Anit-Virus software advice?

[PonderInc]

OK, you guys gave me such good advice about where to buy RAM, that I decided to ask about anti-virus software.  

I've currently got Norton Internet Security (2005 edition?), and I don't want to renew it b/c it's such a resource hog.  Any thoughts about the best package for anti-virus and spyware protection?

[inteller]

if you would have just uninstalled Norton you probably wouldn't have needed to buy RAM.

Get AVG, it is free.

www.grisoft.com

Get Windows Defender for spyware (no need if you have Vista it is built in)

[TulsaFan-inTexas]

Spybot is an excellent program, although it's not really antivirus. And, it's free.

http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22262-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

Adaware is also very, very good and highly recommended.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

They are both spyware protection programs, and I have NEVER had issues with these; been using them for about 4 years.

[TulsaFan-inTexas]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

if you would have just uninstalled Norton you probably wouldn't have needed to buy RAM.

Get AVG, it is free.

www.grisoft.com

Get Windows Defender for spyware (no need if you have Vista it is built in)

Norton is the most bulky, useless program there is IMO.

[sgrizzle]

AVG is the best, and it's free.
http://free.grisoft.com/

so is their anti-spyware program.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

AVG is the best, and it's free.
http://free.grisoft.com/

+1

But I Spy Bot Search and Destroy for sypware.  It's been the best for a very long time.  Reliable and informative (this cookie does this, this registry entry is blah).

http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

[PonderInc]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

if you would have just uninstalled Norton you probably wouldn't have needed to buy RAM.

Ha!  That's sooo true!  (But I still need a bit more RAM to stay current with the modern world.)

[Conan71]

Just stay away from Trend PC-Cillin, that's probably worse than a virus.  It moves in and won't leave, kind of like a bad relative.

[patric]

+1,  AVG Free from Grisoft.

[Wilbur]

AVG here too!

[peb]

Another vote for AVG

peb

[Ed W]

I use both AVG anti-virus and their anti-spyware.  The anti-virus will update and run automatically.  The free version of the anti-spyware will not.  But it's easy enough to update and run it once a day.

[T Badd]

I'm partial to the free version of Avast! www.avast.com.

It's very mature, non-hogging antivirus from Europe. Very frequent automatic database updates. Support for email, p2p and IM protection as well. Minimal registration required for free non-crippled home use, if you decide you like it after 60 days. They ping you once a year to confirm your info, but it's painless.

Avast! also blocks almost all malware, so my Spybot and AdAware don't find much anymore...still I use them a few times a year, just to be sure.

AVG is also very good, as the others have said. You can't go wrong with either for the price.

[dsjeffries]

I've had two computers saved and basically resurrected with the help of Pareto Logic's program XoftSpy.  It's basically the opposite of Norton and McAfee (both of which I HATE)... It scans thoroughly, but takes only around 45 seconds or a minute... It shows you the problems it has found as it scans, categorizes it by risk, shows you the location... and boom! it's gone.  It's an AMAZING product... and it comes with RegCure, which takes longer, but fixes problems with registry keys and values.

It's $39, but it's WELL worth it.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by T Badd

I'm partial to the free version of Avast! www.avast.com.

It's very mature, non-hogging antivirus from Europe. Very frequent automatic database updates. Support for email, p2p and IM protection as well. Minimal registration required for free non-crippled home use, if you decide you like it after 60 days. They ping you once a year to confirm your info, but it's painless.

Avast! also blocks almost all malware, so my Spybot and AdAware don't find much anymore...still I use them a few times a year, just to be sure.

AVG is also very good, as the others have said. You can't go wrong with either for the price.

I have avast on the media center box, but avast seems to be working in some sort of compatibility mode with Vista.  I haven't had the care to see why but it runs a LOT slower and uses more system resources than on XP.