Need New Anti-Virus!

[+ ShADoW +]

Whats a good anti-virus program out there right now?

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> Whats a good anti-virus program out there right now? <-QUOTE}
What kind of PC do you have? What criteria do you want to purchase an AV on? Which ones do you currently like?

[BlueZannetti]

{QUOTE-> Whats a good anti-virus program out there right now? <-QUOTE}If you look around the posts here, you'll see a number of us use Kaspersky, NOD32, Dr. Web, Norton, McAfee, Avast!, Bitdefender, not to mention quite a few others.

A little more information may help focus the discussion and advice. Are you switching from one now or just starting? Level of machine (power to burn vs. a little lean on speed)? Type of program you're looking for and so on. Lots of factors can be weighed in making a recommendation and how they are weighted depends on the person responding. Basically, all the programs I mention above - and a number of others - are quite good.

Blue

[INTOXSICKATED]

{QUOTE-> Whats a good anti-virus program out there right now? <-QUOTE}
you may want to check out this (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=78155), this (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=77532) (for a free comparison), this (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=77959), and this (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=70627). personally, i use nod32 (http://www.eset.com/home/home.htm). it gives me peace of mind and i feel safe with it!

[+ ShADoW +]

I am going to try Kasperky Anti-Virus out :)

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> I am going to try Kasperky Anti-Virus out :) <-QUOTE}
Just dont use the ADS feature, because it may or may not cause problems :)

[RejZoR]

If you have access to McAfee VirusSCan Enterprise 8.0i (school/work),grab that one. It's nearly as good as KAV...

[rabmail]

{QUOTE-> Just dont use the ADS feature, because it may or may not cause problems :) <-QUOTE}
KAV 5 works fine for my machines and there are no problems with ADS. The majority of people are not worried by ADS.

Dick

[Eldar]

{QUOTE-> KAV 5 works fine for my machines and there are no problems with ADS. The majority of people are not worried by ADS. <-QUOTE}Same for me and it updates every hour. :)
I don't mind the ADS at all, it gives me more protection. IMO

Never have I experienced problems updating, because everytime an update is posted here I look it up in the console to verify.
When I was using BitDefender Standard I experienced update problems during several weeks,
so that's why I switched to KAV (on recommendation of my friend).
I haven't regretted it since. :D

KAV 5 is running smooth here and it's an easy interface, not like 4.5, which I also trialed.

If you like the controls in 4.5, choose that one.
I on the other hand like 5.0 (almost no configuration necessary), because I got lost in all the options of 4.5.
Even configuring my email client was a real disaster. ::) ;D

Choose the one you like best and doesn't give you problems. ;)

[SDS909]

{QUOTE-> Whats a good anti-virus program out there right now? <-QUOTE}

Which AV should I buy thread #92876111

Try using search!

[chaos16]

I'l tell u this if u are going for the best protection go for Kasperky coz there is no other antivirus that gives more protection.

[Infinity]

{QUOTE->
I don't mind the ADS at all, it gives me more protection. IMO
{QUOTE->
Could you explain a little further what you mean with ads giving you more protection? Cause I don't get it lol

Thanx.

p.s. there is no best protection guys/gals, no best protection et all... :-*

/edit I give up on fighting with those damn quotes :P ..

[Eldar]

{QUOTE-> Could you explain a little further what you mean with ads giving you more protection? Cause I don't get it lol <-QUOTE}It's some sort of checksum, as I understand it. If a file changes, it's automatically scanned by KAV.
That means more security or am I wrong. :)
I'm no AV expert, but that's how I see it.
Also read this (http://www.kaspersky.com/faq?qid=156636746).
{QUOTE-> p.s. there is no best protection guys/gals, no best protection et all... :-* <-QUOTE}But it's our ultimate goal to achieve this. ::) ;D {QUOTE-> /edit I give up on fighting with those damn quotes :P .. <-QUOTE}Not that difficult. I just highlight the sentence in Opera 8 and choose the quotes icon.
It immediately inserts the quotes.
BTW you didn't close the quote = [/QUOTE] ;)

[+ ShADoW +]

Well so far KAV hasnt been a problem :)

So far it cought some trojans, so Im happy so far with this product. :)

[Infinity]

{QUOTE-> t's some sort of checksum, as I understand it. If a file changes, it's automatically scanned by KAV.
That means more security or am I wrong.
I'm no AV expert, but that's how I see it. <-QUOTE}

The way I saw it is: when Kaspersky scans it leaves tags behind to brand/mark the files with identifying data for optimizing future scannings...

