Which antivirus program do you use?

[JAYCUE]

I've always had Norton on my computer with no complaints. I was running their Internet Security Antispyware Edition 2005. I liked all of the settings you could adjust. I recently upgraded to Internet Security 2007 and I'm not really happy with it. What do you guys use? I have 60 days to return it.

[rollin64]

i'm cheap, i've always used AVG free edition. 5 yrs an haven't had a virus get thru yet. my bro let me download his Norton 2003 one time. it seemed to really make my comp drag so i uninstalled it an been using AVG ever since. :D

[betheny]

AVG. I got a bellyfull of giants Norton and Macafee.

So far AVG seems good. It takes just seconds to update, does it daily, didn't slow my computer down. Oh yeah, free is also good.

[PN]

I recently upgraded to Internet Security 2007 and I'm not really happy with it. What do you guys use? I have 60 days to return it.
Norton Internet security and McAfee Internet security are way too demanding on your system resources (making them hog's) and they will slow down your computer because they are trying to do 20 different things at one time i.e. bloatware. I would return Norton Internet Security 2007 or completely uninstall the program, then do a custom install and only let Norton be your antivirus, nothing else e.g. anti-spam, firewall, anti-phishing, anti-spyware.

I use Panda Titanium Antivirus but I think it's getting to be a bit bloated so I will be switching over to Nod32 (http://www.eset.com/).

[Patonb]

AVG Free here too. All I want is a virus scanner, and nothing else. All them big brands are full of bloat ware and excess stuff I don't want. So I didn't get it.

[Andy]

McAfee Virusscan Enterprise 8.0 (whew, what a title). Good enough for AT&T's network, I guess it's good enough for me (not to mention it was free, now there's an attractive sales point :D )

Seems ok and not a resource hog either unlike the consumer version of that stuff that is crammed with bloatware. I had the misfortune of seeing the difference with the McAfee trialware that comes with a Dell, now that was annoying.

[Jeepin]

McAfee 8.0 It's great to manage my network. I'm pretty smart when it comes to surfing and downloading. But it's the others that access the network that I worry about.

Did I mention it was free too?

[Hunker]

My AVG is a trial for 30 days.Anyone have thr free link?

[PN]

FREE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE

* AVG 7.0 Free Edition (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1)

[JGNI]

Why use an antivirus? Get a Mac :nana: , just kidding ... or not

[metronycguy]

I had the misfortune of seeing the difference with the McAfee trialware that comes with a Dell, now that was annoying.
i agree with that. i got a new dell and it came with all this macafee junk that just screws everthing up

[Patonb]

Why use an antivirus? Get a Mac :nana: , just kidding ... or not

That's no longer true. Ipod's are seeing virus's. There's many new issues with microcrap products, and if you actually search, quite a few exploits for Macs.
You don't hear of them cause script kiddies, don't really know how to hack, they just know how to read. and with only 6.5% of the market (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/10/20061019104418.shtml), why bother.

[JGNI]

That's no longer true. Ipod's are seeing virus's. There's many new issues with microcrap products, and if you actually search, quite a few exploits for Macs.
You don't hear of them cause script kiddies, don't really know how to hack, they just know how to read. and with only 6.5% of the market (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/10/20061019104418.shtml), why bother.

Sorry, I know all you are talking about ... you don't get the point ... you don't have a Mac do you? I had Windows PC's all my life (and still work and know that platform very well) and just switched 3 years ago. Whatever the reason maybe, market share or not, the bottom line is that if you own a Mac TODAY you don't really need to worry about viruses or spyware ... never had one single problem in 3 years of having my Mac continously online without an antivirus, try that with your PC. Sorry, did not want to hack the thread.

[Broknwing]

That's no longer true. Ipod's are seeing virus's.

The iPods that are having virus issues are iPods that are being used with WinDOZE computers, not Macs....at least all the ones I've heard of have been...I've yet to hear of an iPod virus problem with iPods that are being synced on Macs...

[knightrider]

I use Norton anti virus but dont think it anything special coz after its done a search for threats it will come up with dangerous threats that need deleting but when i press delete it doesn't delete them! I paid good money for that and it cant even do its job properly. Shize

[dan_nc]

AVG on most of my M$-platform computers, with the exception of my work PCs which are monitored by corporate IT Nazis with whatever antivirus flavor of the month.

I run Norton on my Mac PB.

