Best anti-virus shareware?

[Critters2]

I'm looking to install some protection on the mini-laptop before the McAfee trial thing expires. I'm curious as to which program you all think is best...Avast (which I have on my other computers), AVG, something else? I just heard about this Conficker thing on Ron Reagan's show, and want to be well-protected before April 1.

So, reviews, please? Thanks!

[old mark]

1. I like COMODO. Have been using it several months, and recently got the extra firewall, too.

No problems with it, and it is very effective.

And free.

mark

[Critters2]

3. Never heard of it. I'll check it out. Thanks! nt

[mvd]

22. I use Comodo's firewall with Defense+

I'm waiting to see how much the AV part of CIS improves.

[old mark]

26. I have no idea what you just said.

But I defend your right to say it.
I believe the Obama-Biden site uses COMODO stuff.
mark

[mvd]

27. Defense+ is the HIPS component (host intrusion protection system)

A HIPS watches for potentially malicious actions, and gives you an alert when it finds something. A HIPS is good for prevention, since it doesn't rely on signatures.

Comodo is a security certificate granting company, and yes, they did the Obama/Biden site. :hi:

[old mark]

28. I feel better now - thanks! nt

[no name no slogan]

2. get a Mac

:hide:

[Critters2]

5. Thank you.

But alas...

[no name no slogan]

9. AVG is good

I used it when I still ran PCs many years ago. It's probably the best of the free anti-virus applications out there.

[hobbit709]

6. One day someone will write a virus specific to Macs

And every Mac user in the world will find out just how unsecure Macs are.

[no name no slogan]

8. They write Mac viruses all the time

but smart Mac users know this, and get anti-virus software to protect them from these viruses.

[Deja Q]

16. I wish they were shareware

[hobbit709]

4. AVG or Avast

Along with Spybot Search & Destroy and Malwarebytes Antimalware.

[nickgutierrez]

7. Second on AVG and Spybot.

That's what I use for my PC, and it does tend to stay pretty clean.

[blogslut]

10. It's best to run a collection of anti-spyware/malware programs

And if you have broadband, a firewall is an absolute must.

As for anti-virus programs, I never run them. I've been on the net since 1995 and have only gotten one virus - it came on an install disk for a printer I once owned. Don't open attachments in emails. Turn off the preview pane in your email client. Avoid downloading software, music and movies from P2P networks and bittorrent. Surf with the Firefox browser and use a script-disabling plugin like NoScript.

The anti-spyware/anti-malware/system protection programs I use are HijackThis, SpywareBlaster, AdAware and WinPatrol. My firewall is in old version of Tiny Personal Firewall (the newer version is a trial version).

As for the Conficker worm, here's a helpful page, instructing on how to remove it, or determine if it's residing on your machine:

http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-011316-0247-99

[CatholicEdHead]

11. I use Avast on an Acer Aspire One with no problems

Edit:

A trick if you really like McAfee is to reinstall from scratch and the trial resets itself.

[Critters2]

12. I have Avast on my Gateway, and like it.

I need to look at the registration info, though, to see if I can use it on two computers, without paying for it.

[Lady Effingbroke]

13. Avast, AVG, or Avira. All free, all good.

Avast

AVG

Avira

[Critters2]

14. I'm not familiar with Avira. Thanks! I'll check it out. nt

[Lady Effingbroke]

15. Avira is an excellent program.

I have used Avast, AVG, and Avira, and I prefer Avira, as it is light on system resources and you can schedule scans and updates. :)

[graywarrior]

17. AVG

[City of Mills]

18. As a tech, I use AVG Antivirus and MalwareBytes

They are both excellent programs and provide you pretty good protection, for free! They aren't system resource hogs, either.

[dysfunctional press]

19. avast has never let me down.

i can't comment on the others.

[woo me with science]

20. AVG let viruses/trojans through to our computer twice.

I would not use it again. I have heard good things about Avast and Comodo. After reinstalling the operating system twice with AVG, we use a paid product now.

[mvd]

21. I recommend Avira AntiVir

And the new Avira 9 Free has anti-spyware protection added. It consistently scores at the top in detection tests.

http://www.free-av.com/en/products/index.html

[beac]

23. I just switched from AVG to Avast and am happy with the results.

Avast doesn't seem to slow my laptop as much as AVG did.

I also run Malwarebytes and Spybot about once a week, just to be sure.

[TreasonousBastard]

24. Been using AVG for many years and never been hit so far...

and the latest versions added neat little warnings about iffy websites.

BTW, I have checked, and I am not Confickered.

(For some reason, though, it's always telling me Alternet will crash and burn my computer.)

[BlueJazz]

25. The free ones are very Good. Eset (nod32) is Excellent

http://www.eset.com/

[crim son]

29. Avast.

I've used it for more than a year now and had not one security issue, while when I used the McAffee (expensive) protection package I was forever getting popups and other shit. My friend the PC tech recommended Avast and I'm grateful.

[Blue_Tires]

30. ttt

[PfcHammer]

31. I run avast! professional. It'll fuck the virus' shit up every time.