Looking for a good AV.

[balbanebeoulve]

Well I've tried tons of AV and haven't been satisfied by any but Norton but it is far too much of a resource hog. I've used

F-Secure version
Mcafee (a long time ago and it seemed to have disagreements with my computer)
Kaspersky
RAV
F-Prot
Panda Titanium
AVG
BitDefender

Okay well I have a few requirements....no conflicts with my computer obviously, when I disable it, I want it disabled. Good AV and AT in one. It can be bloaty but I rather not. It doesn't have to be free. It should have exclusion features for it's autoscan and manual scan. It also MUST ask me what to do. It shouldn't just quarantine, clean or block. If you guys could give me a good AV even if it was on the above list I may rethink trying it. Well thanks in advance.

Regards
-BB

[Straight Shooter]

F-Secure version (Never tried it)

Mcafee (a long time ago and it seemed to have disagreements with my computer) (Well, I had Ver 6 and I HATED IT! But Version 7 is very nice! They added Forum Support at McAfee and it runs smoothly.. I would recommend you buy it off the internet, however...That is the updated vesrion (They fixed some uninstall issues and some issues with the Palm scanner) The retail boxed version probably won't be the new improved one.. Or, you could buy it, and go to forum support and ask them to send you the updated version.. I would not recommend McAfee Internet Security 5.0, though.,, I had some problesm with it, although it's okay now.. I would just get the basic AV Firewall..No problems with resource usage, although it can be bloatware, but if it works, SO WHAT!

Kaspersky - Depending on your system, this may be a bad resource hog.

RAV - Decent AV.. Try it out.. Support is VERY Good!

F-Prot - Never tried it for more than a day.

Panda Titanium - Too simplistic.. Lacks some features...

AVG- I don't like this one bit.. Slow updates.. It's free and that's what's it's worth... Though this guy named "Adiel" swears by it, I don't like it.

BitDefender - Never passed a Virus Bulletin.. I didn't care for it...

> Okay well I have a few requirements....no conflicts with my computer obviously, when I disable it, I want it disabled. Good AV and AT in one. It can be bloaty but I rather not. It doesn't have to be free. It should have exclusion features for it's autoscan and manual scan. It also MUST ask me what to do. It shouldn't just quarantine, clean or block. If you guys could give me a good AV even if it was on the above list I may rethink trying it. Well thanks in advance.

Try McAfee. It's configurable in every way... I hope you are talking Win XP...
It covers both Viruses and Trojans, other malware very well...

[Firefighter]

To Balbanebeoulve from Firefighter!

Your requirements are almost impossible to fill, but after those all above try DrWeb 4.29c! Maybe it is the only one that remains. :o

"The truth is out there, but it hurts!"

Best Regards,
Firefighter!

[JimIT]

-{ Quote: " quoting: balbanebeoulve link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63290 date=1054058812]
Well I've tried tons of AV and haven't been satisfied by any but Norton but it is far too much of a resource hog.
" }-

I used to think the same thing about Norton. And, it's true that there are other av's that use less resources, but from the list you gave, I would still put Norton in the top 3--bloatware or not. I have come to the opinion that Norton is not as bloated as it's made out to be.

Intrusive, absolutely though. ;D

McAfee was mentioned by Shooter, and I would agree--it's a good choice as an alternative--as is KAV.

Those would be my picks (from your list) as alternatives for NAV. :)

[Pretender]

A newcomer on the block and still in Beta, but is free and looks quite promissing is Gladiator:

http://www.gladiator-antivirus.com/

You can check out their forums at:

http://forum.gladiator-antivirus.com

bob

[eyespy]

GAV would make an excellent backup scanner. I really like it and it's come a long way!
As for the main AV defense, NOD or DrWeb !
Two of the best IMHO !

I also liked RAV !

regards,
bill :)

[balbanebeoulve]

Awww damn my post was erased because I didn't put email. Anyway what I said was mcafee didn't like zonealarm and well dr web was just weird :o
Errand I heard nod wasn't good with trojans....

[Straight Shooter]

-{ Quote: " quoting: balbanebeoulve link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63322 date=1054075558]
what I said was mcafee didn't like zonealarm

Errand I heard nod wasn't good with trojans....
" }-

If you use McAfee, You can uninstall ZoneAlarm and use McAfee's Firewall. I use that now on one of my systems and I LOVE it!

