So I'm Switching Antivirus Programs...

[HammerStone]

So I'm once again switching Antivirus/Security Suite software. I went with ESET for a while and was pretty happy - but when I went to renew a subscription for a year (preferably 2), I wasn't quite so happy to see the pricing. Similar products are 2/3 to 1/2 the price. I'm usually pretty loyal once I find a favorite, but Kaspersky was my previous choice for a long while. Great software, but I did note some performance issues.

 

[rockytopva]

So I'm once again switching Antivirus/Security Suite software. I went with ESET for a while and was pretty happy - but when I went to renew a subscription for a year (preferably 2), I wasn't quite so happy to see the pricing. Similar products are 2/3 to 1/2 the price. I'm usually pretty loyal once I find a favorite, but Kaspersky was my previous choice for a long while. Great software, but I did note some performance issues.

I run Microsoft Security Essentials. I like it because I am not aware that it is there. I like keeping processor, RAM, and hard drive free so I can run my Adobe programs (Flash, Premier, and Photoshop) and get maximum benefits from my quad processor 2.8 with 8 GB RAM. I think it very important not to go places I should not go and not open files I should not open.

 

[[email protected]]

Kaspersky is my AV software of choice. For a little less than forty bucks I get three licenses for use on my home desktop, my laptop, and my son's college laptop.

If you can't afford AV protection and need something even if it's a little, then AVG is good protection for the price - FREE.

One of the worst is Trend Micro, used by my employer. It blocks most bugs, but when one gets through it's a major hit. You've got to format and reinstall your O/S. Not a pleasant prospect at all.

 

[tim_from_pa]

Then again, we can all just dump the Microsoft OS and get Linux. :lol:

 

[HammerStone]

Linux = no Photoshop, no Flash, no Premier, no Publisher, etc.

We're actually hosted on Linux, and I don't plan on changing that anytime soon. I've used Linux as a desktop, mostly in a dual boot format, and it just lacks the features for my web design, church work, etc. It's surely cheap and reliable.

However, GIMP comes nowhere near the Adobe products.

Mac is a great product, but where Microsoft charges you out the wazoo for software, Apple does it for hardware. OS X viruses are coming; until now the primary thing that Mac had over MS was the virus aspect. That will change all in time as a larger, more attractive portion of the population uses it. It's all a numbers game.

 

[tim_from_pa]

Linux = no Photoshop, no Flash, no Premier, no Publisher, etc.

We're actually hosted on Linux, and I don't plan on changing that anytime soon. I've used Linux as a desktop, mostly in a dual boot format, and it just lacks the features for my web design, church work, etc. It's surely cheap and reliable.

However, GIMP comes nowhere near the Adobe products.

Mac is a great product, but where Microsoft charges you out the wazoo for software, Apple does it for hardware. OS X viruses are coming; until now the primary thing that Mac had over MS was the virus aspect. That will change all in time as a larger, more attractive portion of the population uses it. It's all a numbers game.

Well, Hammerstone, when you are an old man like me, I just browse the Internet, answer emails and forums and perhaps listen to a little streamed music. I don't need the extra bells and whistles that admittedly Microsoft gives. However, I rather do with slightly less than having an OS that can do all that but is down for scanning or fixing a lot of the time. It has gotten to the point where if somebody gives me a link that I'm unsure of the source that I don't bother using a Microsoft computer any more. These viruses gotten so out of control with that OS it isn't even funny. I don't like walking on eggshells.

As for Mac, a sizable portion of the population has been using it, probably 50-70% of the college youth for several years now, including my kids. No, there will not be the degree of viruses on a Mac that Microsoft has. It has nothing to do with the number of users of an OS, but rather the OS itself.

I'd say if you need Microsoft for some applications, then use it, but once you are done quickly switch back to the other OS's before the next virus gets ya. :lol:

 

[rockytopva]

Well, Hammerstone, when you are an old man like me, I just browse the Internet, answer emails and forums and perhaps listen to a little streamed music. I don't need the extra bells and whistles that admittedly Microsoft gives. However, I rather do with slightly less than having an OS that can do all that but is down for scanning or fixing a lot of the time. It has gotten to the point where if somebody gives me a link that I'm unsure of the source that I don't bother using a Microsoft computer any more. These viruses gotten so out of control with that OS it isn't even funny. I don't like walking on eggshells.

