Looking for a GOOD AntiVirus Program

[Virgo10]

I'm just about ready to pitch this computer out the window! Since I got it back on Saturday (from a hard drive failure) I've been without an AV program. I tried one that I d/l the other day but it kept crashing the computer so I got rid of it. A friend of mine told me about one called AVG. It is free so I installed it and ran a test. It came back with a virus but I can't, for the life of me, figure out how to get rid of the virus. First question is does anyone here have any knowledge about AVG?

I've always used Norton but, from what I've read, the newest version is awful. People are saying it slows your computer down to a crawl and doesn't always catch everything.

I need some good recommendations. Something that's easy to use and has a d/l online where you can try it out for free for a while or permanently.

Thanks for any help.

Roberta

 

[Dan Murphy]

I use both Norton 2004 and Panda. Both work great. Neither are free. I know Panda can be tried free, not sure about Norton.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I'm partial to Norton, sorry. We started with the 90 day trial that came with the PC and when the renewal time came we paid $30 to have it for another year. Which reminds me . . . I need to update and scan this system tonight. I think it's been a few weeks and I don't want to get caught with my guard down.


DH has a program called Fix-It Utilities installed as well. I'm not sure if he downloaded it or has the disc somewhere. It's okay, but often times it finds files that it "thinks" are viruses. Any time it detects one of these wierd files I run Norton and it usually comes up empty.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

AVG is a quality product. Even the free version works well.

 

[hockeymom7691]

If you go to the Norton website, they do offer a free trial. I just bought the new version two weeks ago and love it!

 

[stevenpensacola]

another "thumbs up" for AVG!

 

[KrnB]

We use TrendMicro. DH has been the anti-virus expert at our company for quite some time (not officially, anymore, but they still call him when a crisis hits), and he's been happiest with this. I have no idea how much it costs or if it is user-friendly, but it seems to work really well.

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by iNTeNSeBLue98
Which reminds me . . . I need to update and scan this system tonight. I think it's been a few weeks and I don't want to get caught with my guard down.

You should try to have that setup to scan and download automatically every night. New viruses are always coming out and spread in days now. We have ours set to update and scan the computer at 4 am everyday.

We use Norton, it works well.

 

[Lachesis00]

We like AVG antivirus and it is free for home use.

 

[magicmouse2]

Norton 2004 is fantastic

 

[always quiet]

I have the McAffee subscription service. I really like it....it automatically tells me when there is an update available. There is a $20 rebate available til June. I just renewed and with the rebate, I only had to pay $14.95 for another year!

 

[ripleysmom]

We use Norton and like it.

 

[Indyman]

Originally posted by KrnB
We use TrendMicro. DH has been the anti-virus expert at our company for quite some time (not officially, anymore, but they still call him when a crisis hits), and he's been happiest with this. I have no idea how much it costs or if it is user-friendly, but it seems to work really well.

I use TrendMicro PCcillin as well. It was chosen ahead of MacAfee and Norton by MaximumPC magazine. If you're connected to the internet via broadband it also has a built in firewall, a feature you'd have to pay extra for with Norton or MacAfee. I've had no problems with it and it has caught several viruses.

 

[Tess]

The issue with Norton's may not be Norton's itself. It could well be that you haven't rid your computer of the traces of any prior used AV software. Norton's conflicts with some of that stuff--even it's own older versions. There are pages on Symantec's website to troubleshoot those issues and explanations how to clean your system of any remnants. Specifically, there are items in the registry that cause internal problem with your computer.

Systemworks & XP caused issues for our computer (a Dell) when it was purchased a couple of years ago. Systemworks (a whole suite of programs) worked great with our Windows '95 program--still does although it is very RAM intensive. Systemworks was not working at all with XP and caused us no end of headaches just trying to install it.

After consultation with Dell and Symantec, I returned Systemworks and purchased a simple Norton's AV program--worked great. I love the automatic updates and it has kept our computer virus free--knocking wood. One complaint I have about all of them is the inability to capture those blasted pop-up viruses that download automatically and without a warning. These are a pain in the rump and I've not found any program that stays on top of the evolving changes these pests continue to produce. Thankfully, there's websites with tech savvy folks that eventually find a cure and I've been lucky to keep them out OR rid myself of them soon after they occur. Adaware works pretty well, but nothing is 100% accurate, 100% of the time.

We've used McAfee prior to Norton's eons ago, but when the online download system became unreliable, we switched. Both McAfee and Norton's have online downloadable programs with subscription services to keep your system up-to-date.