Poll: Do you use Antivirus Software

to each his own
one always feels comfortable with what one is used to
for your case its kaspersky and for numerous others its avast
its all down to personal preferance rather than whiich is better or not
thought each would have its drawbacks as well as strengths
they both do get the work done if im not wrong

 

I've used PC-Cillin on my main computer for a number of years. I currently use the 2007 version. I've tried some of the popular free AV programs, but I like PC-Cillin. It does everything, and it does it well. I've seen no slow down of my computer at all. It adds the option of a spam filter toolbar for Outlook Express which I think works nicely. I don't have MS Office, so I use OE because it's faster than any other 3rd party or open source email client I've ever tried. As I posted in another thread, if there's anything I can't stand it's a browser or an email client that doesn't open instantly. As long as IE and OE and my text editor (I use Notepad++ currently) open fast, I'm happy. I'm more patient with other programs. Anyway, I like how PC-Cillin reinforces the security and spam filtering for Outlook Express.

 

I use kaspersky Anti virus v6.0.. It's really good..

 

I'd rather be safe and slow...

Avast AVG for me. I also run Ad-aware SE (paid version) Spy-Bot SD & Windows Defender. My desktop has issues with viruses, needs a complete system wipe.

 

For my desktop which is behind my home firewall I'm not too concerned. But with a laptop, I could be connecting into a wifi network wherever I take it and I have no idea whats running around on those networks. Even my work network probably has some viruses floating around looking for open shares. If I were to keep my laptop at home, I may choose to have no Antivirus. But with a laptop I plan on taking with me to lots of places, I want to be protected. My ISP (Optonline) provides CA EZ Antivirus free to all their users. Unfortunately this doesnt include the 2007 Vista version. However I somehow got registered for a copy of CA EZ Antivirus 2007 when they were testing it with Vista so I'm all set. It's small, does its job, and isnt a resource hog. Highly recommended for those that dont really want to futz around with antivirus.

 

You have to be crazy to not have virus protection. Anyone can be caught out.

 

don't use IE and sit behind a router also helps
but im stuck with nortans for now but AVG has been ok on the wifes laptop so AVG in 38days

 

I pay for McAfee antivirus, plus I use the free version of Ad-Aware to scan for spyware, and my router has a hardware firewall.

 

What real time features are you refering to that aren't essential? Not having your virus program running at all times is essentially useless, there are viruses out there that will infect your system without you knowing it and make your system unusable before you can manually start your virus software. Having your AV running in the background to catch those viruses before they can wreck havok on your system is absolutly essential.

A firewall and AV software provide two completely different forms of protection, and running one without the other is leaving your system vulnarable. On our network we run NoD32 for AV, and both a hardware and software firewall. Relying on only a hardware firewall is still asking for trouble, to be completely protected a software solution is vital.

NoD 32 has worked very well for us, and as others have stated it is very light on system resources. I have not used AVG before but some of the free AV programs do not provide rootkit protection that the non-free programs provide.

Also don't be fooled by the "only novices get viruses" propaganda, anyone can get a virus/malware from sometimes the most seemingly safe/secure locations, and in some of the worst cases you won't even know it. Running your system without AV software is an open invitation to become infected.

 

On your system, which is killer BTW, you're running anything but slow. Having AV/firewall/Ad-aware installed on your system has about the same effect as a flies' effect on wind resistance to a Ferrari when it is splattered on the Ferrari's windshield. The Ferrari will still haul a@#. Unless someone is running a 486, the tiny drag on system resources is nowhere near worth the danger of running without protection.

 

Right now I have no been using virus protection or any spyware protection for over a month.

I do run windows update, windows firewall is enabled, and my wifi is secured.

I also use FireFox with NoScript and smart browsing habits.

 

Eh I guess it depends on the AV.

I'm sure Norton can come up with a complete integrated solution that can bring even a $90000 state-of-the-art desktop to its knees...all in the interest of improved security of course.

 

Norton and Mcafee are definitly more bloated than other solutions, but using even them far outweighs having no security installed. Any relatively newer processor is simply not going to be noticibly slower from running security software.

All of you running no security are part of the problem, you're making it easier for malware to spread. More than likely there is already malware on your system now.

 

what's soo bad about Norton? I get it for free from my college.

 

As far as detection goes, it's not so bad actually. It's just that it's huge, bloated, and integrates itself so thoroughly into windows that it slows down eeeverything.

 

Not sure that's correct, taelrak, with the current version. The last few reviews I've read rate the latest version of Norton very highly and specifically mention that it's a lighter, trimmed down edition which not only isn't such a resourse hog as in the past, but works very well. Go figure . . .

FWIW: my own preference is Kaspersky.

 

2007 I hear is a noticeable improvement. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no desire to go test if this is true or not after the previous few versions

Maybe I'll dl a trial version for a few weeks before I reformat this desktop

 

I am using Norton Internet Security 2007 and i can tell you guys that this version of Norton is day and night compare to its 2006 siblings.

NIS 2007 does not become hog resource at all. It works inobtrusively in the background. I am using it to public places such as wi-fi equipped cafes, hotel, etc. The detection is good.

But yes, i have terrible experience with their 2006 and 2005 release. The worst i think is their 2005 release. If you are going to use Norton, use their 2007 release.

 

I wonder if it'd be better to just use stand-alone applications.

I.e. Zonealarm Pro Firewall (not internet security suite)
And then Kaspersky Antivirus.

Just to get the newest versions of each (Zonealarm Internet Security only uses Kaspersky 6)..

 

I wish I could afford to use a AV program but I just cant afford it...I only 256MB of RAM (223MB due to IGP) running Windows XP, and its insanely slow already.

 

Norton Internet Security 2007.

Has no visible effect on my machine (apart from protecting me from Viri and other nasties).

Now, where's my "crazy person" badge.


Unicron

 

well i use avast pro as my main AV, then backit up with spybot search and destroy and adware pro, when i do a full sistem scan y put mi flashdrive and run nod32 portable XD i just love to se everything where it should be.

VIRUS FTW. if they can surpass that shield omg thats a hell of a virus!!!

 

Norton Internet Security 2006. Doesn't slow down my machine as far as I can tell, except when it's doing a system scan of course! And so far it's caught one trojan, so it's doing its job. A friend of mine got his computer entirely messed up with a virus, so I'm not going to be foolhardy enough to not use antivirus anytime soon.

The only problem is on startup it tends to get locked in a CPU resource battle with Zone Alarm Pro (version 6.54 or 7, just upgraded hoping the problem would go away). Takes a long time to go away, and from what I've found Googling the problem is well-known and there's no known solution. So when I leave for college, I'm going to make sure I don't use both at the same time.

From what I've heard though, McAffee is much worse than Norton.

 

AntiVir is what I use. I don't keep it running though. I just turn on all the services once a month, and then have it scan. Haven't had a virus in over 5yrs though

 

Your PC is as good as dead without AV software.

Luckily I managed to install Sophos AV from my college network, so I don't have to use crappy free solutions.

 

I use AVG Free Edition and have ClamWin installed just in case it would catch something that AVG doesn't. I've never been infected with a virus though, heh.

 

I guess you could say it's free, I get McCafee for free from comcast.