As for NOD32, Yes, ESET will be one of the first to tell you that Their proggie is not a Trojan Specialist. That's why I use McAfee.. It does very well with viruses, trojans, and other malware.. Some folks like layered protection. With NOD32, you NEED layered protection LOL.. That's one thng I learned in the last year I have been using it (I use it on another computer, in conjunction with GAV Free... )

As for GAV, when it becomes GOLD and hits the streets in the end of the summer, I intend to test it and replace one of my AV's... It should also pass the VB awards, from what I hear from MIchael and the GAV Group...
GAV has REALLY impresed me...

[xor]

GAV comes in the next versions with 2 scan engines and a "unpack support modus" this means if you scan with a other AV GAV does block this scan until the file is unpacked and points via a file system driver this handle to the new unpacked file ;D
This means you can unpack than with NAV ;D

[Bowserman]

-{ Quote: " quoting: xor link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63327 date=1054079775]
GAV comes in the next versions with 2 scan engines and a "unpack support modus" this means if you scan with a other AV GAV does block this scan until the file is unpacked and points via a file system driver this handle to the new unpacked file ;D
This means you can unpack than with NAV ;D
" }-


That sounds very good xor. Can't wait :).

balbanebeoulve - I am currently using PC-Cillin 2003 and find it good. To compliment that I have GAV as my on demand scanner.

Regards, Jade.

[Pretender]

I had to ck it out xor!!!


http://www.gladiator-antivirus.com/gfx/hot-xxx.jpg

[xor]

ROFL ;D ;D ;D 5872 hits from wilders so far on this picture - that says all ;D ;D ;D

[JimIT]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Bowserman link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63329 date=1054080260]
-{ Quote: " quoting: xor link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63327 date=1054079775]
GAV comes in the next versions with 2 scan engines and a "unpack support modus" this means if you scan with a other AV GAV does block this scan until the file is unpacked and points via a file system driver this handle to the new unpacked file ;D
This means you can unpack than with NAV ;D
" }-


That sounds very good xor. Can't wait :).

balbanebeoulve - I am currently using PC-Cillin 2003 and find it good. To compliment that I have GAV as my on demand scanner.

Regards, Jade.
" }-

I also use PC-cillin w/GAV as an on-demand and BOClean as the "bouncer" on my main box, and like that setup also.

GAV is coming along. Real obvious that Michael is working his keister off to get it up to snuff.

[eyespy]

-{ Quote: " quoting: balbanebeoulve link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63322 date=1054075558]
well dr web was just weird :o
Errand I heard nod wasn't good with trojans....
" }-

I thought DrWeb was fairly straight forward. ;)

Nod is NOT trojan software. Neither is DrWeb.

You should use anti trojan software for that sole purpose if you are concerned about trojans and the like.

Try Trojan Hunter or TDS from here

http://www.wilders.org/anti_trojans.htm

Two very good ATs' !

regards,
bill :)

[eyespy]

-{ Quote: " quoting: xor link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63332 date=1054081093]
ROFL ;D ;D ;D 5872 hits from wilders so far on this picture - that says all ;D ;D ;D
" }-

Ok Xor
...I'll bite !! ;D

bill

[tahoma]

based on eprsonal experience i ahve to say KAV is easily the best when it comes to detection, both viruses and trojans. it slows down a bit though, but the 4.5 beta that u can get from ftp.kaspersky.com is a lot faster than the 4.0x version. so fast in fact i recently replaced my drweb (which is lightning fast) with KAV. KAV5 which will go beta in a month or 2 apparently is supposed to be even faster. so kav or drweb are my recommendations. drweb hardly uses any resources and is so fast u dont notice that its installed at all.

[Patrice]

Hey JimIT,

-{ Quote: " quoting: JimIT link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63318 date=1054073698]

-{ Quote: " quoting: balbanebeoulve link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63290 date=1054058812]
Well I've tried tons of AV and haven't been satisfied by any but Norton but it is far too much of a resource hog." }-

I used to think the same thing about Norton.
" }-

Are you really sure about that:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=8587;start=15

Do you consider this as a ressource hog? ::)

-{ Quote: " quoting: JimIT link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63318 date=1054073698]McAfee was mentioned by Shooter, and I would agree--it's a good choice as an alternative--as is KAV." }-

If you call NAV a ressource hog, how would you call KAV then? ;D LOL

Just wondering. ;)

Best regards,

Patrice

[solarpowered candle]

I think you are right Tahoma The KAV 5 will be really worth looking into and fast and thorough with its excellent virus / trojon detection. I think It will leave the rest for dust :)

[JimIT]

-{ Quote: " quoting: JimIT link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63318 date=1054073698]
I used to think the same thing about Norton. <snip!>
I have come to the opinion that Norton is not as bloated as it's made out to be.
" }-

Hi Patrice.

Above is what I originally posted. ;)

And yes, I'm sure about that. ;D

FWIW: My w98se box after a clean install of the OS has a 98% resource free reading. After installing Norton, it only drops to 96% with real-time scanning enabled, etc. This is an AMD k62 w/128 RAM.

Avast! 4 uses comparable resources, so to clarify ;), I don't think Norton is as "resource-hungry" as it's legend would lead one to believe. ;D

[balbanebeoulve]

Well my box didn't start up so fast with norton installed but with avg, started up like a breeze.

[eyespy]

-{ Quote: " quoting: balbanebeoulve link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=15#msg63439 date=1054159149]
Well my box didn't start up so fast with norton installed but with avg, started up like a breeze.
" }-
If you wan't to use a Free AV, I would recommend Avast.
You have to register the product in order to receive your FREE regkey.

Try here http://www.wilders.org/free_tools.htm
or
http://www.avast.com/i_idt_1016.html

regards,
bill ;)

[Gavin - DiamondCS]

I like KAV too ;D

But GAV is very useful already and unpack support for other programs is just generous, useful, and needed :D Superb !

[Q Section]

Hello balbanebeoulve

Why take our word for it? Take a look at Virus Bulletin: http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archives/products.xml?table

This is a third-party independent testing organisation. They do not work for any anti-virus company. You will find the information there very valuable.

The layered approach is best. Proper defences require proper software in place. Suggested is

A good firewall - such as Outpost: http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/

A good anti-virus program - such as NOD32:
http://www.nod32.com/products/95.htm

A good anti-trojan program - such as TDS3:
http://tds.diamondcs.com.au/

A good anti-worm program - such as WormGuard:
http://wormguard.diamondcs.com.au/

A good anti-spy program - such as SpywareBlaster:
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

An anti-spy tool/browser anti-hijacker tool) - such as Spybot S&D:
http://security.kolla.de/

Some you may have already. If you prefer other choices for the programs then alright but each categorie does something the others do not. A great anti-virus program does not necessarily catch all trojans; a great browser protection program most likely will not catch worms. A layered protection scheme is best to be protected. Hopefully this will not bury you in too much information. If you have any questions or need any kind of help at all you can come here and those in the know will be happy to help.

Best wishes.

HMSS Q Section

[Imp]

Hello Qsection,
I think it's hard to say a program is good and another one will be not...
I think a good product is when you got satisfaction with in regards of the problem encountered.
For exemple we told me the best AV in the world was the russian Karpersky program, quite expensive and very difficult to configurate when you are a newbie....
For trojan's betrayal I found Trojan Remover, I bought it as I found a very easy program to use, no knowledge needed to be able to scan your computer, as well as the fact to detect the two parts of that particular virus: the "spread" and the "worm", through the two performants scan embaded into the program.
It's the best relevance "quality-price" in regards of the service given....
I think today almost all programs are performant, except that you will prefer one from another one, when you understood how it works and you get a positive answer.... ;D ;D ;D

[manxaura]

-{ Quote: " quoting: balbanebeoulve link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=0#msg63322 date=1054075558]
Awww damn my post was erased because I didn't put email. Anyway what I said was mcafee didn't like zonealarm and well dr web was just weird :o
Errand I heard nod wasn't good with trojans....
" }-

Nopd Is not goot with trojans because it is an anti virus not an anti trojan, Use Nod32 along side TAUSCAN trojan deffence and you will be safe as the bank of England.

"smile"
8)

[xor]

-{ Quote: " quoting: manxaura link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=15#msg63499 date=1054206708]
/* snip */ along side TAUSCAN trojan deffence and you will be safe as the bank of England.
" }-

With TAUSCAN ? :o

[Straight Shooter]

-{ Quote: " quoting: manxaura link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=15#msg63499 date=1054206708]
Use Nod32 along side TAUSCAN trojan deffence and you will be safe as the bank of England.

