Virus Protection Software Recommendation

baseballnut020:

 

Hi, and welcome.

 

You will likely get many recommendations for an AV- here are mine:

 

If cost is no consideration (or if you are using your PC for work-related or other info you simply cannot afford to lose) then you can't do better than Eset Nod32 AV. It is reasonably-priced at $39.99 It hasn't slowed my PC down at all, and you can try it for free for 30 days:
http://www.eset.com/solutions/home_office.php

 

If cost is a factor, there are several very good free AVs, all of which are light on system memory, and all are frequently recommended by users here. I recommend any one of Avira's AntiVir, Alwil's Avast!, and Grisoft's AVG Free, all of which I use or have used.
You can read a good review of their features/downoad links at:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/AntiVirus_Comparison

 

Programs I don't recommend:

- Any security apps offered free by your ISP
- Security suites (which typically include an AV, a Firewall, and anti-spyware). They can really slow down your system, cost more, and you can get good 3rd party firewalls and antispyware that work just as well (or better) for free.
- Anything from McAfee or Norton. Dell continues to push these AVs on new buyers, usually as limited trials, so you might have to put up with one of them for the short term (you will need a working AV on your new PC at all times). But change to something better ASAP. If your new computer comes with either, check back here for instructions on how to completely uninstall them.

 

I would agree with JOE53 on his excellent suggestions.

 

On all my PC's I run NOD32. Of the six PC's one has Vista Basic. The VISTA PC operating system was Xp and I changed it to Vista having purchased the upgrade disc. I have had no bad issues with the VISTA PC. The unit runs fast and has been very reliable. The AV software is NOD 32, the older 2.7 version. When I have opportunity I will change it over to NOD32 version 3.

 

My conclusions is that the ESET product is very compatible with Vista.

 

You can always test drive NOD32 for 30 days. The install and uninstall is very easy and when you remove NOD32 it is gone!

 

 

I'm not sure if I am posting correctly in someone ele's thread but the issue is similar and it has the attn of some wise repliers.

 

My Inspiron E1405 laptop running Win XP is 1 year old and my subscriptions purchsed from Dell are now expired. They include: Webroot Spy Sweeper, PC-cillan Internet Security 14, Norton Ghost, and PC-cillan or Windows Firewall.

Dell tech support (who also sells) recommends highly to bundle and get firewall, antivirus, antispy, etc. all from one company. They recommend McAfee 2008 VirusScan Plus which I have actually purchased but not opened. They also rec. Norton and PcCillan. The cost of McAfee is reasonable at $37/1 yr as the box shows a $20 rebate. I like the idea of purchasing only one package but want good tech support too-and ability to phone free if possible. I saw on CNET that this is not true of McAfee. I was also considering the Webroot Suite at $44/2ys renewal but CNET reviews for Webtroot are also not great.  A few friends rec. Spybot & Norton's Avast. My DSL provider offers free Live1Care but I do not wish to use their products.

I'm in a hurry to to choose and want to know if it makes sense to stick w/the McAfee suite or purchase or get freeware for each product separately. I am online a lot and want to limit problems. I am a hobbyist, not a pro and would like low cost if possible and simplicity of use. When I read the reviews the softwares rec are from companies I've never heard of and that concerns me a bit.

 

thank you for your wise suggestions.

lappelba

 

I would strongly endorse Joe53's comments, to avoid security "suites" in general, and McAfee in particular.

 

"mix-and-match" of FREE software should suffice for most people.   See my posts #2,3,& 4 here:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_virus&thread.id=64419

 

(I have no knowledge/experience re: eset nod, but since it passes muster by Joe53, that's a good enough recommendation for me --- if you opt for a paid product)

http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/sum/index.html

I think I am going to go w/ZoneAlarm's Antivirus and perhaps their entire suite incl Firewall and AntiSpywear. ZoneAlarm Anti virus and the suite got good reviews on Cnet--where I was recommended to go to this Dell forum. I like the idea of just one icon and simplicity of use.

