Anitvirus Recommendations

[Pilgrim103]

I have TDS-3 and Wormguard.

What would be an acceptable and FREE antivirus software solution?

I don't do Instant messaging or visit chat rooms.

Thanks!

[wanchan]

Avast is my top choice of free AV program.
www.avast.com

[Firefighter]

{QUOTE-> Avast is my top choice of free AV program.
www.avast.com <-QUOTE}In this case I agree, so far when AntiVir has resolved the update issues and sufficient Exploit detections. The trojan protection seems to be OK with TDS in here.

Best regards,
Firefighter!

[RejZoR]

I like Heuristics offered by AntiVir,but i cannot be without great avast! auto update system. Tough stuff,so i'm switching between them once a month hehe

[rdsu]

{QUOTE-> Avast is my top choice of free AV program.
www.avast.com <-QUOTE}
Same vote here ;)

[nod32_9]

I also run Avast Home. Very fast definition update.

[jlo]

Hi,

What's your feelings towards AVG then?

I like avast but did find it slowed the computer a little. Now trying Dr Web which I am very impressed with and very light. Will probally buy a licence for this. (I know KAV is king but just want to try something different)

I downloaded AVG 7 for my father as his Mcaffee licence was just about to expire and his computer now runs much more quickly and updates are small.

How does AVG compare these days. I notice when Sober I etc hit they seem to have updates out very quickly (like avast:))

Whats your opinions?

(Did not go for Antivir for him as he is on dial up and as I had been using avast and found it ran slower thought I would try him with avast. Avast updater is far superiour)

Cheers

Jlo

[nadirah]

I vote for avast.

[Unity]

{QUOTE-> Tough stuff,so i'm switching between them once a month hehe <-QUOTE}

oh then i see that i'm not alone ;D

[TopperID]

AntiVir has slightly better detection rates for viruses than Avast, however it's trojan capabilites are less good. For someone running TDS 3, the trojan side of things is taken care of, so you would get better overall coverage if you combined AntiVir and TDS rather than with Avast.

[no13]

Etrust EZ AV is free for a year. Compared to the constantly free AVs its much better (and its the full license for the AV, a Light Edition for firewall)
Discussions.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=52565&highlight=etrust+free
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=54810&highlight=etrust+free

[Isaiah 58:11]

{QUOTE-> Etrust EZ AV is free for a year. Compared to the constantly free AVs its much better (and its the full license for the AV, a Light Edition for firewall)
Discussions.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=52565&highlight=etrust+free
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=54810&highlight=etrust+free <-QUOTE}

Actually, I have EZtrust now, got it free a year ago, and now they want 19.95 to continue it...so it is adios to EZ Trust!

[RejZoR]

I'd like to point out a very good cleaning capability offered by AntiVir 6.
As a test subject,i used heavily infected school computer (what could be better for this task ;) ). AntiVir cleaned nearly all registry and win.ini entries made by worms and trojans. Next boot was like day vs night :)

[no13]

I think if you apply for a new license, its free. But I'm not sure.
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/ (yes its microsoft... its a JV after an MS initiative.)
Its also included in Microsoft's Partner Pack (which AFAIK is a different offer from above) for *encouraging* licenseholders of WinXP http://www.microsoft.com/windows/partnerpack/
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/partnerpack/)

[mercurie]

{QUOTE-> Actually, I have EZtrust now, got it free a year ago, and now they want 19.95 to continue it...so it is adios to EZ Trust! <-QUOTE}Please... ::) that is still a good price average that and it is less then $10 a year. But if you are hard up for the cash I understand. Keep in mind it cost somebody something to produce and update this stuff. I understand if you would want to move on to continue free. I actually believe cheap is a little better then free. Just me I guess :-\

[Isaiah 58:11]

{QUOTE-> AntiVir has slightly better detection rates for viruses than Avast, however it's trojan capabilites are less good. For someone running TDS 3, the trojan side of things is taken care of, so you would get better overall coverage if you combined AntiVir and TDS rather than with Avast. <-QUOTE}

A major problem with Antivir is the updates.

