Poll: Do you use Antivirus Software

Hi All,

Just a small poll to see how many people here actively use virus protection software, and whether or not they pay for a subscription service or use a free solution!

Feel free to post comments on the reasons behind your choice.

Thanks,

Daniel

 

I'm using Norton, but only because I had long standing subscription that doesn't end until later this year. I kind of like NIS2007 though...it grows on you and so far my PC hasn't slowed down.

 

"Yes, I'm crazy and use Norton!"- this is indeed a crazy option.LOL

i used paid version of antivir.

 

I don't use AV software. If i were to get infected, i would just wipe it clean anyways. Call it luck, or smartness, but i haven't had a virus yet.

 

if i can remember it correctly, IKOVAC also doesn't use antivir... for me i just cannot imagine myself surfing the web without antivir...

 

I use the free version of AVG - appears to work great since I've been infection free since I put the computer together.

 

I don't see how you can surf the web without an antivirus. With everybody trying to steal your identity and things like that, I prefer not to take chances. Especially since there's some viruses that install themselves and just do "nothing". They should send bits and pieces of data once in a while and you really don't notice it. So you could be infected and loosing your private data and not know about it!

I had my identity stolen a few years ago (not from computer use) and it was a nightmare. I prefer to be safe than sorry, but that's just me.

 

I don't use any anti virus software.

 

(98SE) I used TrendMicro as packaged with Fix-It Utilities 5. Then it went obsolete.

I have Fix-It suite7 now, with Trendmicro. I was a couple of years without any av, this is a single user desktop. But run Adaware and Spybot.

I don't have anything on my XP machines yet. I may go free.

In any event anything I run av-wise is always background, scan on demand.

 

I use AVG free for my laptop. But seriously i never experienced a virus before...want to try it.

 

I have had to clean up infections on other computer a few times over the past 15 years and it tends to be time consuming. So I try to keep my computer protected and up to date. On several occasions I have used a flash drive to exchange files with another person and when I put back into my computer the anti-virus software pops up a warning. Often that is the first time the computer user becomes aware of their infection but some are are already aware and can't be bothered to fix the problem.

If my memory is correct, anti-virus software didn't protect against the worm infections which were propagating a couple of years ago so it is equally essential to be aware of other threats and try to keep all the potential holes patched.

Have a read of this.

John

 

I use Avira Personal Premium on my Desktop and Avira Personal Free on the notebook. It's good and fast. However I could go without the ad that pops up on each update on the free Avira though.

However I totally recommend Avira Premium, it's a top performer for only around $20-25 (?).

 

I use AVG, and I disable all that resident scanning crap. I don't want it slowing down my computer unless I tell it to. So I periodically scan the full machine, every month or so, and I manually scan any file I download. Or I just download it and run it under wine, and don't worry about it

 

I do this but with AVAST. I disable the tray Icon and just open it when I need it.

 

I use freeware AV at school and call me crazy, Nortan at home.

 

I use AVG Pro + Firewall.

In all honesty I've never experienced a virus as I am sensible in my browsing habits. Did get a few worms and whatnot on the family desktop at home, but that's other family members fault for using torrents and all that and being stupid about it

 

No anitvirus for me in Ubuntu, which is my primary OS. I use ClamAV in Windows XP, but that gets booted up once a week tops, and I'm considering just dumping it altogether.

 

AVG previously, McAfee currently.

 

Maybe i'm just brave, but i haven't had a problem (serious anyways) in what, 7-8 years now. I recommend AV software to anyone i've built a computer for, and to people who aren't computer "literate" so to speak. As for me, i'm comfortable browsing without it. Router/Windows FW hasn't let me down yet

 

Don't really use AV here, just too many headaches and not really worth it. The latest free version of Avast is pretty good though.

 

Well, I'm using Norton Internet Security 2006 right now...its kept me safe (and slow ). No, it was not my decision to go with Norton. If I could choose I'd go Kaspersky .

 

I used to care and have firewalls, antivirus, spyware scanners, etc...running but now I just let my system loose. I find using a router and Firefox is just as good as my previous virus protection.

 

I use AVG free on all my computers. And i reformat my computer every half a year or so, just in case.

 

I used to use Norton in my Desktop.. me-norton , norton-me.. one happy small family.. and one day i just happened to use AVG..

I found some 18+ malicious codes in my system!!

That was the day when we broke up.. Now more or like a James Bond.. doesnt trust any single AV.. Primary AV in my notebook is AVG.. now and then scans the system using something else also..

 

Yes two active shields, AVG and terminator. Also Netveda firewall.

 

I'm too smart to get infected with a virus.

