Buying an AV software

[Bob]

Hello all,
I am going to need to be buying an anti-virus program very soon. Like in the
next day of so.
I am open minded, and would like to hear about any good, or bad luck you may
care to share with me about any products you have used.

Also, is it better to get a stand alone AV, rather than one bundled with
other stuff like firewalls?

I am using the "Free" version of AVG right now, so I am on until I get one.

Thanks allot,
Bob

 

[Jan Il]

Hello all,
I am going to need to be buying an anti-virus program very soon. Like in the
next day of so.
I am open minded, and would like to hear about any good, or bad luck you may
care to share with me about any products you have used.

Also, is it better to get a stand alone AV, rather than one bundled with
other stuff like firewalls?

I am using the "Free" version of AVG right now, so I am on until I get

one.

AVG also has a pay for version, AVG7.0, if you feel the need to pay for an
AV. And, it is a stand alone, not bundled with anything, and the pay for
version has a few added features not available with the free version, and
tech support, which is not available with the AVG6 free version. I've used
the free AVG6 for almost 2 years, and I have yet to get a virus. However, I
did get them with both Norton and McAfee. But, if you just got to pay for
one to feel really safe, and don't want to stay with AVG, many here say
NOD32 is a pretty good one. I've never used it.

Jan

 

[snailmail(valid)222000]

Bob wrote:

No anti-virus application will work unless you disable the services on Windows that are enabling your computer to be hackable. You also need to figure out how to secure your browser, e-mail, and you need a firewall and this is only for starters.


Tracker

 

[luc wastiaux]

Hello all,
I am going to need to be buying an anti-virus program very soon. Like in the
next day of so.
I am open minded, and would like to hear about any good, or bad luck you may
care to share with me about any products you have used.

Also, is it better to get a stand alone AV, rather than one bundled with
other stuff like firewalls?

I am using the "Free" version of AVG right now, so I am on until I get one.

I recommend NOD32, it's cheap and fast, and works without a problem.

 

[Bob]

Jan, thank you for the reply.

I feel "ok" with AVG, but when I have looked over test from the past, it did
NOT do to well at detecting viruses. But I did see where AVG 7 seems to be
doing much better that the past versions. Can you tell me if 7 is as good on
memory and all that as 6 seems to me?

I also have heard that AVG seems to be able to detect a virus, but it can't
seem to clean them to well. Do you know anything about that?

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[Bob]

Bob wrote:

No anti-virus application will work unless you disable the services on

Windows that are enabling your computer to be hackable. You also need to
figure out how to secure your browser, e-mail, and you need a firewall and
this is only for starters.


OK, and how do I do that? I thought I knew about that, but maybe you have
some tricks I do not know about.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Peter Seiler]

Bob - 26.04.2004 08:07 :

Bob, your questions are posted AND discussed dayly in this ng. Therefore
I suggest to read back only about the last 14 days getting answers and
hints about your and many others questions. Mostly you will see that
everybody prefers his own AV in use. There is no best AV. It depends on
your very personal claim and behavior (OS, used applications and so on).
A good solution for A must not be necessary as good as for B.

 

[nondisputandum.com - honest software - 99% freewar]

Hello all,
I am going to need to be buying an anti-virus program very soon. Like in the
next day of so.
I am open minded, and would like to hear about any good, or bad luck you may
care to share with me about any products you have used.

Also, is it better to get a stand alone AV, rather than one bundled with
other stuff like firewalls?

I am using the "Free" version of AVG right now, so I am on until I get one.

Thanks allot,
Bob

Panda if on older system, Norton if on new high end pc.
Both do a similar job and have firewall included along with full
suite... I run both on 2 PC's... I like Norton a lot for ease but keep
Panda on my second (older) PC for it's fabulous performance on low
resources. Panda also has a brilliant LOCAL support... dunno for
Norton,.. never needed to contact 'em ;-)

 

[null]

Hello all,
I am going to need to be buying an anti-virus program very soon. Like in the
next day of so.
I am open minded, and would like to hear about any good, or bad luck you may
care to share with me about any products you have used.

Also, is it better to get a stand alone AV, rather than one bundled with
other stuff like firewalls?