 

I realize that I can choose multiple Spywear programs and if need be could add one--if anyone suggests what would be most helpful.

 

The reason I was initially attracted to ZoneAlarm was a thread announcing a free 1 yr version of the Antivirus pgm for XP today until 5pm Pacific time. But when I went to the site I found a free version of the suite with Trialware. And then I checked the reviews and saw pretty much all good things. The customer svc person was very helpful, though I haven't asked if they have telephone tech support.

 

btw-I had to phone the co. to get the patch to the free Antivirus software. It's supposed to be on their site but isn't.

 

any thoughts appreciated

Let's see... you started asking about McAfee's suite... but have now jumped to ZoneAlarm's.

 

first:   the link you just cited for the free program [till 5pm PST, weds 11/14], is just for their anti-SPYWARE program [with firewall]... it is  NOT for their entire internet security suite.

 

the complete internet security suite is listed for $49.95 regularly... but is on sale "today" [in your link] for $39.95... or it can be obtained for free by signing-up through one of their partnership "TrialPay" offers... if you go that route, please be careful to read any requirements (obligations, if any, on your part) to satisfy the "partnership" arrangement.

 

Historically, ZoneAlarm started as just a firewall program.   It used to be considered an excellent free product.   Unfortunately, as I'm assuming Joe53 and others may tell you, the product has "bloated" extremely over the years... to the point that Joe no longer recommends the latest free editions.   Moreover, the free version has been shown to be significantly inferior to the paid version, in terms of recent firewall "leak tests".   so if their "flagship" firewall is "deteriorating", i have to wonder how good a job they're doing in their newer endeavors of anti-virus / anti-spyware.   [Let me stress:  this is  concern on my part... but is not based on anything definitive i can put my finger on.]

 

Since it's [to some extent] "free", you can always try things out, see what you think... and if you're not impressed/happy, consider looking elsewhere.

 

I will stop here, and defer to Joe [or others] who may be able to offer you their first-hand knowledge/experience with Zone Alarm.

Sometimes I just don't learn-

 

I saw the following late last night at the ZA forums:

 

"ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware Free for Patch Tuesday!
Check Point software is giving away ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware and a year of signature updates
from 7 a.m. PST Tuesday through 5 p.m. PST Wednesday."
Source: http://forums.zonealarm.org/zonelabs/

 

Now that seems like a straight-forward offer, doesn't it? Another free antispyware for me to test. What have I got to lose? So I jumped through their hoops, put up with their overloaded servers, and finally downloaded what I thought was an anti-spyware app:
zaasSetup_70_408_000_en.exe ("Description: ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware-1042-English" ). I should have known better ...

 

After installing, I rapidly realised that what I got was the entire trial version of ZA Security Software suite, with a registration key that is good for one year of updates! Nowhere during the installation process was this evident- it kept referring to ZA Antispyware. And the popup alerts were coming fast and furious! So now I had two firewalls resident, and I count myself lucky this didn't cause me any grief. I immediately quit ZASS and disabled it from startup using WinPatrol.

 

Had I done my homework, of course, I would have discovered that there is no standalone ZA Antispyware- it only comes integrated with the firewall.
http://blog.zonealarm.com/blog/2007/11/free-security-z.html

But this is just another example of how CheckPoint will foist their bloatware on the unsuspecting.

 

Of course, for those who like this sort of suite- it is still free until 8pm EST.

 

PS: I did run the antispyware before losing the program- it was way too quick to have scanned adequately, and of course found nothing.

 

 

 

 

 

joe53, Thanks for this update and your take on the free ZA antispyware program.  I guess the saying goes that if it sounds to good to be true.....anyhow thanks for your comments. I am sure you saved many of us from some computer headaches. 

thx everyone. I guess I'm back to the beginning. I'm concerned as Dell gave me a short extension of my OnCall service that I want to continue. I didn't have any issues (you get 3) until the end of the year and they extended it while I bought the McAffee and a hard drive and waited for it to be sent by Dell. I'm gonna return the McAfee and too bad but I did spend just a few dollars on a product in order to get the ZoneSuite which now I wont bother with.

