PC Security/Antivirus Software

[big_b]

I'm currently using Norton 360 ( with my 2 Daughters ) as our main security on PC & 2 laptops for the last 2 years.

Started out well but seems to me not to be as effective as it was lately.

It let a bad one through recently that just about killed my PC ( had to re format )

It's just about due for re-license. But is it worth it?

Just been doing a quick Google re software & it really doesn't get much of a mention in the top 10 etc any more.

What is a preferred internet security suite worth using.

Dave

 

[shaneturner12]

This is not a recommendation as such (although you are welcome to try it), but I am currently using AVG 2012 Internet Security, which includes firewall.

I dislike Norton at the moment due to issues with their software and my tutorial website, which they have effectively rated as bad because they only check the domain, not the individual subdomains.

Also, it is reporting my new utility as bad, which I have checked using VirusTotal and it came back clean, as well as my own virus scanner (AVG).

Shane

 

[kamran]

microsoft security essentials

 

[masontaylor]

I came off Norton a couple of years ago after several attempts to upgrade to the latest version resulted in catastrophic PC complications which their helpline was totally incapable of solving.

Friends of mine who work in the IT departments of large companies independently recommended AVG (which they both used personally), and I've used the free version ever since, noting incidentally that everything seems to run more freely on both my PC and laptop.

There's a second version with more features which you have to pay for, but I've seen no need for it: free and effective is good enough for me....

 

[Euphod]

I use Norton 360, which is free from my IS provider. I am quite happy with it, have never had anything get past it, but the definitions are updated every few days.

 

[itareus]

AVG 2012 Free Edition, Avast or Microsoft Security Essential, all free - each has its own good and bad points and supporters.

I have used AVG for years, on 3 PCs, without any problems (touches wood ) but I am very careful about visiting any sites which seem "suspicious". Any AV program can be defeated by the latest nasty out there, the best you can do is to keep the AV database up to date and take care with the sites you visit and what you download.

If you do change from Norton then make sure you get rid of all traces of the Norton program before installing the new one.

 

[stagecoach]

The fact that a virus came through is not a fault with security programmes in most cases. The threat is often caused before anyone knows about it or the system is updated for it. Ive always used Trend Micro and have not had a problem with it.

 

[johnwhelan]

microsoft security essentials

I'd go with this solution as well.

Cheerio John

 

[clam1952]

Microsoft Security Essentials plus Malwarebytes and Spyware Blaster is all I use these days, it's more than adequate and unless you visit dodgy sites you are pretty safe. Not that I've seen a virus here in over a decade. Cleaned plenty from other peoples Norton and Mcafee protected PC's though, mostly due to file sharing, often being done by kids without their parents realising and circumventing any parental controls and turning the AV off!

I gave up on Norton when it started getting too clever by combining several functions rather than concentrating on one tool for one job and entwining itself into the operating system. Peter Norton produced some excellent stuff IMO, only to have it spoiled when Symantec bought him out.

Previously I used AVG but that seems to be getting too clever larger and moving away from its proven area of expertise as well and is getting some unfavourable reports from some quarters now.

 

[Tempest70]

Avira Free has been my choice for a few years now. Low system rescource footprint and very good detection rate. Kaspersky was also a favourite of mine.

For me Microsoft Security Essentials missed items, whereas Norton and AVG are too bloated.

I've gotta second Stagecoach's point too:

The fact that a virus came through is not a fault with security programs in most cases. The threat is often caused before anyone knows about it or the system is updated for it

Many people state how bad a package is without taking this into consideration.

Regards, Kev

 

[Gandalf0444]

Avast! Home edition(free) Or Avast Internet Security(subscription) with firewall as well as email spam filter and many other features...Never had a virus with it other then the normal malware, which is why I use malwarebytes.

 

[Tempest70]

Indeed Malwarebytes Antimalware and SuperAntispyware are good companions for an Antivirus package.

Regards, Kev

 

[Stagefright]

Indeed Malwarebytes Antimalware and SuperAntispyware are good companions for an Antivirus package.

Regards, Kev

I agree 99.99999%; however, keep in mind that the free versions don't have real-time protection. In other words, they must be run to catch the nasties.

These two will remove everything I've seen that's nasty. I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials for real-time protection. Note: make sure you get it from Microsoft's website; there's bad guys that use the same name, so don't Google it....

Darrel

 

[SuperFudd]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials (free) backed up by MalwareBytes (free).
I occasionaly run MalwareBytes full scan and I run it's quick scan at least once a day. I also run Ad-Aware occasionally.
I had used Trend Micro for many years but a trojan got through and would not let me run MalwareBytes. I went to safe mode and ran MalwareBytes. When it was over, Trend Micro was damaged. I didn't have a copy to re-install from so a PC guru friend recommended Microsoft Security Essentials.
Then another trojan attacked but MSE caught it and MalwareBytes finished it off.

 

[lorenw]

The fact that a virus came through is not a fault with security programmes in most cases. The threat is often caused before anyone knows about it or the system is updated for it. Ive always used Trend Micro and have not had a problem with it.

I agree. I use Norton's 360 and had 1 get through. But that's because the user used the software after being warned about a virus.

 

[lewisner]

I was using Norton till about 3 years ago when I needed to renew and it became apparent that this was impossible (probably deliberately) through their online form. I had to phone their "help" office in India and the charming lady who replied in guttural English asked me during the course of a half hour convo "York....which country is that in?" and later gave the price of the renewal in US dollars. When I asked her politely "Why would I possibly want the price in $ when I live in the UK?" she said she would put me on hold and find the conversion rate to UK £.She also used the phonetic alphabet but not the real one - her own "made up" one.
I slammed the phone down and found another AV.

 

[peghorse]

Trend for over ten years now. They are sneaking towards bloatware, but the good dressing down I gave them last time we communicated will resolve that issue worldwide I'm sure... lol
It really takes the cake and doesn't miss a beat. 5 seat licenses now with other online features that some might just lurv.
If ever you are tempted to delve into the steamy, sordid side of the internet, u know.. MSTS/RW etc etc, trend will be there with you all the way.

 

[bolivar]

Kaspersky Internet Security.

 

[gearhead2578]

Microsoft Security Essentials backed by Malwarebytes, AdAware, and an occasional blast of CCleaner for the bits of viral carcass left behind in the registry

 

[kws4000]

Kaspersky Internet Security.

Indeed. My family has it on the desktop after Norton, definetly sounds and acts like it's better. You can actually see it running constant database updates...indicates commitment by company.

The only issue is parental control, not as ggod as it could be.

Will be upgrading to it after MCAfee on this dell runs out.