Suggest an anti virus that doesn't suck

[Redneck Socialist]

Hi all,

I'd like to tap into the collective wisdom of DU for some help here. I'm looking for a good, easy to use anti virus program. I ditched Norton in favor of AVG some time ago, but I keep having problems with AVG. Hanging up on update downloads mainly, occasionally bad enough to crash my system. I tried avast, but didn't care for the interface. Any other antivirus programs out there. Free's nice, but I don't mind paying for a decent product.

Thanks ahead of time for the suggestions

...and oh yeah, I'm running windows XP home.

[CK_John]

1. I've found avast to be the best for yrs. Install and forget it. When you

ditched Norton did you run the Norton removal tool. I found this can cause problems because Norton may have left behind some processes.

Norton removal tool
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039>

Caution: take a restore point before you run tool or backup system.

[JPettus]

2. I've just switched to NOD32

From ESET. The military insists on Symantec, which is ok and rated standard to standard plus at av-comparatives.org. (http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2007_08.php)

One of my colleagues for a different contracting company set up a separate computer running Nod32 (not allowed on the military network so he's got his on a commercial) and he takes infected thumb drives brought back from downrange and tests them first with symantec and also sometimes first with nod32.

Nod32 can find things that Symantec can't, but once a drive has been scanned with Nod32, Symantec never finds anything.

I called them to get a license (my commercial network keeps trying to connect me to the Singapore retailer who only carries version 2.7. That version works fine with XP but not with Vista) And they price competitively based on number sold. I was able to purchase 6 licenses at a cost of $16.50 per one year license because I'm in Afghanistan (military/educational discount) and get three for here and three for home.

They offer a 30 day trial version you can download and test if you like. So far I have been very pleased with the product.

[BlueJazz]

14. Good for you ....I work at a major Bank. (fixing servers) and we use...

...Nod32 in everything. Great program at a good price.

[madokie]

3. maybe I'm just talking out my arse here but could the problems you're having actually not be avg

but that you haven't completely got rid of norton. when I bought my computer before this one it came with norton and I liked to never have gotten rid of it. use any of the names you remember from norton in search and see if you don't see what I'm talking about. Norton does not work well with others. I finally reformated to get rid of Norton completely as I never was sure if I had ferreted it all out.
good luck

[hobbit709]

4. You got it.

You have to manually remove every reference to Norton and Symantec after uninstalling it. It leaves crap all over the place. I've never had any problem with AVG, and I've installed it on at least 200 systems.

[madokie]

5. back in the msDOS days norton was the program to have

all kinds of fixes but since it, I'm a thinking, sold to symantec it has gone down hill. In fact I tossed everything I had that even had a picture of peter norton on it, let alone the words. Norton's antivirus caused me lots of grief until I figured out what my problem was. When one of my friends ask me anything about their computer problems my first question is do you have norton, if the answer is yes my standard reply is, sorry can't help. Norton sucks

[yy4me]

7. I feel a little lost with the newest version of AVG. What the heck

do I do after #3, just delete whatever it finds? The older version told me what to remove but every time I rum the new version I get 3 items in the first screen that shows in step 3. Wish I could get to it now to explain better. Any thoughts?

[Hokie]

6. I run AVG Free on 3 PC's w/o problems

I removed Norton on two PC's running XP Home and on a Vista Home Premium machine and installed AVG on all of them. It runs fine on each. The oldest is a laptop and it slows down when it is scanning. If it annoys me too much I just pause the scan until I have finished what I am doing. Some people had a problem with AVG when they updated from version 7.1 to 7.5. I was not automatic. You had to manually download 7.5 and do a repair instead of a fresh install. Fortunately, I read the instructions (unusual for me) and things went OK.

You might provide more details. Is your connection broadband or dialup? Have you removed and reinstalled AVG?

[LiberalFighter]

13. I had Norton Internet Security 2007 before installing Norton 360

I couldn't even get 360 to install after talking with support for a long time. Got fed up and told the tech support I was done with Norton.

[Redneck Socialist]

8. Thanks for the replies all

I'm pretty sure I cleaned out all of Norton's little bits, used the removal tool etc. I stopped using Norton a long time back, two years ago probably, maybe more. I don't think my issues are related to norton, but I could be wrong.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled AVG three times at this point.

I have a cable connection.

I think those are all the questions people have asked.

Again thank you for the help.

[Hokie]

10. AVG vs. Avast

Here is a good discussion on AVG vs. Avast. I sounds like Avast rates better here.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15697062

[MyNameGoesHere]

9. My vote is for Avast. Never a problem with any MS os's n/t

[Jazzgirl]

11. NOD32.

Just about the best one out there.

www.eset.com

[BlueJazz]

15. I use it at the Banks I service. (Computers)

Just Wonderful....

[Hand]

12. Norton...

JUST KIDDING! :hide: