Which antivirus is better?

[Tru_Snoop]

Hey guys;

I am using Kaspersky Antivirus at the moment. I haven't had any problems with it. However, it takes long time to do a manual scan. Is there better antivirus than Kaspersky out there? I heard NOD32 is good. How is it compared to kaspersky? Kaspersky, also, seems to use lot of resources. What antivirus you guys recommend?

[Ailric]

Kaspersky is THE most powerful AV. NOD32 is quite good and lighter on resources.

[RejZoR]

Best antivirus?
Common Sense Antivirus v7.03

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> Best antivirus?
Common Sense Antivirus v7.03 <-QUOTE}
Cool name. Can you provide me a link, google comes up with nothing. ;) ;D

[Blackcat]

{QUOTE-> Hey guys; I am using Kaspersky Antivirus at the moment. I haven't had any problems with it. <-QUOTE}
Stick with it then ;)
{QUOTE-> However, it takes long time to do a manual scan. <-QUOTE}
Why the rush? KAV takes longer than most AV's because it is carrying out a thorough scan, particularly if you have lots of packed files. If you are using KAV 5, you can increase the scan speed by moving the slider down in the on-demand scanner settings to "High Speed". However, I would not advise using this setting all the time. Further, if you have enabled the iStreams and iChecker technologies, these should also help in improving scan speed.
{QUOTE-> Is there better antivirus than Kaspersky out there? <-QUOTE}
Not for overall malware detection.
{QUOTE-> I heard NOD32 is good. How is it compared to kaspersky? <-QUOTE}
NOD is good. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Your choice.
{QUOTE-> Kaspersky, also, seems to use lot of resources. <-QUOTE}
Have you an older computer? KAV 5 probably uses more memory/resources than the real lightweight AV's such as NOD and Dr Web, but it runs very light here on an old 400MHz, 192MB RAM computer. If you decide to stay with KAV, purchasing more RAM may be a good decision.
{QUOTE-> What antivirus you guys recommend? <-QUOTE}
The one that suits you and your system. Overall it is a very personal choice. Any of the ones listed here will give you good protection; http://www.av-comparatives.org/ and http://www.wilders.org/anti_viruses.htm

[Firecat]

Tru_Snoop,

If use Kaspersky AntiVirus and you're happy with it, then keep using it. A manual scan takes a long time on Kaspersky Antivirus because Kaspersky does a thourough scan which scans multiple archive/packed files. Considering that Kaspersky AntiVirus supports over 700 packers, the scan would definitely take some time.

There is no better AntiVirus out there for overall malware detection, except maybe F-Secure.

NOD32 is very good, very light on the system and excellent heuristics. However, its signature database is relatively small compared to Kaspersky.

Kaspersky does use quite a bit of RAM, no denying. But this is only really apparent if you use the old KAV 4.x and less than 96MB of RAM. KAV uses more than Dr.Web or NOD32, but KAV5 runs well on 500MHz PCs with 160MB RAM (tested on friend's PC).

As for recommendation, stick to what Blackcat says.

Regards,
Firecat

[rdsu]

Hi Tru_Snoop,

exists some very good AV's out there and you can test them to see what is better for your needs and system...

However, I can recommend Kaspersky if you want the best detection rate, the NOD32 to a great detection rate and very low resources, and the avast! (free or pay version) that it's a very good AV and is growing very well :)

Regards

[claire]

Well you could give a try to NOD but not during the week ends ;)

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> Well you could give a try to NOD but not during the week ends ;) <-QUOTE}
Why not during the weekends?

[Blackspear]

{QUOTE-> Well you could give a try to NOD but not during the week ends ;) <-QUOTE}LOL, they are working on it, though it does take time to train up new staff as they expand ;) ;D Other than that minor detail, they are always on the ball as to updates...

Cheers ;D

[BlueZannetti]

{QUOTE-> I am using Kaspersky Antivirus at the moment. I haven't had any problems with it. However, it takes long time to do a manual scan. Is there better antivirus than Kaspersky out there? I heard NOD32 is good. How is it compared to kaspersky? Kaspersky, also, seems to use lot of resources. What antivirus you guys recommend? <-QUOTE}Tru_Snoop,

The time for a manual scan really shouldn't be a decision factor IMHO. Perform that scan in off-hours while you're sleeping or away and whether it takes 20 minutes or 6 hours is really of no practical consequence.

