Best Antivirus Software

[talldan]

Yeah, now that my lappies in production I'm looking around for the best anti-virus software. If anyone has any ideas please speak, but don't scream...:)

[PSRT]

Are you looking for free anti-virus, or do you not mind paying a yearly subscription fee for virus definition updates?

[talldan]

Are you looking for free anti-virus, or do you not mind paying a yearly subscription fee for virus definition updates?

Pretty much looking to buy anti-virus software and I'm willing to pay since I want to insure that I don't acquire any unwanted infestations on my Sager np5796. I know I can get AVG Free but how good is that?

[Avid Gamer]

Yeah, now that my lappies in production I'm looking around for the best anti-virus software. If anyone has any ideas please speak, but don't scream...:)

Avast and AVG are considered two of the best among the free anti-virus software programs.

Avast:
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

AVG:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Many Internet Service Providers offer free Anti-Virus software to their customers. (For example Road Runner provides CA Anti-Virus to their subscribers).
http://www.rr.com/flash/index.cfm?startView=DOWNLOAD

For other programs you might find useful on your system check out XoticPC's best freeware thread:
http://www.xoticpcforums.com/showthread.php?t=3

[Anewbus]

For my money (so to speak) its AVG. I've been using that one for years ever since Norton failed. I was sceptical at first, but AVG found a trojan horse virus in my boot sector that the expensive Norton totaly missed and I was sold!
I also like how AVG has a small footprint and updates all the time and of course, its free. Its amazing how something for free can sometimes be far better than something one pays for.
It's still an Antivirus that uses resources like anything else, so of course, you will want to turn it off during gaming.

[talldan]

Well you've got me convinced. I'm going with AVG and spending that extra $100 bucks on other accessories. I do kind of like AVG better anyways. Its not in you're face or popping up constantly as far as I know and of course its free which is a huge benefit.

Have any of you ever heard of the "Antivirus 2009" virus? It took over my old computer.

[PSRT]

Check this out (http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/)

Of the top three on that list, I would recommend NOD32, as I've had the most experience with that and have read about (as well as experienced) excellent results, especially with regards to detection range and specificity.

EDIT: Missed the previous post...AVG's a good choice (I'm using it right now), and yes, as a matter of fact, I got infected with that over the summer. Took about 2 weeks to completely get rid of it...

[Anewbus]

Well you've got me convinced. I'm going with AVG and spending that extra $100 bucks on other accessories. I do kind of like AVG better anyways. Its not in you're face or popping up constantly as far as I know and of course its free which is a huge benefit.

Have any of you ever heard of the "Antivirus 2009" virus? It took over my old computer.

Yes, I have heard of the virus. It's one of the more nasty ones out there.

[dwoodward]

I use Avast Professional... I love it and run it on all 6 of my PC's

[talldan]

Check this out (http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/)

Of the top three on that list, I would recommend NOD32, as I've had the most experience with that and have read about (as well as experienced) excellent results, especially with regards to detection range and specificity.

EDIT: Missed the previous post...AVG's a good choice (I'm using it right now), and yes, as a matter of fact, I got infected with that over the summer. Took about 2 weeks to completely get rid of it...

How did you get rid of that virus? I would like to know how to get rid of it. Someone told me to do a system restore but that didn't do anything, then maybe I should just wipe the hard-drive but i don't have an OS disk to install XP on it again so I'm thinking of taking it out and putting a few sticks of TNT in it and lighting it and see what happens. I checked out that site. I'll read the reviews when I get some free time.

[wildman]

I have been using Avast! since it cleared up a WINCIH virus that was dormant on my computer for the 7 years that I was using Norton Corporate Edition and McAfee. I recently encountered a nice Vundo virus that Avast! caught but not before it spread due to my fast finger clicking instead of scanning the downloaded file first. MalewareBytes cleared it up in one smart scan and returned my desktop background, processes, and corrupted files back to the original state within 7 minutes. I have both loaded now and havent had problems.

[dwoodward]

I caught the antivirus 2009 virus as well on one of my PC's after I disabled my avast to trouble shoot a PC problem (non-avast related in the end) and forgot the re-enable protection. I tried dozens of techniques including HijackThis to try to get rid of it but it just kept mutating and appearing again.

It was a very very nasty little sucker, HijackThis and a bunch of little tools I have laying around later, I had the virus crippled but still could not get rid of it... I ended up reformatting after a 3 day battle. What a mess.

