Best anti-virus software?

63 replies
Hi guys,

I'm looking for recommendations for anti-virus software, the one I'm using is outdated.

I tested a few and they slowed down my PC beyond belief.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Ralf
#antivirus #software
  • Profile picture of the author alan mac
    I used to use Nortons which I found very slow and not always that good.

    I have just switched to Kaspersky which is much better. I did a fair amount of research before and it seemed to come out well in reviews.

    I got it off Ebay for about £15

    Thanks Alan
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  • Profile picture of the author dsmpublishing
    The only time ive had a laptop completely free of viruses is when ive had norton on it but avg is supposed to be good
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  • Profile picture of the author optimum
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
      Hey guys,

      thanks for your suggestions, I'll check them out.

      I used a trial of ESET Smart Security and found it quite good but I for one of my PCs I lost connection to the network and ESET support was not able to help. Otherwise I would have bought it.

      Ralf
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Originally Posted by optimum View Post

      I thought most comupters dont need software cause windows explorer has a in built security
      The quickest way to disaster known to man. No security and IE. Get with it man.
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    • Profile picture of the author Clyde Dennis
      Originally Posted by optimum View Post

      I thought most comupters dont need software cause windows explorer has a in built security
      To quote a once GREAT Tennis player "You cannot be serious?"

      I've used AVG on XP system without an issue for quite a while now. Very happy with it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
    I was using avg for years and it worked pretty well with one
    exceptional problem. However it does not work well with Vista.
    I had 2 serious problems that were both finally solved by
    uninstalling avg. One was difficulty logging in to my host, and
    the other was a drastic internet slowdown.

    Harvey Segal also mentioned that he had to get rid of it to
    solve a duplicate email problem in a thread just about 10 days
    ago. Everything changes and maybe its best days are over.

    I installed Avast instead, also free, and got rid of one minor
    annoying thing, and it has worked well for about a year now.
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    • Profile picture of the author Charles E. White
      I have used AVG for over two years without a problem.

      Lloyd, I think Vista is the problem not AVG LOL

      I do know Norton is a resource hog and slows everything down.
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  • Profile picture of the author LivingCovers
    AVAST for sure sh'ld be among the top 10. It updates automatically once you get connected to the 'net. Ever since i've started using it for both computer systems, it has been performing wonderfully. Olatunde.
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  • Profile picture of the author athena08
    Norton always seems to use up a ton of resources and sloooow down a system so I stay away from this. I have been using AVG for many years and have absolutely no problem with them. I use the free version and have a system with Windows XP.
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    • Profile picture of the author Liquification
      My day job is a computer tech. If your looking for just Anti-virus go with Kaspersky. If you have Vista or want a full firewall and anti-virus go with Norton Internet Security. Stay away from norton 360, it's a resource hog.
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  • Profile picture of the author Spike SpiegelIM
    I use Avast for quite a long time now. It's lightweight and updates regularly, works wonders for me. I have the professional version and it's worth it..
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Nod32 freaking rules.....blows Norton and MacAfee right out of the water and isn't even 1/10th of the resource hog they are.

    RoD
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  • Profile picture of the author mccflo99
    I definitely would go with Norton 360.

    Best Antivirus Protection - Online Backup - Norton 360 Version 2.0

    Great all in one solution and it protects you from adware, spyware, viruses, worms, etc. Also has a built in firewall and cleans the registry, runs degrags, does automatic backups, even has an identity theft function which I don't really use.

    It takes the Norton Security Suite to the next level.

    Pretty much a security, virus & maintenance all in one powerhouse and it's always protected me.

    I don't like having to have a virus software, a popup blocker, a spyware scanner, a seperate firewall, etc so 360 works great for me and allows me to forget about maintenance for the most part.

    It also covers 3 computers which is just right for my house so the per computer costs is very low and you get all the cool features.

    Definitely two thumbs up.

    Also, on AVG...

    An update for the AVG virus scanner released yesterday contained an incorrect virus signature, which led it to think user32.dll contained the Trojan Horses PSW.Banker4.APSA or Generic9TBN. AVG then recommended deleting this file; this causes the affected systems to either stop booting or go into a continuous reboot cycle. So far, the problem only appears to affect Windows XP, but there is no guarantee that other versions of Windows don't have the same issue.

    I read several reports that people had to reinstall windows because of this, yikes!

    Good luck ya'll,
    Chris Elliott
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  • Profile picture of the author kkchoon
    Definitely ESET NOD32!

    Advantages:
    1. Fastest detection speed
    2. Less resources
    3. Doesn't interfere with application

    Disadvantage:
    Pricey!