I have dial-up, and I don't want to have to download the entire update file each time. Avast! updates are more frequent and ONLY the updates. If I get Antivir, it will take half a morning to download the TDS-3 update file and the virus update file. Now, if TDS-4 will change to only download UPDATES, well then.......

[TopperID]

On Broadband, AntiVir update D/Ls take little more than 30 seconds, so on dial-up it would be a few mins. I'm surprised to learn that Avast updates more frequently because AntiVir has been updating practically daily recently. Does Avast update more than once a day? If so you are going to be busy on dial-up, even if it is cumulative!

[RejZoR]

avast! releases VPS every 3 days if nothing special.
If there is an outbreak they'll send update immediately. I have seen 4 updates in one day few months ago on an outbreak.

[rdsu]

The AntiVir release the updates almost every day, the avast! don't...

[Isaiah 58:11]

{QUOTE-> On Broadband, AntiVir update D/Ls take little more than 30 seconds, so on dial-up it would be a few mins. I'm surprised to learn that Avast updates more frequently because AntiVir has been updating practically daily recently. Does Avast update more than once a day? If so you are going to be busy on dial-up, even if it is cumulative! <-QUOTE}

o.k., o.k., I am convinced.

Since I have two computers, I will try Antivir on one and Avast on the other.

May the best one "win".

[rdsu]

{QUOTE-> I'd like to point out a very good cleaning capability offered by AntiVir 6.
As a test subject,i used heavily infected school computer (what could be better for this task ;) ). AntiVir cleaned nearly all registry and win.ini entries made by worms and trojans. Next boot was like day vs night :) <-QUOTE}
Did you test the avast! on some school computer?

If yes, what are the result? It makes the same as AntiVir, or not?

[RejZoR]

Nope,4.1 didn't have any cleaning capabilities for regsitry and win.ini
It could change for 4.5 (it did as far as i know).

[rdsu]

{QUOTE-> Nope,4.1 didn't have any cleaning capabilities for regsitry and win.ini
It could change for 4.5 (it did as far as i know). <-QUOTE}
Thanks for the info ;)

[JayTee]

Tried out Avast but it does slow things down a fair bit, much like KAV did. Of course I could disable the real-time protection, but even then XP2 seemed rather sluggish. So its back to AntiVir for my 2.8Ghz Intel PC, especially since I have installed PG3 and ewido plus.

[Isaiah 58:11]

{QUOTE-> Tried out Avast but it does slow things down a fair bit, much like KAV did. Of course I could disable the real-time protection, but even then XP2 seemed rather sluggish. So its back to AntiVir for my 2.8Ghz Intel PC, especially since I have installed PG3 and ewido plus. <-QUOTE}

Strange, I have installed Avast on my Intel 2.8gz and have noticed no such slow down.....the only time I can get the slow down you mention is when I set the Standard Shield (real time) protection from "Normal" to "High" (or as ALwil calls it, "paraniod"). Changing back to Normal sets things aright.

[RejZoR]

I'm was running it on AthlonXP 2400+ (overclocked to 2800+) and it works fast as ever on High settings (v4.5). But if you have a very slow and old hard drive,that could also be the source of slowdowns (i have DiamondMax 9 Maxtor 7200RPM 8MB cache Maxtor on ATA133 rail).

[Isaiah 58:11]

{QUOTE-> I'm was running it on AthlonXP 2400+ (overclocked to 2800+) and it works fast as ever on High settings (v4.5). But if you have a very slow and old hard drive,that could also be the source of slowdowns (i have DiamondMax 9 Maxtor 7200RPM 8MB cache Maxtor on ATA133 rail). <-QUOTE}

Good point, but I think the problem was the fact that I am running several DC projects under BOINC.....which are constantly causing I/O and writing to the disk....and monitoring avast as IT monitor/scans the updated files seemed to show where the slow down was ocurring...........

