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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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PC-cillin problem with Turbo Scan
Jan 20, 2005 9:24PM PST

I recently upgraded to Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 version. I noted its Turbo Scan feature, enabled it, then tried it out. Each scan takes about the same time as all the others, and scans all files -- I have run this test several times over a 2-week period, and gotten the same results every time. So far as I'm concerned, Turbo Scan DOES NOT WORK. I've exchanged emails with Trend Micro "tech support" and gotten nowhere. Are you running this version, and what has been your experience with Turbo Scan?

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norton antivirus
Jan 18, 2005 7:00AM PST

i have norton antiviras program.uptodate but resenly got a virus in my computer that blocked all files would only show empty space left on harddrive.i had to format to get it straight.if you buy all the stuff that's being sold you would have to be wealthy.
Is there any answer for up poor folks?

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Try Computer Associates....
Jan 18, 2005 7:34AM PST

They have a free trial of their AV and Firewall. It's the full program too. It's called EZ Antivirus and EZ Firewall. The AV AUTOMATICALLY UPDATES YOU EVER DAY. The Firewall allows you to block pop up's and banner ads. It works fine with my Windows 98.
I hade to reboot my harddrive to 0000 and lost 6 years of stuff because I UPGRADED to the NORTON AV 2005 rather than just "renew" my older version of Norton. I wanted their support in the event of a virus, and if you just "RENEW", rather than "UPGRADE", your subscription, dont get it.
GO TO www.ca.com and click on the "TRIAL AND EVALUATION" software link

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Agreed!
Nov 25, 2005 4:34AM PST

I have used avast avg norton trend. I like my American made eztrust. Never had a problem. Updates as much as the data they have onhand.

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Avast - A free Anti-virus program - and it's the best.
Jan 18, 2005 12:20PM PST

Here is the answer for all us poor folks. A free program every bit as good if not better than Norton, and it takes up less resources, updates automatically and often, and is everything you want from an AV.

Get it NOW - Avast! Avast! Avast!

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Avast Free Anti-virus program
Jan 18, 2005 4:23PM PST

I have been using the free Avast anti-virus program for some time now and I must say that it works very well and keeps my pc clean. It's the best free program I have ever used.
Try it !

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Avast! is one of the best
Jan 18, 2005 7:04AM PST

I have been using Avast! for about 1 1/2 years now and have had no problems. It is very dependable and easy to use. Also it is FREE! I have used Nortons, McAfee, and AVG in the past and although they all did a good job, I think Avast! far surpasses them in everyway. Most of my friends on my advice have tried it, and are sold on Avast!. I will continue to use it even if they start charging for it.
Here is the url if you would like to give it a try. http://www.avast.com (The home version is free.)

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Avast is the best
Jan 18, 2005 9:38AM PST

I totally agree with this. I used to use AVG free edition. Then I changed my browser to Firefox,and it took a lot of configuring for AVG to recognize this. So I hunted around and found out that AVAST 4.5 free needed no configuring for Firefox. Installation was a breeze. You can register and you get 14 months, then you reregister. It automatically updates, and takes care of everything, It even talks to you!! This can be switched off. Give it a go, it really is that good.

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I agree wholeheartedly re Avast!
Jan 18, 2005 9:58AM PST

I've used Avast! for about two years now, and love it. Because it automatically updates itself, I've been virus-free ever since.

Why pay for unnecessary intrusion by AV software? When many products do essentially the same thing, most usually try to differentiate themselves (and justify their fees) by doing more than necessary to get the job done.

But I remember too many times when the leading (and non-free!) AV software caused or compounded my PC's system problems.

Avast! has never caused a conflict or even a hiccup. It's so small yet fully functional that I never have to think about it or maintain it. Just renew for free every 18 months, which is a breeze.

P.S.: I swear I don't work for them! LOL

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I must concur Avast does well
Jan 18, 2005 11:32AM PST

I have been using it for about a year now and if used in combination with a good firewall I feel that it is worth much more than its cost, which is free for home use and relatively cheap for business use. They update almost daily, it integrates with almost any mail client, and it uses very little resources when running. Overall it is the best Freeware AV I have ever used and I use it in place of Norton. I will give both Norton and AVG kudos on their virus elimintation. They are very fast about defining viruses quickly. But avast is comparable.

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Avast! Avast! Avast!
Jan 18, 2005 12:12PM PST

Many system crashes due to Norton sent me looking. Heard about Avast and tried it, and bam, I am completely covered, no probs with computer, I love the auto updates and how easy it is to use.
Why pay for anything when you can get a perfect program for free.
If you need protection from viruses and don't want a hog, it's Avast all the way.

