Protecting the computer from viruses
 

Don't pay! Avast! or AVG are highly rated, and FREE. If on XP, use Defender as well

Declaring an interest as the 'webmeister' of the IIA Internet Security Portal - go and check out all of the resources and advice available for free from:
http://www.security.iia.net.au
:ok:
And is you want to use the "Ask and Expert' facility I will arrange for an answer.
:p

I'm afraid you'll have to pay for a constantly updated antivirus service. That's the unfortunate situation we're facing. Yesterday's papers are cheap, but only good for fish-wrapping -- the news are already printed elsewhere.

Not so!

Avast updates itself pretty much every day, and hasn't cost me a penny.

You'll have to take into account the speed of response, and the width of the coverage as well. Taking the "ransomware" trojan that was mentioned recently on this forum (called Trojan.Archiveus, Trojan.Win32.MayArchive.b, Archiveus, depending on the antivir maker) as an example, I was unable to find a mention of it in the Avast database updates today.
Since slave labour is illegal in Western societies, you'll be paying for a comprehensive coverage in one way or the other. Ad-based financing may not be the best choice for a privacy-oriented product such as an antivirus package. I feel security is one the factors you just need to take into account in the total cost of computer ownership today.

Use anything.....EXCEPT :mad: Norton. Unless you really want to slow your PC down.

" What do you all think of McAfee?"

About as desirable as Norton! Wouldn't touch it.

Excellent product. Used it for 4 years now & to compare it to Norton is laughable. That would be like comparing Pipex with AOL.

I use AVG for my antivirus on my desktop, its fairly old and AVG isnt to resource hungry, on my laptop i use NOD32, for someone with a decent spec pc i recomend NOD32. Tried Norton, Mcafee, Avast, Panda, and Zonealarm range in the past and found the two i use at the moment to be the good ones for me.

Firewall i have used nothing apart from Zonealarm though if you want a proper firewall you would want a hardware on on a router etc.

Spyware/Adware - Spybot, Ad adware, Microsofts Antispyware.

Thats about all i use to keep my systems clean, but i do like to have a 'clear out' and do a format here and there. :ok:

Protect your Irn_Bru
 

Hi Irn_Bru,
I've tried all the free AV software, but like everything, you pay for what you get!
I have been so pleased with NOD32 I purchased a three-year licence when it came up for renewal.
They say it all here:D
I'm been virus free since NOD32:ok:
Cheers
Tartan Giant

Yeah, TG, but I've been using Avast! for years with no problem (and no cost!).

That makes two of us :ok:

spyware
 

Here we go again!!! I am using ad-aware to clean my laptop, continually protect it with anti virus personal clean and check nearly every day and sites still hang!!! messengers slow down with the appropiate warnings, web cams freeze!! I even tried spy doctor and it found 82 new infections - guess what they want $30 to subscribe. Why does one programme find spyware and others don't??
Oh I use talktalk as my server, with all the publicity about free broadband then I guess the whole of the Uk has signed up and slowed it right down - oh yes 20p per min to tell you that!!! come back dial up all is forgiven - never had any problems then!!!

Generally programmes that find that much spyware will con you in to paying to get rid of the (non-existant) infections! you might find this http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm interesting.

The products that got the VB 100% mark in June 2006 were: Avira, CA eTrust, Authentium, Doctor Web, Eset NOD 32, Fortinet FortiClient, F-Secure AntiVirus, GDATA AntiVirusKit, Grisoft AVG, Kaspersky AntiVirus, McAfee VirusScan, Microsoft OneCare, MicroWorld eScanWin, Norman Virus Control, NWI Virus Chaser, Softwin BitDefender, Sophos Antivirus, Symantec Antivirus.

One of the failed ones was Alwil avast! (their exclamation mark)

You may also want to read:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/seite...e/report09.pdf

I'm sure Irn wouldn't mind
 

I received a message from Irn as he said he would - and I am sure he wouldn't mind me publishing my response. I am an humanoid! (I have made two small edits to tidy up the language).

"Hi Irn

I see that you said in the PPRUNE site that you had emailed me.
As I am sure you will understand I cannot recommend an individual program.
However, I purposely have two email address on the IIA security portal designed to suck up all of the scam and viruses. They are unprotected.

What I then do is use Nortons Antivirus 2006 - despite what others say about slowing down the system - this can be a problem if you use Norton Systemsworks and don't switch some live monitoring items off. NAV2006 includes an anti-spyware program . But I also use Microsoft Defender to block spyware and also use a free version of Adaware.

I get hit every day by lots of spam, emails with viruses and other malware but have not had one yet get into my system and destroy it.

I know that McAfee, Trend Micro and the MessageLabs systems also work well. As will may of the the freeware and shareware programs about.

Best to try what suits you and your budget - just keep it up to date.
Cheers"

NOD32 and Kaspersky are the ones to look at.

A mate of mine used AVG until I scanned his HDD using my antivirus software and it found 156 viruses..... says it all for AVG.


The problem with anti virus software is those that babble on about how good Avast/AVG/Norton/Mcafee are, don't know when a virus slips through. Remember, it only tells you when it catches one, and not when it misses it. Get some proper anti virus software.... for the sake of £30 a year, it's not much.

I use NOD32 by the way.

I suggest:

(1) don't download viruses
(2) don't install viruses
(3) don't run viruses.

Er, that's it really. The advantages you get from this approach are:

(a) you don't get viruses
(b) your computer doesn't run like a fast-asleep snail because of the CPU cycles stolen by your anti-virus "solution"
(c) your computer doesn't keep crashing because of your anti-virus "solution"
(d) when you install new applications they actually work because they don't have "conflicts" with your anti-virus "solution".

(OK, so maybe you don't want to connect an out-of-date unpatched machine directly to the internet, but that's why you put a stealth mode router between your PC and the broadband connection.)