KAV is the most comprehensive AV option out there, but that degree of coverage comes with a price.

To determine whether KAV, NOD32, or one of the many other options out there is best for you, you need to firmly define what "better" means to you, list target attributes in order of importance to you, then weigh your options against that ordered list.

If better means "most comprehensive detection option available", KAV is your answer. If other attributes come into play, your preferred soluton may change. KAV does use a lot of resources, but the key question is do you notice it and are there configuration options available to minimize it.

Blue

[Can't Tell]

{QUOTE-> Any of the ones listed here will give you good protection; http://www.av-comparatives.org/ and http://www.wilders.org/anti_viruses.htm <-QUOTE}
Hi

Followed the link to w3.av-comparatives... First things that struck me is that AntiVir is not listed.

Two points if I may...

I currently don't run any AV myself, but I tested many just for the fun of it a couple of months ago, and one thing I'm sure of is that AntiVir is a darn good AV. Very small footprint, very low on CPU usage, does a wonderful job at real-time protecting (the viruses I've been sent over the years - which I kept - I threw at it, and it defended with much ease), heuristics, also detectes dialing programs, etc. And... free for personal use at www.free-av.com

If such a widely used and appreciated AV as AntiVir is not listed, what kind of comparative list is this? One is now forced to ask oneself, 'which other AV did they leave off' ?

[Can't tell either]

{QUOTE-> If such a widely used and appreciated AV as AntiVir is not listed, what kind of comparative list is this? One is now forced to ask oneself, 'which other AV did they leave off' ? <-QUOTE}
... and WHY they did leave this one (these ones?!) out.

[Can't tell]

Sorry

I have to make a publicapology.

AntiVir IS listed (Professional)

Sorry, especially to the testers and av-comparatives site developers.

[Blackcat]

Over at av-comparatives, apart from a minimum zoo detection rate by the on-demand scanner and 100% detection rate of ITW samples, other factors have to be taken into account for inclusion of a particular AV.

{QUOTE-> Please also keep in mind that if a scanner is not included in our tests you can NOT conclude that the reason is e.g. its poor detection rate. In fact, we can not test all AV programs out there, so we concentrate to only the most used, well-known, trusted scanners with high detection rates. As our time and resources are limited, it can be that some single scanners are not included due other reasons in our tests, even if it e.g. would have high detection rates. <-QUOTE}

But if you take part in their survey, you may find your favourite scanner, which at present is not being tested, may be sometime in the future; http://www.av-comparatives.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=102

[Slovak]

{QUOTE-> Best antivirus?
Common Sense Antivirus v7.03 <-QUOTE}
:D ;D ;D

[Blackcat]

{QUOTE-> Hi, I currently don't run any AV myself <-QUOTE}
You obviously practise safe hex ;)

But not recommended for all, particularly newbies or those visiting high-risk sites.

[Slovak]

KAV is definately the most powerful of the two, but NOD32 is the lightest on resources, has way better tech support too. IMO use NOD32 out of the two and a good AT, like TDS3, or if you can't afford it like me, then Ewido which is free to take care of your trojan needs since NOD32 doesen't specialize in trojans, but KAV detects them pretty well, but tends to be more of a resource hog.

[Can't tell]

{QUOTE-> Not recommended for all, particularly newbies or those visiting high-risk sites. <-QUOTE}
I agree...
I suppressed many of the at-risk components of XP (XPLite), use on-line webmail, and got the Partitioning/Imaging processes down to a science... All that does the trick for me, while allowing me not to bother with defrags and other operations I don't like. Besides, I like to know exactly what's on my pc when I turn it on, so I restore daily to get the precise configuration I built up previously.
Had I to make a choice, I'd alternate between Nod32 and AntiVirPersonal.

