Broadband Tech > Security > Security > What is the right AV program for me?

What is the right AV program for me?

Avira and Avast! are both pretty good scanners. You can try turning down the scanning sensitivity on Avira if it is giving too many false positives, but you can also try out Avast! to see how that works for you.
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reply to summerphotos
To be honest......None...

Because Its you (the user) thats responsible for securing the system by locking it down. Dont run as Admin account (on ANY OS like Linux/UNIX), dont run any attachments, or click on any links in emails. And dont visit "shadey" websites.

I know alot a security experts that dont even rely or use an AV software. But a firewall is a must....

An AV is just a backup software that only monitors incase you do even run something that is not allowed.

But the key thing in system security...is Common sense....thats all it takes.

Your security patches are the number one most important things that you need to install and a firewall. But an AV is less likely for most security experts here.

Ok, If your not tech savy in securing your PC, then here is some AV that you can try and known to be good.

Kapersky
Mcafee VS 8.5i
Etrust from CA
Avast

Forget about AVG....Please!!!!!! Its the worst AV out there...

And one note to take also, there are some routers like Juniper and Cisco systems that do a pretty good job of blocking suspicious web content....

Good luck.

reply to summerphotos
Nod32 isn't free, but I tried Avira, Liked it for the most part but there were a few certain things about it that got to me. Tried Nod32 and haven't looked back. I actually bought a 2 year subscription for 2 of my computers with it, I like it that much.

Try out the free trial and see how you like it, if you don't then uninstall and try another one.
»www.eset.com/

I agree to stay away from AVG... Its absolute crap unless you just need the very basic protection, with no ability to really control it.
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reply to summerphotos
I vote with Avast! and Avira. On compatibility with WIN7, that'll depend on whether the vendors come out with a product.

I also recommend Windows Defender, a spyware detection application from Microsoft. I haven't seen any issues with performance in my customer install base.

Spyware Blaster is essentially a "no CPU cycles used" killbit app that you can load.

The Windows Firewall on PCs behind an ell cheapo router will provide excellent protection against scanners and internet noise.

M$ is coming out with a free AV product, but I haven't seen much on how it runs or how effective it is.

Based on your stated level of knowledge and needs, I definitely would *not* recommend running without basic firewall and malware applications.

If you're a present Vista user, having UAC turned on will at least notify you if something wants to install. It's kinda naggy, but shouldn't squawk much unless you're the kind of person who's always installing new toys. Since you want "set & forget", I'll assume you won't be continually installing applications.

Don't know your user base, so if you have careless or click-happy users, you may need more.
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reply to summerphotos
I always vote for Avast. Been using it for years and love it. Of course, I have XP, and as far as compatibility with Windows 7 Avast works fine. Here is a link that I got from the Avast forum that tells you everything about Avast compatibility as well as all other AVs:

»www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-···ndows-7/

reply to summerphotos
Grab some freebies and demos. Give each a month. Pick the one you like best when you're through. Be sure to uninstall one before trying another, of course!
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In dadkins' memory, Think outside the Fox...

reply to summerphotos
I would go with Avira, or perhaps Avast 5 if it's out late this year. I have used Avira on Win 7 for a few months with no issues at all.

reply to summerphotos
I am another Avast lover and user. I was forced away from using ZASS and needed something that was in individual pieces. I ended up with an old ZA plus Avast and am happy as a clam. Since I don't rely upon any one program and go for a layered look, there's more to it on my box than that mentioned, but if you're looking for a good, free/paid AV, Avast is good. So is Avira, although it won't play nicely with some things I have on my system. You might want to try whatever you think might be nice for you to make sure that it plays well with everything else you have.

reply to summerphotos
Avast 4.8, v5 will be out soon, which is pretty exciting.

reply to summerphotos
Thanks so much for all the replies, it's appreciated.

Between NOD32, Avira Personal and NAV 9 (or 10 when it comes out), which would be the lightest, most effective "set and forget", and won't cause any slowdown in surfing the web at all?

Now I have Avira 9, which I do like a lot because it's basic, but the false positives are pretty often. I really liked NAV when I had it many, many years ago, but that was before it got bloated. Probably Windows 98, I think. I hear great things about Avast, but I just don't like the interface. It's pretty confusing for me. I've tried it a few years ago. Obviously interface is probably the last thing to look for in an AV, but I'd like a pretty "nice", simple to use one.

the simple user interface is a great option of avast. it looks much better than the media player gui. this laptop is using avg, or I would show you.

the gui on avast 5 has been built from the ground up and looks awesome btw.

i would run avast, and set the gui to "simple user interface" if i were you.
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reply to summerphotos

reply to summerphotos
NAV 2009 isn't bloated, runs fast, and is low on resources. I use IE7 and it don't slow that down. It runs its scans in the background and pauses them when the computer is in use, so I haven't noticed it slowing down any surfing. It is definitely set and forget.

reply to summerphotos
Norton Internet Security 2009. Has everything you want- small footprint, very low resource use, completely set and forget, and it does a great job. You won't even know it is there. Includes firewall, antispam, etc...

reply to slajoh01

reply to Smith6612

Wow, some rough replies. Not being tech savvy does not equal stupid, by any stretch of the imagination. I know quite a few people who are brilliant in their chosen academic fields, that barely know how to get their email off the computer.

Here's my suggestion: Choice of AV is actually less important than making sure you do most of your browsing in a Standard User Account (not an Administrator account). There's very little that can't be fixed if you use such an account, as the core OS will be protected.

As for the AV, as long as you go with the big players as mentioned so far in this thread, you really can't go wrong; What's important is how it works on YOUR machine. A blazing-fast, effective AV on one machine can make a second machine go into fits.

reply to summerphotos
I haven't tried Avira in several years, but have enjoyed my NOD32 v2.7 on a range of older computers. A PIII-1ghz, a PIII Celeron 366mhz, and this current Gateway E4100 2.8ghz,1GB RAM machine.

Decided to try out the trial of NOD32 v.4 on the new computer and so far, it's caught several nasties and is using very low resources...less than my browser usually uses in fact.