But if Kaspersky updates your sigs, will the tags automaticay dissapear cause of the potential new danger hence the new sigs?

That is what I'm affraid was, for the rest Kaspersky has been always awesome to me ;D 8)

/edit: I used Kaspersky for two years, I love 4.5 version and the only reason I won't go to pro is it doesn't do anything better then 4.5 in fact I still have my doubts on this pro version...

and to be completely honest: I am not following Kaspersky anymore for a while now, so maybe they fixed this thing I am referring too...I am not sure.

[Eldar]

{QUOTE-> Well so far KAV hasnt been a problem :)
So far it cought some trojans, so Im happy so far with this product. :) <-QUOTE}Good to hear it's performing well. :D {QUOTE-> The way I saw it is: when Kaspersky scans it leaves tags behind to brand/mark the files with identifying data for optimizing future scannings... <-QUOTE}I told you I was no AV expert, but by adding the ADS the scan goes quicker. :) {QUOTE-> But if Kaspersky updates your sigs, will the tags automaticay dissapear cause of the potential new danger hence the new sigs? <-QUOTE}Don't know anything about it. Best to ask or look it up at the KAV Forum. :) {QUOTE-> That is what I'm affraid was, for the rest Kaspersky has been always awesome to me ;D 8) <-QUOTE}Truly awesome indeed. 8) ;)

[iwod]

I think we definately need a FAQ

[Infinity]

{QUOTE-> I think we definately need a FAQ <-QUOTE}

Why? was it something I said? ;D *puppy*

[richrf]

As far as I can tell, ADS diminishes security in at least three dimensions:

1) Files are literally skipped during a scan in order to increase performance. Presumably those files are "virus-free" but not necessarily.

2) ADS are just thousand of more "small files" that need to be scanned. There are no good tools that I know of that can manage this many ADS files. Most ADS scanning tools (e.g. TDS-3, ADSSPY) are really designed to scan a small number of ADS files.

3) ADS plays havoc with rootkit detection software (e.g. rootkitrevealer) as well as certain types of IDS system (e.g. Prevx).

Suffice to say:

1) Most KAV users who were polled by KAV asked that there be ways to suppress to eliminate ADS.

2) ADS will not be included in 6.0, because it really is a very poor "stop-gap" idea to increase performance (not a bad idea) but unfortunately, in doing so, it decreased security (a bad idea).

I'll probably move from 4.5 Pro (I purchased Pro only because I was told 4.5 was not available) to 5.0 Personal MP3, when MP3 is very stable (at least as stable as 4.5). But I am most looking forward to 6.0, which seems to really have some customer security value-add over 4.5. In the meantime, I only recommend to others what I did for myself, which was to move back from 5.0 to 4.5 because of all of the trouble ADS was causing me.

Rich

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> As far as I can tell, ADS diminishes security in at least three dimensions:

1) Files are literally skipped during a scan in order to increase performance. Presumably those files are "virus-free" but not necessarily. <-QUOTE}
Kaspersky only skips them if you have not updated since the last time scanned and since Kaspersky updates once roughly once an hour it really isn't security problem.

For those interested in how iStreams work:http://www.kaspersky.com/faq?qid=156636746

[BlueZannetti]

{QUOTE-> Kaspersky only skips them if you have not updated since the last time scanned and since Kaspersky updates once roughly once an hour it really isn't security problem.

For those interested in how iStreams work:http://www.kaspersky.com/faq?qid=156636746 <-QUOTE}
Don't forget the quarantine period aspect - 14 days for the fastest scan settings, while it is 365 days for the other two (as I recall). The first is arguably a little short, while the latter two beg the question of whether it is really needed at all.

