Whats the Best Antivirus/ Security Suite??

[bobblehead1706]

I use Norton....i think it's version 9.0? I even have version 7.6 running as well. I get it free from work and don't have to worry about updates.

 

[rive0108]

Eset's NOD32 is not a free program, but is inexpensive ($27 annual renewal), and protects against viruses and spy/malware. It has a very small footprint, and It has won more awards, and has a better detection/removal rate that any of the above listed programs including Symantec's Norton, and Mcafee. Microsoft is a client of theirs and use it to protect their own servers.


"VB100 AWARD


The VB100 award was first introduced in 1998. In order to display the VB100 logo, an anti-virus product must have demonstrated in our tests that:

• It detects all In the Wild viruses during both on-demand and on-access scanning.
• It generates no false positives when scanning a set of clean files.

The product must fulfil these critera in its default state."

Test results
Kaspersky: 42 Success / 16 Failure / 0 No Entry
Norton: 44 Success / 6 Failure / 8 No Entry
Mcafee: 35 Success / 20 Failure / 3 No Entry
Avast: 25 Success / 22 Failure / 11 No Entry (failed sp1 Vista)
AVG: 22 Success / 22 Failure / 14 No Entry
Bullguard: 3 Success / 1 Failure / 54 No Entry (failed sp1 Vista)

Eset NOD32: 50 Success / 3 Failure / 5 No Entry
https://www.virusbtn.com/Session-fc676352874782cebf17fc269f75f3a3/vb100/archive/results?vendor=VE14

Vendor Test History
https://www.virusbtn.com/Session-fc6...isplay=vendors

 

[comphulk]

I have a combination of AVG Free and ZoneAlarm Free, as well as Spybot Search and Destroy and occasionally Adaware. Honestly, both AVG and ZoneAlarm Free are really good products, and I haven't got one virus since I've had them. It helps just to use an ounce of common sense and not go clicking on suspicious files. All of them are really fast programs, and they don't slow my computer down considerably.

 

[comphulk]

I use a combination of AVG Free and ZoneAlarm free, coupled with Spybot Search and Destroy and occasionally Adaware. All of them are really good programs and they are free.

 

[petrossa]

I did some testing using Virtual Machines on files that where said to be infected using AVG and Norton. Both tested several files positive for General Trojan's or Backdoors. Because i could not find any info on the type of infection ( the online database just gave no information on the said infections) i began to test their infection potential. I setup several vm's running xp pro 32 and ran the infected files. I couldn't because the host resident protection blocked them. So i added those files to the exception list. Ran the 'infected' files from a shared folder on a phsysical disk. The programs ran normally, did their job as expected. I then installed Avast in the VM's and ran a deep scan after each run of an 'infected' file. Results where negative. No infections found. I've let all vm's run for a couple of days (with only standard windows firewall, connected to the net), rebooted them and tested again. No infections found. I installed norton in the vm's let it run a scan, no infections found.

What did these files have in common? They were keygens.

So what is the best Suite depends on your needs. For me my own judgement coupled with whichever antivirus suite seems best of all as of all suites i tried not one of them did not make errors or somewhat commercially suspect indications.

Commercial AV suites are like the police, useful at times if you get attacked, useless if you want to smoke a joint

 

[John Hoffman]

There are probably many ways to secure Vista. I am using Vista Ultimate 64-bit. I use AVG for anti-virus, Computer Associates for anti-spam and anti-spyware, and Microsoft for the firewall. The reason? They are all free or pre-paid for me. I am already paying for the CA products because they are included in the price of Roadrunner. CA does not offer a 64-bit AV product, so I went for AVG. The firewall is included with Vista.

There are several Internet sites at which anyone may test their security. The classic one is "Shields Up!" from Gibson Research Corporation. There are others, look around.

Ultimately, each of us is responsible for our own security.

 

[adeang]

So far which is the best?

 

[rive0108]

So far which is the best?

x64 NOD32
Antivirus Software - Eliminate viruses with ESET NOD32 Antivirus and ESET Smart Security

 

[adeang]

alright thanks.

 

[foudini]

Am I correct in assuming that if I want to use a different firewall I first disable the Vista Firewall?

 

[davehc]

Am I correct in assuming that if I want to use a different firewall I first disable the Vista Firewall?

Basically - Yes. It does not serve a great deal of purpose to run 2 Firewalls, and may possibly slow your internet work down. Keep in mind, that if you are going through a router, most have a built in, and configurable, Firewall.

 

[johngalt]

Not *necessarily* first - most modern firewalls will have the setting to allow you to disable WF during install. However, if it does not, just make sure it is disabled before your initial reboot after installation.

Conversely, you could completely disconnect yourself from the Internet (and I don't mean just close IE / Fx / Opera - I mean disable your NIC / Wireless NIC so that there is no network ability in your computer) and then disable WF and then install the new FW and then reboot and finally re-enable your network connectivity device.