[wildman]

{QUOTE-> A major problem with Antivir is the updates.

I have dial-up, and I don't want to have to download the entire update file each time. Avast! updates are more frequent and ONLY the updates. If I get Antivir, it will take half a morning to download the TDS-3 update file and the virus update file. Now, if TDS-4 will change to only download UPDATES, well then....... <-QUOTE}

:o Oh my! My opinion of AntiVir/PE's update capabilities are no secret. I think they are very poor, however I also am restricted to using dial-up, and I now use AntiVir/PE. The other available free programs degraded the performance of my machine to unacceptable levels. It is assumed that you have a current clean program installed on your machine. The following procedures, while not ideal seem to work the best and quickest:

(1) Manually down load updates, disable automatic, if you have it set.

(2) Utilizing the tools options select Internet update, deactivate AntiVir Guard, follow the instructions from that point on. This takes on average about 13 to 15 minutes on my machine.

Hope this is of help.

Thanks
wildman
:P ;)

[Diver]

Avast is probably the best of the free AV's assuming you can't get a free home copy of an enterprise AV from school or work. Although AVG is popular, it tests poorly both on overall detection rates and false alarms. It rarely passes VB100.

Sometimes you can get Norton AV for free after rebates if you can come up with a proof of purchase from the prior year.

eTrust, while free for a year, is weak on detection. It is resource light if you have an old computer.

I saw something around here that panda was free for a year as well.

[liang_mike]

I think avast! Home Edition is probably the best free AV. However, you should try a few before making your decision.

[bellgamin]

{QUOTE-> Avast is probably the best of the free AV's assuming you can't get a free home copy of an enterprise AV from school or work. <-QUOTE}
Hmmm... AntiVir-PE also is free. So check HERE (http://www.rokop-security.de/main/article.php?sid=757) and HERE (http://virusscan.jotti.dhs.org/) and HERE (http://www.av-test.org/online/sites/os03.php3?js=1&test=2002-12) and HERE (http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archives/products.xml?table).

PS- in the last link given above, Avast is "Alwil" and AntiVir-PE is H+BEDV.

[Smokey]

{QUOTE-> Please... ::) that is still a good price average that and it is less then $10 a year. But if you are hard up for the cash I understand. Keep in mind it cost somebody something to produce and update this stuff. I understand if you would want to move on to continue free. I actually believe cheap is a little better then free. Just me I guess :-\ <-QUOTE}I agree your point of view.

But there are a lot of people expecting to get 100% security for free, and they will or cannot realize that's impossible....


Ciao,

Smokey

[wildman]

{QUOTE-> Hmmm... AntiVir-PE also is free. So check HERE (http://www.rokop-security.de/main/article.php?sid=757) and HERE (http://virusscan.jotti.dhs.org/) and HERE (http://www.av-test.org/online/sites/os03.php3?js=1&test=2002-12) and HERE (http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archives/products.xml?table).

PS- in the last link given above, Avast is "Alwil" and AntiVir-PE is H+BEDV. <-QUOTE}

;) Hi Bellgamin: Do you have any contacts at H+BEDV? If so, they really could do a better job with their update method, method to obtain the product and forum for AntiVir/PE, all of which are rather abysmal.

Thanks
wildman
;D 8)

[bellgamin]

{QUOTE-> ;) Hi Bellgamin: Do you have any contacts at H+BEDV? If so, they really could do a better job with their update method, method to obtain the product and forum for AntiVir/PE, all of which are rather abysmal. <-QUOTE}
Hi there, Wild Person. I'm sorry but I have no contacts at H+BEDV.