Blue

[richrf]

Hi Don,

This is true, but this assumes that there is no virus in the file. There is always the possiblity that a KAV signature is introduced after the file has lapsed into its "no scan" mode. This certainly is a hole in the stratregy, an undoubtedly one of the reasons Kaspersky will not be using ADS in the future.

What perplexes me the most is that ADS is the default during installation (in fact there is no way to suppress it in the 5.0 Pro version). I believe, that for maximum protection, non-ADS should be the default mode. Then if someone feels that they need increase performance (I always prefer max. security as long as the AV runs without impacting my system), then they should have the option to append ADS.

I tell you, to this day, I am totally bewildered by the whole 5.0 release. Since I worked for software companies in various capacities for over 30 years, I have a distinct feeling that 5.0 was a "marketing" release controlled by the marketing and sales department and not a technical release. I could be wrong, but it sure has that perfume that I would normally associate with decisions made by the marketing/sales departments. (I was in marketing also ;) ). But who really knows. All I can say is that it is a very confusing release for me. I am sure there are many others who differ with my assessment.

Rich

[richrf]

Hi Blue,

That is my feeling exactly. The whole thing just doesn't feel right at all. It just doesn't seem to measure up to the high level of engineering of the product as a whole.

Rich

[Eldar]

Hi all, {QUOTE-> Kaspersky only skips them if you have not updated since the last time scanned and since Kaspersky updates once roughly once an hour it really isn't security problem. <-QUOTE}Hey, I started a debate on ADS. :-\
Thanks anyway for the information. It's always good to learn something new about it. ;)

[Infinity]

yep, same here, thanx for the info Don

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> Don't forget the quarantine period aspect - 14 days for the fastest scan settings, while it is 365 days for the other two (as I recall). The first is arguably a little short, while the latter two beg the question of whether it is really needed at all.

Blue <-QUOTE}
Hi Blue

I didn't forget, i was in a hurry and on my way to work and the info is in the link anyway. :)

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> Hi Don,

This is true, but this assumes that there is no virus in the file. There is always the possiblity that a KAV signature is introduced after the file has lapsed into its "no scan" mode. This certainly is a hole in the stratregy, an undoubtedly one of the reasons Kaspersky will not be using ADS in the future. <-QUOTE}
Hi Rich

I going to have to disappoint you, because they will use technology similar iStreams/iChecker, but of course with the improvements that has been discovered/developed since 5.0 was released, the info is just not going to be stored in ADS.

Just think about it 365 days (if using the default "recommended"), it would have to be a very theoretical scenario IMO with Kav updating frequency in mind, possible? yes, but not very likely.
{QUOTE-> I tell you, to this day, I am totally bewildered by the whole 5.0 release. Since I worked for software companies in various capacities for over 30 years, I have a distinct feeling that 5.0 was a "marketing" release controlled by the marketing and sales department and not a technical release. I could be wrong, but it sure has that perfume that I would normally associate with decisions made by the marketing/sales departments. (I was in marketing also ;) ). But who really knows. All I can say is that it is a very confusing release for me. I am sure there are many others who differ with my assessment. <-QUOTE}
I think that you to some extent is correct about that the marketing dept had probably made research "aware" of their wishes in this regard, but i'm also quite sure that they went in this direction because they were "forced" to do it by the users.
If you think back two years then most people would agree that Kav was extremly good at detection of malware, but many had reservations about system impact (some still do ;D ) and they had to do something to get those potential customers interested. iStreams was the first step down this path and IMHO it was good first step, the system impact has been on the system i've installed it generally noticely lighter than 4.5. :)

Regards

[richrf]

Hi Don,

For me, ADS is the issue. If KAV decides to use an "external table" of some sort to do the same thing, then this is a technical design issue. As long as it is not a permanent file residing on my disk which negatively impacts security. Beyond this, a 365 default is problematic in terms of its real usefulness, but as long as a user has a choice - unlike KAV 5.0 Pro where the KAV designers do not give a choice on whether ADS are added to the file system.

