Recommend me an antivirus program

maxmordon · Nov 16, 2009

Please, a free, trusty and simple antivirus for Windows XP to download, that's all what I am asking for...

Freelancer · Nov 16, 2009

AVG Free
http://free.avg.com/ww-en/homepage

Matera the Mad · Nov 16, 2009

AVG is heavy. (Also has some annoying componenets, IMO.) It could slow your computer as badly as the two $Big Names$. If your system is not anywhere near cutting-edge, try Avira or Avast. Avira does a simple nag-screen every time it updates, easy to click off and occasionally amusing. Otherwise it is one of the nicest to get along with. Avast needs to have its free registration renewed every few months, but it has a cool scanning screensaver.

If you have lots of RAM, AVG is OK. I used to use it.

Freelancer · Nov 16, 2009

Avira and Avast used to produce false warnings. That was the reason why I didn't recommend them. Also I have two computers, one with C2D 3Ghz, 2Gb RAM and the other is a C2D 2Ghz, 4Gb RAM (Laptop), so I don't know AVG is heavy or not. For me, it's running smooth on both, but both computers are above the average category.

cptwentworth · Nov 16, 2009

I've used AVG for years also, never had a problem with it.

Matera the Mad · Nov 16, 2009

AVG is a millstone around the neck of an older computer. Believe it or not, there are still people stuck with 512MB of RAM or less, and they can't all just jump up and fix that. I got fed up with it after using it at work on donated computers that just couldn't handle the massive bloatware it has become.

I've had one false positive with Avast, but it wasn't anything most people would have anyway. No problems with Avira yet.

At home I use a scan-on-demand AV that's not pro-active enough for general users, alas

ETA: I recall asking Avira to ignore something once. It's a large point in its favor that one can do that. Both Avira and Avast are installed at work; I can compare them handily.

benbradley · Nov 16, 2009

Also, Spybot Search and Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org
and Housecall:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Deleted member 42 · Nov 16, 2009

Avoid Norton/Symantec, unless you are wealthy, and fairly sophisticated with Windows.

If BOTH are true, it's a decent suite of apps; if either is not true, you could seriously mess yourself, and your OS up.

Freelancer · Nov 16, 2009

I have an original Norton / Symantec 2009 and at the previous Vista install I had no problem with that one at all (One of my former colleagues worked for Symantec and he gave me one to test it.). Also it's quite faster then the previous one. So it's not bad at all, but I still prefer AVG as it's free.

Matera the Mad · Nov 16, 2009

Was just saying, if you have enough RAM. Not everyone does. I gave someone's computer a fantastic speed boost recently by uninstalling McAfee, replacing it with a lighter AV and firewall. I've seen horrible cases of "Norton flu". My computer could probably handle any of them, but I would rather have more resources for graphics editing. I try not to assume that everyone has the "best" of everything. I seldom do.

Freelancer · Nov 16, 2009

I know what you said, but Norton is originally a slow program, even on my computers. But 2009 was fast comparing to the previous versions.

I try not to assume that everyone has the "best" of everything.

I also try to do that, but everyone that I know, all my friends has at least 1,5 or 2 Giga Ram and at least a CPU with 2GHz. And not because they're rich or anything else, just it's somehow a standard here in my country. So for me, it's the average configuration. Here the bests are the Quad Core computers with 8Giga Rams (I had one at the beginning of this year for graphic work, but they're not a miracle computers as it's been advertised.).

Matera the Mad · Nov 16, 2009

My experience with local computers and in other forums has shown me that there are still plenty with 1G or less. I was one of the have-nots until last August. I am still amazed that I actually bought a computer, after eight and a half years of making do with cast-offs. I was barely able to afford an Internet connection most of that time.

That's why I am able to fix all my own computer problems

Puma · Nov 16, 2009

Questions from an overly cautious (but for good reasons) - if I wanted to switch to AVG or Avast or Avira, I assume I'd need to take off the current anti-virus program I have (a bought one I'm not so fond of) before I download anything new - true or false? Part 2 - how likely is it to get zapped with something in the time it would take to get the new program off the net?

Second question: If I got to one of the three above, is that enough, or do I need something else like Ad-aware SE? Thanks loads for your answers. Puma

Carmy · Nov 16, 2009

I use Avast.

Tried Avira, found it too slow.

Paid $85 for Norton a few years ago and got a virus. Hah!

I used AVG for years with no problem until the tech site I belong to stopped recommending it. [Actually spoke out against the new version.]