I agree that AVPE's updater is a bit old-fashioned. Actually, I prefer to manually update all my security applications (I have several of them). It makes me feel useful. I consider that automatic updates are sorta like kissing my wife with somebody else's lips.:D

As for the AVPE forum, I usually like the Teutonic abruptness & acid humor of their Mods. But I also like anchovies on my pizza, & pickles with my ice cream.

The *other* AVPE forum at Castle Cops (http://www.computercops.biz/forum88.html) MIGHT be a bit more congenial. Have you tried them?

[Mele20]

{QUOTE-> I think if you apply for a new license, its free. But I'm not sure.
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/ (yes its microsoft... its a JV after an MS initiative.)
Its also included in Microsoft's Partner Pack (which AFAIK is a different offer from above) for *encouraging* licenseholders of WinXP http://www.microsoft.com/windows/partnerpack/
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/partnerpack/) <-QUOTE}

What's with that MS Partner Pack? I have XP Pro and I use your link and am told that I need at least IE5.01 or greater and am encouraged to download the latest version of IE. :(

[pacifist]

It really is a toss-up between Antivir, AVG or Avast. Your best bet, as with all things, is to try them all and choose the one that you fancy best.

For me, Antivir's large updates and more frequent false poitives put me off.
The new AVG I like, but stopped using it, because some things took longer than usual to load - Java while browsing to be exact.

So I settled on Avast. Nice small updates - No major slow downs on my system - Doesn't look like it is software from the Win 3.1 era and no crashes like in previous versions that initially put me off using Avast.

So I am quite satisfied with Avast.

[no13]

{QUOTE->
What's with that MS Partner Pack? I have XP Pro and I use your link and am told that I need at least IE5.01 or greater and am encouraged to download the latest version of IE.
Reply With Quote <-QUOTE}
HAAHA hahahahahahahaha...
LOL
Man that's good... wish I'd thought of it (rather than MS..)
Seriously tho', MS is a snipped company snipped as well

[synapse]

eScan is good too, its light on system resources, doesnt bog down your system, and comes out with new definitions every day (atleast) sometimes even 2 till 3 times a day..... and it has REALLY REALLY REALLY good detection and deletion abilities...

[Firefighter]

{QUOTE-> Avast is probably the best of the free AV's assuming you can't get a free home copy of an enterprise AV from school or work. <-QUOTE}I agree. Look at my last scan.

Best regards,
Firefighter!

[RejZoR]

Lately i have seen full generic signatures for WootBot and SpyBot class of malware on Jotti (Win32:WootBot-Gen and Win32:SpyBot-Gen). Just the way how Kaspersky and some other do it. Looks promising if they start making such signatures for others too.

[wildman]

{QUOTE-> Hi there, Wild Person. I'm sorry but I have no contacts at H+BEDV.

I agree that AVPE's updater is a bit old-fashioned. Actually, I prefer to manually update all my security applications (I have several of them). It makes me feel useful. I consider that automatic updates are sorta like kissing my wife with somebody else's lips.:D

As for the AVPE forum, I usually like the Teutonic abruptness & acid humor of their Mods. But I also like anchovies on my pizza, & pickles with my ice cream.

The *other* AVPE forum at Castle Cops (http://www.computercops.biz/forum88.html) MIGHT be a bit more congenial. Have you tried them? <-QUOTE}

Hi Bellgamin: Do you use the method I indicated or another way? Thanks for the other forum, I will give them a try. Have seen some post from their mod on other sites, and have been impressed with him.

Thanks
wildman
;D ;)

[bellgamin]

{QUOTE-> Do you use the method I indicated or another way? <-QUOTE}
I must have missed the info as to how you update. Here's what I do: (1) Load AVPE's main GUI. (2) Click the 2-computer icon on the GUI, which calls the updater. (3) Click Start on the updater. (4) Click Yes, if there's an update available.

I do this every day ~3PM Hawaii time. The download comes in at ~135Kbs. Smooth as a baby's behind.

