Which AV to use?

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mme

161 posts

Master Geek

#17445 27-Nov-2007 15:40

Hi

I am wondering which Free AV (Anti Virus) Program is the best. I am currently choosing between

Avast

and

AVG

Thanks

hellonearthisman

1819 posts

Uber Geek

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#97170 27-Nov-2007 16:53

NOD

n00dy

482 posts

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#97172 27-Nov-2007 17:20

agreed NOD, & spybot as the spam blocker

mme

161 posts

Master Geek

#97182 27-Nov-2007 17:40

But it needs to be FREE

rscole86

4975 posts

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#97188 27-Nov-2007 18:06

I use Avast as my free anti-virus tool.

When paying , then I agree with using NOD.

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#97244 27-Nov-2007 20:52

i didnt quite agree with avast for some reason (can't remember now) so i just stuck w avg ... seems to be ok

Madmax77

152 posts

Master Geek

#97249 27-Nov-2007 21:02

Get a Mac...best "free" anti-virus you'll ever buy!!!

Nuff said.

mckenndk

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#97281 28-Nov-2007 04:52

I have always used AVG had not had any problems with it.

Also a fan of NOD32 if it was free would recommend.

Mac's are not safe now days either
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7079777.stm

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hellonearthisman

1819 posts

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#97325 28-Nov-2007 12:14

IT's so cheap I though it was free. Avast

paulchinnz

Circumspice
793 posts

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#97336 28-Nov-2007 12:55

AVG (NOD if $ willing)

Tarq57

156 posts

Master Geek

#97457 28-Nov-2007 23:24

I've used both, and view a lot of posts on various security forums regarding security generally. Currently using Avast home edition, and very happy. It is possibly the most configurable of the free AV's, the detection and cleaning engine are the same as used in the pro version. Only drawback is you can't schedule scans.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/ is a useful and authoritative site to see how AV's perform. (Or rather, performed.) Avast is always in the top few, as is AVG, and usually ahead of both is http://www.free-av.com/ (Avira)
There are other free ones, such as Clam, which is a scanner only, and others that come with snags or hooks, such as the AOL offering, but the three "A's" are the main ones.
You'd be pretty well protected with any of them.
If you're a non-expert, or risky surfer (as most non-experts can be) you may want to consider additional security, which can also be downloaded free. Such additions might include a two way firewall, a hosts file or other immunizing systems, antispyware, a HIPS, or sandboxing/virtualisation, andor imaging. Tightening up the permissions in IE is not a bad idea, either, particularly in regard to scripting. Or use Firefox or Opera.

mme

161 posts

Master Geek

#97478 29-Nov-2007 09:00

Thanks for all your replies I have decided to go with Avast. I am also using firefox now instead of IE.

maninimepo

72 posts

Master Geek

#97751 1-Dec-2007 01:52

mckenndk: Mac's are not safe now days either
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7079777.stm

Macs are safe from viruses.

Humans aren't safe from a trojan horse, what ever platform they use.