So. Sure enough, I'm quite positive that both are terrible - Better something than nothing, though.
Anyway, Comcast gives you free McAfee. Yay. But we just got a call that said they're dropping McAfee for Norton.
Is this actually a better choice or should I keep McAfee?
Thanks in advance!
McAfee vs Norton?
Moonstalker
wolf trader
AVG, nuff said there.
Norton IS a virus. I'm a computer technician and I've seen plenty of computers that Norton has purposely infected.
McAfee is about as smart as a brain dead camel, by which I mean it ignores most virus threats.
AVG comes in 2 flavors, free and purchased. For $40 you can get a 2 year subscription. The big difference is the Rootkit scanner. This allows AVG to prevent some of the nasty malware from taking hold. The free version is still good, one of the highest rating in the world. Also, AVG doesn't go haywire when running online games. The other 2 like to.
if you want the free version: www.cnet.com and look under downloads, it should be #1 or 2 on the highest ratings/downloads list.
Norton IS a virus. I'm a computer technician and I've seen plenty of computers that Norton has purposely infected.
McAfee is about as smart as a brain dead camel, by which I mean it ignores most virus threats.
AVG comes in 2 flavors, free and purchased. For $40 you can get a 2 year subscription. The big difference is the Rootkit scanner. This allows AVG to prevent some of the nasty malware from taking hold. The free version is still good, one of the highest rating in the world. Also, AVG doesn't go haywire when running online games. The other 2 like to.
if you want the free version: www.cnet.com and look under downloads, it should be #1 or 2 on the highest ratings/downloads list.
Moonstalker
I've never enjoyed AVG... It's always been a thorn in my side. I try to keep away from it, in all honesty. It must have changed in the last few years, because I recall everyone hating it for perfect reasons.
I think I'll wait for some more posts before deciding what to get.
I think I'll wait for some more posts before deciding what to get.
Cuilan
http://www.avast.com/index Avast Home Edition is free.
Something better than nothing shouldn't be your level of standards.
Something better than nothing shouldn't be your level of standards.
helloworld
Actually it is prooved that norton is better than mc affee, but it is not the best antivir you'll find, Kaspersky is a really good one and abordable but the best antivir is Avira prenium edition
rick1027
id recommend avast or avira both have free versions and work better then norton or mcaffee although both have been getting better in the last year or so. if i were to choose either norton or mcaffee id go norton had better luck with them years ago then i did mcaffee. i use avast myself and have had no problem at all in a couple of years.. a lot of people say kaspersky ive never tried it myself and im not sure if it has a free version.. if you listen to anyone listen to tarun on these forums hes what is call an expert about antivirus and maleware
Lord Sojar
Norton is a plague upon mankind, and McAffee is it's less potent but also impotent brother in law.
Deakon
I use Avast! on every computer I have. I was once having problems (was running Norton's) so I uninstalled and installed Avast! which immediately found 193 items that Norton's ignored. And it's FREE!
Elder III
What Rahjah said.......
I vote for avast - I've installed it on dozens of computers over the last 2-3 years and it's what I use myself on my personal computers. I've not had any problems with it whatsoever.
Refuse either option from your ISP and install either Avast, Avira, or AVG --- if you "must" pay for it and want something you can find at Wal-Mart Kapersky is prob. the best option, but it's not all that great either.
I vote for avast - I've installed it on dozens of computers over the last 2-3 years and it's what I use myself on my personal computers. I've not had any problems with it whatsoever.
Refuse either option from your ISP and install either Avast, Avira, or AVG --- if you "must" pay for it and want something you can find at Wal-Mart Kapersky is prob. the best option, but it's not all that great either.
MisterB
Norton and McAfee both charge a service fee to update their products in addition to their purchase price for products that are inferior to free alternatives with better detection rates. They're both crap.
Kamatsu
If you need free anti-virus, then going Avast or Avira is the way to go. Personally I'd stay clear of AVG - last time I tried that it was such a resource hog is slowed my computer down terribly. That might have changed as it's been years since I've used it - but it definitely put me off avg.
If you want to pay for a product, I'd personally recommend Eset Nod32. I've also heard and seen Kapersky recommended as another paid alternative.
