Posted on 03/01/2009 10:05:37 PM PST by Frantzie
Sorry to post a vanity but I got the parite virus that somehow got on my laptop. I rarely use it for too much and rarely surf the web with this laptop. I lost my desktop icons and was stumped.
I have AV programs I have bought for my other machines like Spybot and PC Tools and Iolo System Mechanic to name a few. I was just lazy on this machine because it came with Norton. The machine is about 2 years old so my mistake.
I ran Norton but it took forever to screen and then wanted me to buy a new version to get rid of the viruses. I tried AVG but Parite got on all my exe and other files and had 1500 + infections! AVG could not handle it because the virus vault was full and I had to manually delete each one and it would not. it was a mess.
I was getting concerned and remembered Avast. I downloaded Avast and it said to reboot and ran all the screens in boot mode. It go rid of all the infections and my machine is back to normal. ;-) Great program.
It’s great. I had McAfee, which came installed on my eMachine. Horrible. Trashed everything. Norton had come installed on my previous machine, a Dell. When I called Dell to tell them the audio was chattering (and I bought the computer to do audio) the help desk told me to trash the Norton. This was when I was on dialup, and it was also before the big outbreak of viruses and worms in 2001.
Avast! is free, and it runs in the background, and it’s just great.
Avast and AVG are just OK as AV software goes. But excellent as FREE AV software goes.
ESET’s NOD32 is easily the best on the planet.
I’m a computer consultant and have installed it on literally thousands of machines.
It is not free but we have very few virus callbacks when combining NOD32 with Malware Bytes.
My two cents.
I tried Avast but seemed it really slowed my computer down. So, I went back to AVG...somewhat slow, but not as bad.
Using Firefox helps too, I think.
Never get comfortable with Norton AV. Ever.
Havent had any trouble since.
I have combined the FREE AVG and Spybot S&D to protect one of my laptops.
Within the same time, I used McAfee to “protect” another. It was the McAfee AV-protected laptop that was NOT able to detect the Vundo malware until it sputtered and crashed.
The laptop with the free AVG/Spybot has never let me down in 2 years.
That’s what we suggest our customers use. It is about the least “heavy” when it comes to slowing down the machine, and one of the most effective at preventing infections.
Norton and McCaffee are horrible. Especially about slowing down older computers.
I’m not a big fan of McAfee.
They all do something to protect your PC.
NOD32 has a very small footprint (doesn’t slow your computer much at all) and hasn’t missed an in-the-wild virus in over 9 years, maybe ten now, according to Virus Bulletin.
NOD32 has won over 54 VB100 Awards—more than any other AV software product.
I use it on all my PC and I don’t know another technician or consultant that doesn’t use it.
http://www.eset.com/products/compare-NOD32-vs-competition.php
When I visited my daugher in college her computer was a mess. “But I didn’t do anything!!” she said. Mmmhmmm. Tried a number of things, but it was running Avast from the boot sector that healed her machine. I’m a believer.
I don't like Avast that well. In raw detection (on demand scan) I much prefer AVG or AntiVir.
ESET’s NOD32 is easily the best on the planet.
Would *nearly* agree. I would still rate Kaspersky as *best*, but NOD32 is seriously right up at the top.
As a service tech, I recommend F-Protect. It is really quite good, and has a very nice price- $35 for 5 machines, $45 for 10 machines.
I judge ‘em as they’re tested by us and by the indepent testers.
There will be a new kid on the block here shortly.
I don’t know all of the particulars but someone behind the AV scene told me that they will Frankenstein Kaspersky with parts of another AV system to create product to compete directly with NOD32—which is grabbing up market share fast enough to put the fear of God in the industry regulars.
I agree with you about Avast. I detest McAfee and Norton.
I’ve used Nod32 and Avast! on a couple of my computers, all networked.
Avast caught more viruses than ESET’s did, especially the kind that infects USB thumb drives.
Great! Use Avast.
I have *no* faith in independent testers, who consistently rate Norton highly... It is quite common for me to find Norton boxes completely overrun with viruses, and Norton doesn't even know the difference. The same with McAfee.
I test my own in a real world environment by running AVTrials through client boxes, switching them up, and seeing which ones leave things for others to detect. Invariably KAV can clean a box better than any. Always has. NOD32, FPROT, and SOPHOS are second tier, very good, seldom leave anything KAV would find, and if it does, usually caught on the next update. Next, Bitdefender, Dr. Web, and AntiVir- reliably catch what the others would within a day... AVG is an also ran, takes a bit longer to detect, but eventually will, can be compromised, but normally knows it when it is.
All the rest, while some may surprise me from time to time, generally fail to be reliably on their game like the ones mentioned above. **Note that I tend to care more about "on demand" detection than I do about realtime. Realtime *is* important, but always is less powerful than "on demand", and is not the final defense.
There will be a new kid on the block here shortly.
That sounds very interesting- Would appreciate a ping or pvt e when you know more. I have always liked NOD32, but my users (SOHO and Residential) find it hard to understand. F-protect is a much cleaner GUI and that is another reason why I have stayed with them so long.
Funny how things don't change much- Been reliably using KAV (AVP), FPROT, SOPHOS, and NOD32 since the DOS days to clean stuff up...
I just thought I would offer my experience.
I didn’t want to join a side in the AntiVirus wars.
Goodnight.
Indeed.
Me too.
I didn’t want to join a side in the AntiVirus wars.
That wasn't my intention.
Goodnight.
You too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.