I am using the "Free" version of AVG right now, so I am on until I get one.

I suggest either KAV or F-Secure if you want top notch overall
detection and updates several times daily.


Art
http://www.epix.net/~artnpeg

 

[nondisputandum.com - honest software - 99% freewar]

Bob - 26.04.2004 08:07 :

Bob, your questions are posted AND discussed dayly in this ng. Therefore
I suggest to read back only about the last 14 days getting answers and
hints about your and many others questions. Mostly you will see that
everybody prefers his own AV in use. There is no best AV. It depends on
your very personal claim and behavior (OS, used applications and so on).
A good solution for A must not be necessary as good as for B.

I can agree on all that... wise advice...
IMHO, stick to one of the 'known' av solutions...
I would - to my standards exceptionally - advice payware in order to
be a bit more assured that the man or people behind do it for a
living... and thus work on it on a daily schedule... on the other
hand.. when I read how many are happy with their freeware solution,
consider my advice ' a matter of personal taste' ;-)

 

[FromTheRafters]

Windows that are enabling your computer to be hackable. You also need to
figure out how to secure your browser, e-mail, and you need a firewall and
this is only for starters.

No, Debbie - I believe that *you* wrote that.

OK, and how do I do that? I thought I knew about that, but maybe you have
some tricks I do not know about.

Are you going to take the advice of "Tracker", who can't even
attribute quotes properly?

Although her vague references to hardening your system aren't
strictly wrong (or bad advice), I sincerely doubt that she can
follow up with any good specific advice on how to go about it.

My advice to you is to be extremely sceptical about any advice
she offers.

 

[Jan Il]

Jan, thank you for the reply.

I feel "ok" with AVG, but when I have looked over test from the past, it did
NOT do to well at detecting viruses. But I did see where AVG 7 seems to be
doing much better that the past versions. Can you tell me if 7 is as good on
memory and all that as 6 seems to me?

I also have heard that AVG seems to be able to detect a virus, but it can't
seem to clean them to well. Do you know anything about that?

I haven't used the AVG7, but, I know a couple of friends who have, and they
also used the AVG6 free version before, however, they just wanted the other
features that came with the AVG7 and the tech support. But, basically, they
say it is just as easy on the system as the free, very light on the
resources, and just as user friendly.

AVG neutralizes the viruses, then puts them in the AVG Virus Vault and lets
you check them before deleting them, just in case, then you can determine
what you want to delete. Me...I like to know what I've received and who
from. Then I delete it. Also, there are some viruses that not all AV's can
clean for some reason. Sometimes they have to be cleaned using a specific
type of removal tool, and there are many sources Some can only be cleaned
or removed from DOS. You can't depend entirely on any one AV to keep you
totally virus free. They are primarily to find what you already have, and
clean up after you get infected. Detection is only one part of its job.
Playing detection ratings is like playing the ponies at the race track.
What was the winner yesterday is the straggler today. And everyone has
their favorite pony.

So, keeping this in mind, it is the users call. The same with buying a new
car.....it has to suit you and your needs, not your neighbor or your
brother.

Jan

 

[Bob]

Thank you again.

I suppose that if AVG were to put big ads in magazines, they they might do
better in some test too. LOL!

When you have gotten a virus, does your AVG clean it up ok, of does it just
put it in the safe, or what ever its called?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Jan Il]

Thank you again.

I suppose that if AVG were to put big ads in magazines, they they might do
better in some test too. LOL!

When you have gotten a virus, does your AVG clean it up ok, of does it just
put it in the safe, or what ever its called?

The ones in catches coming in it lets me know which ones it has caught, what
the virus was, and that they have been neutralized and placed in the AVG
Virus Vault. As for cleaning one that does get on the system, I honestly
don't know...as I've never had one since using AVG6. And I use F-Prot as a
backup, which I run once a week as well, and to be extra sure during high
risk times, I also use Trend Micro as a third opinion. I have never had a
virus to clean. I used F-Prot with the McAfee too for three years, and it
found and cleaned more of the viruses I did get, that McAfee didn't catch.