No expert, Puma, but I'd download the program I want and then delete the old one. You just never know what's waiting to creep in if you delete the old one first and leave yourself open. Be sure you delete the old one right away because two such programs could be in conflict.

As I said--I'm no expert.

Matera the Mad · Nov 16, 2009

Download first. Uninstall (not "delete"!) the old, install the new, and then let the new one download updates.

As for being on line without, it doesn't make that much difference with antivirus. Just don't mess around with anything before the new AV is working. A firewall is what protects you from things that just creep in without your doing anything. Some AVs are combos. Un-/installing doesn't take very long. If you're worried, get off line after the download.

Everyone should have a firewall. It's the first line of defense. Antivirus can only take care of what has already invaded your computer. A firewall keeps unwanted data from entering (and keeps suspicious junk that you have opened a door to from phoning home).

Tanydwr · Nov 17, 2009

I say beware Norton! I got tricked into downloading a 'free' upgrade, which turned out to be a trial that disabled my old (Norton) antivirus software, and now won't even work with the bits of the old software that still worked, so I now get alerts claiming I have no antivirus software. While it does work, it slows my computer, especially my Internet, right down, and you have to pay thirty-odd quid (probably over fifty dollars) to subscribe each year after the initial purchase.

Thank God my parents are getting me a new laptop this Christmas! I just have to pick a new antivirus programme...

Exir · Nov 17, 2009

AVG free works fine

stormie · Nov 17, 2009

I've had Avast running on all the computers here for over two years now. No problems with it. Just make sure you get the free Home Version and register it.

As for Norton--Tanydwr--be careful. If Norton/Symantec has your credit card # on file, they tend to keep charging you for upgrades each year. Even calling them doesn't help. New computer or not. I had to cancel my charge card and get a new one because of this.

DeleyanLee · Nov 17, 2009

I use ESET. It isn't free, but at $70 for 2 years, I think it's a bargain. I like it because it runs TOTALLY in the background, with all the updating, and never slowed down my processor like AVG did.

Deleted member 42 · Nov 17, 2009

Freelancer said:
I have an original Norton / Symantec 2009 and at the previous Vista install I had no problem with that one at all (One of my former colleagues worked for Symantec and he gave me one to test it.). Also it's quite faster then the previous one. So it's not bad at all, but I still prefer AVG as it's free.

Keep in mind also you will have to update whatever you install with new virus definitions.

Seams · Nov 17, 2009

antivirus programs are a bit like favourite snacks, we all have one we stick to.

Some mentioned AVG, AVAST, AVIRA, and for the average usage these will do fine (myself i'd rather burn my system before AVG is installed, but like I said, each to their own taste)

another option to try is 'trial' offers by the big companies... for example currently Bitdefender is offering a months free trial(fully functions) as is Kaspersky i believe

now you might say, hey, after a month what do i do? Well after you cleaned your system and its all sparkling, you of course create a restore point or make a backup of that so you have it there in case, after the month you can try another trial or grab a freebee. I never stay with one too long because some companies get a bit promotional with catching what they term 'harmful files' when they aren't.

There are also 'online virus scanners' which will remove your problems without a program installed (well the initial dat files and such but they can be removed after the scan is completed. ) I think Panda has this, as does Bitdefender and others

its good to even test the scanner you have occasionally because what one misses another finds.

good luck

Jamesaritchie · Nov 17, 2009

I have an old computer here with 256 RAM, and it handles AVG with no problems whatsoever. Nothing slows down, and all is well.

Seams · Nov 17, 2009

you bring up a great point, there.

the speed and ram of your computer makes a huge difference in what is available to you and also what it does for you.

Matera the Mad · Nov 17, 2009

What one person calls "no problems" might be a problem for another. I think if you turn off a lot of AVG's extras, it might not cause too much slowdown. IF all you do with your computer is work on a doc, surf, and do e-mail. I've had to try running QuickBooks and several other things at the same time. Hurry up and wait.... For a lot of people, turning off optional extras is too complicated. That's why I suggest alternatives that are easy-going right out of the box.

Everyone's system and needs are different, so all one can do is see what works best. One sure thing is it's good to have more than one option.

mario_c · Nov 17, 2009

I just survived three hours on hold for Norton support - yes, with a priority ticket - because the Download Manager is stuck on 'initializing'. One minute install, my ass. And yes I cleaned out the cache and temp files and recycle bin and Defragmented and all that stuff they say to stall you while they try to figure out what's wrong. (Well, I do that.

)
So AVG is looking good right now.

PS Am writing this on the Mac side, so I've got time to consider my options.

Recommend me an antivirus program

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