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Avast
Jan 18, 2005 1:24PM PST

Had norton, pccillian, AGV but Avast is the one that works best for me

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Is there anything else?
Nov 24, 2005 7:42PM PST

avast! Is there anything else???
avast! Rocks.

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Avast! Is One of The Best
Jan 18, 2005 2:35PM PST

I concur completely. Scans actively, internet, and email, with very little resources. I'm also drawn to the fact that the virus database is updated very often. I"ve never had any problems in the 2 years that I've used the program.

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.....one of the best, is No. 1 for me
Jan 21, 2005 1:37AM PST

Had Norton for many years, but then got laid off cause of heath problems. On disability now and thats a very limited income, bottom line can't afford an AV program any longer so went searching and found Avast.
Installed and running ever sence. Great program.
Can't afford a AV program, but really can't afford a virus in my machine.

When a company puts out such a product that works for so many people, it's a true blessing for folks like myself, and a GREAT public service for everyone else.
Kudo's to the Avast crew for being there and their great work. The charge for this program and updates are not a dime, IT'S FREE. Can you believe it, these days a rare bird indeed. Thanks Avast for peace of mind. John

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totally agree!!!
Jun 9, 2005 11:44PM PDT

I now use avast.....have jumped on the bandwagon withmany other people!! was using AVG free version,but since trying avast there is no going back!!!Easy to use ,configure and most of all it works!!!AVAST,i think is only going to become more and more popular!!!

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Avast! YES!
Nov 25, 2005 12:25AM PST

I have Avast! running on three computers and have helped numerous others install it on their machines. Since I have been using it, I have had no problems with viruses. It updates almost daily. AND, it's FREE! Give it a try - I'm sure you'll agree it's a very good program. jhw

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Don't need one - Have a Mac!
Jan 18, 2005 7:08AM PST

Seriously, I wouldn't use Norton becasue too many have reported the problems they create on Macs. But then again US Business wrote an article discussing how Windows ships with the ports open and Apple OS ships with the prots closed. Most people don't even know they have prots, much less how to open or close them!

Bought a Mac and haven't looked back! Runing MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and even Win XP when I have too.

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Macs ro0l - but...
Nov 25, 2005 12:06PM PST

Yeah, I have a mac (or 2), and don't have any antivirus protection on any of them, but I try not to be so cocky as to think that there isn't some ******* haxx0r out there who will eventually decide that it's time to shut us Mac-using jerks up about our "clean" os, and make us feel the pain of the Windows world.

Until that time, though, I'm coasting free and clear.

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another virus free Mac user
Nov 25, 2005 5:39PM PST

I've been using Macs for many years and in the early days there were a few viruses but even though just in case, I usually buy Symantec or McAfee or download a shareware, I never seem to see viruses anymore. A nice additional benefit.

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Why I use Trend Micro's security suite rather than Norton's
Jan 18, 2005 7:11AM PST

Norton caused me great pain, and ultimately I lost all of the data on my hard drive because of it. I've been
using Trend Micro's security suite for about a year.
I feel truly secure in that the auto updates are happening frequently. Once the setup is in place, you can relax. You are apprised of the activity: dealing with particular viruses that have appeared, but, in general, no action is required by the user. The only
comment - not criticism - I make is that the Zone Alarm
Pro firewall that I used until I bought Trend Micro
permitted more control of allowed access.

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Antivirus
Jan 18, 2005 7:13AM PST

I had been using Norton Antivirus and had been experiencing the usual hassles with installing or even worse reinstalling their software. The support from Symantec is abysmal at best. They basically leave any solutions to the customer to find out what is wrong. I have been using free Zone Alarm as my firewall, but when they offered anivirus software ( from Computer Associates) with their professional version I bought it. It works just as well as Norton's if not better and is basically transparent to the user once it is installed withiut any hassle.

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antivirus
Nov 24, 2005 11:18PM PST

why don't you try a German Anti virus program. It is called antivirus classic. it is free for personal use. To download it go to WWW.antivir.com or do a google search with this item. This program gives you updates free every time that the program is updated but you have to go to tools to ask for the updates. I have used it for over two years and I am very pleased with it. Lino

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Which antivirus utility protects your computer?
Jan 18, 2005 7:24AM PST

I use AVG right now.

I started with McAfee back 'before' the days of the internet. When we ran 'BBS's' from our homes, etc. I stuck w/ them for a long time... considering they were the 1st ones in the field.

I have never been 'infected' by a virus... but reviews showed that McAfee was falling behing, so I switched to Norton - Always been a fan of the utilities suit Pete had.

Lately, I've noticed severe system drag (especially bad since upgrading to NSW 2005) When I uninstalled NAV I had a big speed increase. I checked around and settled on AVG for the time being.

I'm gonna try PC-cillin and see what I think... but the price on AVG sure makes it look sweet...

