Anti Virus Protection

[sandypas]

Would love some advice on which anti virus is the best.

I have had Norton for several years.  The free Avast before that but our computer tech (who originally put Avast on because they used it) picked up a virus on their system & lost all their data so put Norton on for us instead.  Last year I renewed it on the net but just tried and it wouldn't work.  Several people have told me Norton slows down your computer etc.  Which one do you use?  I don't mind paying for a good one but free would be great as well.

A friend said the use Microsoft Essentials (or something like that).

Any advice would be appreciated.

[poddster]

Norton can be cleansed from your system but it takes a lot to track down where it has embedded itself, very devious sucker it is.:(

[lakeland27]

sure is.

[poddster]

Sandy, be aware that there is no such thing as a free lunch "free" software comes at a price in one way or another.

I wish you luck in eradicating Norton

Take a peek at Avenquest Fix-it Utilities it uses the trend micro virus definition table as do most others and it is inexpensive and it is much more than just an anti virus. It has been around for over 10 years .

[sandypas]

Thanks Poddster - will do .  You sound like you know what you're talking about.

[poddster]

Sandy I have had more years in the IT trade than I care to remember, in that time I have hunted down thousands of viral infestations so I have picked up a few things on the way 🙂

[bright.ton42]

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@lakeland27 wrote:

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@bright.ton42 wrote:

I'm due to renew my AV too.   I didn't like Norton when I had it and changed to Avast free which has picked up some nasties. 

I also use Spyot and Malaware Bytes, and Super anti Spyware all free and they have picked up a lot of diferent nasties too. 

As I'm doing a lot more downloading now i think I'll either upgrade Avast to paid, or another one. 

On Whirlpool a lot like eset.  

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these various protection systems tend to dislike each others software and warn you. the warnings i find for the most part unwarranted.

its just competition.

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So shouldn't be using them then?    I always thought the different programs picked up different things?

[poddster]

Think of different anti virus programs as rivals in an arena.

Also ponder this, the more well known the AV program is the more likelihood of the virus creators finding weaknesses in the AV software and disabling it. that is a BIG problem.

[freddie*rooster]

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@sandypas wrote:

Thanks so much everyone.  Freddie, I can't get over how cheap Norton is on eBay.  I tried to renew Norton on the computer this morning and it didn't work.  I'm glad now.

Might try AVG again - had it years ago but as someone said, there is always someone who doesn't like one or the other for some reason and I changed.  Then again, the log-in assistant is great with Norton.  Open the vault and all my log-ins are automatic.  I've got another couple of days to consider it.

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Yes, don't buy it from Norton buy it on ebay it's heaps cheaper.

[green.fields]

I have never paid for anti virus programs. I have used AVG free for yrs, the one Moonlight mentioned, the totally free not the 30 day trial. I at one time used Avast, while it was good it slowed the computer a little. If you feel you must pay for one go for Trend Micro.