Anti virus programs please?

[Tobamore]

Hello,
I currently use Nav 2004 on my XP system and I'm quite happy with it
other than its intrusiveness. I was wondering though, what is the general
opinion on best all round anti virus solution? I assume that Kaspersky, AVG
and Nod32 are the main contenders, but as my subscription is going to expire
later this year I would greatly value your thoughts.

As always, many thanks in advance,

#
T.

 

[Jose Francisco]

Greetings,

Well there a hundreds of Anti-virus programs on the internet. I use to use
McAfee (http://www.mcafee.com/us/) and Norton Anti-Virus 2003
(http://www.norton.com/). However, there's a new anti-virus program on the
market which I personally recommend - Zone Labs Security Suite
(http://www.zonelabs.com). Not only it's an anti-virus software but it's
also bundled with an awarding winning firewall, Zone Alarm.

I recommend you downloading the free version from their site. You won't be
disappointed

Thanks and good luck!

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

No one particular program is "the best". What's best is what works for you -
ease of configuration, updates, compatibility, etc.. Personally, I avoid the
use of the larger commercial programs (McAfee, Norton in particular) as they
tend to be overbearing and bog a system down and inhibit performance. Plus,
when a virus is written that includes the ability to disable a user's AV
software, the major programs are tops on the lists of those that are
attacked.

What do I use? Several, including AVG (free for personal use from
www.grisoft.com), Kaspersky (pwerful, reliable, but not system intrusive
from www.kaspersky.com), and E-trust (a combo program that has both AV and
firewall, used on my laptop for accessing from public wireless points
www.my-etrust.com).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Gene K]

Hello,
I currently use Nav 2004 on my XP system and I'm quite happy with it
other than its intrusiveness. I was wondering though, what is the
general opinion on best all round anti virus solution? I assume that
Kaspersky, AVG and Nod32 are the main contenders, but as my
subscription is going to expire later this year I would greatly value
your thoughts.

As always, many thanks in advance,

#
T.

Frankly I would stay with Norton's since it is generally high regarded by
everyone. As with all though, you have to keep current with updates.

 

[Unknown]

This will draw a lot of controversy. Ignorant people (those that really don't
know) and people with virus fears will post all kinds of nasty responses but I
will submit this anyway. I have never used a virus program and have never had
a virus or worm. To accomplish this do the following and don't deviate.
1. Turn on the firewall and keep it on. Windows firewall is adequate and will
be improved in SP2.
2. Keep your system updated. Microsoft is doing an outstanding job plugging
leaks, gaps or holes in security items.
3. NEVER open an attachment on an e-mail from an unknown source. If friends
and relatives send attachments make
sure they are following the same procedures and or check with them..
4. When surfing the 'net for anything make sure you know what you're doing
before clicking on something that says
"Click here for more information". This is where highjackers can set your
explorer page.

Now watch the disagreements fly. And yet the computers will run much better,
sometimes faster and many times more error free, and easier and more trouble
free in downloading and installing.

 

[Guest]

well this isn't an antivirus program, but it is an
excellent scanner. it has found virus that my norton
doens't find. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ the
website is free and the scan is all webbased.

-----Original Message-----
Hello,
I currently use Nav 2004 on my XP system and I'm quite happy with it
other than its intrusiveness. I was wondering though, what is the general
opinion on best all round anti virus solution? I assume that Kaspersky, AVG
and Nod32 are the main contenders, but as my

subscription is going to expire

 

[R. McCarty]

"Working without a Net (Pun?)" is fine where the user can be aware of
all the risks and risky actions. However, most users just want to browse
the web, read email and play their favorite on-line game.
They need Anti-Virus to automatically protect themselves from their
actions on the Internet. Your scenario is fine where you can spend time
"Locking down" every conceivable avenue for infections.
Someday/Somehow, something new will appear that gets past all of
these preventative measures. Obviously, you are proud of your success
in dodging the daily threats. However, we've just now reached the point
where a high percentage of Windows users understand the need for an
Anti-Virus application.
Posting/advocating no Anti-Virus is counter productive to those who
come here seeking advice. Personally, I'm content with a 5-8% drop
in performance in exchange for real-time scanning protection.

 

[CWatters]

After this week I rate Malware/Adware/Sypware as a worse problem than
viruses! If you aren't running a program to block this stuff as well read
on...

We have a hardware firewall and our PCs are kept upto date using Windows
Update. We also run NAV.....So it came as a bit of a surprise when her PC
was crippled with some seriously nasty Adware. It got in when my wife
visited what should have been a harmless games web site - only it wasn't so
harmless! The adware that got into her PC made it impossible to use - Pop
ups occured even when off line and MS Office programs and other windows
opened and worse closed on their own!.

It took me FOUR DAYS to work out how to get the stuff off her PC (without
resorting to reloading old backups). The top three programs (Ad-aware,
Spybot S& D and Pest Patrol) failed to remove it permanantly. The pests kept
repairing and re-installing themselves after rebooting. In the end I fixed
it by manually killing about 60 suspect processes and removing them from the
startup sequence using msconfig - and then running Ad-aware which actually
did the removal.

I've now installed Spywareblaster and Spywareguard which are free from
here..

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Colin

 

[Richard Urban]

As you can see, you question generated a lot of "opinions"! That is because
there is NO best. They all differ in features, capability and ease of use.

For what it's worth, NAV has been the tops (according to PC Magazine) for
the past few years, although it has been a close contest!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

This will draw a lot of controversy. Ignorant people (those that
really don't know) and people with virus fears will post all kinds of
nasty responses but I will submit this anyway. I have never used a
virus program and have never had a virus or worm. To accomplish this
do the following and don't deviate.
1. Turn on the firewall and keep it on. Windows firewall is adequate
and will be improved in SP2.
2. Keep your system updated. Microsoft is doing an outstanding job
plugging leaks, gaps or holes in security items.
3. NEVER open an attachment on an e-mail from an unknown source. If
friends and relatives send attachments make
sure they are following the same procedures and or check with
them..
4. When surfing the 'net for anything make sure you know what you're
doing before clicking on something that says
"Click here for more information". This is where highjackers can
set your explorer page.

Now watch the disagreements fly. And yet the computers will run much
better, sometimes faster and many times more error free, and easier
and more trouble free in downloading and installing.

Since you ask for disagreements, I'll be happy to comply. Running
without an antivirus program is foolhardy. All four of your
recommendations are good ones, but I'll add a fifth:

5. Install a good antivirus program, run it and be sure to always
download the latest virus definition files.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I currently use Nav 2004 on my XP system and I'm quite happy with it
other than its intrusiveness. I was wondering though, what is the general
opinion on best all round anti virus solution? I assume that Kaspersky, AVG
and Nod32 are the main contenders, but as my subscription is going to expire
later this year I would greatly value your thoughts.

The one I use is eTrust from Computer Associates. It is very effective
*and* unobtrusive - in fact it is possible to do a major installation
without needing to turn it off. The sub is only modest - it was $9.95
when I renewed a month back, and right now there is a one year free
trial at
www.my-etrust.com/microsoft