But, not even the one that is supposed to be the #1 AV cleans them all. I
worry more about not getting them than cleaning them. However, I also keep
all the necessary additional cleaning and removal tools and instructions on
hand in a special folder on my hard drive and keep them updated, just in
case I'm unable to connect to the Net or a specific site to get to them when
I need them. It's happened.....so I learned.

Jan

 

[Jeff]

one.

I suggest either KAV or F-Secure if you want top notch overall
detection and updates several times daily.

From all the tests I have seen KAV and F-Secure have the best scan detection
rates. But they have an insane price for their products also. I believe
KAV is like $79. I would never pay that for an antivirus program no matter
how good it is.

 

[optikl]

Jeff wrote:

From all the tests I have seen KAV and F-Secure have the best scan detection
rates. But they have an insane price for their products also. I believe
KAV is like $79. I would never pay that for an antivirus program no matter
how good it is.

That's one way to look at it. Another way is "how much did you pay for
your PC?". Or, "how much are your data and your time worth to you? More
than $ 79?". In the big scheme of things, it's only money. And most
likely, you're going to spend that $ 79, anyway.

 

[FromTheRafters]

You can't depend entirely on any one AV to keep you
totally virus free. They are primarily to find what you already have, and
clean up after you get infected.

Oh!?

....and here I was, under the mistaken impression that AV scanners
were *primarily* a preventative measure.

If cleanup is all you need why not just run "stinger" whenever the
mood hits you? ;o)

 

[FromTheRafters]

But, not even the one that is supposed to be the #1 AV cleans them all. I
worry more about not getting them than cleaning them.

Now it seems you're singing a different tune. So do you agree
that a megabyte of prevention is worth 16 megabytes of cure?

AV is (supposed to be) a tool to help you to prevent getting
infected (or infested). They are getting so good at removal
that people are confusing them with the likes of "Stinger".

Online scans are getting more popular because of this way
of thinking. Do whatever you want - then scan to see what
you have contracted - then use a removal tool or instructions
to scrub it clean - rinse - repeat. ;o)

 

[Jan Il]

Now it seems you're singing a different tune. So do you agree
that a megabyte of prevention is worth 16 megabytes of cure?

Well...I'm not sure what you are referring to with that, but, I really don't
recall saying that I was not worried about getting a virus, otherwise, why
would I use an AV at all? The fact that I do should indicate that I have a
strong concern in that direction. However, the fact that I have not had one
while using the AVG6 does not mean that I have a false sense of security, or
that I am not concerned about the one chance that *I* might screw up and get
one. The chance of my being the cause of getting a virus is likely higher
than the AV.

AV is (supposed to be) a tool to help you to prevent getting
infected (or infested). They are getting so good at removal
that people are confusing them with the likes of "Stinger".

Of course, no AV can be 100%, no matter which one it is.. right? You are
correct in that people are confusing programs like Stinger and CWShredder
and all with actual AV programs. And, the way they are presented can be
misleading as well.

Online scans are getting more popular because of this way
of thinking. Do whatever you want - then scan to see what
you have contracted - then use a removal tool or instructions
to scrub it clean - rinse - repeat. ;o)

In many ways that is right, and there are people who most likely believe
just as you say, that they don't need to worry with an AV on their system,
or what they do. If they get a virus or something, they can just go online
and get the stuff they need to get rid of whatever it is with an online
magic scanner or download a fix-it. They most likely don't bother with
updating their AV, if they have one, or have anything to clean the scumware
off their systems either. If they are spreading their garbage in the mean
time is someone else's problem. I keep the 'Silver bullets' at hand only
because there was a time when I had McAfee and got a virus, and could not
access the Internet to download the cleaner. I learned a good lesson from
that event. And there have been a few times since that I have been unable to
access the Internet for other reasons. I just think keeping them at hand,
and backed up is being prudent, not paranoid, with the types of viruses
around there these days. <g>

Jan

 

[Jan Il]

Oh!?

...and here I was, under the mistaken impression that AV scanners
were *primarily* a preventative measure.

Matter of personal opinion as to how one sees the role of the AV.

If cleanup is all you need why not just run "stinger" whenever the
mood hits you? ;o)

;-p''' <g>

Jan