Anti-Virus for a small business...?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kenneth
  • Start date Start date
K

Kenneth

Howdy,

Is there a freeware AV program out there that is legit for a
small (5 systems) business...?

Thanks for any tips,
 
Kenneth said:
Is there a freeware AV program out there that is legit for a
small (5 systems) business...?
Click to expand...

Only one I can think of offhand would be ClamWin:

http://www.clamwin.com/

....but I couldn't recommend it in good conscience as it doesn't run
resident:

"Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access
real-time scanner, that is, you need to manually scan a file in order to
detect a virus. Microsoft Outlook Addin, however will delete a
virus-infected attachment automatically."

I have no experience with them in this situation, but I suspect the
commercial version pricing for the usually recommended free-for-home-use
A/V apps (AVG, Avast, Anti-Vir, etc.) would be reasonable.
 
US$38.95 for a two year license, according to their website:

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/pricelist/lng/us/
Click to expand...

Hello again, OP here...

The reason(s) that I was looking for another product were
generated by my experience of renewing my Norton Anti-Virus
subscription a few hours ago:

A flag displayed telling me that my subscription would
expire in 30 days, and suggesting that I renew now.

I had a few minutes and clicked to renew.

After the installation, I was truly amazed to see that the
date of expiration of my new subscription was one year from
today, rather than thirteen months from today as any sense
of fairness would dictate.

Then, it got worse:

As you may know, Symantec does not make it easy to talk with
a person about their products or services.

With a bit of effort, I did find a number on their website
and noted as I dialed that it was described as a "toll
call."

Then, to my shock, as I spoke to a nice man in India, he
told me that I was responsible for paying for that
international call. He offered a toll free number.

I find it rather remarkable that the site provides only the
international toll call number.

There are not people that I choose to pay in the future.

All the best, and sincere thanks to all for your comments
earlier in the thread,
 
Kenneth said:
Howdy,

Is there a freeware AV program out there that is legit for a
small (5 systems) business...?

Thanks for any tips,
Click to expand...

If your employees are reliable people who are street-wise with
computers, I really think ClamWin would be okay. Just instruct them to
scan every incoming file before opening it, use an email program that
facilitates this procedure, update your virus database daily, and scan
your hard drives weekly to be sure. I use it all the time and like it.
You don't need an idiot-proof system unless your people are idiots.
http://www.clamwin.com/
 
If your employees are reliable people who are street-wise with
computers, I really think ClamWin would be okay. Just instruct them to
scan every incoming file before opening it, use an email program that
facilitates this procedure, update your virus database daily, and scan
your hard drives weekly to be sure. I use it all the time and like it.
You don't need an idiot-proof system unless your people are idiots.
http://www.clamwin.com/
Click to expand...

Just place in scheduler to run at start up every morning, and as you say,
insist they scan every attachment.
 
Howdy,

Is there a freeware AV program out there that is legit for a
small (5 systems) business...?

Thanks for any tips,
Click to expand...

Not freeware, but have you considered "Symantec" AntiVirus Corporate (yes, it
is a real "Corporate")?
 
Not freeware, but have you considered "Symantec" AntiVirus Corporate (yes, it
is a real "Corporate")?
Click to expand...

Hello again,

The reason for my original request is that I find Symantec's
business practices unacceptable, and was looking for an
alternative.

All the best,
 
On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 04:16:43 GMT, Vrodok the Troll
[snip]

Hello again,

The reason for my original request is that I find Symantec's
business practices unacceptable, and was looking for an
alternative.
Click to expand...

Ah. Sorry about that.
 
Hello again, OP here...

The reason(s) that I was looking for another product were
generated by my experience of renewing my Norton Anti-Virus
subscription a few hours ago:
Click to expand...

snip

I too had a problem with Symantec. Got so teed off when trying to
upgrade to a newer version and after an uninstall I couldn't open any
MS Office programs. Took about an hour of Google to fine what caused
that.

As the versions expired and new computers were added I put on AVG on
six computers. Love that it updates every day. Did have one problem
with an install on a older W98SE computer emailed tech support and
after several emails had it solved. Had a problem on another computer
with a faulty update and again fast responce time. I *think* they are
a German company and sometimes their English is a little off but so is
mine most of the time.

My son has a habit of getting into attachments that he shouldn't be
opening and AVG has stopped all of them.

Give AVG a try I think you will like them and the price is not that
bad.

Bob S
 
RWS wrote:

I *think* they are
a German company and sometimes their English is a little off but so is
mine most of the time.
Click to expand...
Symantec is located in California.

The language barrier that I experienced with them was due only to their
enforced policy, like Intuit and V-Com, of making it virtually
impossible for customers to communicate with them, as in "We've got your
money: go to hell."

I boycot the lot of them.

Richard
 
Maynard said:
Just place in scheduler to run at start up every morning, and as you say,
insist they scan every attachment.
Click to expand...

From my experience, this may not be a good idea. Clamwin ran for hours
and hours and hours on my system, giving no indication on the screen of
its progress or time to finish. It allowed me no options that I recall.
After that one scan, I pulled it off my system -- too crude.

However, I'm impressed with the dedication of the participants,
especially the daily update. This program may become mature while we're
sleeping on it, so I think we should keep an eye on its progress.

Richard
 
Kenneth wrote:

....I find Symantec's
business practices unacceptable, and was looking for an
alternative.
Click to expand...

You are too polite. Really.
I'd use the word "contemptuous."

Richard
 
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