    Highly recommended!
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  • Profile picture of the author tomm
    One more recommendation for NOD32

    I removed Mcafee and installed NOD32, what a difference! It feels like I added 2 gigs of RAM, Vista is so much faster now.
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  • Profile picture of the author warriorprocessing
    I'm a fan of AVG
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  • Profile picture of the author ejfern22
    I have been using a program called stopzilla. I think this is the best program available. If your computer gets attacked by a virus or spyware it automatically blocks it from causing any damage to your computer. It doesn't take up as much space as norton either. I would recommend this product to anybody. You can even get a 15 day trial for free.
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  • Profile picture of the author Trieu
    besides anti virus software, what other software do I need for security?
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    • Profile picture of the author The 13th Warrior
      Wow, just like when I went to CNET for users and professional critics review, no major consensus.

      Anyone used the new Viper????....last I checked, it was up at the top or top 3.

      Seems like no matter what anti-this software comes up, one person percieves a weakness in it and the other person percieves a strength.

      The problem with reviews, people seem to can't be 100% objective.

      I might LOVE peanut butter, mustard, pickles and turnip sandwiches, but I should have some empathic perception that this is not the norm and figure this is W-A-Y out to the average joe.

      True objectivity is a gold mine if you can find a good source.

      ConsumerReports graph style comparisons and surgical pluses and minuses as it relates to average users, critics and professional users seem, at least to me , to lead to pack.

      If there is a better or equal source, please don't hold back.

      If I can find a very cheap way to get there mags, I may just do that.

      The 13 th Warrior
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      • Profile picture of the author Kirk Ward
        Originally Posted by The 13 th Warrior View Post

        Wow, just like when I went to CNET for users and professional critics review, no major consensus.

        Anyone used the new Viper????....last I checked, it was up at the top or top 3.

        Seems like no matter what anti-this software comes up, one person percieves a weakness in it and the other person percieves a strength.

        The problem with reviews, people seem to can't be 100% objective.

        I might LOVE peanut butter, mustard, pickles and turnip sandwiches, but I should have some empathic perception that this is not the norm and figure this is W-A-Y out to the average joe.

        True objectivity is a gold mine if you can find a good source.

        ConsumerReports graph style comparisons and surgical pluses and minuses as it relates to average users, critics and professional users seem, at least to me , to lead to pack.

        If there is a better or equal source, please don't hold back.

        If I can find a very cheap way to get there mags, I may just do that.

        The 13 th Warrior
        Hello 13th,

        I use both of Sunbelt Software's products and think they are fantastic. Vipre and the personal firewall. On a side note, the firewall used to be Kerio, which was the same as the Windows firewall, except it is updated, whereas MS didn't update their copy for years. The firewall is a service, not an application, so it is updated in real time. Vipre contains virus protection, spyware protection and adware protection. I have mine set to download updates every four hours, and there seem to be several a day. It also takes a fraction of the system resources that others take.

        Another point that no one mentions is support. Sunbelt is the only malware company that also offers free telephone support.

        My vote goes for Vipre and the personal firewall from Sunbelt Software.

        Kirk
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    • Profile picture of the author Spike SpiegelIM
      Originally Posted by Teo View Post

      besides anti virus software, what other software do I need for security?
      You might wanna invest on a good Anti Spyware / Malware software. And get some security plugins for your net browser.
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    • Profile picture of the author dmderoeck
      I've had nothing but problems with Norton, slow and unreliable.

      I like either AVG or Avast... plus its free.
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      • Profile picture of the author ebiz96
        Originally Posted by dmderoeck View Post

        I've had nothing but problems with Norton, slow and unreliable.

        I like either AVG or Avast... plus its free.


        Totally agree..

        I have

        AVG

        Zone Alarm

        Spybot

        And Adware.


        A perfect solution..


        Ash
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  • Profile picture of the author EcoverGuru
    I used Norton before, but then i change to AVG for my computer in the last 2 years, and it is easy and simple to use..definitely one of the great anti-virus.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
      Wow, lots of replies, thanks guys.

      Amazing how diverse your experiences are.
      It doesn't really get easier. :-)

      Maybe I check ESET again, if it hadn't disconnected one of my PCs from the network when testing I would have bought it a few months ago. What I liked is that it did not slow down my PC.

      Ralf
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      • Profile picture of the author Dave OSullivan
        Ralf,

        I use NOD32 Antivirus Protection for Your PC: Antivirus for Windows XP and more it's just the antivirus package, not the Smart Security one.

        It's not at all resource hungry, I've never had an issue with it and I've been using it since early Version 2.

        Dave.

