What is the best anti-virus software?

ESET NOD32 is the best ever! I had AVAST for a very long time, but when I switched to Vista, Avast gave me false warnings. Here is a site where they test all the virus programs and you can get allot of really good info; http://www.av-comparatives.org/. Hope this helps,   Lily

The best anti-virus software is the one that works on your machine!   

Believe it or not there are people out there that like Norton. :NOTSURE: 

There have been several posts about this same subject. Down a search in the forums.

Just about every AV software either has a free version or a trial version. You need to find one that you feel comfortable with and works for you.

I use the free version of AVG, it works for me. You could try Major Geeks. Great site for getting links for software. Try it, you should find a load of AV software there.   

Bitdefender and Kaspersky both come highly recommended. I wouldnt use any free versions as they dont catch everything thats out there.

www.toptenreviews.com is what i used to find my software.

Well alot of folks do use free versions of AV without any problems. Keep it updated, run your scans, and most importantly be and intelligent user of the internet and stay away from emails with attachments (unless you know the sender)

Oh, and paid for AV software can miss catching everything also.   

Philly is right, use the AV that works for you
Personally, I use Avast! right now, but sometimes while downloading updates it does seem to slow down and I'm unable to keep any other resource-hungry app opened.
I'll take a look at the free version of AVG, seeing it's been recommended to me many times

Just want to second that advice. I've used AVG and Avast! and am currently satisfied with Avast! so I'm sticking with it. AVG was good, but gave me some false positives that became a pain in the rear (I've not had that problem with Avast! yet). Anyway, if you follow Philly's advice, you should be just fine.

nod32

AVG free. Works ok for me and costs nothing   

yep,
i think its eset...
smart security home

Bitdefender, never had a problem yet, but again its what you and especially your machine feels comfortable with

The BEST anti-virus is common sense. Followed by a software solution. If you don't know or are not expecting an email just delete it. Turn off/Do not use the "Reading Pane" in Outlook or OE or Windows Mail. It opens the email as soon as you click on it. Stay away from torrents and warez as this is the preferred method of infecting computers. Pop-ups in Chat clients are very dangerous as my son has found out SEVERAL times. Whatever software solution you use is worthless if you don't keep it up to date.

Having said that.....I find several of the security packages out there to be as bad as malware or virii. Norton doesn't do a bad job but it sucks system resources like a vacuum and can slow a good computer to a crawl. Same with several others....CA comes to mind....I'd rather deal with a virus than have my computer run like molasses in winter.

I'm behind a hardware firewall so I just use the Windows OS Firewall. I run Spybot & Adaware weekly or any time I think I might need too. I have Trend Micro handle virii and it's the only one I allow to be memory resident.

Edit: Haven't seen a virus or had one caught on my systems in years.

Yup, such as avast pro seeing it hasnt passed a few virus tests.

BITDEFENDER BABY!!!

I don't know how many PCs I've had to de-malware that have had Norton AV installed.

Avast does a decent job

Don't be a fool , wrap your tool.

Any kind of Anti-Virus software is better than having none.


There are so many new viruses made each day. Does not matter which Anti-Virus software you use.
If a new virus slips in before software is updated. you are more than likely to get a virus anyways.


Just be wise like everyone is saying. And Always Back-up your impotent stuff.



A firewall is very important. If the firewall pops-up with allow or not allow screen. make sure you no what it is before you allow it in.




I have used quite a few Anti-Virus software mentioned above. and virus still enter in my computer by probably my fault for not updating software or I clicked on something that was Questionable.

Right now I am using Live OneCare.
can not say if its any good or not. So far its been good.
Does not slow my computer down. plus it has a Firewall to. also comes with a lot of other stuff like tune up and registry cleaner and backup utility.


Been good so far, But like i said with other Anti-virus software i have used.
seems like one finds it way in anyways.

Like me.

[quote]Back-up your impotent stuff.quote]

Quite true , cause my potent stuff can take care of itself

yeppers! I got the trial a few weeks ago and love it. It has caught things that the others simply didn't catch. It also leave a fraction of the footprint that the others do. As soon as my trial is up I will be purchasing this one.

Norton '08 review

Norton Internet security 2008 is excellent. When I got my computer in'06 it came with a trial of Mcafee. I hated it. It constantly bothered me and it slowed my computer down to a crawl. I didn't get any malware though. Then I got Norton '07, and now I have '08. I have never had any type of virus on my computer. Also, Norton internet security '08 is not a resource hog.

Thats what Norton lets you beleave.


Deep with in your computer it is crying for help.  

Just thought I would add another piece of advice. No matter what AV software or for that fact any spyware programs you run, you always have a double check. as it were, on how safe you are.

Maybe once every couple of months I run Windows Live One Care Safety Scanner. It's free and you don't download it to you computer. Now you can make an argument about how good the saftey scanner is but running it will give you an idea of how good your on board virus and malware programs are. If you run it and it doesn't find anything you have reason to feel okay.   

I'm sure there are other programs out there that can do the same. Anyone have some alternatives?

There is none ,no av i'm aware of can protect you from user stupidity,best advice i could give is invest in imaging software,preferably do an image after a new install.My choice of AV @ the mo is clamwin



free:
xxclone

bought:
acronis
ghost


Edit: forgot to mention too,have more than one image or backup

I really appreciate Mail Washer Pro. It allows you to read or delete your email without downloading it from the server. A virus can't get to you if you don't download it. You can even answer emails without downloading them.

There's a free version too!

Anything BUT Norton... I like Avira over AVG tho
________________________________________________

McAfee VirusScan

My group swears by it, including a professional network admin. .

Avoid Norton: it corrupts your network dlls which can and reliably causes rafts of problems gaming (from first-hand experience).

le meilleur antivirus c'est toi!!!!!!
surveile ton surf!!!!
si tu veux des antivir gratuit je te fais un post!!