 

I hate to be such a dweeb but can you hold my hand and just give me the recipe Joe53 or others. I realize now that I did my own research and have come up with poor solutions twice now. I don't want to be bothered with trying diff things. I am recovering fr surgery and have another one planned. Most all I'm gonna do is surf and email for the next year.

 

thanks to all of you very smart folks. I wasn't expecting a forum of Dell users to be so knowledgable compared to Cnet. You are terrific!

lappelba:

 

I have found over the years that the best reviews/info on defensive programs are not found on commercial websites or forums - after all, they depend on advertising from the very products they review. The recommendations you see on security forums such as this come from users, and while never free from bias, are more likely to represent real-world experience and (hopefully) honest and informed opinions.

 

Most posters here are indeed Dell users, but Dell is to be be credited in that it does not censor opinions here- even when products Dell recommends or pre-installs on its computers are criticised by us posters.

 

You have seen a number of programs recommended in this thread (and in the links of individual posts). There is no "best" AV or antispyware, but if you need info on features/installing/configuring specific programs mentioned, just ask.

 

Unfortunately you may well have to end up "trying different things" to determine which is best for you, but any program recommended here should either be free, or have a free trial period of the fully functional version, so at least it won't cost you anything.
------------------------------------------------------

 

It is most important that you not be connected to the internet at any time without an active and updated AntiVirus (and only one!) running at all times, and without an active firewall (and only one!) enabled.

 

You should also have at least one real-time antispyware program running, and at least one other anti-spyware that can do an "on-demand" scan (for a second opinion, since no antispyware picks up everything.) In my opinion, you can get very good free programs that do all these things.

 

If you can tell us exactly what you have currently running in these categories, and when they expire, as well as your operating system, it would be easier to advise you on how to proceed.

 

As I re-read your previous posts, it appears you may have no active AntiVirus installed, since you say your PC-cillin Internet Security 14 has expired. If this is true, you need to install an active AV ASAP!

 

In an effort to make this as quick and easy as possible for you, I'm going to suggest you do the following:

1) Download Grisoft's AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5.503 from here:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff
Save it to your desktop, where it will appear as avg75free_503a1171.exe

2) Uninstall your PC-cillin Internet Security 14, before installing AVG, using the instructions here:
http://esupport.trendmicro.com/support/viewxml.do?ContentID=EN-1033906&id=EN-1033906

3) Before re-connecting to the internet, or using any of your email, install AVG by double-clicking on avg75free_503a1171.exe

4) Follow the prompts to install AVG.

5) Make sure you update AVG, and run a full scan of your PC, before using the internet or emails. Let us know if it finds anything.

 

You should now have at least a good and reliable AV installed. I (somewhat arbitrarily) selected AVG because I think it is the simplest to use and understand, at least for now. If you want to change to something else later, it is very easily uninstalled. Read its help files, so that you know how to use it-and to keep it updated.

Thanks Joe and everyone else for their help. I greatly appreciate it!

 

I have another question... can I purchase the  Eset Nod32 AV at a retail store such as Best Buy or Staples or is it only available through Eset's website?

 

Thanks again!

Thanks Joe, I so appreciate your guidance. I will install the AVG AV software after uninstalling the PCcillin-which is actually still active (but not the Spysweeper by Webroot). And I think the firewall is still current but I'm not sure.

 

so AVG is the AVirus but what about the Spywear and Firewall? Any thoughts or suggestions to go along w/the AVG - or does that software include more than the standalone AV?

 

with many thanks

baseballnut020:

 

You might be able to download Nod32 from Best Buy's website, but as far as I know you can't purchase a boxed version anywhere.

 

There really isn't any need to get a CD anyways- if you need to reinstall it for some reason you can re-download it with the key they provide at purchase. (Copy the key and keep it in a safe place, in case your PC crashes).

 

Note that Nod32 just released its latest version 3.0, so you might as well purchase and download it directly from Eset.