[Patonb]

Sorry, I know all you are talking about ... you don't get the point ... you don't have a Mac do you? I had Windows PC's all my life (and still work and know that platform very well) and just switched 3 years ago. Whatever the reason maybe, market share or not, the bottom line is that if you own a Mac TODAY you don't really need to worry about viruses or spyware ... never had one single problem in 3 years of having my Mac continously online without an antivirus, try that with your PC. Sorry, did not want to hack the thread.

I hate the MAC v PC debate. I too can use both, but mainly use a PC because of a cost issue, and frankly, I wouldn't use a MAC to it's potential. In 7 yrs I too, have never had an issue on my PC either, with over a year without running an AV, so that's a useless point.

The point of my post was... Only an idoit thinks they can't be hit with a virus, hacked or have issues with their platform.

People who write viruses, and hack for malicous reason are looking for maximum effect, so why attack platforms that only have a 6.5% US market share.

And... Most hackers are script kiddies, who use premade programs, known exploits and poor target security to wreck havoc on a system. They don't usually make their own.

Apple is very good at keeping their stuff secure, asnd testing the crap out of it for holes. Plus, they're very good at keeping their problems from getting out.

To buy a MAC just to keep you safe right now, is a HUGE waste of money, money better spent taking a computer coarse to learn how to properly use, secure and maintain whatever you use.
As MACs regain their popularity, the number of software producers increase, and MAC freindly hardware increase, more and more exploits are going to target MACs.

Again, I'm versed in both MAC and PC, and have no favorite. I also dabble in Linux, so this is an unbias platform post.

[darty]

I use Avast it's FREE and it auto updates it self....

[JGNI]

I hate the MAC v PC debate. I too can use both, but mainly use a PC because of a cost issue, and frankly, I wouldn't use a MAC to it's potential. In 7 yrs I too, have never had an issue on my PC either, with over a year without running an AV, so that's a useless point.

The point of my post was... Only an idoit thinks they can't be hit with a virus, hacked or have issues with their platform.

People who write viruses, and hack for malicous reason are looking for maximum effect, so why attack platforms that only have a 6.5% US market share.

And... Most hackers are script kiddies, who use premade programs, known exploits and poor target security to wreck havoc on a system. They don't usually make their own.

Apple is very good at keeping their stuff secure, asnd testing the crap out of it for holes. Plus, they're very good at keeping their problems from getting out.

To buy a MAC just to keep you safe right now, is a HUGE waste of money, money better spent taking a computer coarse to learn how to properly use, secure and maintain whatever you use.
As MACs regain their popularity, the number of software producers increase, and MAC freindly hardware increase, more and more exploits are going to target MACs.

Again, I'm versed in both MAC and PC, and have no favorite. I also dabble in Linux, so this is an unbias platform post.

If you want to treat me as an idiot, you should at least spell it right. By the way, I didn't buy my Mac to protect myself from a virus, it just came as a bonus. Again, you don't get the point, maybe one day ... ;)

[Jimi5]

I now use NOD32 and it's great but not free. I used to have AVG Pro but NOD32 uses less resources than AVG and it's all automatic.

[Patonb]

If you want to treat me as an idiot, you should at least spell it right. By the way, I didn't buy my Mac to protect myself from a virus, it just came as a bonus. Again, you don't get the point, maybe one day ... ;)

I never said you bought a Mac just to protect yourself, or that anybody did. However, as soon as someone posts about a Mac, thats their only point. No one ever says anything bout the ease of use, or versitility, stability or the pure raw power of them.

All I'm saying is that Macs have issues in security, granted not nearly as bad as a PC, and it'll only be getting worst, as Macs get even popular.

[Rod]

I have been using Trend Micro for the past two years with no problems.
http://www.trendsecure.com/

[Broknwing]

I never said you bought a Mac just to protect yourself, or that anybody did. However, as soon as someone posts about a Mac, thats their only point. No one ever says anything bout the ease of use, or versitility, stability or the pure raw power of them.

All I'm saying is that Macs have issues in security, granted not nearly as bad as a PC, and it'll only be getting worst, as Macs get even popular.

