AV software

[Gonzo]

We don't seem to have had a thread about this for a while, so I thought I'd poll people's up to date experiences.

Does anyone have any recommendations on anti-virus / firewall software.

I have been using one supplier's* offerings for about a decade now, but I am finding that it does not like my latest laptop very much, so I am looking for an alternative.

Any suggestions?






* I am not going to name them, just think "fashionably small".

[Rymez2K]

I use AVG.
Small, works well and doesn't tax the system.
The only thing is the heuristics at times mistakes harmless files for trojans.
HTH
Rymez2K

[scooterscot]

I use a Mac - great AAV software

[miffy]

I've always liked kaspersky and feel safer with that product than any of the others (freebies or not). It's web traffic filter and registry guard are top stuff. Never intrusive and doesn't nail your machine like the others. Updates are silent too.

AVG has failed to pickup nasties embedded in some of my emails before but it is probably the best of the free offerings.

Depends what you're doing. If you surfing to "safe" sites (and/or usually the same ones) a freebie combined with Windows Defender will do the trick.

If you're an avid surfer, torrenter or using your PC for business related stuff a professional AV is the best bet in my opinion.

OEM versions of kaspersky can be bought from these guys.

Protects 3 PC's a year for £8.17. Bargain.

[NickFitz]

I resisted posting this earlier, but the truth will out.

OS X.

Job done.

[VectraMan]

I use a Mac - great AAV software

I don't turn my PC on, so it's completely safe from viruses. And it's still more useful than a Mac.

I've never had AV on my own machines. I've only very rarely heard of viruses doing any harm at all, and never on my machines, whereas AV software is a constant drain on the system and causes problems with software that would otherwise work fine. And if you're sensible, you shouldn't be getting them.

Perhaps the biggest evidence yet of its snake oil-ness is that you can buy a 3 user licence for £8.17.

[Spacecadet]

I resisted posting this earlier, but the truth will out.

OS X.

Job done.

[scooterscot]

I've always liked kaspersky and feel safer with that product than any of the others (freebies or not). It's web traffic filter and registry guard are top stuff. Never intrusive and doesn't nail your machine like the others. Updates are silent too.

Use Kaspersky on a virtual windows and is not a resource hog and cost the same price as a glass of wine in Norway, you can't complain really.

The other virtual XP machine I use is never connected to the net, is on a 1Tb drive connected via fw800and wow does it function the way only MS users can dream of. The worst thing you can do to a windows machine is connect it to the internet.

[cojak]

I've put Avast on Mr C's laptop

[Moscow Mule]

. And it's still more useful than a Mac.

remtard.