Multi-PC Affordable Protection

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by Tomsvice, Jul 11, 2006.

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  1. Tomsvice

    Tomsvice Registered Member

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    Hello,

    I am looking to use an Anti-Virus program on 5 computers in my home.

    I am currently using the Avast "free" program.

    Is there any need to consider purchasing an affordable "paid" program such as F-Prot over Avast or no? F-Prot covers 5 machines if I'm not mistaken, which puts me around $6.00 each if I do 5 PC's.

    Another question would be...is there an Anti-Trojan/Anti-Spyware type of program that would be the equivalant in terms of value as the "free" Avast or the very affordable F-Prot that would also cover 5 machines?

    Many Thanks
     
  2. Ned Slider

    Ned Slider Registered Member

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    The free version of ewido is quite effective at detecting trojans, and will compliment many a AV package. Something like BitDefender Free edition also makes a nice backup scanner.

    Avast certainly compares quite favourably against F-Prot on the last AV-Comparatives test:

    http://www.av-comparatives.org/

    Ned
     
  3. furballi

    furballi Registered Member

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    The amount of "PC protection" depends on the PC user. My full-time AV scanner is OFF, but I have never been infected by a bug. I run AV definition update and full system scan twice a year. I used to have Avast Home. Currently running Mc Afee 8.0i because it is available to me at no cost.

    Set up two e-mail accounts. 1st account ONLY for friends and relatives. 2nd WEBMAIL account (with AV filter like Yahoo) for general use. DO NOT download applications that permit others to access your HDD. DO not open unknown attachments. DO NOT visit warez websites. DO NOT download free software without confirming its authenticity. When in doubt, DON'T CLICK!

    I never connect to the internet without a FIREWALL.
     
  4. Blackcat

    Blackcat Registered Member

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    Depends upon what your computers are used for.

    If you have 1 that is used by a teenager or one that has valuable data on it I would pick one of the better commercial AV's for this one computer. Then leave Avast free on the others.

    However, if all 5 are used for gaming for example I would keep with the free programs. I would keep Avast and supplement with BitDefender/Dr Web's CureIt/Avira AntiVir Classic/Ewido as a backup.
     
  5. furballi

    furballi Registered Member

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    Hmmm...I wouldn't waste $ on people who seek trouble over the internet. Some people learn quickly about internet security if they have to format the HDD several times a year. Others will never learn.

    The best defense against PC gremlins is to image your OS when it was "clean". Put the image file on another partition or DVD for future restoration. You can try the full version of Bootit NG for 30 days. The cost is $35.
     
  6. marcromero

    marcromero Guest

    F-Prot Antivirus
     
  7. JerryM

    JerryM Registered Member

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    Looking at AV Comparatives, I would choose Avast Home over F-Protect.

    F-Protect has a following here, and their opinions in this area are far more knowledgeable than mine.
    However, as I examine the results of AV Comparatives, I fail to find any reason to choose F-Protect at this point in time. It did not even get an Advanced rating.

    I would, accordingly, choose Avast Home, and when the new version of F-Protect comes out then take a look at it. Why spend money for a product that does not offer better protection?

    As to free AT, Ewido is as good as any, but does not offer real time protection. It is a good scanner. There is a free version of a-squared, and it is worth a try.
    You might get Ewido free, and SuperAntiSpyware free and see how they run on your system along with Avast Home. That gives a free system that will be sufficient in my opinion if all surf safe. Keep all plus Windows up to date.

    Best,
    Jerry
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2006
  8. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

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    for up to 3 PCS, one can get most year long, free, or very low cost, AFTER rebate Norton AntiVirus, and certain other Symantec products (sigh, yes, it is Symantec).
     
  9. Firecat

    Firecat Registered Member

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    You can get some cheap options like Defender Pro (http://www.defender-pro.com) which is a rebadged KAV. For $29.99 you get AntiVirus+Firewall+AntiSpam for 3 computers for 1 year.

    Or there's BullGuard which allows for installation on 3 computers for $59.99/year.....

    But the best deal IMO is F-Prot.
     
  10. JerryM

    JerryM Registered Member

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    HI Firecat,

    Since F-Protect was rated below Avast on AV Comparatives, why would you choose it at this time instead of free Avast?