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PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS 98 & NORTON AV 2005
Jan 18, 2005 7:26AM PST

I am running Windows 98. Had Norton AV in 1999, 2000, 2001 and then purchased their The System Works in 2002. Renewed the AV part in 2003 and 2004. Found out they wont support their products if you only renew, and you need purchase their "UPGRADED VERSION" at the higher price to get the best service. Anyway...this year, when their pop up came on saying it was time to re-subscribe, I decided to select the "UPGRADE AV 2005" part of The System Works. After 54 minutes of downloading, it comes on to tell me I have to remove The System Works.. as their AV 2005 cant work with it. HELLO..... Nice telling me this now.
Had they told me that in the product description, I would have just renewed..not UPGRADED. Too late for me. Anyway, I "removed" the System Works per their instructions and uploaded the new UPGRADED NORTON AV 2005. Upon turning on my computer..and clicking on Norton.....I immediately get a BIG RED X...... that Norton caused a page fault...blah blah blah and would have to close. To make a really, really 4 day long story short, Norton couldnt help me repair the problem and actually made it worse as I ended up with a black screen when I turned my computer on. I had to reboot my computer to "0000's" which took me and "Gateway" 6 hours to do. Then reload it took me another 4 days to reconfigure scanners,printers,fax, CD Burners,video card drivers ,Audio drivers, loads of software programs,Adobe Acrobat gone,6 YEARS OF BOOKMARKS GONE...YOU NAME IT...... IT WAS GONE. Some stuff is lost forever.
Later I found out through a local computer repairs shop, that many, many users of WINDOWS 98, 98se,and ME are having major nightmares when they try to install & use NORTON AV 2005. I sure can attest to that.
I contacted Symantec, explained the problems, gave them Gateways phone number, incident numbers and asked for a full refund..... which they did give me.
Maybe Norton is fine if you are running XP...I dont know. But I do know I wont use it on this computer ever again. I found an AV AND FIREWALL PROGRAM thru Computer Associates (EZ Anti-Virus and EZ Firewall bundled in a program called EZ Armor ) that does everything Norton did and MORE, PLUS is easy to use and works just fine with Windows 98.......so I'm staying with them.

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ME TOO --- PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS 98 & NORTON AV 2005
Jan 18, 2005 12:47PM PST

I tried to upgrade from NSW2004 to NSW2005 w/ Norton Antivirus 2005. It crasded my computer big time.

It took about 12 hrs of work to uninstall all of the NortonJunk completly.

Now I'm using AntiVir, but according to the posts here it's detection is a little weak.

But I do notice that my machine is running much faster w/o Norton.

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98 and norton AV 2005
Jan 31, 2005 1:59PM PST

Hi

I have had a similar experience when trying to renew my NAV 2001, I have an old HP Pavilion running Windows 98; a small machine, a bycyle by todays standards, but it worked;

Symantec discontinued the service for 2001 and without disclosing any issues or system reqs for their new product essentially steered me to buy it..

then came many problems which made my machine unusable; worst of which was the 2001 for which I had paid has to be erased/uninstalled for 2005 to be "activated" ( another nightmare ) ..

this I consider a herendous swindlery as now I am unprotected, after wasting much time and money...

and most egregious of all there is now way to contact Symantec without paying for their tech, unless you know one ...

do you have any advice and will

AV AND FIREWALL PROGRAM thru Computer Associates (EZ Anti-Virus and EZ Firewall bundled in a program called EZ Armor )

run on a small machine ?

thanks,

another victim of Symantec

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same problem
Aug 20, 2005 12:06PM PDT

I have the same computer and as soon as i installed the norton systemworks 2005, everything got messed up. I get the same blank screen and also only starts in safe mode all the time. I was wondering if and how did you get to fix it? I ran it on my xp and it did a fantastic job.
I figured it would do the same for the 98 but it just made it worse. please let me know how you solved it.


tired and confused
jam15m@aim.com

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Which antivirus utility protects your computer?
Jan 18, 2005 7:27AM PST

On my computer, I use AVG.

On my wife/daughter's computer I use Kaspersky.

I started with McAfee back 'before' the days of the internet. When we ran 'BBS's' from our homes, etc. I stuck w/ them for a long time... considering they were the 1st ones in the field.

I have never been 'infected' by a virus... but reviews showed that McAfee was falling behing, so I switched to Norton - Always been a fan of the utilities suit Pete had.

Lately, I've noticed severe system drag (especially bad since upgrading to NSW 2005) When I uninstalled NAV I had a big speed increase. I checked around and settled on AVG for the time being.

I'm gonna try PC-cillin and see what I think... but the price on AVG sure makes it look sweet...

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McAfee takes the tail in my book
Dec 4, 2005 7:10PM 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.