If you want to pay for a product, I'd personally recommend Eset Nod32. I've also heard and seen Kapersky recommended as another paid alternative.
cosyfiep
neither.....
avg is good (they do have a free option).
avast is better (they also offer a free option) and
avira is better (no idea about free option)
pick a different choice... I have used avg for years, but since one of my computer isnt service pack 2 xp (dont ask) avast was the ONLY one to allow me to have coverage without upgrading, so they have my votes. Have also recently upgraded my hubby's family with avast and have had no problems with it.
Norton will only give you headaches, McAfee with make you want to pull your hair out.
avg is good (they do have a free option).
avast is better (they also offer a free option) and
avira is better (no idea about free option)
pick a different choice... I have used avg for years, but since one of my computer isnt service pack 2 xp (dont ask) avast was the ONLY one to allow me to have coverage without upgrading, so they have my votes. Have also recently upgraded my hubby's family with avast and have had no problems with it.
Norton will only give you headaches, McAfee with make you want to pull your hair out.
Jumping Is Uselss
NOD32 for paid anti-virus
Avast for free anti-virus
Avast for free anti-virus
NewbreedofMe
NOD32 for me.. paid or just trial.. just go make a new email ad to get a new trial key for another 30 days.. lol XD
I tried both Mcafee and Norton.. didn't like em both.. good thing they were rebate.
I tried both Mcafee and Norton.. didn't like em both.. good thing they were rebate.
Cuilan
The free version of Avira has annoying notices and pop ups telling you to buy the paid version.
Sir Baddock
Comodo Anti-Virus > McAfee & Norton.
MisterB
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Cuilan
The free version of Avira has annoying notices and pop ups telling you to buy the paid version.
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Snograt
So there you have it.
Just because Comcast are giving away Norton "free" doesn't mean you have to use it. Do what all the nice people above have suggested and install Avast! or Avira.
Just because Comcast are giving away Norton "free" doesn't mean you have to use it. Do what all the nice people above have suggested and install Avast! or Avira.
Keyez
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jumping Is Uselss
NOD32 for paid anti-virus
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KZaske
I would recomment Avira. While the free version has a few features disabled, a person such as yourself should have no problems working around them.
ightgg
My experience with Norton (corporate version) have been spectacular and i would recommend if your job requires you to have a computer useable you insist that they purchase of give you access to their norton license lease.
Painbringer
I have Norton and the new version is.....well .... nice. Not sure why all the hate. You do have to pay for it and it is a mass released product, so maybe that’s why. In Windows 7 it is not a resource hog like it use to be with XP. I have not had any issues at all. It is loaded with information on the program itself and can link you to more info from the web. It monitors cpu and memory usage, and also shows the resources Norton is using in real time. Gives hourly to monthly info on it. Scans are much less tasking as they use to be (although dual and quad cores help a lot.) It automatically updates itself... alot (like every few minutes), more than it did before but it is not tasking. I also have the corporate version at work Symantec not as user friendly less info, but it is a corporate version all that is not needed. All and all I am happy with it and it is on all 3 of my systems and it seems to keep things under control.
Morticia of Cyana
Both Norton and McAfee work/worked ok for me. 
Moonstalker
Thanks for the posts, guys. It seems Avast is what I will be going with. If it doesn't work out, well, you guys listed a bunch of other ones that seem great, too.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Tarun
avast is one of the best free avs right now. AVG is indeed a resource hog. Avira has nags when you update which can get very bloody annoying and sometimes stuck on your screen (happened often on my server PC when I tested it).
avast > Avira > AVG > McAfee > Norton
McAfee is better than Norton, but not by much. And since you can get free scanners that outperform both in terms of detection and performance on the end users PC, I'd go with avast.
avast > Avira > AVG > McAfee > Norton
McAfee is better than Norton, but not by much. And since you can get free scanners that outperform both in terms of detection and performance on the end users PC, I'd go with avast.
Moonstalker
Hate to bring up the post again, but I just have a quick question.
I downloaded Avast, and have the trial. I know everyone is saying it's "free" but almost everything online is "free".. for about 30 days. Is there an extended free version with limits, or anything?
I'd buy it, but, this computer isn't worth the money at the moment. :P
I downloaded Avast, and have the trial. I know everyone is saying it's "free" but almost everything online is "free".. for about 30 days. Is there an extended free version with limits, or anything?
I'd buy it, but, this computer isn't worth the money at the moment. :P
Shadowfox1125
I'm surprised MSE hasn't been mentioned once.