As for Mac, a sizable portion of the population has been using it, probably 50-70% of the college youth for several years now, including my kids. No, there will not be the degree of viruses on a Mac that Microsoft has. It has nothing to do with the number of users of an OS, but rather the OS itself.

I'd say if you need Microsoft for some applications, then use it, but once you are done quickly switch back to the other OS's before the next virus gets ya. :lol:

Tim... There is plenty of Open Source stuff that you can download for Linux. As for me, I like my Adobe products so I will stay with Windows 7.

 

[Stan]

All ISP's in Canada now supply security software with their service, so I haven't used one in a couple of years. I have always like Trend Micro in the past. Their personal client version was called PC-Cillin. It was good. It's now called Titanium. They also have an online product called House Call, in case you're foolish enough to go online without anything. It will fix most problems in a pinch.
I did learn long time ago, to stay away from Norton...hogged resources and modified to many registry settings.
If you need it, there are so many free versions for personal use online, that you really just have to look around for a good one.
The best thing I ever got though was a router. Great way to protect your anonymity.

 

[biggandyy]

Antivirus, Avast. Couple that with Malwarebytes.

And keeping MS patched, Java UP TO DATE (extremely important), and flash up to date, will go a long way to keeping your PC clean.

http://www.biggandyy.com/2011/09/18/virus-insurance/

 

[epouraniois]

anti virus' may just be another form of a trap (what is the program really doing/sending), plus they use so many many resources. use malwarebytes, keep a fresh something like avg free just in case you need a quick scan. the main players are the ones who invariably contract spyware - proving they don't work. use ff w https finder and ghostery.

i recon if i were going to start really using one agaiin, it would be nod32.

 

[mark s]

Yep, avast and malwarebytes, both free. And SpyBot. I never notice any of them except of course when I want to run a scan or something. And I occasionally run the Trend Micro free scan, housecall.

All my software is freeware, and I'm happy as can be with all of it.

 

[Mungo]

I used to use Kaspersky but then, according to reports, it started getting bloaty so I've been using Bitdefender for the last 15 months. It's quite cheap off ebay.

 

[Arnie Manitoba]

Keep windows updated , they are always ahead of everybody on these issues and have constant security updates.

Also .... Scan your system with "Microsoft Security Essentials" to check for viruses or malware.

It is a free and and ongoing service provided for windows users.

Most other aftermarket anti-virus companies are good at instilling fear into your wallet to send them money , and they usually slow your system down.

The reason Microsoft does not promote it is because in essence they would be saying we don't need anyone elses software .... and that gets them into trouble in the monopoly courts ....

As much as we like to hate Microsoft sometimes , they have our best interests at heart , and they dont ask for money continually.

 

[Faith442]

Avast and Malwarebytes have proven to be a good combo for me. I have been tempted to give AVG a try again but after my last poor experience with that, am swayed not to. I also laugh whenever I see the Norton ads, that's the one piece of software I doubt I'll ever use again.

 

[tim_from_pa]

All you folks have more patience than I have. I can't take the Microsoft and AV any longer.

As I always said, in the beginning viruses were a joke and something funny. Then later they got irritating. As the MS software progressed and still got them, I wanted to KILL the virus writers. But after 20-some years when MS still gets viruses, I finally realized it's out of design. Nobody can be that abysmally stupid. Like a woman whose always in an abusive relationship, first just being hit and finally having her life threatened, I likewise decided to end the Microsoft virus abuse. I woke up and finally dumped them, and I could not be happier, and I don't pay one cent for what now I have, either.

Well, to each their own, I guess. I just don't understand it, though, the tolerance to needless pain.