    Regards,
    Jerry
     
  11. Firecat

    Firecat Registered Member

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    Because detection rates is not all that makes an AV program (though detection rates are important). Licensing, features, etc. are also important. Though Avast! does not have poor proactive protection by any means, F-Prot has new heuristics engine with VB emulator + Maximus + Julius + Armadillo unpacker = Beer party :D

    Also, I trust in

    1) The v4 engine, which is a cinch to improve detection rates of F-Prot
    2) Inspector Clouseau's capabilities
     
  12. Chubb

    Chubb Registered Member

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    Just wonder if Command AV will use the v4 engine when F-PROT 6 is released. No news from Authentium on this.
     
  13. JerryM

    JerryM Registered Member

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    I suspect that you are correct, but are you not trusting in the future F-Protect instead of the current? If so, it would seem to be wise to see if it fulfills expectations. Since Avast Home is free, and F-Protect is not, I would wait and see before I spent money on it.

    I am interested in it for my laptop, but I want to see the evidence of a greatly improved detection rate. The next AVC test should reveal much about that.
    Thanks for the reply.

    Best,
    Jerry
     
  14. Firecat

    Firecat Registered Member

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    I think Authentium will also be able to use the capabilities of the v4 engine, because a license to any AV engine in general includes all capabilities of the engine for the present and future. Although some features may be missing, detection rates should remain the same.

    @JerryM: Yes, the next AV-comparatives test will show everything. But its already quite established that the v4 engine catches more stuff than the v3 engine. ;)
     
  15. Don Pelotas

    Don Pelotas Registered Member

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    I agree that Mike can only be a good thing for F-Prot :) , but how about giving them say 3-6 months to see what exactly they come up with, talk is cheap in the forums, lets see if this actually will improve the overall detection significantly.

    Jerry, actually asks a very good question...what reason is there besides liking the program to buy F-Prot, when you can get free choice with a detection is as good or better ..................o_O...........it certainly is good for 5 pc's though, can't argue with that.:)
     
  16. WSFuser

    WSFuser Registered Member

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    id stick with avast free for now. after f-prot 6 and the new AV-comparatives test come out, id then reevaluate and see if f-prot is better.
     
  17. Inspector Clouseau

    Inspector Clouseau AV Expert

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    It takes all time. Rome wasn't build in one day. The good thing is we have here a bunch of very good people so we can push this faster forward. However, from my point of view i'm very happy with the latest progress. Unlike other companies we do not claim that in a few months we are better than kaspersky :rolleyes: but we will be providing a rock solid detection rate soon and we'll be back into the "major" Colosseum games :D
     
  18. Grumble

    Grumble Registered Member

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    To address the second part of your query, yes BOClean AT allows installation to multiple computers within a household; in addition it does not have annual subscription fees; many here use it. This from the BOClean EULA:

    "CONSUMER/RETAIL LICENSE: You are granted the right to install the BOClean files on any and all personal machines within the purchaser's household, defined as spouse, children under 21. This license may be installed on computers on a typical (under 5) home network. No roaming use license is implied."
     
  19. Don Pelotas

    Don Pelotas Registered Member

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    I agree.......you really like the roman theme these days don't you.......... Maximus, i like that btw...Maximus, it sounds so.....erm Advanced (for lack of a better word). ;) :D
     
  20. farmerlee

    farmerlee Registered Member

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    If you budget is tight you can still get good protection from freeware.
    AVG free, Antivir PE
    Zonealarm free, Kerio free, jetico firewall
    Ewido free, Windows defender, Spybot s&d

    You could also try the free software suite from comodo, they have a firewall, antivirus, anti spam antiphising & identity protection, backup utility and sensitive information encryption.
     
  21. Inspector Clouseau

    Inspector Clouseau AV Expert

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    Their AV doesn't even detect a simple Parite Virus which is important because it's ItW. Even the free AVG is worlds better.
     
  22. phasechange

    phasechange Registered Member

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    Antivir appears to be the best free AV. I use it on my server whose main risk is the network drive it shares with my main PC.

    Fairy
     
  23. Suggers

    Suggers Guest

    I agree. Check out www.av-comparatives.org

    It's detection of some types of malware is better than a lot of the paid AV's. :eek:
     
  24. Howard Kaikow

    Howard Kaikow Registered Member

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    AFAIK, the free version of Antivir does nort scan incoming email.
    If that is so, then Antivir is not a good choice.
     
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