Whats the Best Antivirus/ Security Suite??

[naxself]

Quick question: I've been using AVG Free for a good while now but it seems like version 8 is massively bloated. That is, it's putting a 100% load on my CPU (yeah, I have a single core CPU, but still). Specifically, the Resident Shield Process, which basically is the anti-virus, is doing that. (Side-note: it didn't do that in XP Pro. Go figure.)

Since I'm using Vista 64, is there a free anti-virus program that is lightweight and does the job?

Thanks!

 

[dinesh]

Quick question: I've been using AVG Free for a good while now but it seems like version 8 is massively bloated. That is, it's putting a 100% load on my CPU (yeah, I have a single core CPU, but still). Specifically, the Resident Shield Process, which basically is the anti-virus, is doing that. (Side-note: it didn't do that in XP Pro. Go figure.)

Since I'm using Vista 64, is there a free anti-virus program that is lightweight and does the job?

Thanks!

Avast.

 

[naxself]

Thanks, dinesh. I'll give it a try.

 

[dinesh]

Thanks, dinesh. I'll give it a try.

You are Welcome.

 

[dinesh]

I switched to Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7 RC build 7100. Very light weight and powerful. But due to lack of features and options, as an advanced user, i will switch to Kaspersky soon.

 

[bankerrahul]

Try avast 4.8 edition....if you like it and need the key then ask me...i will provide you the key....but believe me...it is the best

 

[oreo27]

Quick question: I've been using AVG Free for a good while now but it seems like version 8 is massively bloated. That is, it's putting a 100% load on my CPU (yeah, I have a single core CPU, but still). Specifically, the Resident Shield Process, which basically is the anti-virus, is doing that. (Side-note: it didn't do that in XP Pro. Go figure.)

Since I'm using Vista 64, is there a free anti-virus program that is lightweight and does the job?

Thanks!

Hi there!
I've tried various antivirus programs and even some security suites and I have to say, the best would really depend on personal taste. If you're going for a lightweight antivirus, I'd suggest Avira AntiVir Personal edition. It's free and I found it to be better than the AVG Internet Security I had from my dad. I've also tinkered with Avast in my Vitual Machine (Win XP SP3) and I also found it a little bit lightweight but I'd still go for Avira. Hope this helps.

 

[ShaneK]

I've always been an avid supporter of Norton.

 

[shortmantuff]

SO I tried the free 30 day trial of NOD32. I really liked it. It was fast on boot up and did scan very quickly. I ran several scans and NOD32 didn't find anything (which made me happy, NO VIRUSES!) Once the 30 day trial was up, I switched to Avast 4.8 because it's free! After running a scan, Avast found 2 zlobs (no idea what that is, but it found it), 1 trojan, and 1 rootkit. And once I opened Firefox (to write in this forum) it found another trojan. I don't know about you, but I'm sticking to Avast for life! It's free, and it's been the best for me.

 

[Mike Hall MVP]

Did you check out the files which were found to be infections? Sometimes, reported infections turn out to be false positives. Never assume that all things found are necessarily bad..

 

[rockin42nite]

Not running any anti-virus seems a little silly to me, but each his own i guess. Personally I use Cyberdefender. It scans for trojans, malwear and spyware. It's caught a few bad things from getting on my system. It's good to know I'm surfing safely. Good luck to you in your surfing.

 

[midfingr]

Hi all.
I'm new to the site, but have visited many times and find it very informative.

This thread caught my attention, since I've been asking myself the validity of running an Anti-Virus 24/7 i.e resident. As for using one, yes, but not with all the 'bells and whistles', so to speak.

In my opinion a layered approach seems to work best, where you have everything separate for specific tasks. For example:
a-squared free
Spyware Blaster
AVG Free (or other variants)
Windows Defender (left in it's default mode)
Ad-Aware
Blacklight Root-Kit scan and removal

I try to keep each one of these from running at start up, with the exception of Windows Defender. Add to that, Firefox /w Ad-Block plus and NoScript, clearing history, cache, cookies, etc., upon exit.

I used this routine in Windows XP and it's been literally years since I've seen anything remotely close to a virus or other on my system. I think, too, some commonsense while browsing, checking email plays into this as well. And I find the Windows firewall in Vista to be adequate and the advanced options make it very capable.

As of late, I've been creating batch files and handing them over to Windows task scheduler, to run scans at specific times. So, with the protection layers in Vista x64 and minimal resource tasking applications, I've found this to be a happy medium when balancing system responsiveness and security.

 

[dinesh]

I use eset smart security 4.

 

[milad99]

Hi all.
I use Avast!Pro + UAC on for many years. no hard virus here till today.
Also i think viruses infections depends to you that how to see & find the viruses...

 

[truthkid]

Hi all.
I'm new to the site, but have visited many times and find it very informative.

This thread caught my attention, since I've been asking myself the validity of running an Anti-Virus 24/7 i.e resident. As for using one, yes, but not with all the 'bells and whistles', so to speak.

In my opinion a layered approach seems to work best, where you have everything separate for specific tasks. For example:
a-squared free
Spyware Blaster
AVG Free (or other variants)
Windows Defender (left in it's default mode)
Ad-Aware
Blacklight Root-Kit scan and removal

I try to keep each one of these from running at start up, with the exception of Windows Defender. Add to that, Firefox /w Ad-Block plus and NoScript, clearing history, cache, cookies, etc., upon exit.

I used this routine in Windows XP and it's been literally years since I've seen anything remotely close to a virus or other on my system. I think, too, some commonsense while browsing, checking email plays into this as well. And I find the Windows firewall in Vista to be adequate and the advanced options make it very capable.

As of late, I've been creating batch files and handing them over to Windows task scheduler, to run scans at specific times. So, with the protection layers in Vista x64 and minimal resource tasking applications, I've found this to be a happy medium when balancing system responsiveness and security.

A tiered approach is good, and especially good if you take the reigns and intelligently impliment it. Letting all the programs have free reign can turn into a huge headache. Myself, I use a hardware firewall, windows defender, clamwin at startup, and I do most of my downloading from trusted sites within a virtual machine with no sharing to the host enabled. I generally avoid using the actual OS (Vista) unless I'm playing a game and I'll shut vmware down, but if I'm just doing casual browsing/work, any sacrafice in resources for running a couple of virtual machines is non-existant.

 

[midfingr]

Thanks for the reply, truthkid

Yes, I failed to mention I use a hardware firewall. And, a virtual machine is a good extra step for keeping your main OS safe. Although, I can't afford VMWare, however, with a little tinkering, I find VMWare Player to be adequate.

One other thing, that's kind of related is I use True Crypt, notably keeping the VM within a container.

Clam Win is something I've never investigated. Thanks for the mention and will try that one out.

 

[truthkid]

Thanks for the reply, truthkid

Yes, I failed to mention I use a hardware firewall. And, a virtual machine is a good extra step for keeping your main OS safe. Although, I can't afford VMWare, however, with a little tinkering, I find VMWare Player to be adequate.

One other thing, that's kind of related is I use True Crypt, notably keeping the VM within a container.

Clam Win is something I've never investigated. Thanks for the mention and will try that one out.

Nice to see another true crypt user, I discovered it last time I was in Iraq when it's product description went over a scenario when someone was at gunpoint and it had plausible deniability partitions built in. I was hooked!

 

[cee]

I recommed Bitdefender for overall perfomance.

 

[doctordraw]

NOD32 by EST.......It's great!! And doesn't slow the machine.

 

[dinesh]

I recommed Bitdefender for overall perfomance.

Bad product. Wildest miss and too many false positives in recent AV comparatives test.