Which Antivirus Software do you use ? Why?

[sammypetter]

Anti-virus Software's are much essential programs of every Windows PC these days. Surfing online without an updated anti-virus program is like inviting viruses, adwares and Malwares, which harms your pc.Here are some best anti-virus programs . So Guys, Which of these Antivirus Software do you use ? Why?

[Mister2]

Hi sammypetter,

I used to run AVG Free under XP, but it started to get bloated and slow.  I now run Avast Free under Windows 7.  It does the job for me and I have not had an infection since installing it (though there have been a few warnings about dodgy email attachments and dubious sites).  It just gets on with the job in the background, updates 2 or 3 times a day and works well. :)

I have recently been thinking about MS Security Essentials as this seems to be a very effective and unobtrusive solution.  While Avast is running trouble-free I don't see any need to change, but it's good to know there is an application to take over should problems arise with Avast.

I also run MBAM and use the Firefox browser with the Web of Trust addon to back up my AV.

[sandybeach]

I have in the past run AVG Free but I got away from them several years back due to bloat & what seemed to be ever increasing FP's & bugs & delays updating on the free server (understandable but annoying week after week). 

With all my other protection layers, I really only needed A/V real time so went w/ Avira AntiVir Free.
Beyond the push to up grade to pay version with EVERY update, it has worked beautifully,
small, light and hasn't let a single thing in to my XP SP2 or the Vista monster in 2 years. 

I am currently trying/using Rising A/V Free  for a legacy XP SP1 (see post elsewhere this forum) & so far, pretty impressive. Rather too large but full featured including protection 4 Mail & messenger &
net surfing (blocks trojan & drive by attempts), right click item scans, monitoring for USB & CD/DVD drives etc. Only had for 1 month but no infections so far. 

[Bugbatter]

In the past I've used Norton, Trend Micro, AVG, and Avast on various computers.  Currently I am using Microsoft Security Essentials. I really like the simple interface. The only problem I've had is that MSE is so sensitive that it flags some of our trainee material as infections -- because of the file names, I suppose.

Like Mister2, I also run MBAM, Firefox, and WOT.

[grsamf]

I started using Eset NOD32 a few years back and it has not been any problems, so I have kept it.  It is a bit spendy, however.

Like others, I also use MBAM, FF, and WOT.  In addition, I use McAfee's SiteAdvisor.  I like using both WOT and SiteAdvisor because most sites are covered by one or the other if not both.

Regardless of how many and what security measures you install on your computer, common sense is still a necessity.  I know one person who turned off his AV because it would not let him download from his favorite site.  I don't think I have to tell the rest of that story.

[Taku PC]

I use Avira Antivir Personal 2010 (free version). I made the decision to switch to this after AVG 9 Free failed to flag an infected archive. After doing research, I found AV Comparatives, a third party that tests AV software several times and year and gives them a rating based on detection rate (live and retroactive), scan speed and false positives.

Avira is consistently either #1 or #2 in their tests. Its scan speed is incredible (it scanned 1.5mil files across 3 partitions in 100 minutes)! And has an integrated rootkit scanner.

I pair this with Prevx3.0, an app so great that for the first time in years I was compelled to purchase it!

It is a small executable that only takes up a half meg of ram, scans incredibly fast, boasts a large database, indicates whether the sites you are surfing are safe or not, and catches things that many AVs miss. The authors have hinted that they may be incorporating a sandbox into the program.

Pairing up Avira Free and Prevx paid is my dream combo, and despite both having on access scanners they play well with one another.

(Note: the free Prevx will not clean infections but still scans them with the same engine and database and is valuable as a scanner)

I also use the Spybot immunizations, as well as SpywareBlaster.

I haven't tried WOT but I've heard good things and I'll give them a look.

Oh and HI btw!
< Still new to the forums

[Hoov]

I used the paid versions of AVG with the paid for version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Spybot. I use these, because they have yet to let me down, and I use the paid for versions, because I occasionally connect my system to a compromised drive or system that is unusable, and run the scan from my system.

I believe the reliability of most tools depends entirely on the system and the operator.  I would like to see a test done using a system that someone has used and abused, with all the other kinds of software that makes a system usable. I believe most testing is done on fairly pristine systems.

[kevinf80]

I use Kaspersky IS 2010 and Malwarebytes paid for, never been caught out with this setup. If I was going for a freebie set up it would be Online Armour Firewall and Avast 5 Home Edition, plus MB free for "as required" scans. I also run Secunia occasionally.. My OS is Windows 7 Pro 32 bit. I also do a full image backup every month after the MS updates have come in.
My wifes laptop runs Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, security is Microsoft Security Essentials + Windows Firewall, her choice. Again a monthly image backup is done.