Cheers

[steve1955]

{QUOTE-> KAV is definately the most powerful of the two, but NOD32 is the lightest on resources, has way better tech support too. IMO use NOD32 out of the two and a good AT, like TDS3, or if you can't afford it like me, then Ewido which is free to take care of your trojan needs since NOD32 doesen't specialize in trojans, but KAV detects them pretty well, but tends to be more of a resource hog. <-QUOTE}
Were you joking about tech support?I didnt renew my NOD licence due to the lack of support,most time you were lucky to get any answer/acknowledgement at all to emails so either things have improved dramatically at Eset or you are being sarcastic!

[Acadia]

... and speaking of tech support, or should I say lack of, I had to remove KAV from my system because of a problem, emailed tech support on Jan. 30th ... still waiting ... >:(

Acadia

[Slovak]

{QUOTE-> Were you joking about tech support?I didnt renew my NOD licence due to the lack of support,most time you were lucky to get any answer/acknowledgement at all to emails so either things have improved dramatically at Eset or you are being sarcastic! <-QUOTE}
Nope, I didn't have too much luck with either in the tech support area, just was better at least for me with NOD32 than KAV

[webmedic]

{QUOTE-> ... and speaking of tech support, or should I say lack of, I had to remove KAV from my system because of a problem, emailed tech support on Jan. 30th ... still waiting ... >:(

Acadia <-QUOTE}

this mirrors my experiance with them also. It's going on 5 days now for me and it was not even a tech support call. I called their reseller support to ask about reselling the product and when I got no responce I posted in the forums and got nothing there either.


here is the link to thier forums.

http://forums.useice.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=1;t=1858

I really am sorry for the customers there because the only thing they have are each other. It's really kind of sad to pay as much as they do for a top notch product only to have to put up with that kind of customer support.

[webmedic]

{QUOTE-> Nope, I didn't have too much luck with either in the tech support area, just was better at least for me with NOD32 than KAV <-QUOTE}


I can't say about others but I can say as for the reseller support at nod I dont get an answering machine like I did with kaspersky. Every time I call I get a real person that is more than willing to help.

I never have liked email supprt from a company. If I dont have a phone number to call and a person on the other end they usaully dont get my business. I do settle for a good forum though since it is usally at least half way in between email and live phone support but thats only if people from the company actually respond to my posts.

[Matt_Smi]

There really is no right answer to this question. KAV and NOD32 are both top notch AV’s IMO (I use NOD32) and are two of the best out there. Which one is better for you depends, there really is no arguing that KAV has bigger definitions and is better at detecting Trojans than NOD, but NOD has better heuristics that are more prone to catch a virus even if it does not have a definition yet, NOD is also lighter on resources. I chose NOD because I wanted a light AV, am not a high risk user (use safe browsing habits) and plan on adding an anti Trojan in the future to supplement NOD, which IMO will make it just as/more powerful than KAV at detection. If you do not care about resource usage and do not want to add an anti Trojan to your setup than you will probably be better off with KAV, but its up to you, maybe trial NOD and see if you like it better.

[bigc73542]

You might also consider

Mcafee

Panda

trend micro

f-prot

command

Dr.Web

All of these are good antivirus programs and are worth checking out.

bigc

[KAV]

KAV if you dont mind about hidden stream data embedded.

[Firecat]

If support is an issue, you'd be better of with Panda, F-Secure or MicroWorld's eScan (which has the best support I've seen in a KAV-based product).

Regards,
Firecat

[webmedic]

which version of the kav engine do they use?

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> which version of the kav engine do they use? <-QUOTE}
webmedic,

MicroWorld's eScan currently uses the Kaspersky 4.5 engine and the real time monitor component is put up as v4.5.0.58 in the registry. Also, it now has X-bases.

Regards,
Firecat

[webmedic]

thank you what is xbases? I'm not interested in the kasperski 5.0 engine at all. I went to ice systems and saw nothing but complaints and issues with it from most users. Possibly when 6.0 comes out but for now I'm quite happy with e-scan and how it helps me to clean systems.

