What antivirus software do you use?

**Harpmaker** · **07-09-09, 09:41 AM**

Thanks for the link mech. I find it interesting that Avast! was given such a low score seemingly for the primary reason the reviewer didn't like the interface and that even the free version must be registered after 60 days. At any rate, I'm giving it a shot. They did say it was good at keeping bad web pages at bay and that is my primary concern.

**epereira** · **07-30-09, 09:49 PM**

I use Norton AntiVirus 2009 on one XP computer (paid subscription) and Avast Free on my XP laptop. Now that I am migrating to Windows 7 64-bit, I might have to wait a while for something that is compatible (although I believe Avast works fine on the new OS).

**Harpmaker** · **07-31-09, 08:13 PM**

Quote:

epereira wrote:

I use Norton AntiVirus 2009 on one XP computer (paid subscription) and Avast Free on my XP laptop. Now that I am migrating to Windows 7 64-bit, I might have to wait a while for something that is compatible (although I believe Avast works fine on the new OS).

I've had a bad taste in my mouth left over from an old version of Norton System Works. It will be a long time before I trust Symantec again (if ever). I'm not knocking the current products, but as stated, it's a commercial product not free.

Avast! has been good (or maybe bad - no virus alerts so far), but I only use it for it's "web shield". It does slow site access a bit (by that I mean a slightly noticeable time lag as it does it's thing), but it's free (even though you need to register after 60 days). For those running XP or better I would recommend Avira for a free AV app..

**Mika75** · **08-01-09, 03:19 AM**

If ur not 'catching anything' begs to question whether anti-virus is necessary doesn't it...

XPSP3 without Anti-Virus running for over a year....no issues.

Your best defense is Immunisation using Spybot Search & Destroy, SpywareBlaster & a Firewall that allows u to see what programs are accessing ur PC and the Web.

**Prof.** · **08-01-09, 07:21 PM**

I also dropped AVG recently after their latest version was not so user friendly..
I tried Avira (thanks mech) and it's a great program..Picked up two viruses that AVG hadn't..

**Harpmaker** · **10-03-09, 08:00 PM**

Just an update of my situation. Avast! stopped working after 60 days and when I went to register the free version of the program I found that it was no longer free, but rather a license had to be purchased. No thanks.

I bit the bullet and installed update rollup 1 v2 on my Win2K system and am now back to running Avira, which I think is better software anyhow.

**Prof.** · **10-03-09, 09:36 PM**

I've had Avira for awhile now and it's performed flawlessly..
It even just recently warned me about a website that I was about to open!!..AVG never did that..
The only thing I don't like about Avira is that the daily update also brings a pop-up with it, requesting that you buy the pro.version..

**Harpmaker** · **10-03-09, 10:06 PM**

Quote:

Prof. wrote:

I've had Avira for awhile now and it's performed flawlessly..
It even just recently warned me about a website that I was about to open!!..AVG never did that..
The only thing I don't like about Avira is that the daily update also brings a pop-up with it, requesting that you buy the pro.version..

My system is so old that I'm still using Zone Alarm which will let me prevent that pop-up; and as for the daily updating, that is configurable in Avira. Open "Configure AntiVir" by right-clicking on the taskbar icon, check "Expert mode", click on "General" then on "Update". You will be able to set the update time; I have mine set at 30 days.

**recruit** · **10-04-09, 05:19 AM**

I'm using Eset - NOD32 as my Antivirus software, works well and does not slow the PC down like some programs do...

**Harpmaker** · **10-04-09, 11:07 AM**

Quote:

recruit wrote:

I'm using Eset - NOD32 as my Antivirus software, works well and does not slow the PC down like some programs do...

Yeah, I've heard very good things about Eset - NOD32, but I think it's more than I really need. If I was running a PC for business or some other critical use I would be using it. For strictly personal use I find Avira more than enough and it doesn't slow my system down, and since I'm still running a 1.7 MHz Celeron with 1MB of RAM I would notice!

Avast! did work, but it was more of a resource hog than Avira. While the slow-down was noticeable, even when I only had web protection active, it was livable IMO.

I think Avira is top-dog of the free AV programs.

**mechman** · **10-04-09, 11:09 AM**

Quote:

Harpmaker wrote:

I think Avira is top-dog of the free AV programs.

Yepper!

**recruit** · **10-04-09, 02:16 PM**

Quote:

Harpmaker wrote:

Y
I think Avira is top-dog of the free AV programs.

I'll have to take a look then

**Prof.** · **10-04-09, 06:46 PM**

Quote:

Harpmaker wrote:

My system is so old that I'm still using Zone Alarm which will let me prevent that pop-up; and as for the daily updating, that is configurable in Avira. Open "Configure AntiVir" by right-clicking on the taskbar icon, check "Expert mode", click on "General" then on "Update". You will be able to set the update time; I have mine set at 30 days.

Thanks for that info..I never noticed the "Expert Mode"..I've now set it for once a week..I like to keep things up to date as much as possible..

**robbo266317** · **10-04-09, 07:20 PM**

I'm using Norton 2009.
Picked it up at a shop for $19.00
Although it does say on the pack - only for sale with a new pc.

**Harpmaker** · **10-05-09, 02:16 PM**

Quote:

robbo266317 wrote:

I'm using Norton 2009.
Picked it up at a shop for $19.00
Although it does say on the pack - only for sale with a new pc.

I personally don't like Symantec products, but I don't begrudge others using them.

It sounds like you got software that was supposed to be bundled with a new PC. Don't worry about it, such things are common and as far as I know the product is the same, or essentially the same, as retail versions. All of the versions of Nero I have purchased over the years fall in the same boat.

**robbo266317** · **10-05-09, 06:10 PM**

Quote:

Harpmaker wrote:

I personally don't like Symantec products, but I don't begrudge others using them.

It sounds like you got software that was supposed to be bundled with a new PC. Don't worry about it, such things are common and as far as I know the product is the same, or essentially the same, as retail versions. All of the versions of Nero I have purchased over the years fall in the same boat.

I wouldn't buy it at the RRP which is closer to au$100

And I wasn't aware that I had to buy a new pc with it, I've only been working with computers for 20+ years.

**doctorcilantro** · **11-02-09, 10:36 AM**

NOD32 v4 on all PCs.

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