"smile"
8)
" }-

ROFL

[Paul Wilders]

-{ Quote: " quoting: xor link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=15#msg63500 date=1054208530]
-{ Quote: " quoting: manxaura link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=15#msg63499 date=1054206708]
/* snip */ along side TAUSCAN trojan deffence and you will be safe as the bank of England.
" }-

With TAUSCAN ? :o
" }-

Very bad choice indeed ::)

regards,

paul

[sig]

KAV Lite goes for about $20 and is geared toward newbies evidently. There's a UK Kav forum where there are threads about it.

http://forums.useice.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=3ed63b5b5ee5ffff;act=SF;f=1

[stranger]

Been experimenting recently, i think in the top four avs with superb unpacking engines - KAV, AVK, Mcafee and RAV coming to mind, RAV antivirus strikes a good balance.

Nothing comes close to KAV as an all around av especially when it comes to its unpacking engine; it's equally effective against trojans and virii, but it tends to weigh down a system a lot and it scans slow, especially the newer, 4x versions. Likewise with AVK.

On the other side Mcafee comes close to KAV plus it has a fast scan speed, but its flaw is its big footprint, the numerous modifications it makes in the registry, and it's also uses a good chunk of systems resources.

RAV has an above average unpacking engine, much better than Nod32. It can be used as a stand alone av capable of dealing with both virii and trojans, without supplementing it with an AT. Unlike KAV, AVK and Mcafee it doesn't have a big footprint and it doesn't consume a lot of systems resources, plus it has pretty good on demand scanner in terms of speed. :)

[Q Section]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Imp link=board=24;threadid=9659;start=15#msg63470 date=1054194534]
Hello Qsection,
I think it's hard to say a program is good and another one will be not...
I think a good product is when you got satisfaction with in regards of the problem encountered." }-
Imp - would you not agree that it is possible for someone to have the "worst" programs in each categorie installed and find they are easy to use and configure (not demanding much from the user) and then the user has no problems whatsoever either virii, trojans, worms or other malware?

Think about it. If no challenge presented itself to the user's computer then no problem would appear. The user might think after awhile, "Hmmm, I sure must have good programs because I have never had any problems with malware infections."

"Good" software is found out by testing it by an (ideally) professional third party organisation (unassociated economically with the vendor/author/distributor) and then further learning there have been no user problems posted on the forums (although this step does not guarantee anything but could help to indicate quality or lack thereof). A "good" program gets the job done and that is indicated NOT by a user having no problems but by meeting and overcoming challenges.

[Jooske]

I remember my early days with an AV of respectable name but several online scans found known live nasties on my stumbling system like CIH, BO2K which that AV real time protection never found.
Another scanner found lots of suspicious files (that can happen with highest sensitivity / heuristic scanning) but their support was really bad, rude and un-interested.
Around the same time came across TDS which people explained me bunches.
So which is the good product: the one never finding a thing, false sense of security? The one with too many false positives of normal files leaving the user in pure frustration? Or the one besides good scanning also giving very good support?
It's all what works with you and your system, but do care to do some second opinion online scans at times.

NB: i know TDS is from the AT area, i just wanted to illustrate that even though the finds were not all in their specific area (several were false positives fortunately) their support went over those boundaries and helped me getting better covered, first steps in layered protection, etc. better choices for the AV area too, etc.
But those discussions are a lot on this board and everywhere already :)

[Patrice]

Hi Jooske & QSection,

I fully agree to what you have said above. Let's state it like that: a good software stands and falls with its support. If the support is good, the software is good as well (or will be good after a while, because they solve all the problems the users have). If the support is bad, even the best software is worthless (that's the experience I made). ;)

Best regards,

Patrice

P.S. You don't invest in the software/idea, you invest in the people who are behind this product/idea!

[Jooske]

Hmm i agree partly Patrice, if i know the software is great in detection and protection you won't hear me complain too soon, but i'll probably not get that devoted to the product and less to the people behind. It's just a product which i suppose to be reliable, uptodate, doing it's job without messing my system.
That's why i like a few different products to use the one or the other, online scans between that.
I do like specific AT and AV products beside each other, be it that the known AV products have grown into covering lots of trojans and worms too these days.
I have the most experience with AVP and NOD32, with most others i've not experimented so can't say how they would be on my system.
Reading so many attractive details here in the forum about several products, and how GAV is developing into a serious threath for the products of known names, etc. so if that would seriously cover the virus part in the first place in my system situation could be a next to try.
I am betatesting other software at the moment so need to keep my system clean from other testing till all is clear and worked out.