[Zatara214]

I caught the antivirus 2009 virus as well on one of my PC's after I disabled my avast to trouble shoot a PC problem (non-avast related in the end) and forgot the re-enable protection. I tried dozens of techniques including HijackThis to try to get rid of it but it just kept mutating and appearing again.

It was a very very nasty little sucker, HijackThis and a bunch of little tools I have laying around later, I had the virus crippled but still could not get rid of it... I ended up reformatting after a 3 day battle. What a mess.

I fixed 2 computers in the same week with this virus on it using the newest version of AVG 8.0. You do, however, first have to stop it from starting up by going into MSCONFIG (or you can even do the scan in safemode, that might even be better)

Anyway, it was extremely hard to get rid of, but AVG Free 8.0 did it.

[wildman]

Dwoodward ---next time if it so happens, that you catch that virus again, Download MalwareBytes, do the update, boot in safe mode, smart scan and when you reboot your computer will be new again. The Antivirus 2009 is a version of the Vundo virus that I mentioned earlier

[dwoodward]

Thanks for the advice guys, but really reformatting is not a very big deal to me. I reformat all 6 of my PC's every 3 months.

But regardless, Avast protects against it now, I caught it before it was a big widespread thing. When I contacted Avast they knew nothing about it, and it wasn't until about 5-6 days later until the web virus alerts for it started appearing.

[talldan]

I fixed 2 computers in the same week with this virus on it using the newest version of AVG 8.0. You do, however, first have to stop it from starting up by going into MSCONFIG (or you can even do the scan in safemode, that might even be better)

Anyway, it was extremely hard to get rid of, but AVG Free 8.0 did it.

I'll have to try this. I have AVG 8.0 on this Desktop but do I type MISCONFIG in the run text box for the DOS prompts? Can you walk me through this or do step by step directions. That sounds simple but I have never really done it before.

Also how do you reformat.:confused:

[Zatara214]

I'll have to try this. I have AVG 8.0 on this Desktop but do I type MISCONFIG in the run text box for the DOS prompts? Can you walk me through this or do step by step directions. That sounds simple but I have never really done it before.

Also how do you reformat.:confused:

Reformatting is a bit dramatic if you want to get rid of a virus, its the equivalent of hunting with a rocket launcher instead of a sniper rifle. Its simpler though lol. Just insert your Vista or XP disk, follow the onscreen instructions, and it will let you install a fresh copy of Windows (but you'l lose everything you have on the computer, so back everything up first).

As for AVG, the virus shouldnt be bad enough that you cant download it, and if it is, use another computer t download it, and then use a flash drive or a CD to transfer the installer file to your computer with the virus on it. Then install AVG, update to the newest definitions (thats very important to do. Just click update on the right side and it will do it automatically), and then run a full scan. On my older laptop it took maybe an hour and a half. After that reboot and it should be gone.

As for MSCONFIG, type that into the run command, go to the 'startup' tab, and uncheck Antivirus 2009 (along with anything else you dont need, that helps in making your computer A LOT faster)

Tell me how that works out. If it doesnt do the trick, I always have backup plans :)

[lordvader]

Ok i have a Virus in my Laptop (Compaq 2050us)

but i don't have an OS disk to install XP

it doesnt allow me to go online & freezs my laptop after 5 min

How do i install AVG then on it ? :(

any help will be appreciated PLZ

[PSRT]

Ok i have a Virus in my Laptop (Compaq 2050us)

but i don't have an OS disk to install XP

it doesnt allow me to go online & freezs my laptop after 5 min

How do i install AVG then on it ? :(

any help will be appreciated PLZ

Try booting in safe mode by tapping F8 (I think) as your computer boots up. See if that lets you use the computer, then go to a friend's house or the library and download the software mentioned above.

[Zatara214]

Try booting in safe mode by tapping F8 (I think) as your computer boots up. See if that lets you use the computer, then go to a friend's house or the library and download the software mentioned above.

