newbie question : Wich AV to buy ?

[DEAD]

I'm looking for a new AV (resources it uses don't really mather) PIII 1 GHZ 384 mb ram.

My choise is between Kasperky Pers. Pro & Avast4 Pro

I have read that Kaspersky is a "senior" in the Av market, but that Avast does a verry good job also.

I need good support, easy updates, mail security, and resident scanner.

I also now that AVAST is less expensive than Kaspersky. (wich is important also)

and i saw they were rewarded with a 100% VB reward. Wich proves there detection must be on the same level as other "seniors" on the market.

I'm just a little scared to buy a AV from a vendor, that is not so well known as the "big boys". This doesn't mean in any way, there product is worse than others (i think)

Choises ? ???

Thanks

[sakharg]

If your choice is ONLY between those 2, I'd pick Kaspersky over Avast. As for resources, it was a problem with version 4 of KAV, much less of a problem with 4.5, and I would think, not going to be a big deal at all with version 5, which should be out in a few months. The updates occur practically every day, the support is getting much better these days, and the resident scanner is outstanding. It doesn't have a separate email element to the package, but that, in my opinion, is more marketing hype than practical measure, since no virus, whatever the source and form, should get past your AV if your realtime monitor is enabled anyway. Just don't be dumb, and happily click on those attachments: save 'em, scan 'em, and THEN, open them.

Why is your choice limited to just those two?

If you are open to others, I'd suggest NOD32 or F-Prot for a newbie, and Dr Web for someone more experienced. F-Secure and AVK are also supposed to be very good, but I have no experience with them, and I believe that the former uses a KAV/F-Prot engine combo, while the latter uses the KAV engine with something else (I forget...)

There is no need to fear that which is not as well known as the "big boys." Your best bet is to do your theoretical research as thoroughly as possible by reading professional reviews (sadly, very few, and glossy PC magazine reviews are done by corporate whores), and (more importantly) visit security websites and forums (like this one!). On the practical side, test out whatever you have pruned your choices down to, and gauge what you are comfortable with: only you can tell.

Best of luck

[Antarctica]

And one very important thing when you make your choice, is "support".

If you ever encounter a problem, you can have the best AV on the market, without support your AV is just worth nothing! :)

[DEAD]

I like the idea of having software of a non European Country (or American) > I know this sounds stupid but, my feeling tells me that some of the best programmers work in Russia or Chech Republic, etc...
Mostly these guys are verry motivated to make good products, and give good support (If i look at AVAST forum). Also Kaspersky seems VERRY professional.

(I'm a Belgian)

Thanks for the advice , I will download some trial vesion of both scanners first.

But my feeling goes for Avast (although i dont find much info on this site about it), but I think these vendors are verry committed, now & and in the futurte to make a good product. I think there open for suggestions (how to improve), you will not find this on this servive with the so called "big boys" like NAV or Macaffee, etc...

[sakharg]

Hi DEAD,

Antartica is right about the support: there has to be a good balance between the quality of the product and its support, although a well made product generally does not need that much support!

Here's a link to a Kaspersky user forum:
http://forums.useice.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=3f041a692006ffff;act=SF;f=1

Don't get me wrong....... I think Avast is a good program. I just feel more comfortable with KAV. Very often there's little to choose between the really good AVs, and it boils down to personal preferences like resource usage, user interface etc. That's why I suggested eventually trying out a select few on your own, and judging for yourself. You already know where to turn if something goes wrong!...and there are many expert people in this forum who will help......I've learned a lot from them by just lurking for the most part, and I had never heard of Kaspersky or NOD32 or TDS-3 until I came here!

As far as Eastern Europe security programs go, well, my AV is Russian (Kaspersky), my email program is from Moldova (The Bat), , my eraser from Romania (East-Tec Eraser)....but my anti-trojan is from Australia (TDS-3), my adware protector from Sweden (AdAware), and so on.....there are many outstanding security programs coming out of Eastern Europe, but security, I believe, is a truly international affair......

[Dan Perez]

I haven't tried Avast but am a longtime user of Kaspersky and like it a lot. The only major problem I have with it is email filtering. It only provided application-level filtering and when it is enabled and I receive digitally signed messages (which I do frequently as I subscribe to a lot of listservs) it causes Outlook to lockup. For email protection I REALLY like NOD32, which provides Application-Level protection (for Outlook) as well as Network Level screening of incoming email. Also, NOD's scanner is VERY fast.

[Chuck57]

I've used AVAST and Kaspersky for a while, just as I've used several other brands for a while. I wish I had some of the money I've spent on various antivirus and firewalls.

Personally, I liked AVAST as well as any of the antivirus software programs I've had on this and my other confusers. AVAST is markedly improved over earlier editions and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, either free or pay version.

A side point. In the years I've been online, I've had 2 viruses try to get into my computer. AVG, which I used then, caught them both.

[vrf]

If the choice is only between Avast and Kaspersky, it's obvious: Kaspersky is one of the most sensitive scanners-some say the best av program&catches most trojans. One can't even compare Avast to Kaspersky. You give more money but it's totally worth it. Sure there are other very good av's you could buy instead KAV. But the choice between Kav and Avast is way too clear. Just look in all av tests,(virusbulletin, Av-Test), KAV surpases Avast by far, everywhere. If you don't like KAV, better try something else and not Avast. And, if you really want to use Avast, it has a free version, why buy it?

[illukka]

kav lite! price is 19€ i believe, offers all pros of more expensive kav programs protectionwise, it's only simplier gui, and less configurable

[Markus]

Hi,

there's no question: Kaspersky is the better choice.
You can't even compare it with "Avast".

Regards,
Markus

[Mr.Blaze]

whoaaa deja vueeeeeee i swear i been here befor the answer is Kaspersky why do i feel like i been to this exact thread befor by same poster even lol and said same thing lol

wyrd im haveing flash backs lol