Free AV Advice Sought

Hi!

I am a NOD32 user but am setting up a server. It will not be used for much browsing and will never be used for email. However to be safe I'm going to put free AV on it. Ideally not a resource hog and ideally not one that messes around with network traffic (or is easy to give exceptions to the intrusion detection, like with NOD32).

What would you recommend?

Fairy

 

why don't you just use nod 32 server edition??

 

because I don't want to buy a second licence as the risk from this machine is low. It will usually be using the internet for patches and software updates.

The server is a media server and BOINC machine rather than a real server.

 

gotcha

 

to answer ur question, i would personally recommend free av's in the following order.

1. antivir
2. avast
3. avg

 

AntiVir 7

 

What OS are you going to be running and what services will the server be providing.

Also, what's the main purpose of the AV package - to protect the server itself or to protect the users (clients) of the server. What AV are clients running?

Ned

 

Windows Server 2003.

clients:
One diskless network device
and windows XP machine with NOD32
Laptop with Norton Corporate

Streaming FLAC files to Squeezebox
Occasional file serving

I don't like AVG so I am thinking Avast or Antivir 7. I wont be accessing email from the server.

 

If your clients are running AV software and the server is only being used to serve files to the lan, I'm unsure where you think any potential threats will come from. I'd say that so long as you're behind a solid firewall and keep the box fully patched, you shouldn't be at risk. Other than for security updates, there's not even a reason for the server to have an external connection (outside of your LAN).

Ned

 

the internet connection is for streaming internet radio however you are right the risk remains low. I am now running AntiVir 7 which seams to be right for this job although if I was looking for free Antivirus for a desktop machine I would probably be using Avast.

It is this lack of risk that makes me reluctant to buy a commercial AV package for this machine.

Does my choice seam sensible?

 

Yes, I guess either AntiVir or Avast are fine choices for free products.

I think it's equally important to assess the risks and do all you can to minimize them. Don't forget to disable unneeded services, and a good hosts file will help too. I see it very much about using a layered approach to security rather than relying on a single product

 

Avast Home Edition cannot be used on a server OS. So if your using a server OS (such as Windows 2000 or 2003 Server), you can't use it.

 

Windows 2000 is supported. But you probably meant Win2k Server, right?

 

I meant

Windows (2000 or 2003) Server

not

(Windows 2000) or (2003 Server)

 

Eh, nevermind lol. I thought i'm talking with IBK (also 3 letters nick, same color ). I feel self owned, explaining you which avast! version works on which OS edition lol I mean, you work for Alwil hihi (where is that smiley hitting himself on the head)

 

What is the URL for antivir?

 

www.free-av.com

Or simply check www.security-ops.eu.tt

 

THan.

Downloaded the manual.
Looks like the free version does not include email scanning.

 

it doesn't support email scanning but no email goes anywhere near my music/BOINC Climate Prediction server so it's not a bad choice.

When it comes to online Antivirus tests it basically ignores compressed files until you open them and it doesn't spot "embedded" virus code. However I'm happy with the level of protection given. I just wont do any general purpose browsing on that machine (just the odd manual page or download).

Fairy

 

AntiVir 7 will serve you just fine, i'm sure of that. Also provides very good detection when properly set (executable heuristics are disabled by default).

 

Because detection rate isn't everything in an AV, I advice you to use avast! Home...

And the free version of avast! also have detection of Adware/Spyware, and with the free version of AntiVir don't have...

But you should try them and see what is best for your needs...

 

I would caution anyone to take look at the current threads being discussed on both the AntiVir and Avast forums before downloading any software, it might help you make the right decision

AntiVir Forum http://forum.antivir-pe.de/board.php?boardid=16

Avast Forum http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.0

 

Avast Home doesn't run on Windows Server 2003 so I can't use it. AntiVir is running quite happily and has been for a few days. It wouldn't be sufficient for my desktop but as the server is headless and mainly uses the internet for streaming radio and software updates I am happy with this choice. If I was installing free AV on my desktop Avast! would be top of the list. I'm not though.


Thank you all for your help,
Fairy

 

Ups, I already had seen the post of Vlk, but I forgot myself this fact

Glad you already found the solution...

 

Avast. I think so.