Correct, safemode ftw. Make sure you have the latest definitions installed before you scan (even though even if you dont, you'll probably still find a lot of crapware)

[talldan]

Ended up reformatting my old desktop with windows XP home edition and then I wasn't able to connect to the internet because I didn't have a drivers disk for the ethernet card. So I figure I'll just get rid of it or sell the computer. GIven me more problems than I need but I got my new laptop anyways! Love the NP5792

[Zatara214]

Ended up reformatting my old desktop with windows XP home edition and then I wasn't able to connect to the internet because I didn't have a drivers disk for the ethernet card. So I figure I'll just get rid of it or sell the computer. GIven me more problems than I need but I got my new laptop anyways! Love the NP5792

When all else fails, ebay ftw lol

[lordvader]

Ended up reformatting my old desktop with windows XP home edition and then I wasn't able to connect to the internet because I didn't have a drivers disk for the ethernet card. So I figure I'll just get rid of it or sell the computer. GIven me more problems than I need but I got my new laptop anyways! Love the NP5792

Hey
how heavy is the adapter of the NP5792
is it same weight to NP 9692 ? or less (hoping its less )

[talldan]

Hey
how heavy is the adapter of the NP5792
is it same weight to NP 9692 ? or less (hoping its less )

The adapter for what? Do you mean for the power brick?

[Maverick494]

hi .....


accoding to me McAfee is the antivirus software..

holy thread necro batman, this is the best one yet, 2+ years ago!

[DRY_ICE]

The best anti-malware method is castration.

[Scrototems]

Mac users are convinced that they NEVER get viruses. If all else fails, join the Steve Jobs movement.

That reminds me, I reluctantly watched a special on CNBC about Mac users. I am still recovering from how sold these people are on Mac's.

[gilbert77]

Have anyone ever heard of or read rising antivirus reviews? I’m planning to give it a try. I heard users say it’s easy to use and runs smoothly. Well, I’ve used various antivirus before but most of them, specially Kaspersky obviously slows down my PC a bit. No matter how effective it is, I’m not totally happy when all of a sudden my computer slows down due to update & kspersky running on the background. I really would like to try this thing. I want some antivirus that doesn’t consume too much of my system RAM.

[13thbaktun]

i like avg, i heard avast is good. http://download.cnet.com/windows/security-software/3150-2023_4-0.html?&filter=licenseName=%22Free%22|&filterName=licenseName=Free|

[KnirpsLyn]

Personally, I have used A LOT of anti-virus software through the years.

Norton and McAfee exert too much control over your day to day activities, taking onto themselves to seize any .exe as a threat. I've had multiple 'second-hand' and store-bought games that were considered 'viruses' because of an .exe in them, or a funny coded image.

AVG was top notch as a freeware spot checker, but as a bought, fully ran system it was almost as bad as Norton. Very bloated, sytem hog. Liked to take over what I was doing.

Avast has, by far, been the best all-around anti-virus program. It's discrete (except when it updates. :P) and light on the system while catching everything from those pesky registry tweak viruses (sexy desktop photos, anyone?) to hard hitting system crashers.

Then, if I ever need to really get down and dirty with my system, I look to things like HijackThis and other 'freewares'. Usually they're good for one specific task or virus.

[KnirpsLyn]

holy thread necro batman, this is the best one yet, 2+ years ago!

Whoops, I didn't even notice... It was on the front page so I just jumped in. Well, it's too late now!

[scar]

Are you a bot or just a foreigner? Avira has worked great on my ancient computer.

[singleshot71]

I like Norton for paid, but I use AVG FREE, cause....well...I'm cheap. But surfing porn sites ALL the time and have yet to get a virus!!

[acbatchelor]

I like Norton for paid, but I use AVG FREE, cause....well...I'm cheap. But surfing porn sites ALL the time and have yet to get a virus!!

Thanks for a look into your lifestyle. I should have guessed looking at your avatar.

Anyway, I have used Norton, McAfee, AVG, and Kaspersky. I did not like Norton or McAfee. I tried AVG free on one of my older computers before so I didn't use it a lot but it alright to me. My fav is Kaspersky. I have had it on my laptops for almost a year now and I can't remember it ever bothering me to tell me it updated signatures or something like that. I almost forgot I had it installed.

Also, my dad has an older low-end laptop that he uses often. A few months ago a tried a fairly new anti-virus called Vipre on his laptop. According to a few websites, it was the anti-virus that used the least memory and other system resources by far. They also said it protected as good or better than most competition. Since it is on his laptop I haven't had much experience with it but it seems like a good anti-virus. The part I really like is that you can install it on as many computers as you want. They don't set a limit on how many computers you can use.

[rastamandom]

I didn't know what i have in my laptop, till i try Dr.Web http://www.drweb.com i use microsoft security essentials for 2 yers with malwarebytes (one's a week) quick scan, but Dr.Web help me to clean so many comps from Internet centers (before i start to use deepfreeze-now that's something to fix all yours porn problems!!!:notworthy)