[K27]

Hi,

My main AV is Avast, and as some will know, I am a big big fan, its the free version I use and when I want to self infect I have to turn off as it never misses a thing(not yet anyway), only last night I was testing a site to see what the download came bundled with and once again Avast caught the Trojan downloader with out glitch.
I then restored the quarantined files and uploaded them to VirScan and only three of the engine's flagged the files as malicious.

I have all the other stuff, MBAM, WOT, SpywareBlaster on my W7 x64 system.
Avira, OA, MBAM, WOT, Spywareblaster and Winpatrol on XP Pro

On my test machine, (Vista) I have tried them all, I had to remove Spybot Immunize to due clashes with SpywareBlaster.

@Hoov, please elaborate on the test you like like carried out, as I currently have two very used and abused systems, (Vista & W7 x64) that I'm planning to reinstall in the next week or so and as such am more than happy to run any test you would like done. They both started out as clean machines but now are very loaded with allsorts of weird and wonderful things.

thanks
K27
 

[Hoov]

About the testing, I was speaking of the comparison tests run by sites that claim one product is better than another.

Those kinds of test are run on clean systems with the default settings. They may not always be the best settings or conditions to accurately test the product.

For instance, I have a lot of experience with ZoneAlarm, both in the practical live use, and in testing. I have run beta testing, Alpha Testing, and testing on fixes. I have also run the tests that various sites use to see how well the product works. The installs always go well on a pristine system, but once you put it on an active used system, things can go wrong. The reason is that the writers cannot take into account every piece of software out there. They cause conflicts or create unexpected holes.

As for the product testing itself, I have been able to duplicate the results on a brand new install with all the default settings. But with only the basic changes in configuration, that the average user using the product would do, the results of the testing sites are blown away.

When you get right down to it, there is not a single product out there that is 100% effective. This includes all the AV and firewall products. I am talking real world effectiveness. People change settings to customize it to their system and software.

The BEST security software that you can use, is the one that you install and run all the time. That works so well with your habits and software that you never turn it off because it is interfering.

What most people forget is that security software is only a secondary defense. Your primary defense is behind the keyboard. If you persist in frequenting questionable sites, and downloading hacked software, you will get infected. No scanner of filter will be able to protect you.

But if you only go to sites that are on the up and up, and download software from reputable sites, then chances are your virus scanner and firewall will not get that big a work out.  To prove this point, I actually surfed the web for a week with all my security turned off. I never got infected by anything worse than a tracking cookie. I don't recommend that, I was walking on pins and needles the entire time and it is risky.

As in all human endeavors, the key to safety is about 6 inches behind your eyes.

[Taku PC]

I love the ZoneAlarm fire but.. about once a year or so after some Windows update, the system will lose all internet connectivity. This happens with such regularity that I fear for the internet in general if malware authors ever got ahold of the source code for ZoneAlarm.

The problem is usually fixed within 2-3 days, ZoneAlarm issues a fix and an update and a profuse apology and life goes on. For those whose ONLY computer gets shut down this way (me 3 years ago), and don't have access to the fix, you have to uninstall ZoneAlarm, reboot and most likely you'll be back online.

Other than its potential to plunge mankind into the deepest abyss of the dark ages, I really do dig the interface enough to put up without the occasional catastrophic eventualities inherent in its use. Oh ZoneAlarm, why can't I quit you?

[faith_michele]

I think it is a personal opinion and each person should be able to use the trial as a full product (ability to remove what is found) first, in order to decide.  I would be using Avira and Online Armor, if I had to choose a free Anti-Virus and firewall. I do use SpywareBlaster, WinPatrol, WOT, MBAM & SuperAntispyware.  The last two for scanning only.

What I do use is Sunbelt's VIPRE Premium (added firewall) because my personal opinion is that they are on the cutting edge for research of the various threats we face.  VB's results will vary from time to time, but is a good indicator.  I don't know when these will be posted there (from April 2010).

http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/vbs-rap-on-vipre.html

A review for VIPRE Premium-

http://www.pcantivirusreviews.com/reviews/Vipre-Premium-Antivirus-Software.html

Why?  They provide a full-function 30-day trial in order for you to decide.  It uses low computer resources.  You can mix an match, using a different firewall if you want to.  Their support is free and excellent.  If by chance anything gets through, they will provide personal one on one support to fix it (or point you in the right direction if it turns out to be non-malware related).

Having said all of that, this is only my personal choice and opinion - not to be mistaken for an endorsement.  Everyone should make their own choice and there is nothing wrong with using free AV or Firewall applications.