I still remain bewildered, and I am sure there are many technical engineers at Kaspersky who are sitting at their desks right now equally bewildered at some of the design decisions that were made for 5.0. And so the world turns. ;)

Rich

[+ ShADoW +]

Thanks all for your help but I think im going to stick with KAV and purchase it after my trial.. Cause Ive been very impressed on the dection rate of viruses etc. That it has, It also picked up some virus/trojans for me ;D

Does anyone know a good free backup antivirus ? I heard about AVG, Avast, AntiVir etc.. but I dont know what is the best free anti-virus out of those. :-\

[bigc73542]

Bitdefender free is an excellent on demand scanner. here (http://www.bitdefender.us/bd/site/products.php?p_id=24)

[+ ShADoW +]

{QUOTE-> Bitdefender free is an excellent on demand scanner. here (http://www.bitdefender.us/bd/site/products.php?p_id=24) <-QUOTE}

Do you use this?

[bigc73542]

I have used it off and on for several years. at the present time i am useing Kav and don't feel the need for a back up av. If I do use a secondary av it is bitdefender free ;)

[+ ShADoW +]

so really I dont need a backup ?

[bigc73542]

I really believe if you are useing Kav that anything that you use as a back up doesn't have much of a chance of detecting more than Kav is going to. But the matter of running a secondary av is really a personal decision that you need to make. If you would feel more secure with one then by all means run one. Myself I feel well protected without one. If I was not running Kav I would probably have one though. ;)

[+ ShADoW +]

Since KAV is a nice AV I think I will stick It.. :) Thanks bigc73542.

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> Thanks all for your help but I think im going to stick with KAV and purchase it after my trial.. Cause Ive been very impressed on the dection rate of viruses etc. That it has, It also picked up some virus/trojans for me ;D <-QUOTE}
I'm glad you like it, if you have any questions about Kaspersky, then you also have the official Kaspersky forum (http://forum.kaspersky.com/) as a resource. :)

[richrf]

Hi shadow,

I make it a habit of running scans of my systems (which are protected by KAV) using different AVs (e.g. online McAfee, online BitDefender, NOD32, etc.) from time to time, just to satisfy myself that KAV was picking up everything. This had been true up until about a week ago, when the online BitDefender picked up a genuine piece of malware (that had been causing minor annoyances) that KAV missed. I knew it was somewhere on my machine and BitDefender found it. BTW. Ewido, TDS-3, and NOD32 also didn't.

So whereas KAV is an AV par excellence - I have tested the hypothesis that it is sufficient, and in my case the hypothesis has proven false.

Rich

[Blackcat]

And some extra reading on KAV HERE. (http://www.iggyz.com/book/kav.html)

[Blackcat]

{QUOTE-> just to satisfy myself that KAV was picking up everything. <-QUOTE}
No AV will detect all malware.

For the great majority of users, KAV by itself will give you more than adequate protection.

[richrf]

Hi Blackcat,

More than adequate .. but based upon my experiences, less than what most people will deem necessary. In other words, things will get through that will cause problems and it is necessary to put together a more comprehensive approach to help ensure a smooth running enviornment. Unfortunately, things are getting more complicated than what most people can or want to deal with, and I don't know what they will do other than take it to a local computer specialist to have their drive reformatted and Windows re-installed. For sure, no one will want to pay for the time required to clean a machine, once it starts becoming unusable. It's a tough situation. Two friends - two weeks - tons of my own hours cleaning machines. ::)

Rich

[maddawgz]

what umake of there security suite?? thanks MD !! Antihacker is that a firewall?

Personaly i still like Trend Suite lol

[clansman77]

well, when i tried antihacker it was very good for me.not the one in the suite.i tried the standalone one.dont know if it was any diff in the suite..
kinda outpost like,light and easy..

[Trespasser]

Anti-Hacker in the KIS suite is a lot different and better than Anti-Hacker 1.7 and down. Even more Outpost-like. Give it a try...you'll like it.

[+ ShADoW +]

{QUOTE-> Anti-Hacker in the KIS suite is a lot different and better than Anti-Hacker 1.7 and down. Even more Outpost-like. Give it a try...you'll like it. <-QUOTE}

I unistalled the KAV Personal+AntiHacker and installed the Kaspersky Personal Security Suite.. the AntiHacker doesnt seem too be different then the standalone one? :-\