Virus blocking programs

[CalgaryRiderFan]

I figured titling this thread virus question would possible get it past the "you heard it here first" thread for smart-alec responses.

Anyway, a few of you know that I unwittingly with the help of McAfee spyware destroyed my operating system on the weekend.

The guy who fixed it (did a great job btw) found 15 viruses in my system that McAfee never blocked. He does not like McAfee or Norton and installed an anti-virus program called AVG for me.
Any opinions on this, I have heard one negative opinion on this product and was wondering if anyone else has used it.

[Piffles]

I use AVG, mostly for the simple reason that it's free. There are some things that I don't like about it - eg. every now & then it tells me that it's "not configured properly", when I haven't changed anything, & also it isn't the most user-friendly thing I've seen. & I have to kind of keep an eye on it to make sure it keeps updating virus definitions. But I haven't really had a lot of virus problems either, since I started using it. I am behind a hardware (router) firewall, and I use Lavasoft's ad-aware to get rid of spyware.

[rickyg]

The only real way to be halfass sure is to have a good commercial antivirus and scan every day and auto-update. Then to be sure use http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ or http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm (http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm)once a week to scan it online. AVG is OK but I would use the online scanners too. Also make sure you have Adaware SE and Spybot search and destroy installed and run those weekly. Then you just hope to stay lucky and virus free.

[Piffles]

& keep your Windows up to date as well.

[SFiO]

I figured titling this thread virus question would possible get it past the "you heard it here first" thread for smart-alec responses.

Anyway, a few of you know that I unwittingly with the help of McAfee spyware destroyed my operating system on the weekend.

The guy who fixed it (did a great job btw) found 15 viruses in my system that McAfee never blocked. He does not like McAfee or Norton and installed an anti-virus program called AVG for me.
Any opinions on this, I have heard one negative opinion on this product and was wondering if anyone else has used it.

We used to use AVG at work (mainly 'cause the tech guy was high on it -- and it was cheap). After numerous network issues caused by viruses it did not catch (even kept updated, it is NOT as current as Norton or McAfee and IS susceptible to new strains).

We then started using McAfee. Our tech guys had many, many head-aches with McAfee screwing things up (kind of collateral damage). Eventually, despite the fact it's a little heavy on resources, the switch was made to Norton and the installation has been virus and problem-free ever since. As a result of the experiences at work, I made the switch to Norton at home and all has been well. (Now awaiting the jinx to kick in...)

Bottom line... I (personal opinion) wouldn't touch AVG again and the same goes for McAfee.

[CalgaryRiderFan]

Thanks for the info although I feel less confident in my current set up now.
I know from experience that McAfee sucks (15 viruses in my system it never picked up).
That leaves me with Norton as my remaining option.

Potential "I told you so" post upcoming.

[Piffles]

Thanks for the info although I feel less confident in my current set up now.
I know from experience that McAfee sucks (15 viruses in my system it never picked up).
That leaves me with Norton as my remaining option.

Potential "I told you so" post upcoming.

Norton is, I think, as good as it gets - I used to use it, but I was kind of miffed when I upgraded to XP & none of my Norton SW would work anymore. So I went with AVG. It may be time to look into Norton again, although they do charge an annual fee for virus defs.

[diablomix]

Personally, I find Norton way too intrusive. It often times "over-protects" your system which in turn causes more headaches than the cure it advertises. Norton 2005 is a giant over-priced resource hog that tries to do too many things at once. AVG Free + Panda's free active scan is more than enough.

edit: avoid Norton Internet Security at all costs - just plain terrible.

[SFiO]

Thanks for the info although I feel less confident in my current set up now.
I know from experience that McAfee sucks (15 viruses in my system it never picked up).
That leaves me with Norton as my remaining option.

Potential "I told you so" post upcoming.

Yeah, I had personal experience with McAfee (and Norton) earlier than the work experiences. But the AVG thing was a real killer... it missed a LOT (and the tech dept. are very careful about keeping up to date -- still didn't help).

Norton needs to be configured to cut down on "intrusive" and resource-hungry aspects but, so far, it's the only one that has been reliable in keeping up with everything (and, yep, requires annual sub for keeping definitions updated).

The fact it's the one that's always on top of new virii makes me wonder if the anti-virus team (on the 4th floor) is in daily contact with the virus team (on the 3rd floor) or whether they now share offices! ;)

[gilligan]

Thanks for the info although I feel less confident in my current set up now.
I know from experience that McAfee sucks (15 viruses in my system it never picked up).
That leaves me with Norton as my remaining option.

Potential "I told you so" post upcoming.Our workplace has a site license for Sophos antivirus. I've had absolutely no problems at all with it. I'm not sure how economical it'd be for a home users.

But if you really wanted a cheap way to avoid viruses, you should just run Linux. It is nice not having to worry about viruses and spyware with my Mac at work and Linux at home. The Mac Mini is almost as cheap as Windows + Office + Antivirus anyhow, and Linux is free, so it is a realistic possibity. Of course gaming isn't so good on those platforms, but that is why I have consoles (and actually I have a seperate Windows machine that is basically a console - I don't allow it to do anything besides play games).

[diablomix]

The fact it's the one that's always on top of new virii makes me wonder if the anti-virus team (on the 4th floor) is in daily contact with the virus team (on the 3rd floor) or whether they now share offices! ;)

never thought of it that way - makes sense though ;)

fear makes for rabid consumers.