Anti-virus software

I've been without a proper anti-virus solution for quite some time now. (I blame Apple and my PowerBook for stealing my time away from PCs these past few years.) Paranoia that comes with using a PC is starting to catch up to me again...recently installed Windows Defender, too, for the first time ever when I noticed a new toolbar in IE. (Turns out it was just Canon's stupid Easy-WebPrint toolbar, sibling had setup a new printer for me while I was napping.)

I'm thinking about picking up a copy of NOD32 from their online store since I've heard rave reviews about it - small, lightweight, fast, accurate, blah blah blah.

So I can assume you're wondering the question, "if you're so dead set on that particular program, why don't you just get it?" Well, I'm looking for input on what other people use for their scanning needs and how well they like what they have. If I can get away with not paying $40/year for a licence renewal, why not? Information on performance, detection rate, frequency of definition updates and other things about the scanner that you use would be greatly appreciated. (No Symantec products, please.)

Avast????

NOD32 is most definitely the way to go. I've been using it last summer and it's the best AV I've ever had and I try a lot of software as I work in the IT field. It's a fast scanner, light on resources, highly configurable even during installation, and most importantly does very well in detection rates. There is even a 64 bit version. Pretty much everyone on the major computer forums recommends it first and there is a reason why.

Well, many people still use Norton AntiVirus, now I know what you're gonna say, I hate the standard user versions, they are pure crap.

I never had any trouble with a stand-alone install of Norton AntiVirus Enterprise 10 though, it picks up everything and after a little configuration interferes with none of my programs.

AVG or Kaspersky.

Since you're a power user, go pick up System Mechanic 6 (the best version of it they have on the shelf, forget what they call it) and you'll have every tool you'll ever need. kaspersky and firewall are built in.

BTW, WTF are you doing using IE?

My personal fav is

CA AntiVirus

Its Cheap, and its very efficient... Very very small memory footprint, Unlike Norton, this program can run in the background and not eat up a ton of resources. And it also runs on just about anything, servers workstations, Terminals, all for the same price. Norton and other Anti-virus packages make you spend a fortune for server versions of their software. Computer Associates does not...

CA Antivirus has a free 30 day demo Here
And a Free online scanner here.

Hope that helps. I like the other recomended packages as well, But this one just was so easy to use, NOD32 and this are very similar in style But I like NOD32 more for Linux, I thought CA came out on top between the two for windows. I just thought it worth mentioning for ya...

TOP REVIEWS IN TESTING AND I DITCHED MY PAID ETRUST TO DO IT

AVG free

FREE FOR HOME PERSONAL USE AND UPDATED FASTER THAN MOST

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

AVG is excellent for free.

Kaspersky is excellent too for a commercial package.

Nod32 and Kaspersky come out on top for the best of the best in AV, if you want the best you have to pay for it.

My free option would be AVAST, cracking bit of software and its free, couple it with kerio or sygate firewall(both free) and you'll be right.

last pc magazine shootout put AVG ahead of Avast

same shootout ZONEALARM free firewall kicked Keiro butt

Try AVG freed edition it works so good with computers

AVG is definately the way to go in my opinion. I use AVG and I've never had a problem.

same here man i tried most of the anti virus and i stayed with AVG free it does not lagg our computer and it best choice you have plus its FREEEE

Windows Update. Other sites that don't render properly in Firefox because of poor coding. What, you think I use IE on a regular basis? D: If it were up to me, I'd just do all my browsing on my PowerBook through Camino and GW on the PC. But I'm lazy and don't feel like always having to dig it out/plug in cables and DVI-VGA adaptor/kick around the KVM switch/wake from sleep mode especially when my PC is already on.

I'll take a look at System Mechanic 6, but I don't know what use I'd have for it. I don't do software firewalls, ever. Looking into KAV as a "pay" alternative to NOD32 (which I'm liking more by the minute from their trial version). I'll also look into AVG while I'm at it, I suppose, since quite a few people seem to like it. No harm in trying.

There's no way I would touch eTrust EZ Antivirus. A relative of mine that worked for CA up until last year got me a copy - no. Just...no.

maybe you had a virus already that busted your AVG free installation, I other issues what i did is when i recently placed the new windows installed as the AVG and i have been runing long time with no issues.

AVG has a nasty habit of dumping it's quarantine when you uninstall too but honestly there isn't much of a reason to uninstall it unless something goes horribly wrong. I mean the program is free and updates are free so it's not like you'll need to uninstall it because your license expired.

That is my point its Free and it provides good protection to your Pc

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I second that. Avast is a relentless bastage at finding viruses. Plus it has dedicated scanners for virtually everything you do. Not to mention that its light weight and barely uses much resources.

Search the forum. I made a shiny post about Antivirus, spyware, and adware.