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    Recommend me an anti-virus program please

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by The Streets, Mar 23, 2007.

  1. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

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    It has to be...

    ...free
    ...reputable
    ...reliable
    ...regularly updated
    ...low-ish in terms of system resource usage (my laptop specs are in my sig!)
    ...firewall protected (unless you feel Windows' firewall is fine by itself?)
    ...resistant to all forms of malware (virsuses, trojan horses, worms, phishing, etc)
    ...proactive, in terms of auto-alerting me to threats live, as they occur
    ...equipped with a full and comprehensive manual scan facility

    When making your recommendation(s), please present your case as thoroughly, yet succintly as possible, making particular reference to the criteria I have specified above. However, feel free to allude to any and all additional criteria, if you deem it relevant.

    Thank you very much for your time, I look forward to your responses.
     
    The Streets, Mar 23, 2007
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  2. gusto5

    gusto5 Notebook Deity

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    Avast! home edition is the way to go.
     
    gusto5, Mar 23, 2007
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  3. jetstar

    jetstar Notebook Deity

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    Avast or AVG are the best.
     
    jetstar, Mar 23, 2007
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  4. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    I'm in agree ment with jetstar and gusto5. AVG and Avast are both very good antivirus software, and they are totally free.
     
    Zero, Mar 23, 2007
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  5. iza

    iza Notebook Evangelist

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    Neither has a firewall though; (Windows firewall is good enough IMO, but there's free firewalls available like Comodo).
    I don't believe there are any free anti-virus programs with an integrated firewall anyhow.
     
    iza, Mar 23, 2007
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  6. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

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    If there aren't any free programs with a firewall, that's okay. I can always install ZoneAlarm or just go with Windows firewall if needs be. Looks like my AV choice is between AVG and Avast!
     
    The Streets, Mar 23, 2007
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  7. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

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    Wait a minute. I got a free 30 day McAfee trial with my laptop, but it expired last week, hence why I'm now looking for a new solution. However, it appears to still be working. I ran a scan last night, and McAfee picked up and removed 8 cookies. Just now, it auto-updated a SpamKiller update as soon as I booted my laptop. Internet protection is still on (firewall, phishing and identity protection). However, it says my computer and files are not protected, as my detection signatures are between 8 and 29 days old. What's going on here? Do I actually need a new AV program or not? Because McAfee seems to be working just fine.
     
    The Streets, Mar 24, 2007
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  8. LIVEFRMNYC

    LIVEFRMNYC Blah Blah Blah!!!

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    You can't go wrong with Avast.
     
    LIVEFRMNYC, Mar 24, 2007
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  9. Broadus

    Broadus Notebook Evangelist

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    The Comodo firewall, which has been top-rated by PCMag, I think, is free but will not be Vista-supported until the middle of April. And it seems that they have an anti-virus program in beta.

    I wouldn't rely on McAfee if it's out of date. Are the virus definitions being updated? Besides, if the trial period is over, it's really not yours to use.

    For the time being, I would go with avast and the Windows firewall, adding the Comodo firewall next month.

    Bill
     
    Broadus, Mar 24, 2007
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  10. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

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    It's settled then. I'm going to uninstall McAfee, install Avast!, and then turn on Windows firewall. I hope I'm not setting myself up for a big fall...

    Anyway, Avast! wins because it gets the most votes. If AVG fans want to chime in wit compelling reasons for why I should go with it, feel free.

    Hopefully shopping McAfee will enable Limewire to work, because the damned thing just won't work on my laptop, and keeps saying that a firewall is blocking its communications, even when I port-forward McAfee's and my routers firewall. Very annoying!
     
    The Streets, Mar 24, 2007
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  11. titaniummd

    titaniummd Notebook Deity

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    AVG is excellent for a free antivirus program.

    If you're a Comcast Internet Cable subscriber, you get McAffee for free.
     
    titaniummd, Mar 24, 2007
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  12. LIVEFRMNYC

    LIVEFRMNYC Blah Blah Blah!!!

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    Avast seems to Update every 2 or 3 days. I love the "Virus is Updated" voice notify.
     
    LIVEFRMNYC, Mar 24, 2007
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  13. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

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    Just installed Avast! Looks a bit...skimpy, for an AV program. Guess I'm just used to the full-windowed-ness and professional looking Norton and McAfee! Might take me a while to get used to these freeware programs. Anyway, I'll see how it goes.
     
    The Streets, Mar 24, 2007
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  14. LIVEFRMNYC

    LIVEFRMNYC Blah Blah Blah!!!

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    Thats what I though after I made my Switch from Norton. I guess you get so used to the bloated AV apps.
     
    LIVEFRMNYC, Mar 24, 2007
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  15. iza

    iza Notebook Evangelist

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    I can't stand the default skinned avast interface; but you can change it to look like a normal windows program somewhere.
     
    iza, Mar 24, 2007
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  16. Skibums

    Skibums Notebook Evangelist

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    Haven't tried Avast yet, I've been using AVG for almost 4 months, updates daily and easy on the resources.

    Check out this comparative report on anti-virus programs...

    http://www.av-comparatives.org/
     
    Skibums, Mar 24, 2007
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  17. Matt

    Matt Notebook Deity

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    I use AVG, but I've heard the latest version of Avast is great too. Both are great options.

    Matt
     
    Matt, Mar 24, 2007
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  18. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

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    How? I don't like the default Avast! skin either. It looks kinda cheap. Not exactly reassuring.
     
    The Streets, Mar 24, 2007
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  19. Reezin14

    Reezin14 Crimson Mantle Commander

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    I also recommend Avast, I've been using it for awhile now with no problems.
     
    Reezin14, Mar 24, 2007
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