Anti virus program

[sadievan]

What anti virus program are people using. I am currently using AVG but it may be causing my computer to freeze up.

[teh603]

I run Linux, with ClamAV on it.

[PeterT]

I've been a happy NOD32 user for many years.

[Feher]

Combination of Avira and USB Disk Security

[cromag]

On my Windows XP desktop:

Avast! free antivirus
ZoneAlarm free firewall
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware professional


plus:

HostsMan Hosts file manager
NoScript addon for Firefox
Cookie Whitelist for Firefox

[RZetlin]

I use Avast.

[FizzyWater]

I use ESET. It's really being pushed by MicroCenter, where I bought my laptop (they will provide in-house computer repair against viruses/spyware as part of the warranty, but only if you use ESET).

I used to use ZoneAlarm's full package. I used to be a real ZA zealot, but it turned into bloatware as bad as Norton. Slowed down my machine to a crawl regularly. I hardly notice ESET is running.

[JSWolf]

I used to run AVG free. That was until they did something to it to cause it to noticeably slow down the computer. I gave it up in favor of Comodo.

[Teknikal]

I don't use any and I haven't had a virus since the days of windows 98, that said I understand how they hide themselves, were they conceal their startup entries and such so it isn't that hard for me to manually check my system and make sure I recognise everything there.

What I actually do now and again is give a quick scan with malwarebytes anti-malware or if I'm suspicious of something not acting quite right or to be doubly sure I would use the eset online scanner for a quick check.

[Istvan diVega]

Originally Posted by Teknikal

that said I understand how they hide themselves, were they conceal their startup entries and such so it isn't that hard for me to manually check my system and make sure I recognise everything there.

That really is awfully impressive, given that companies like Kapersky with their 2.700 employees or Symantec with some 21.000+ don't always manage to catch everything.

Anyway, having no such überskillz I use the new version of Windows Defender with is incorporated in Windows 8.

[MikeB1972]

Originally Posted by Istvan diVega

That really is awfully impressive, given that companies like Kapersky with their 2.700 employees or Symantec with some 21.000+ don't always manage to catch everything.

Anyway, having no such überskillz I use the new version of Windows Defender with is incorporated in Windows 8.

Well, to be fair, they have to deal with idiots clicking on "Click_This_For_Free_Money.exe" links in emails.

It's the same theory that I've crossed the road many times and never been run over, but I wouldn't try it across a motorway, at night, wearing a ninja outfit, blindfolded and wearing ear muffs

[Teknikal]

Originally Posted by Istvan diVega

That really is awfully impressive, given that companies like Kapersky with their 2.700 employees or Symantec with some 21.000+ don't always manage to catch everything.

Anyway, having no such überskillz I use the new version of Windows Defender with is incorporated in Windows 8.

The one thing pretty much all malware/virus has in common is it has to start with the machine or it can't do anything if you know what services/executables should be there it's pretty easy to spot something that doesn't belong.

Anti-Virus isn't going to protect the first people hit anyway, until the virus is in the wild gets pretty common and antivirus companies have samples of it to make definitions from the antivirus won't do a thing. It's also pretty common for viruses to just disable the antivirus or even take it's place as soon as the machine gets hit.

Ironically the one time I did have a virus (w95spaces if I remember right really nasty piece of work that infected every single exe file on the system) my antivirus at the time Symantec told me it couldn't run because it may have been compromised by a virus.

[AndrewH]

On my Windows 7 desktop and laptop I use Panda Cloud Antivirus. I like how light on system resources it is, how easy it is to use (no complicated settings) and how it doesn't rely on downloading definition files every hour/day/whatever.

On my brand new Android phone I use TrustGo Antivirus & Mobile Security.

[Sydney's Mom]

McAfee

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by teh603

I run Linux, with ClamAV on it.

Thanks. I'm running Windows 7