 

[Arnie Manitoba]

Avast and Malwarebytes have proven to be a good combo for me. I have been tempted to give AVG a try again but after my last poor experience with that, am swayed not to. I also laugh whenever I see the Norton ads, that's the one piece of software I doubt I'll ever use again.

My computer came installed with Norton .... good for a year .... then continuous pop-ups from Norton wanted me to renew for $60 .... Once I was able to un-install Norton .... I went dancing in the streets ....

..... and i don't even know how to dance :)

Microsoft has continuous security updates .... they know the vulnerabilities better than anyone .... and they fix them ..... and at no charge. keep windows updated.

Scan your system for free with Microsoft essentials ..... start it just before you go to bed .... can take several hours .... it will give you a full report .... and no charge .... !!

I am not a big fan of Microsoft ..... but I am even less of a fan of the aftermarket anti-virus companies. Money is their motive. Don't kid yourself.

About Microsoft Security Essentials

Use Microsoft Security Essentials to guard against viruses, spyware, and other evil software. It provides real-time protection for your home or small business PCs.
Microsoft Security Essentials is free* and we designed it to be simple to install and easy to use. It runs quietly and efficiently in the background so you don't have to worry about interruptions or making updates.
*Must be genuine windows

Start at the link below .... determine which version of windows you run .... find the free scan .... it can be done every ten days (free)
It is very thorough.

http://windows.micro...rity-essentials

We are fortunate in Canada .... our ISP's have virus protection built in before it even gets to our homes , it usually works,

80% of viruses come through PORN sites !!!!
20% thru china .... Russia ... off-shore pharmaceuticals .... home business scams ... fake ant-virus advertisements .... etc.
Stay away from the crap and you are less vulnerable.
Never mind what Lady Gaga is wearing today ... it is a waste of human intelligence.
Tweet twat twitter pop splash snap sizzle is for the zombies walking around staring into electronic devices .... they do not know who they are , where they are , where they are going , and without Google would not know anything .... :)

Apologies to zombies everywhere .... :)

 

[DanielPaul]

I use micrsoft's free antivirus. You dont really need to buy expensive anivirus softwares. http://windows.micro...rity-essentials

 

[Eltanin]

My husband and I have used Avast for years now, I can't remember using anything different since at least 2004... and I can't remember ever getting a horrible virus since we converted to Avast wholeheartedly since then... It's free, it doesn't kill our resources, and it is clean... We recommend it to anyone.

 

[Arnie Manitoba]

My husband and I have used Avast for years now, I can't remember using anything different since at least 2004... and I can't remember ever getting a horrible virus since we converted to Avast wholeheartedly since then... It's free, it doesn't kill our resources, and it is clean... We recommend it to anyone.

I do not disagree ..... not much anyway .... I had avast for a couple of years ...... the free version ..... ever notice they have a "paid version" if you want their best. Nothing wrong with that. Companies should be paid for their work .

I know a guy who owned a car radiator repair shop. Every time business was slow he would advertise all the horrors of an overheated car engine.

He understood that to herd the sheep to the cash register you must first cry wolf .... then provide a wolf repellent.

Some things never change. Overheated cars are a thing of the past. Now we have computer viruses and smart phones.

My friend the radiator repair man became a multi millionaire.

So do folks in the computer industry who are skilled at crying wolf.

The rest of us are "sheep zombies" who stare into an electronic device in our hands trying to figure out who we are , where we are , and where to purchase wolf repellent.

 

[Stan]

Like any other software, AV programs are given away so they can get into the market, make it reliable and then sell it. Yes most of the free stuff does not have all the bells and whistles, but it is effective. Nobody forces you to use it and if you are a savvy user you won't need to rely on an AV program but most users are not, and viruses don't only come in sheep's clothing anymore. You can get them just from going onto a site.
Since I can remember, Trend Micro has always had the best AV program and it has a full security suite. My ISP gives me free security software for being a customer, which is normal in Canada for the most part. In the U.S. it probably is still not there.
Viruses and malware are real so be proactive or be reactive. The choice is definitely yours. Like anything else in life, you'll find being proactive comes with a lot less headaches.