Do you use an ANTI Virus program?

[EastCoasthandle]

I created this poll to find out who out there is adamant about using antivirus program, who doesn't and to inform other who don't understand or know the pros/cons of using an antivirus program. Below are just a few pros and cons that I am aware of. I am sure there are more.

Pros
It provides added security to what your OS firewall provides
Can allow you to visit most website with impunity
Capable of caught and detering programs that can harm your PC
Adds to your reassurance that your PC should be safe

Cons
Some believe that a AVP can be a resource hog
Some believe that a AVP schedules scanning at inappropriate times
Some believe that it can slow your PC down when gaming, etc
Some believe that they are cautious enough to have never had to worry about viruses

If you use Win7, Vista or XP you may already be using Windows Defender. You will need to check your OS updates to see if it's there or not. Or you could be using MS's Security Essentials (although I haven't seen that as part of an OS update). So, you need to actually check your installed programs and your updates to make sure of what you have before voting. Anyone can clarify if there is a antivirus program in place for non MS os's.


Thoughts on the issue?

 

[mikek75]

Wheres the poll? Anyway, since switching to Win 7 I've changed from Avast to MSE. So far it works perfect, ie it has seemingly NO impact performance and is totally unobtrusive (Avast used to spook me by saying out loud "VIRUS DATABASE HAS BEEN UPDATED" at the most inopportune moments)...

 

[mtosev]

i use Avira Free. i also used the ZoneAlarm firewall but dropped it because it annyoed me and also had issues with windows Vista.

 

[DonInKansas]

(Avast used to spook me by saying out loud "VIRUS DATABASE HAS BEEN UPDATED" at the most inopportune moments)...

My wife jumped 3 inches out of her chair when that happened once. I laughed so hard I nearly cried.

That said, I love Avast. Never had a problem with it and I use it on anyone's comp that desires a free AV and doesn't currently run one.

 

[newtekie1]

AVG 9.0 in use here, it's free and gets the job done. Only uses ~5MB of memory when sitting idle with resident shield enabled, uses ~45MB while scanning, only uses about 20% of the CPU while scanning, and scanning is fast, usually completing in under 60 minutes on my main rig(I don't scan the data volume, just the OS/Program drive).

 

[revin]

Eset ESS Now using 4.0 Never an issue with any Eset/NOD32 products in many years.......

 

[Scrizz]

The good AV VIPRE doesn't slow down your PC!!!
malwarebytes can't touch dis

 

[InnocentCriminal]

I used to NOD32 - freaking amazing AV, then I stopped using it and now use Malwarebytes and ComboFix if necessary. Heard nothing but good things regarding Microsoft Security Essentials, think I'll install that.

 

[Arctucas]

Kis 2009/2010.

 

[Jstn7477]

Avast for me. Free, light enough to run on a 486 and 64MB RAM, and it seems to scan files in real-time. Even blocks some bad incoming connections (Blocked something on Facebook yesterday and it terminated the connection with whatever app server was supposedly going to put a Trojan on my PC).

 

[RaPiDo987]

Kis 2009/2010.

+1, but my lil sis had to pay $80 for it... Might try these free ones though...

 

[[Ion]]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials on my desktop and laptop. It uses very few resources (more important on the laptop), so far I haven't gotten any viruses with it, and it was free. I used to use Avast!, but it had too much of a performance impact on the laptop, so I switched to MS SE

 

[vaiopup]

If you don't use an A/V you shouldn't be here

 

[Steevo]

I have Avast after using Comodo for a long time. Avast with website blocking and you can turn the sounds off, and the windows defender and new security software, haven't gotten tagged yet, and i have tried.


What pisses me off is the 60 day trials people think are still protecting their PC after a year.


AVG did well enough, but with the redirects and no real way to prevent them I choose to use Avast now.

 

[vaiopup]

What pisses me off is the 60 day trials people think are still protecting their PC after a year.

What pisses you off?
That people can't read?

 

[Polarman]

I'd rather spen $$ for a good AV from a reputable place.

 

[niko084]

I have Nod32 and have used KIS, like both, find certain points annoying, but they are both excellent programs with great detection and ability.

I do disable them quite often or even msconfig them out

 

[Desmond]

Which of these anti virus programs actually work?

A few years ago, I brought the Trend Micro AVP and Spy Sweeper. Both cost money and I had to pay to keep updated. When I got a virus (from looking up photoshop tutorials, apparently -.-) neither of them could remove it.

Then I installed Avast, and that happened to work. I eventually just uninstalled Trend Micro because it became too much of a resource hog (for my aging system) and it's constant automatic updates and scans made my computer unbearably slow.

 

[hat]

I use the Bit Defender online scan, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Spybot S&D. They all run only when I come to them, so they're never in the background bothering my by automatic scanning or updating.

 

[Mussels]

nod32 and kaspersky are the two favourites here on TPU.


I'm a big kaspersky fan, but nod32 is pretty close (it just has less features, such as not as good a firewall/adblocker, etc)

 

[NastyHabits]

I use Avira free. It's annoying, but it works. Also use zonealarm pro, and spybot. I also run adaware and asquared free once a week. I put up with all the annoying bits. I don't care. I once got a real bad bit of malware from a website. Took me two days to fix it. Never again! Today, I am clean!

 

[Nick89]

NONE.

I don't go anywhere that would require me to need an antivirus.

Most antivirus companies make virus's so people will feel the need to 'buy' an antivirus program.

I've never seen an antivirus program that actually worked.

 

[andrewsmc]

My wife jumped 3 inches out of her chair when that happened once. I laughed so hard I nearly cried.

That said, I love Avast. Never had a problem with it and I use it on anyone's comp that desires a free AV and doesn't currently run one.

+10000000000000 I love avast... A beautiful program, Honestly my FAV!

 

[andrewsmc]

Which of these anti virus programs actually work?

A few years ago, I brought the Trend Micro AVP and Spy Sweeper. Both cost money and I had to pay to keep updated. When I got a virus (from looking up photoshop tutorials, apparently -.-) neither of them could remove it.

Then I installed Avast, and that happened to work. I eventually just uninstalled Trend Micro because it became too much of a resource hog (for my aging system) and it's constant automatic updates and scans made my computer unbearably slow.

Honestly those anti virus programs you got i would have to say...Is the WORST combo i have ever seen... Not bad mouthing you, Just both are sorry excuses of a program.

 

[hat]

NONE.

I don't go anywhere that would require me to need an antivirus.

Most antivirus companies make virus's so people will feel the need to 'buy' an antivirus program.

I've never seen an antivirus program that actually worked.

Malwarebytes has worked every time for me; however, no one program is enough to catch everything under the sun. Malwarebytes and Spybot do a pretty good job of cleaning everything up.