[webmedic]

I see from the other thread now what you were referring to. And yes I like the x-bases th4ey come in really handy to cross check with adaware and spybot. I get so many systems in with all kinds of garbage on them and all hte cross checking is good and helps allot twords making sure the system is squeaky clean.

[Firecat]

Unfortunately, newer versions of the free eScan no longer clean viruses from your system. You'll have to buy from the eScan product line for that. Actually, eScan commercial edition does not use 'Riskware' bases (though everything else is there), you'll have to enable it. Do ask me about it if you purchase eScan.

Regards,
Firecat

BTW, F-Secure 2005 uses Kaspersky 6.0 engine. But, it seems that 6.0 is still in beta so I feel there might be some bugs?

[webmedic]

Yes know they dont. I still like to use it for refference and to help the cleaning along.

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> I'm not interested in the kasperski 5.0 engine at all. I went to ice systems and saw nothing but complaints and issues with it from most users. Possibly when 6.0 comes out but for now I'm quite happy with e-scan and how it helps me to clean systems. <-QUOTE}From most users? How would you possibly be able to make such an assumption, since most users doesn't even know about Ice systems forum (698 registered members). If i go to the Nod forum (or McAfee, Avast, etc.), i will also find users, many with complaints and issues, does that mean that most of their users are unsatisfied with Nod32 V2, i think not. :)

Back on topic:

I have personally used both Kaspersky & Nod (stopped in april when my subscribtion was cut almost a month short, and emails where not responded to, does this sound familliar, webmedic ;) ) over the last four years, both have have been running without any issue's at all, and i can only recommend both highly. I just personally prefer Kaspersky 5.0 at this point. :)

BTW. It's Kaspersky, not Kasperski. ;)

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> F-Secure 2005 uses Kaspersky 6.0 engine. But, it seems that 6.0 is still in beta so I feel there might be some bugs? <-QUOTE}I seriously doubt that, Firecat. Kav 6.0 might go into beta in march/april, but knowing how software development usually takes a bit longer than anticipated i think that it's a stretch. Most likely a version 4.5 with F-Secure's own versionnumber, but hey i've been wrong before. ;) ;D

[webmedic]

{QUOTE->
BTW. It's Kaspersky, not Kasperski. ;) <-QUOTE}

Doh yes Sorry about that I mispell it occasionally. I was looking for it on google the other day nad spelled it wrong to. There are allot of people with the last name of kasperski by the way.

As for the other. Well yes ice is not the whole of kaspersky. But I weem to find allot of people saying they prefer 4.5 over 5.0. That was my only point and for me it is enough to keep me away from it till 6.0 is in beta. I'll evaluate it then. For now I'm happy with escan since kasperski does not sell 4.5 anymore taht I know of. I may be wrong about that though.

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> Doh yes Sorry about that I mispell it occasionally. I was looking for it on google the other day nad spelled it wrong to. There are allot of people with the last name of kasperski by the way. <-QUOTE}Happens all the time. :)
{QUOTE-> As for the other. Well yes ice is not the whole of kaspersky. But I weem to find allot of people saying they prefer 4.5 over 5.0. That was my only point and for me it is enough to keep me away from it <-QUOTE}Fair enough. Yes, if you go to a forum like Ice Systems you are undoubtedly correct about that, however if you ask the friends, family and colleague's that i've recommended Kav to, they will all say that 5.0 is much better for them ( and believe me i hear about it, if something is wrong ;D ), because the GUI is a lot easier to comprehend and that it feels lighter than 4.5.This is the main difference between 4.5 & 5.0. It's better for 95% of the users, and even for me in the 5% geek catagory. ;D {QUOTE-> till 6.0 is in beta.I'll evaluate it then. <-QUOTE}Should be a blast with regard to speed & resouces use, acording to one of the developers. {QUOTE-> since kasperski does not sell 4.5 anymore taht I know of I may be wrong about that though. <-QUOTE}No, you're right about that. You can continue to use 4.5 with a key if you wish though like with Nod (and can find a exe file of course);) you will still be supported, they just don't make it available on the homepage anymore, which is logical when you consider that 5.0 has been on the market for 8-9 month's. :)