Which Anti Virus?

[phil]

Im sure this question goes round all the time, I normally use AVG however Ive just got a new laptop for web use. It comes with the normal free Norton 90 day trial. Ive also picked up another offer where I've got 12 month subscription to Mcafee AV.

Simple question, which one?

 

[theonetruewill]

Im sure this question goes round all the time, I normally use AVG however Ive just got a new laptop for web use. It comes with the normal free Norton 90 day trial. Ive also picked up another offer where I've got 12 month subscription to Mcafee AV.

Simple question, which one?

If it's Nrton 2007, stick with it. If not don't. Pre 2007 used up far too mahy resources. Mcafee, in my experience fails to detect enough. AVG is free atm (I think) but I use NOd32, very low on resources, and very fast at scanning. Perfect for a laptop. Dual it with Comodo Firewall and thats some security.

 

[phil]

Cheers for that. I believe its 2007 version. How much is Norton renewal after the free period and whats the cost of NOD32? Also, this 3rd party fire wall, is it a free download?

 

[GJSNeptune]

Nod32.

 

[Wile E]

Kaspersky is also a good alternative.

 

[theonetruewill]

Cheers for that. I believe its 2007 version. How much is Norton renewal after the free period and whats the cost of NOD32? Also, this 3rd party fire wall, is it a free download?

Comodo is free, yes. Norton (Internet security) 2007 comes with a firewall, but plain old antivirus doesn't. So if you have Norton IS 2007 stick to its firewall if not then get Comodo. Remember NEVER run two firewalls at the same time. As to costs, I'm afraid you're going to have to look that up yourself. It's going to vary.

 

[jpierce55]

Panda is a great detector, but a huge resource hog, or was on my parent Windows ME, XP/Vista versions may be better.

 

[theonetruewill]

You know what the best antivirus sytem is ever? Yourself. I've removed more viruses than my detection software ever has. In the end you're probably the most efficient and effective. Not sure why i said that really but it's something to remember. I think my point was - don't go overboard with pricings and detections ratings, just get a low-resource-using scanner and use your common sense, and you should be fine. Look in the system32 folder a lot and check whats new. Then use this http://virusscan.jotti.org/

 

[Greek]

for me ive started using nod32 and kaspersky, they are both great, iw ud go for one of these two

 

[xylomn]

I've tested loads of antivirus packages and personally my favorite is nod32... kaspersky is great too.

In terms of free ones go with avast or avg.

Of all the ones you mentioned avoid McAfee like the plague, its the most useless antivirus i've ever used.

Combine nod32 with the Comodo firewall (beta compatible version with vista is due 7th or 9th of june can't quite remember) and you'll be set

 

[jpierce55]

Mcafee acts like a virus on my parents pc, the auto update locks up and even if it is disabled it still loads at startup.

I have used Computer Associates it is a pita to uninstall causes lots of problems and it is necessary to clean out the registry manually.

Nod32 I have never used, and I agree with onetruewill