        Originally Posted by Ralf Skirr View Post

        Wow, lots of replies, thanks guys.

        Amazing how diverse your experiences are.
        It doesn't really get easier. :-)

        Maybe I check ESET again, if it hadn't disconnected one of my PCs from the network when testing I would have bought it a few months ago. What I liked is that it did not slow down my PC.

        Ralf
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt MacPherson
    Kaspersky is great but don't forget about Nod32.

    In general, stay away from popular Anti-Virus programs like Norton and MCafee. The people who create viruses always test against the big names with the most market share.

    It's kind of like why Macs are "more secure". The market share for a Mac is much lower than that of a PC and thus virus coders don't bother. In short.

    Regards,
    Matt
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomasShay
    I work on computers every day and I have a few recommendations.

    With these five programs you have a great arsenal to protect your computer, which all Internet Marketers need to run their business.

    Anti-Virus: AVG Anti-Virus
    Spyware: Spybot Search & Destroy
    Adware: Ad-Aware
    Registry Cleaner: CCleaner
    Malware Remover: Malwarebytes

    Using these five programs are great for keeping your computer running fast and virus free. I use these four programs at work and home and have no problem with them and the best thing is they are all FREE to download and Use.

    You can safely download these through CNET, just do a google search and you will get their download site.
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  • Profile picture of the author hyp959
    Nod32 is best I think!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
    Hmmmmm... Best anti-virus software??? Switch your operating system to Linux.

    Works like a charm.

    Re's
    Rob Whisonant
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    • Profile picture of the author David_Thompson
      Avast is a good virus program been using for a couple years now
      and love it...

      --David
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    • Profile picture of the author JazzOscar
      Difficult to say what's best. Can only tell you what I use myself. It's Panda Internet Security.

      I think it slows my PC down somewhat during startup, but feel that it run's ok after that. What I think is important is; I almost can't remember the last time I had a virus or malware problem.

      In my offline life I've been into IT support for about 25 years know, mostly for businesses. I also sell Panda solutions to my customers, but, don't misunderstand me, I'm not a big reseller and would have no problem switching both me and my customers away from Panda immediately if I didn't feel the solution performed the job it is supposed to.

      When some home user places a PC clogged up with all kinds of viruses and malware on my desk, asking if I could fix it, the tools I use for the job are as follows;

      * CCleaner
      * Ad-Aware
      * Spybot Search & Destroy
      * CWShredder
      * HijackThis
      * Pandas internet based scanner

      HijackThis can be a dangerous animal if you're not relatively professional. You have to take decisions about removing or not startup programs that it might be difficult to find out whether is legitimate and essential for your system or just dangerous crap.

      If the home user don't have some kind of antivirus software, and don't want to buy one, I usually install the free version of AVG.

      When it comes to Norton and McAfee solutions, I don't sell them. Maybe I'm just an old stubborn guy with experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author sarthakbehl
    Hi

    I use northorn antivirus and it works well...
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  • Profile picture of the author onlineleben
    Try out NOD 32.
    System load of this is very low - updates daily (sometimes twice daily).
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    • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
      Thank you all for your suggestions.

      I bought licenses for ESET NOD32.


      I will also check out the other suggestions you made:

      CWShredder
      HijackThis
      Pandas internet based scanner
      Spyware: Spybot Search & Destroy
      Adware: Ad-Aware
      Registry Cleaner: CCleaner
      Malware Remover: Malwarebytes

      I never cared much about anything than anti-virus, but it might be worth a look.

      Thanks again,
      Ralf
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  • Profile picture of the author fthomas137
    Best Anti-virus?

    Careful browsing. Don't work with an account that has administrator rights on your computer and finally use AVAST home version.

    It's free, doesn't bog your PC down and it actually works pretty good.

    Careful Ralf, too much crap to stop the crap and you put yourself in the crap.
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  • Profile picture of the author esr
    I've been using the free version of AVG for years. Never, ever had a problem and it automatically updates every day.

    AVG Free - Download antivirus and antispyware software for Windows XP and Vista
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  • Profile picture of the author ebiz96
    Hi Ralf

    This is what i have on my PC.

    AVG free version

    Zone Alarm Firewall

    Spybot ...Kills Spyware & lot of other malicious threats.

    Ccleaner.

    Adware.


    This works fine for me.


    Ash
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    Norton and Mcafee are system resource hogs and a over zealous in many areas causing occasional false positives and effecting how the internet is viewed and behaves (internet security versions).

    Traditionally Norton has behaved more like a virus notification system rather than an "anti virus.'

    Trend Micro used to be great and among the top rated but in recent years it too has become a burdensome system resource hog.

