

VMWare is an emulator so basically you can run windows in a program usually on Linux. This allows you to just reload the original rom and you are back to a fresh install.

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anti Virus
Jan 18, 2005 6:04AM PST

I am using Norton 2003 and am having No problem downloading definitions.
However I do recommend AVG to most home users as a viable alternative.

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Norton vs. PC Cillin
Jan 18, 2005 6:06AM PST

My son is a IT Director for a company here in Seattle and he says he switched his users to Trend's PC Cillin. He thinks that it provides better protection and is not such a hog of your system at startup.

I have both and I have to agree that Norton does take a lot of time on loading/sending/receiving. I have not had any serious virus problems but I have a firewall, router and Norton. By the way; adding PC Cillin allowed me to get rid of Ad Aware and Pest Patrol and now use only one program.

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Run Ad Aware regularly
Jan 24, 2005 11:41PM PST

I currently use PC cillin and run Ad Aware regularly. It continues to find trackers and other threats. Do not rely solely on one software.

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Anti-Virus
Jan 18, 2005 6:11AM PST

I have been using Norton since I got my first computer and I have stuck with them, I find that I get my updates quickly and I am notified when there are new updates. I also which most get have in my subscription with hot mail they provide McAfee so I get double protection there and when I am on my ISP site which is Yahoo-SBC I get another double protection I also use two other which help protect me one is spybot and the other is lava adware 6 so I feel secure to some degree and I trust Norton and McAfee. Allan in Norman, Oklahoma

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Which Antivirus:
Jan 18, 2005 6:12AM PST

Well,
I have had both McAfee and Norton, and not only do they hog system performance, both gave me a virus, Norton one so bad I had to reformat my drive. Since then I am happy with CA's E-Trust. 3 years no viruses, ever. but I would bet that Trend Micro is the best, however their renewal fee is too high...

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Not Norton!
Jan 18, 2005 6:16AM PST

I'm sure Norton is so widely used simply because is comes bundled in with the software so frequently included with off-the-shelf computers. It's then easier for the owner to fork out the extra cash each year to update it rather than go through the process of doing the research and changing to a different brand. It's been a very good marketing ploy by Symantec that has garnered them the lion's share of the business. I'm not convinced they maintain that position on merit. McAfee is the other brand one is likely to find in bundled applications, and they are probably the second most popular AV application. Similarly I'm not sure it is merited.
We have used Pc-cillin, by TrendMicro, in one form or another since 1997. And we chose it on a recommendation rather than it choose us. It has always been a first class application for us and, on the rare occasions, when technical support has been required it has always been promptly, professionally and politely forthcoming (and free). We have four computers running at the moment ? two of them self-built and most up to date, and running Pc-cillin 2005. The latest versions of Pc-cillin have a robust firewall, anti spyware and email spam filter included. It will also check for Windows security threats. The oldest PC we have still runs the very old Pc-cillin 6 with the most up to date scan engine and av signature files. On that one we also use ZoneAlarm, Spybot and Adaware.
Pc-cillin isn't a resource hogger, and it's easily possible to run other applications while doing a complete manual system scan. Most of the time you don't know it's there, which is as it should be.
Currently we see no reason to change, and would certainly recommend others to try it out. It is a complete security package, not just an AV application, and we think a bargain investment.

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Antivirus
Jan 18, 2005 6:16AM PST

I have used Norton for years. I did not have a problem with it other than cost. I went to Zone Alarm this year or should I say 2 years for the price of 1. I'll be a test subject this year. So far I'm well satisfied with my choice.

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Try Zone Alrm Security Suite
Jan 18, 2005 6:19AM PST

Zone Alarm came out with it's own Zone Alarm Security Suite V5.5 in Nov. and it got the PC Magazine Editor's Choice. I have it installed and found my system has had a dramatic speed increase compared to Norton. Also, Zone Alarm installed in under 5 minutes compared to 20+ minutes for Norton. Set up was much more intuitive also. I give it my vote....and my $50.00!!

