Best anti-virus program?

beeboy · #1 01-02-2003, 03:36 PM

Does anyone know which is the best? Has anyone tried the free ones - avg, avast, etc.? Norton is too slow updating virus definitions. Many people in my area are infected with yaha and its first job is disabling Norton. Seems that a lot of virus are engineered to overcome popular programs like Norton and Outlook. Should we be using less popular software to protect ourselves better? Is it possible to run 2 or more virus scanners?

ESALADUANE · #2 01-02-2003, 07:42 PM

I think we have the same issues with Norton (although, I hate quit on a winner - I've never had a virus with Norton).

I'm also interested in your last question about putting 2 anti-virus programs on the same computer.

The way it was explained to me is that the 2 programs, while trying to identify and stop intruders, view each other as intruders with resulting carnage. I don't know if this is a good analogy or just a colorful picture painted by someone who doesn't know any more about it than I do.

I've always heard that it was a bad (read aweful) idea.

beeboy · #3 01-02-2003, 07:57 PM

There is a program that is supposed to integrate virus scanners at www.handybits.com Its a good idea - wonder if it works?

ESALADUANE · #4 01-02-2003, 08:19 PM

I have no intention of running 2 programs at the same time. But, its interesting that there's a program that implies that you can. I've never heard or read any real good explanation of the issue, and I'd want a lot more information than I have before I tried it.

Metty · #5 01-04-2003, 05:25 AM

I use AVG and Norton....I like Norton because it seems to be more commonly up-to-date with it's virus protection, which may not even be true. The problem with Norton....it's so slow. Unless you're on broadband(assuming you're not centralizing the update off a server) it's going to take a good chunk of time to download the updates. Norton also can bog down your system, making it difficult to run other programs, and especially transfer data.

AVG, on the other hand, doesn't seem to bog down the system nearly as much, and it seems to hold it's own when it comes to scanning the system. The downloads can still be hefty, especially the initial installation update(once again, assuming it doesn't come with the new release) but it doesn't seem to ever be more that a MB at most, when it comes to the every few day Auto-Update.

Hope that helps.

Metty

beeboy · #6 01-04-2003, 05:57 AM

Thanks Metty. I talked to someone else recently that uses AVG with Norton. They seem happy with it. Thanks for the info.

Reeper47 · #7 01-21-2003, 07:28 PM

Norton is the best and there is no doubt about it. I hav never had a virus with it and never will. U just hav 2 be patient when updating i don't know how slow is 4 u cause i hav adsl.

TheLabel · #8 01-22-2003, 11:50 AM

I use Norton and it's kept my computer free of viruses, but I use another program called The Cleaner (not sure where to download it from) that scans for trojans and works pretty well.

dustyrider · #9 01-24-2003, 07:51 AM

I have used McAfee viruscan online for several years & have never had a virus problem on my computer.(knock on wood) I also tried AVG & think it's good too, but have not used them both at the same time. Of course they both warn against doing that, but it would be interesting to see if it would work. I'm just cautious about doing anything that might lessen my protection.

dobhar · #10 01-26-2003, 01:13 PM

I use a combination of Symantec (Norton) AV 2003 and BOClean (Trojan Scanner).

I also on a regular basis run some of the free online scanners.

As far as the virus defs I check Symantec's site on a daily basis instead of running LiveUpdate as Symantec uses 2 ways to get defs...(1) Intelligent Updater (2) LiveUpdate. Right now on their site the defs for Intelligent Updater are January 24 and the defs for LiveUpdate are January 22.

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...02021908382713

beeboy · #11 01-26-2003, 01:34 PM

BoClean looks good but its very expensive (60bucks Canadian). Are all the upgrades free?

dobhar · #12 01-26-2003, 01:42 PM

Yes...from the website. When I first bought it, it was at version 4.06 and it is now version 4.10. I have had free upgrades for all.

Quote:

All current BOClean customers are entitled to a free upgrade

dustyrider · #13 01-27-2003, 12:43 PM

These two sites might give you some insight on the anti-virus programs.

http://www.virus.gr/English/test1.htm
http://www.hackfix.org/miscfix/icons-av-A_M.shtml

beeboy · #14 01-27-2003, 01:06 PM

Anyone shopping for Anti-virus programs should view those sites. Excellent comparisons.

kevinmain · #15 02-19-2003, 05:22 AM

I've been using Visnetic Antivirus for about a month and I've been quite pleased. The virus defs are compact, and I haven't had any issues since installing it.