Which Anti Virus/Internet Security Suite ? - Page 2

edwardsdj (Doug) · #21 27-04-2008, 02:43 PM

Free AVG is absolutely free and I've been using it for over 5 years now. It is far better than any paid for one I've used. I've tried Norton once but it kept crashing on me so I went back to AVG.

Windows XP/Vista has built-in firewall. Combined with router NAT and firewall this is all you need.

There is no need to pay to get an anti-virus/firewall solution.

Ian Robinson · #22 27-04-2008, 05:31 PM

I use Sophos Antivirus , but only because it comes a free full service download (35Mb) for all students at my uni.

I download and reinstall every 6 months and it updates automatically.

I also run Spybot once a month , I install it for that purpose and get rid of if it afterwards (it interfers with things) and I run Ad-Aware V6 regularly (daily).

Worth defraging regularly too.

I've not had an infection on my laptop or my desktop for several years .... touch wood !!!

Maverick · #23 27-04-2008, 09:38 PM

Hi guys,
Free antivirus like AVG combined with free antispyware Spybot or SuperAntiSpyware and Windows Firewall or if you want to pay $99, Trend Micro PcCilin Internet Security for 3 PC's and 1 year protection.

Hope this helped you

gman (Grant) · #24 27-04-2008, 09:51 PM

I used to run Norton.
It is a resource eater as previously mentioned.

Switched to Trend Micro - Can run on 3 PC's with the one licence.
Purchase 2 years of licence and they also sent me a USB HDTV dongle with software - was a good deal at the time.

Also use "CCleaner" & "Defraggler" from Piriform. (they are freebies) and help with keeping the PC relativley clean

Also use "EasyCleaner" from Toniarts (also a freebie) every now and then - but beware as this will do what you ask - make sure you make a backup just in case

Nifty (Nev) · #25 01-05-2008, 10:11 PM

I use CA Security Centre (They call it Center)
Works well. It has a backup feature and web site inspector as well as the usual stuff.
Have a look at their website
Cheers
Nev

Glenhuon (Bill) · #26 01-05-2008, 10:17 PM

AVG have just released V8 freeby, includes an anti spyware scanner. looks pretty good.

Bill

iceman (Mike) · #27 16-05-2008, 02:37 PM

I just rebuilt a system at home, i'll go AVG after the many recommendations here.

I had Norton on my old PC and it was a nightmare to try and turn off. Most horrible program ever.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #28 16-05-2008, 02:47 PM

SHAME on you Mike

just to appease me - please put "Spybot" on it

geoff

iceman (Mike) · #29 16-05-2008, 02:52 PM

Yeh I use Spybot SD on my work laptop. I'll put it on at home.

What's the difference between AVG 8.0 and AVG Free?

(apart from one costing $70 for 2 years and the other being free)

MrB (Simon) · #30 16-05-2008, 03:10 PM

For more than ten years I only used antivirus programs to do checkups then un-installed them and in all that time I think I've only had two or three pretty harmless viruses. I've just always been very careful what I download and where I go, have never used IE and wouldn't touch Outlook with your 10foot bargepole. Always used a firewall tho.

Anyway, now that my father is learning to use my computer, all hell broke loose! Installed AVG a few months back and it is pretty good but Start-up is now much longer then it used to be, but once started there's no noticeable difference, except ofcourse for the friggin' annoying dial-up dialogue that pops-up every 5 mins when offline.

astropolak (Joe) · #31 16-05-2008, 05:34 PM

No one mentioned Kaspersky, IMHO the best one of the lot mentioned here. I agree with Mike - Norton is just about the ugliest piece of software, just to think they years ago were making such brilliant utilities....

Joe

Starkler (Geoff) · #32 16-05-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenhuon

AVG have just released V8 freeby, includes an anti spyware scanner. looks pretty good.

Bill

I got a popup telling me I must upgrade my AVG to continue getting updates.
I have read rumblings that certain circumstances ( i think accessing yahoo mail) cause it to use heaps of cpu. Must investigate further.

Glenhuon (Bill) · #33 16-05-2008, 08:33 PM

If you have the paid version (AVG + Firewall in my case) and get a popup saying you can upgrade for free as you are still registered. Don't.
Both myself and one other (an IT proff at that) took the option and had intermittent boot problems after it attempted to update its database.
Seems it installs but doesn't upgrade the software key.
There is a place on the Grisoft website where you can request an updated software key (don't fall for the "cross my palm with $16.40" bit. If your currently paid up there is another link for a free one)
Uninstall v7.5 and reinstall V8 with new key.

No problems since.

Bill

Glenhuon (Bill) · #34 16-05-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Yeh I use Spybot SD on my work laptop. I'll put it on at home.

What's the difference between AVG 8.0 and AVG Free?

(apart from one costing $70 for 2 years and the other being free)

Not a huge amount really. No manufacturers support for the free version apart from database upgrades. Not sure how long the auto updates last after install with the new version. With the earlier spyware program, you had to manually update after 30days, but the AV program gave auto updates all the time.
Haven't heard any reports of problems with Yahoo mail so far, actually just been told it speeds up the downloads.
You can set the CPU priority allowed to AVG when it scans, might have it set too high.

Bill

edwardsdj (Doug) · #35 21-05-2008, 02:04 PM

Hi All,

According to a splash screen that came up when downloading my Free AVG virus database update the other day:

FREE AVG UPDATES WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE FROM THE END OF MAY.

As I said before, I've used this product for about five years and it has been great. I cannot support it if it is not free though.

In the five years I've used it not a single virus has been detected on my system. Personally, I'm going to uninstall this immeditely. My apologies to anyone that may have installed this after reading my comments on this thread.

Take care,
Doug

bindibadgi · #36 21-05-2008, 03:32 PM

AVG 8 Free is out now, and I've been using it for a couple of weeks. It loses a couple of things (like rootkit) but still seems to be pretty good.

Just be careful if you have a low download limit. There's a nice little feature of AVG 8 which is on by default and it scans all links in any page (eg Google!!). It ate through 600MB in a couple of days for me before I switched it off.

edwardsdj (Doug) · #37 21-05-2008, 06:05 PM

Thanks bindibadgi,

Maybe I spoke too soon. I'll checkout out Free AVG 8.

Take care,
Doug

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #38 21-05-2008, 07:36 PM

AVG 8 has become a resource hog...like Nortons.

Avoid it. I have been using AVG 7.5 for quite awhile and it was ok but the ver 8.0 will slow your system. I had it on a few different systems from dual core Opteron's to core 2 duos and they all slow quite a bit.

I've now moved on to avast free home edition..works very smoothly and doesn't hog system resources. System speed up is quite a bit.

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Of course also use Spybot and a fire wall.

Computer Guru · #39 28-05-2008, 01:55 AM

I like Norton because it works automatically in the background downloading updates and all that stuff in the background,plus it comes with a free 90 day subscription on all acer computers.