    AVG is great for free.

    However, I am now using Nod32 which is an excellent solution that does what its supposed to do without being a pain in the resource.

    I also have Bit Defender for my secondary computers which for a couple years has ranked in the number 1 and 2 spots for reviews.

    Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 is the top rated solution by cnet if you want obsessive total security control but it is also a system resource hog.

    Check out the cnet reviews:

    http://reviews.cnet.com/1990-6600_7-6768133-1.html
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    • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
      Originally Posted by Josh Anderson View Post

      Trend Micro used to be great and among the top rated but in recent years it too has become a burdensome system resource hog.
      Josh, that's what I was using until they stopped supporting my 'old' TrendPCillin licenses. Then I tried their current software and came to the same conclusion.

      Ralf
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    kaspersky
    NOD32

    Kaspersky has better "overall" detection of malware, NOD32 not bad (little less detection rate than Kaspersky) but it is more "light weight" than KAV.
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    • Profile picture of the author tiger325
      I switched recently to AVG and my computer has been running much faster
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  • Profile picture of the author PeterLepacus
    Have used them all. NOD32 is by far the best.

    Someone sent me a 25% off link a while back, I will see if I can find it and post it.
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  • Originally Posted by Ralf Skirr View Post

    Hi guys,
    I'm looking for recommendations for anti-virus software, the one I'm using is outdated.
    I tested a few and they slowed down my PC beyond belief.
    Any suggestions?
    Thanks,
    Ralf
    Do you use the WINDOWS7/8/8.1/ 10? if yes, there is a built in program. It will notify you when it found any malicious program. When you will use any other antivirus software, it will protect your whole system. So you r PC must work in a slow mood. Of course you have obey this small problem. Thanks for your advance.
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  • Profile picture of the author ramblinman
    There are loads of good free ones out there, avoid the paid for ones especially mcafee, had an appalling time with it on a free trial, luckily, so I could rid it from my system, which took some doing too! Anyway, although I may be shot down by some, for PC's I would stick with Windows Defender, does the job just as well, and recommended by my IT mate who runs the IT for several schools in his district and has found it to be the best all rounder.
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    • Profile picture of the author davismiller097
      Malwarebytes is the most powerful followed by AVG. AVG always alerts me everytime....I like Malwarebytes because it can remove even the slightest needle on haystack from your computer..these are my choice though
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    • Profile picture of the author gingerninjas
      Norton has been awesome and the product I use also can be downloaded on my Iphone and other devices as well. It's a great product and reasonable from memory and (touch wood) I have had no security issues.
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  • Profile picture of the author conradomahy524
    I use AVG free. It works great and is the least invasive, which is the most important thing to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author NattoSolution
    One more recommendation for NOD32.

    It'esay to use. My computer is not running slow.
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  • Profile picture of the author StavrosSc
    I use whatever comes with my computer when I buy it new. In this case, McAfee. Works pretty darn good I'd say.
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  • Profile picture of the author 3wCorner
    I use AVG together with HiJackThis, Cleanmaster and popup blocker. I usually keep my anti virus program up to date and regularly clean history, cache and cookies,
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  • Profile picture of the author nicheblogger75
    The only one that has never failed me has been Norton. I've used MalwareBytes, McAfee, Kasperksy, and AVG, and they have always let things slip through. I've been using Norton since 2010 and NEVER had one issue or even the slightest thing slip through. If I had any complaint, it would be that it is too careful, sometimes quarantining programs that I buy and want installed on my computer. Better to be safe than sorry I guess.

    I have the paid version of MalwareBytes as well, but for some reason I cannot run it together it with Norton. My machine makes me pick one or the other.
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  • Profile picture of the author JasmineIPassmore
    Beware of the so called "free" anti-virus software around as it is definitely not free. There is always a cost and in this case, by installing their free software, you give them permission to pretty much pitch you their "Pro" version whenever they like.

    AVG free does this. If you install their free version, be prepared to receive regular popups urging you to upgrade.
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  • Profile picture of the author sanatd1
    eset is the best i use it
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  • Profile picture of the author AlexGill
    I've used AVG for years, and would recommend it to anyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author TechMate001
    Comodo Free antivirus is the one which seems to work well. It has advanced tech features to protect your system from both known and unknown malware files.
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  • Profile picture of the author williamsmith3210
    I am using McAfee antivirus. It is very easy to use. I suggest you use McAfee antivirus fro your PC protection.

    Read more - http://antivirus-support-number.com/...-installation/
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  • Profile picture of the author ElColmadon
    Avira is better one .You can try free version of avira to check it out.
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