[Diver]

Firefighter,

Could you run that test with a collection of free AV's side by side and say one mainstream commercial AV (Norton or Mcafee) for reference?

[Grumble]

{QUOTE->
I must have missed the info as to how you update. Here's what I do: (1) Load AVPE's main GUI. (2) Click the 2-computer icon on the GUI, which calls the updater. (3) Click Start on the updater. (4) Click Yes, if there's an update available.
<-QUOTE}

You can setup AVPE to eliminate step (3) Click Start on the updater:

1) Load AVPEs main GUI
2) Click Options
3) Click Configuration
4) Click Internet Updater
5) In the box "Automatic download if the internet update program is started"
put a checkmark in "Allow automatic internet update downloads"

Thereafter, the update will start after simply clicking the updater, with no need to then click Start.

Of course, not everyone will want to streamline the process even this much, since operating the crazy updater is half the fun of Antiver, the other half being watching Luke Filewalker's archaic HD graphic do its thing. :)

[wildman]

{QUOTE-> I must have missed the info as to how you update. Here's what I do: (1) Load AVPE's main GUI. (2) Click the 2-computer icon on the GUI, which calls the updater. (3) Click Start on the updater. (4) Click Yes, if there's an update available.

I do this every day ~3PM Hawaii time. The download comes in at ~135Kbs. Smooth as a baby's behind. <-QUOTE}

:D Just about the same, except I disable AntiVir Guard before I do item (4). I also have set the program to install upon completion of download. Once all has been completed AntiVir Guard automatically reactivates itself. Takes on average 13 to 15 minutes on my old Compaq Presario 5070 desktop utilizing Windows98 and a 56k dial-up modem.

Thanks
wildman
;) 8) ;D

[Firefighter]

{QUOTE-> Firefighter,

Could you run that test with a collection of free AV's side by side and say one mainstream commercial AV (Norton or Mcafee) for reference? <-QUOTE}I have done that several times before, but when I have to remove one Exploit from my testbed every time I'm making my scan with AntiVir, because it disables the scan although that file was sent to AntiVir several months ago, it's quite frustrating.

With AVG 7 free, I couldn't get a proper scan log, only the summary of infected FILES, not infected ARCHIVES, therefore I just can't use AVG 7 Free (and AVG's results were far below the second scanner next upwards in my scanning table before, AntiVir, even with those infected FILES summary).

Last but not least, about Norton, I don't touch even with a rotten stick, because I have to be able to uninstall my av:s afterwards and that's impossible with Norton properly.

PS. About the reference av:s you mentioned. You can compare Avast now against McAfee, to beat McAfee in TrojanDownloaders isn't bad either with Avast 4.5 Home.

Best regards,
Firefighter!

[Diver]

thank you FF.

[Ianb]

{QUOTE-> Last but not least, about Norton, I don't touch even with a rotten stick, because I have to be able to uninstall my av:s afterwards and that's impossible with Norton properly. <-QUOTE}

That's a shame Firefighter. NAV 2005 seems to be a massive improvement on 2004 both in spyware\trojan detection and also in removal and resource usage. I would be expecting very good results.

[Blackcat]

{QUOTE-> eScan is good too, its light on system resources, doesnt bog down your system <-QUOTE}
If this is the commercial eScan AV, you must have a really fast computer.

[tuatara]

This is the problem that i see again and again..
When i clean a very virii infected computer for one of my (gamer/P2P/warez-) customers with a top5 virusscanner. And clean and reboot it until nothing else can be found..
And i decide after that, to i install a 2nd virusscanner (also top5)..

It always finds virusses and/or trojans etc. etc. near my personal opinion,
the best virusscanners find about 70 % of the virusses that are out there.

And regarding the tests... all testreports you can find on websites in magazines etc. give different results..

So if you want to buy a virusscanner choose any top5 scanner,
or better use more and switch (uninstall / reinstall etc.) from time to time
with those, you will be surprised to see the results.!!

good luck