 

I use Norton Internet Security 2007 for Vista. Surprisingly it definitely not a resource hog at all. I think they have re-written the code.

 

THey made a lot of improvement with norton 2007.... but i still go with kaspersky...

 

lol.....i'm the ONLY one who voted:

No, Virus protection is useful but it slows down my computer way too much

I'm not to smart to get one, because anything is possible. I hate the way it runs multiple services at once, scanning everything i open or do. I don't really think it "slows" me down per say, but i also don't think i'm to smart to get one either, i mean anything is possible...

 

coz your the only smart here...LOL

 

On the contrary, it would appear i'm the only one who feels like they can get a virus, but is still un-willing to run AV software

You guys are all the self proclaimed smart ones

 

I use the free version of Antivir.

 

I use Linux. I think that falls under the "too smart to get one" option :laugh:

 

Lol, TwilightVampire, that's half-true. I say 'half' because Linux isn't "targeted" as much (or at all) as Windows.

Matt

 

I think it's really fun to get viruses.

Sometimes it's actually pretty enjoyable fixing the damage.

+2 for internet viruses! And with that, time to go download shady material from

PSP networks in hope I get a few.

 

i used to use norton and have to pay every year, but now i just use Avast, it does its job well

 

Right now I have been AV free for about three months. No problems.

XP runs nice and quick without any AV hogging up system resources.

I run FireFox with NoScript and normally scan for spyware weekly with Ad-Aware and Windows Defender.

I check all my emails through webmail and I dont open attachments that I have idea what they are or who sent it.

 

I am running Vista Ultimate and I use Avast! 4.7 Home Edition - free, all you have to do is register. I've been using it for over a year now and it has worked fine. No complaints.

 

Been using NOD32 for a couple years now. I'm even paying for it these days - I like it THAT much. Its seamless to use and protection is fantastic.

That said, I have the firewall always turned on on my wireless router and I dont do any of the obvious dumb stuff eg install progs I dont know, open e-mails from any name I dont recognise, espcially one with attachments!

AV is a good backup, but the first line of defense in viruses is your own behavior - your own common sense.

And folks, do note that often the free anti-virus progs omit certain capabilities you may want eg other elements of anti-malware capabilities.

AV Comparatives is the place to look up these AV progs and see how they all test and match up vs each other. The free ones do not come out on top - and Norton IMO is not worth paying for. It is money down the drain.

 

avast all the way! (would never PAY for anti virus!)

 

i'm using Trend Micro PcCillin Internet Security 2007 for 2years now ang i'm very satisfied.

last time i used free anti virus but just a couple months i get virus

so i decided to pay yearly to Pccillin

 

AVG is the best and it is free.

 

And it's free, or because it's free?

I don't use it myself. I do most of my work/play in Linux, and playing games in Windows is hardly risky (ok, ok... BOOTING Windows is risky.) But at work where we get hundreds of files daily from unsafe sources, I have us using Bitdefender despite the performance hit. I've trialed others and they're all just about as slow except Nod32 which we'll be switching to when our Bitdefender license expires. It's nice and speedy, and it's not moving towards a dumbed down interface like Bitdefender. I'm going to transition our firewall to the server/router at the same time.

Customers get Kaspersky unless they're knowledgable, in which case they had been getting Bitdefender Pro Plus, but I'll be transitioning them to Nod32 as well.

 

AVG is simple and I probably do not even need it. I find it hard to get a virus. I get about 1 maybe 2 a year.

 

Ok Gamermatt. If you are truly all knowing, what did I have for lunch?

 

People definitely need antivirus software installed. However, it would be ok to not activate them. For instance, I don't start my antivirus software until I do a scan. Their real time protection features aren't really essential, and a good Firewall should suffice for everyday needs.

 

Well, some people really do need an active protection scheme or they'll just get destroyed. That doesn't just go for stupid people, but the graphics department at work gets so many outside files they absolutely need to have email scanned real time, and removable media upon insertion.

But yeah, most people are ok with a critical areas scan on bootup (or once per day if the machine isn't rebooted, including hibernated laptops), and a once per week scheduled full scan.

 

I use AVG and already I like it

 

AVG and avast
my vote for it too
free software all the way

 

kaspersky!!! cmon, tell me AVAST is better then that!!! maaan..this thing uns sweeeet! my brther runs 4 apps and my OS is STILL not infected yet! i thought id run spybot to see if anythings in there. NOTHING! xp pro and kaspersky run SUPER quick, no memory hogging and dosnt run when ever it wants!! oh by teh way...theres an AOL version of kaspersky circling around. apparently AOL bought a version of it and let it loose for free...only under the AOL name. supposed to be JUST as good as kaspersky.