 

[Weatherwax]

I have to put another vote in for AVG free. It seems to catch stuff that other Anti-Virus programs don't.

For Instance, my sister and I were each on our laptops looking for some nice HD wallpapers, surfing different sites. I have AVG and she has McAfee. She went to this one site that had some really nice ones and sent me the link. When I went to the page AVG starting going off! It caught 2 trojans before I got to close the page and my sister's McAfee didn't notice anything. I had her install the AVG on her computer afterwards and run a virus scan and guess what....Caught the trojans!

Long story, but point is I vote AVG.

 

[Virtualk28]

Weatherwax...

I agree. I'm using AVG's security suite, and digging it. Its costs a bit of money up front, but it keeps itself updated...actually scans rootkits when its doing a viruscan, and does a great job of keeping spyware, and other random BS off my computer. I turn it off every now and again because I want more performance, but all in all...its doing 100% better then anything the Mcafee, or Symantic could do....especially without all the bloatware. Also, when you want to uninstall it....you can...unlike the other mention suites.

 

[PainlessTorture]

Can i just say AVG is the choice of people who are not in the know. AVG is a nooby choice. I recommend avira or avast.

No offence to anyone who loves AVG, Apperanly I am hated on the forums for saying AVG is what n00bs use.

 

[Asky]

If you want a Free AV then AVG is pretty good but if you dont mind paying then NOD/KAV is the way to go IMO.

 

[Weatherwax]

Can i just say AVG is the choice of people who are not in the know. AVG is a nooby choice. I recommend avira or avast.

Nice...very classy too I might add. This is why I don't really bother with forums because it never fails that in every forum some child has to start name calling. Simply incapable of having a civil conversation. Of course, how could I forget that anyone that has a different opinion than yours must be less intelligent or knowledgeable than you....how silly of me!

For your information, although you probably already know this, you knowing everything and all...It ISN'T a noobie choice.

Not only have I been in IT for quite a few years (not gonna show my age), but it is also recommended as a very good free anti-virus by many IT professionals and experienced users. Look around a bit too, you'll see that. ex: Hive Five: Five Best Antivirus Applications

 

[joel406]

I dont go by to many comparison sites when it comes to security software. I test it myself across 20 different platforms.

AVG 7.5 left much to be desired. And v8 should be avoided alltogether.

And yes AVG is the most frequent choice of nOObs because they hear early on through advertisments and other sources that AVG is free and offers all the protection you need.

What a crock.

"If" you are an IT(like me) you would know that the only free AV you can even consider trusting is Avast. And even then it needs a lot of backup.

But AVG should be considered a toy not an AV.

If you want to be absolutely sure our protected from infection the onyl real way is to run NOD32.

And even though it the best, you sould still back it up with a good firewall and spyware protection.

And dont belive every web site you see the claims to be telling you that they compared all the AV programs in the world and this or that is the best.

THey get paid by the AV companies and whoever "paid" the most usually wins.

 

[PainlessTorture]

Can i just say AVG is the choice of people who are not in the know. AVG is a nooby choice. I recommend avira or avast.

Nice...very classy too I might add. This is why I don't really bother with forums because it never fails that in every forum some child has to start name calling. Simply incapable of having a civil conversation. Of course, how could I forget that anyone that has a different opinion than yours must be less intelligent or knowledgeable than you....how silly of me!

For your information, although you probably already know this, you knowing everything and all...It ISN'T a noobie choice.

Not only have I been in IT for quite a few years (not gonna show my age), but it is also recommended as a very good free anti-virus by many IT professionals and experienced users. Look around a bit too, you'll see that. ex: Hive Five: Five Best Antivirus Applications

Well, I trusted my computer to AVG once. Then i installed avira and within the 5 Seconds of it starting it detected about 3 Trojans. So If you are in IT you must be one of them people who work in PC world. They know nothing, you ask for external hard drive and they go get an IT 'expert'

Also, I was not name calling. I was merly saying that people who are not all with computers tend to think AVG is good when infect it propebly only detects virus' called Trojan.exe and Virus.exe.

 

[PainlessTorture]

I dont go by to many comparison sites when it comes to security software. I test it myself across 20 different platforms.

AVG 7.5 left much to be desired. And v8 should be avoided alltogether.

And yes AVG is the most frequent choice of nOObs because they hear early on through advertisments and other sources that AVG is free and offers all the protection you need.

What a crock.

"If" you are an IT(like me) you would know that the only free AV you can even consider trusting is Avast. And even then it needs a lot of backup.

But AVG should be considered a toy not an AV.

If you want to be absolutely sure our protected from infection the onyl real way is to run NOD32.

And even though it the best, you sould still back it up with a good firewall and spyware protection.

And dont belive every web site you see the claims to be telling you that they compared all the AV programs in the world and this or that is the best.

THey get paid by the AV companies and whoever "paid" the most usually wins.

Agreed