This is a thread about Antivirus programs...of course we're going to jump in about how they're less suceptible...That is NOT the only thing that I talk them up on...Matter of fact, when Beth had her blue screen issue last week b/c of a registry problem I (yes jokingly) suggested she solve it by getting a Mac...Why? b/c they are more stable and don't have those sorts of issues...I NEVER have to re-start, re-boot, re-store, etc my Mac...Only time I've ever had a problem was when my sister spilled a bottle of water in the back of it...and that was actually a 45 second restore by a good friend who's a Mac Genius....didn't lose ANYTHING either...

[JAYCUE]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like I have some returning to do.

[PN]

"GRISOFT is announcing a new version of the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. This new 7.5 version with improved performance and user interface is available. Users that are using AVG Free 7.1 will be provided with a specific dialog, within the next few weeks, with the opportunity to choose the right option fulfilling their needs. AVG Free 7.1 version will be discontinued on 15th of Jan 2007."

AVG 7.5 (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5)

[Juke_spin]

"GRISOFT is announcing a new version of the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. This new 7.5 version with improved performance and user interface is available. Users that are using AVG Free 7.1 will be provided with a specific dialog, within the next few weeks, with the opportunity to choose the right option fulfilling their needs. AVG Free 7.1 version will be discontinued on 15th of Jan 2007."

AVG 7.5 (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5)

Until last night I was running the Kerio firewall (paid edition) w/o a virus protection program. I downloaded and installed the new free AVG 7.5 and it runs and downloads updates w/o conflict from the Kerio firewall.

Thanks for the tip.:)

[PN]

Hi Steve!

You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.:)

I will also be installing AVG 7.5 Free Edition sometime in the first or second week of January 2007.

[Hunker]

I use zonealarm and AVG.

[alan]

Norman Antivirus forOS/2.

[mike]

I have been using Norton Systemsworks for some time and I agree that it can bog down your system. The thing I like is the integration with the firewall package and the automatic update of virus definitions. As far as cost is concerned, I get my copy each year at Bestbuy on Black Friday free after rebates.

Are there other anti virus and firewall systems with automatic updates available free? I know I could probably use the Windows XP firewall, but is that as good?

[Patonb]

AVG Free is automatic, and Zone Alarm has updates as well, but not sure about the free edition.

[PN]

Patonb: The last time I tried ZoneAlarm was back in the late 1990s and I was impressed with the free version so much I purchased the Professional edition. I do not believe that the free version offered updates and the Professional edition did have updates that came out about once every 3-4 months. After I did a couple of the updates, I noticed that I had trouble accessing my email and my computer ran slower. I did send an email to ZoneAlarm, but to no avail. Shortly thereafter I ordered cable internet and purchased a Nat Router and I uninstalled ZoneAlarm. My computer ran at least 30% faster and I had no more conflicts.

Presently, I use the Windows XP built in Firewall, along with a router. If you need a bi-directional firewall, Steve Gibson of GRC (http://www.grc.com/intro.htm) (Shields Up) recommends Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall (http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm) free edition. I don't think the free version comes with updates.

Other free anti-virus programs (I prefer AVG): CA Anti-Virus 2007 (http://home3.ca.com/Microsoft/Default.aspx?lang=en-US) from Microsoft. AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic (http://www.free-av.com/) and Free avast! 4 Home Edition (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html).

[Patonb]

Yay maybe....... I ummmmmm Borrowed...... ZA Pro, so i couldn't tell yha... still got 52000 days till m subscriptions up. YES 52 thousand. I use hotmail as my email (been 8 yrs now). Only have issues while attempting questionable activities.. Not my fault I like knocking on doors to see whats home;)
I have a NAT too, but stuff still gets through, and If i find none spoofed ip's, I scan them back :D

I just today d/l and installed AVG 7.5 Free, suppose to be smaller. Well see how it goes. Half the time I'm now using Linux now which I just noticed AVG covers.

YOU HAD A FIREWALL IN '90?? Wow, dialup wasn't secure enuogh for yha? ;)

[PN]

I think the year was 1999 and I guess at the time a free Firewall seemed like a good idea. I never got a virus, but maybe I was lucky back then.

[rochow]

i use zonealarm pro, i found it is the best, although i read a review somewhere on pcworld.com that its antivirus isnt that good, although its firewall and other features are... they rated norton internet security 2006 the best for firewall, antivirus, spyware etc. I downloaded a 30day trial of NOD but it didnt seem to be any better than zone alarm so i didnt buy it

[suncameout]

avast... it's free also. it does the job just as well compared to the subscription ones.