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Agree
Jan 18, 2005 6:38AM PST

I have gradually become less enchanted with Norton AV and not as impressed with the whole utilities package. I have been using Zone Suite for several months and like it alot. I have not gotten burned and it is not in the way. Just for the record I have recently bought and started using Spy Sweeper (Webroot) and I like it alot more than Spybot.

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no exception file
Jan 19, 2005 12:28AM PST

Zone Alarm is good, uses up less systems resources and the suit comes with their firewall which I have been using for some time now.
Only problem I found with ZoneAlarm antivirus is they have no file exception and this will slow down any database application if you use it over the net.

It is a shame....I had to go back to Nortons...

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Zone Alarm Security Suite for virus protection
Dec 5, 2005 3:00PM PST

I use this as my primary defense, but I also use these as occasional scanners:

avast!
AntiVir PersonalEdition by H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH
ewido Security Suite

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PC-Cillin is like a sports car
Jan 18, 2005 6:22AM PST

compared to Norton.

It is smoother, less intrusive, has better updating services and you can uninstall it without having to download exotic registry clearing programs.

I struggled for years with the Norton update routines.

Trend has a better product.

Prevx is another excellent product if you want to seriously protect your system. I use them both.

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Which Anti-Virus?
Jan 18, 2005 6:23AM PST

Hey there,I've always used Norton Anti-Virus. I buy the Yearly Version! Remove last years,then immediately install the new one! There's two important things they mention to do,Whick I comply to! Do the Automatic update once a week,and the Virus-Scan once a month! Viruses have always been stopped before they can enter my System! I also De-Frag my Hard Drives once a month so they run smoother! Following these things No Viruses have gotten Past Norton! I'm very Satisfied! Joe in L.A.!

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Norton Fails Again
Apr 12, 2009 7:50AM PDT

Norton has allowed two trojans in 45 days to get through to my system. I run auto updates everyday, and run scans every day while I'm at work. They charge me $100.00 every time this happens before I'm even able to talk to someone that doesn't read from a script. All I wanted to know was how this keeps happening before I paid up AGAIN. It seems a little curious that I keep becoming infected. The last time it happened they removed all my file sharing software. There is no reason for me to continue being infected, I am afraid to go to any website outside my school website, here and a few others... Norton isn't that great. As soon as I can get rid of this trojan and research a new service, I'm as good as a former Symantec customer.

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AVG free found 9 infected files that NAV2005 said were clean
Jan 18, 2005 6:26AM PST

actually, over the years, I've often had avg find things that norton missed. but I still have both running (just in case).
Lately I've been re-thinking this... Norton really is a resource hog, for doing the same job less efficiently.

and every now and then I go to trend-micro's housecall website.

(if anyone cares, I use zonealarm for a firewall)

I've been using computers since 1981. for the last 6 years, I've had 2 antivirus, and a firewall... always. (sometimes 2 firewalls, but that became annoying)

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AVG vs NAV2005
May 18, 2006 10:47AM PDT

Would be interested to know if you were using the most up to date virus definitions and engines for both AVG Free and NAV2005.

Nobody ever said AVG was not as good as paid versions at detecting threats. Just that when you get something for free it does not have all the features of full featured paid software - like free support, more scanning and reporting options, priority updates etc.

For you interest NAV2005 has been superceded by Version 2006 which has a much smaller "footprint" or resource requirement so should run better with other applications.

I like both

Trend Micro PC-Cillin is one package I have difficulty with on machines running Win98 or ME. REally slows these down and that is even when RAM is upgraded to 512MB

I guess everyone has a story. In the end it comes down to personal choice.

Do not ude two Firewalls at the same time. Not a good idea.

BTW not one internet security suite or antivirus program (Paid or unpaid) will eliminiate or minimise every virus infection.