HELP! Internet Anti-Virus Software

[Zuiko]

[Rawcoll]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

I got a bit fed-up with McAfee flagging up "suspicious" objects and then asking me whether they needed to be disposed of. How would I know, that's what I've got anti-virus software for! So I went with AVG free. Had to download a file to fully remove McAfee before installing. Seems to be OK, and doesn't bother me with advertising. Also found it quite hard to shake McAfee off. I couldn't cancel the automatic renewel on-line, I had to ring them. And they still keep sending me overdue renewel emails even though it's been a few years.

I've also used Malwarebytes (free version) to check for malware.

I'm sure others have firm views either for or against AVG, but it seems to work for me.

[Wee man]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

As above but I went for Avast also free and malwarebytes seems to work well not sure what my firewall is.

[Phill D]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

Another vote for Avast after AVG started to pester too much for updates.

[peak4]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

John, if you do on-line banking on any of your accounts, there's a good chance that your bank may have a similar offer to your old ISP.
Also what operating system are you on? I'm currently still with XP, but hopefully about to change when I get the time.
Under XP, and my slightly oddball Raid system, Avast, AVG, and Kapersky have all caused major grief with windows updates on my PC over the last couple of years.
I'm presently using Microsoft Security Essentials with no ill efects

[Invicta]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

Hi Zuiko

Looking up McAfee Net Protect Plus it seems to offer:

1) Anti-virus. The free Microsoft product Security Essentials is a solid anti-virus with daily signature updates to keep it up to date. Microsoft Security Essentials is fine as an Anti-virus unless you head for the dark-side of the net then it will do a fine job.

2) Firewall - Again the free Windows firewall is perfectly adequate.

3) Parental Controls - Internet Explorer already has family safety that can be turned on.

4) SiteAdvisor - I use the free Norton DNS service - a bit of a fiddle to configure but it warns you should you click on a link to a known bad site.

Maybe just bank the cash towards a new Oly Lens

[Kami]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

I'm with Invicta, and have used all of the other products mentioned on this thread at one time or another. What Operating System do you have ? If more recent than XP, Microsoft products have proven safe enough for me, though I do back things up every three months.

I also tend to use Linux Ubuntu for my photography stuff more often (especially when accessing photos on my external hard drive - and I disconnect from the interwebs whilst accessing it, for what it's worth ...)

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

Barclays on-line banking provides Kaspersky for FREE on up to 3 machines per account.

[jdal]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

Barclays on-line banking provides Kaspersky for FREE on up to 3 machines per account.

#
Kaspersky is good, it had a very low impact on the performance of my machines and was not intrusive. I've used Norton and McAffee and found them to be resource wasters and very intrusive. As well as expensive.

[StephenL]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

For Windows, you can't beat Microsoft Security Essentials.

[Guest]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

For Windows, you can't beat Microsoft Security Essentials.

Ditto, Stephen - I totally agree.

All AV software I've ever used have in themselves behaved as malware, Norton, McAffee, AVG and Avast especially, and once on your system are about as easy to get rid of as herpes (not from experience of that, I hasten to add!)

As Stephen says, Microsoft Security Essentials does the job well.

[IainMacD]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

For Windows, you can't beat Microsoft Security Essentials.

I have to go along with this, it is free and so far trouble free for me

[jdal]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

Note that Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't come out very well in tests to see how well the various products actually protect against viruses. See http://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/ as an example.

Also, does it integrate with Firefox/Chrome/Thunderbird these days? (it didn't use to)

I'm using ESet now. It seems to be good although its firewall is a bit over-enthusiastic. I have found their support to be excellent (getting it to allow access between various versions of windows in a home network).

The trouble with advice for AV software is that most experienced users are sensible and tend not to expose themselves to risks, so are unlikely to get an infection even with a poor AV program. I'd base a decision on a panel of reviews.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

I pay for the AVG suite (for multiple computers) & it seems to protect me well.

[Guest]

Re: Internet Anti-Virus Software

I pay for the AVG suite (for multiple computers) & it seems to protect me well.

How would you know if it does or not?

+I mean if you don't visit dodgy websites you may never have been under attack.