Age
Norton 09 according to TomHardWare is decent antivirus although you still need the uninstaller to remove it.
http://www.tomshardware.com/search.php?s=anti+virus+
I would still go with AVG or Microsoft Security Essentials being both free.I installed Avira on my other machine but I can't uninstall it much like Norton.I don't like the interface of Avast.
The Shop the built my PC recommend Norton or Microsoft Security Essentials.This has been voted no1 computer store in my community.
http://www.tomshardware.com/search.php?s=anti+virus+
I would still go with AVG or Microsoft Security Essentials being both free.I installed Avira on my other machine but I can't uninstall it much like Norton.I don't like the interface of Avast.
The Shop the built my PC recommend Norton or Microsoft Security Essentials.This has been voted no1 computer store in my community.
rick1027
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Moonstalker
Hate to bring up the post again, but I just have a quick question.
I downloaded Avast, and have the trial. I know everyone is saying it's "free" but almost everything online is "free".. for about 30 days. Is there an extended free version with limits, or anything? I'd buy it, but, this computer isn't worth the money at the moment. :P |
Tarun
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Moonstalker
Hate to bring up the post again, but I just have a quick question.
I downloaded Avast, and have the trial. I know everyone is saying it's "free" but almost everything online is "free".. for about 30 days. Is there an extended free version with limits, or anything? I'd buy it, but, this computer isn't worth the money at the moment. :P |
rb.widow
Quote:
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Originally Posted by KZaske
I would recomment Avira. While the free version has a few features disabled, a person such as yourself should have no problems working around them.
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t00115577
If your handy with computers and can be bothered to run your anti virus manually then use Avira or Avast.
If you want to buy something, install it and not worry about it for another 365 days, buy Kapersky.
Overall I have found Avira the best but it can get annoying at times so now I use Kapersky for the convenience.
Matter of preference really, depending on how you set them up most anti virus's are good, besides norton.
If you want to buy something, install it and not worry about it for another 365 days, buy Kapersky.
Overall I have found Avira the best but it can get annoying at times so now I use Kapersky for the convenience.
Matter of preference really, depending on how you set them up most anti virus's are good, besides norton.
Chthon
McCrappy is probably the worst AV on the market.
Norton is merely bad.
If you want a free AV, I would strongly recommend Avira. (It's not hard to remove the nag screen.)
Rather than taking my word for it, you might want to visit av-comparatives.org/ and make your own informed decision. Make sure to take a look at the most recent on-demand (scans for known viruses) and proactive (determines if file might be a new virus) comparisons.
Norton is merely bad.
If you want a free AV, I would strongly recommend Avira. (It's not hard to remove the nag screen.)
Rather than taking my word for it, you might want to visit av-comparatives.org/ and make your own informed decision. Make sure to take a look at the most recent on-demand (scans for known viruses) and proactive (determines if file might be a new virus) comparisons.
Tarun
Avira is too naggy though and AVG is too much of a resource hog. I still have issues with avira on several machines (VM and a test server) where it would lock up with update notifications and nag screens. It's not worth it.
avast is ideal for gamers, it has silent updates (easy to set option) and even a gaming/fullscreen mode where it runs completely silently.
avast is ideal for gamers, it has silent updates (easy to set option) and even a gaming/fullscreen mode where it runs completely silently.
headgear56
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Shadowfox1125
I'm surprised MSE hasn't been mentioned once.
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Ghost Dog
Quote:
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Originally Posted by rb.widow
I 2nd this, Avira is good, it removed a virus that Avast failed to detect, and nod32 didnt want to know about.
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Draikin
Avira or MSE are the only free solutions I'd consider using. I wasn't impressed by AVG and Avast, and Norton or McAfee are simply terrible.
cosyfiep
outside of the small interface with avast I have had no problems with it ....we even installed it on my father-in-laws systems. (yes the free edition---the only thing in the paid edition that I MIGHT want is the ability to schedule scans....but as of right now, not needed)....no problems to speak of on either system its on here, as I am quite capable of hitting the 'scan now' button and heading off to bed---
wilebill
AVG Anti-Virus Free, here. For years first on XP, now on Vista. No problems at all.
Ruscour
Best options
1. Linux
2. No antivirus, run a Linux virtual machine inside windows for surfing
3. Buy Kaspersky
1. Linux
2. No antivirus, run a Linux virtual machine inside windows for surfing
3. Buy Kaspersky