Best anti-virus software for vista

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Ultimate Geek
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#173472 24-Oct-2008 22:24

hey guys

people shouldnt write off free anti virus programs that work just as well as payed ones the facts are right here , with the editors reviews

http://www.download.com/Antivirus-Software/3150-2239_4-0.html?tag=mncol%3Bsort&rpp=10&sort=downloadCount+asc

i have used avg, avast. are very good programs

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timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#173965 27-Oct-2008 23:02

+1 for common sense. However, if you've got multiple users and they have admin rights, all bets are off. I am at risk of zero day vulnerabilities (usually browser or Flash related) however.

Tarq57

156 posts

Master Geek

#174401 29-Oct-2008 17:50

Some of the free ones do every bit as good a job as the paid subsriptions. They usually have some aspect of function disabled or limited. For example, with Avira (which has a happy following) the POP3 detection isn't available in the free version, (no huge loss, for most,) and I think the detection or cleaning is slightly less than in the premium.
Avast (the one I use) uses the same detection/cleaning engine as the Pro version. What is disabled in the free version is the ability to schedule scans. This doesn't bother me at all. If it did, I'm more than happy enough with it that I'd purchase the pro. It's that good.
So + 1 for not writing off the freebies.
Tests and reviews aren't necessarilly definitive, but, from respected organisations they can offer a fairly good guide, especially over time. This test (in Russian - use Google Translate to view a fairly English-y version) tests the abilities of several AV's to clean infested computers. Big winners are DrWeb, Kaspersky, and Avast. The testing organisation is respected. Likewise Av-comparatives
-possibly considered the authoritave testing crowd, which tests a large selection of AV's (paid only) for detection, prevention, scan speeds, FP's etc. The AV's made by the vendors of the "freebies" always do alright, and often very well.
A point with Avast, using the same engine for cleaning in the free and pay version, is that the AV-comparatives tests can be taken as also pertaining to the free version.
Other things to consider: How is the support? What slowdown load on your computer? Does it "play" nicely with the other programs on your computer? Does it have good help files? Can you easily learn how to correctly use it?
Whatever you decide to use, give it a trial first. Make sure it works nicely on your machine. Anything you decide to remove, uninstall correctly, and in some cases you'll need to run the uninstall tool specific to the program. Examples of companies that have an uninstall tool include McAfe, Norton, Avast, AVG, Avira...

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beforenightfalls

185 posts

Master Geek

#174408 29-Oct-2008 18:02

some very useful points tarq57, thank you very much.

Tarq57

156 posts

Master Geek

#174409 29-Oct-2008 18:06

You're welcome. Hope at least some of it is useful.

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freitasm

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#174466 29-Oct-2008 21:36

Avast is my preferred for any system. It's so good I actually bought two copies of their server version a couple of years ago, at US$500 each. I also bought a Windows Home Server version earlier this year.

So stick to Avast free and use their server versions if you need.

I am currently using NOD32 in all our Geekzone servers though because of a special deal with them. This software is also very good.

And as I said before, Norton 2009 is worth looking at.

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jillann

102 posts

Master Geek
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#174471 29-Oct-2008 21:53

lugh: Has anyone used the Telecom/McAfee Security Suite you get free with Telecom Broadband? Is it any good?

(current setup on Vista: Avast, Spybot Search & Destroy, Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, Linksys Firewall)

I'm currently using (on XP) Telecom/McAfee and it runs quietly in the background with no problems so far.

It has a McAfee Quick Clean which is a bit like Windows Disc Cleanup, it also has a Disk Defragmenter, A McAfee Virtual Technician to troubleshoot any problems etc.

It's easy to setup and use and so far I've had no trouble with it at all.

I have Avast (paid version) on my Vista laptop with no problems either.

I hope this helps you =)

Jillann

JoeBloggs

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

#174491 29-Oct-2008 23:11

+1 ESET NOD32

As foolish as this is though, I was running no virus scanner at all for about a year on my Vista machine and I picked NO viruses on install [Vista is like a little fort knox]. This isn't because the software is lacking either . I read a lot of reviews and talked to a few people and NOD32 seems to come out on top.

Just Google the main contenders, there are in-depth heuristic analysis reports and comparisons available.

trig42

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#176829 8-Nov-2008 13:44

I use, recommend and sell NOD32.
It is light on memory usage, easy to install, and it's updates are dial-up friendly.

They also have a product called Smart Security, which is NOD32 antivirus, a firewall and a really good Spam filter. install size is about the same as are the updates.

I had heard that the Norton 09 products were (finally) not so resource hungry, but am yet to see it running.

AllNightNerding

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#176831 8-Nov-2008 14:19

+1 for Nod32

I have that running on all our computers with the Remote Administration console as well, its really good.

Nod32 is really low on resources and does things quickly I find. Definitly will be with them for a while to come.

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tony0709

31 posts

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#178915 19-Nov-2008 19:53

THE BESTONE IS 100% DEFINATELY ! ! ! !

ESET SMART SECURITY (version 3 or above)

It runes quietly, catching the tiniest threats, clear information, and great!!!
I love it to bits !!!

I run it on my vista for some time now and it is AWESOME!

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draco

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#182523 6-Dec-2008 21:05

Personally I've liked OneCare a lot.

It got some bad press at one point but it seems to have got passed that and it's really good especially with more than one PC in the house because of the way it helps with the network settings and warns about problems with other PCs in the circle.

My dad was running Norton, his computer got owned viruses. He switched to Quickheal recommended by his computer tech who fixed up the problems left behind by the virus infestation Norton missed.

I checked his PC today and switched him to OneCare, and found four Trojans on the system, Vundo.gen!E, Zlob.gen!K, Vundo.GN and Vundo.gen!I. These were missed by Quickheal. Ouch.

Now I personally don't run AV on my Vista machine, but my dad likes to download and try random stuff so he needs something like this.

Pity it's being discontinued but there's still about 2 years to go by my reckoning before the subscriptions run out.

freitasm

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#182529 6-Dec-2008 21:28

Yes, OneCare is being discontinued from July 2009 so it wouldn't be wise to pay license for something that won't be around in eight months...

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chriswiggins

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Ultimate Geek
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#183791 12-Dec-2008 22:44

+1 Nod32. Installed it on parents machines after symantic failed.. never turned back

JimmyLizar

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Ultimate Geek
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#183793 12-Dec-2008 23:00

I used AVG free up until last month, was reasonably happy with it (after all it was free)...until it had problems getting virus definition updates all the time.

Now got Avast (free version) I think its better than AVG

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