Which AV to get?

1100 Views 18 Replies 9 Participants Last post by darksteel88, May 31, 2009

darksteel88

Discussion Starter · May 15, 2009

I have a subscription to McAfee currenty, and it expires in the coming days. I'm unsatisfied with their software, and the Norton software I previously used. I am going to get new software, but I am not sure what to get. I recognize the options, but I could use a bit of advice here. If it makes a difference, I'm running 2 computers, one with just XP and one with XP and Vista (as indicated in my specs), which means I need it applicable for 3 computers.

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Brian Searles

· #2 · May 15, 2009

Just out of curiosity what version of McAfee are you running? I recently purchased Virus Scan Plus 2009 but haven't installed it yet.

I have always used Norton in the past and honestly have never had a problem. I got a great deal on the McAfee is why I thought I'd give it a try.

tetonbob

· #3 · May 16, 2009

These come to mind, have three-pack licenses

http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/internet-security.php
http://www.eset.com/purchase/

Take a look at www.av-comparatives.org for performance reviews

darksteel88

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 16, 2009

I never liked Norton, viruses were always getting through, and I completely lost a computer with Norton protecting it. My friend also claims his Norton CD now gives him a virus when he installs (not sure exactly how a non-writeable CD could do such, but OK).

For McAfee, I am using Security Center.

Their reviews are good to read, but I can't say I agree with them all. Norton and McAfee both got in the top categry in main test and in performance testing. I cannot agree with either. Half of the time, McAfee says it could not delete the certain file, and for Norton, well, does anyone still use it?

I'm leaning towards Kaspersky or Nod32. Both of them did well, except Kasperksy had long start up times. Anyone care to comment on the performance of it?

vyverjet

· #5 · May 19, 2009

Three of the leading security software vendors are the best according to me

1. Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 (I use this and trust me, I haven't been so satisfied with any other antivirus/internet security I have ever used before)
2. ESET Nod32
3. Bitdefender security software.

choose wisely.

vyverjet

· #6 · May 19, 2009 (Edited)

I'm leaning towards Kaspersky or Nod32. Both of them did well, except Kasperksy had long start up times. Anyone care to comment on the performance of it?

Do not have much of a problem with the startup but yes the scan and other results need to be a bit more clear. Another glitch is the KIS2009 is a bit overprotective

But my vote always goes for kaspersky, they're the pioneers in this industry

ray:
Lets hope they carry on their good work.

vyverjet

· #7 · May 19, 2009

Their reviews are good to read, but I can't say I agree with them all. Norton and McAfee both got in the top categry in main test and in performance testing. I cannot agree with either. Half of the time, McAfee says it could not delete the certain file, and for Norton, well, does anyone still use it?

Mcafee is really bad, seen quite a few people struggle with it. The norton antivirus and internet security 2009 version is really good. People seem to be satisfied with it as it detects almost all the threats thrown at it. It doesn't seem to be a resource hog anymore.
I would agree that the earlier versions were a resource hog and it would take sometime for this tag to be removed.

Steviee

· #8 · May 19, 2009

vyverjet said:
Mcafee is really bad, seen quite a few people struggle with it. The norton antivirus and internet security 2009 version is really good. People seem to be satisfied with it as it detects almost all the threats thrown at it. It doesn't seem to be a resource hog anymore.
I would agree that the earlier versions were a resource hog and it would take sometime for this tag to be removed.

How come people are saying that McAfee is bad? I am using it like since it came out and the only time i got a virus was when my subscription was over. I never have any problems with it, it cleans and deletes everything what i want. Its getting updated everyday and it even have a Firewall and spyware scanner included. I only have 1 GB RAM and i never ever complain about McAfee using to much RAM. It never slows down my system and you have a nice overview on the Mail scanner, Real time scanner, Firewall. It creates logs full with detailed information. I don't really understand all this hate for McAfee because it never let me down, ever.

REMA

· #9 · May 19, 2009

What i'd like to know is what service is offered when you catch a virus which most will probably do at sometime,...Is the only answer to charge 80-100 dollars to get rid of it...(you'd be better of coming here and donating that money...get a more through jib done here from what I've read...could be they had a particularly hard virus to remove)

I am between bitdefender Security Suite Or Kaspersky Internet security...I have a feeling Kaspersky is better at detection but could be too technical for me..

I caught a virus not long ago...now I click to allow all activeX controls and I frequently block cookies from sites I may never visit again. I also use other free programmes as advised here to do..Malwarebytes etc...that can find this that McAfee etc can miss.

Brian Searles

· #10 · May 19, 2009

That is not true about McAfee in my experiences. I have removed more than one virus with their service at no extra charge.

Steviee

· #11 · May 19, 2009 (Edited)

Huh 80$ to remove a virus? I think you got the wrong McAfee. I never paid a damn after i bought McAfee so i don't really know where you get these silly stories from.

Leitz

· #12 · May 19, 2009

I use bullguard internet security 8.5

http://www.bullguard.com/uk.aspx
http://www.bullguard.com/

you can pick it up cheaper elsewhere though, such as

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/7953878/BullGuard-Internet-Security-8/Product.html

Oh and it also covers 3 computers (even though I use it on 5 computers with no problems)

A very good Anti-Virus/Firewall, if theres anything it cant solve it sends the data off to Bullguard HQ and their technicians (that work 24/7) will get back to you within 1 hour of submitting a ticket. The only thing you may find is programmes are slugish to run when you first start up your computer as bullguard tends to filter and tasks etc you may try to run until it updates itself (usually a minute or two).

But it's my pick, I tried AVG/Norton/Sophos and they didn't give me much happiness.

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REMA

· #13 · May 19, 2009

I was asked to pay 80 dollars...fact , thats why I and others end up here...don't know if it was because it came as a package with Dell PC...but they certainly wanted paying....I was talking to there on-line support....this is in sweden on a Uk Dell.
I have read in a review that whether or not on purpose the reviewer fealt that Norton tech-support was trying to steer him to Fee services ( one readers comment was that the guy that he contacted at Nortons told him that in fact they were not part of Norton at all )

I have contacted by phone Kaspersky tech-support and they've confirmed that they do not leave you in the lurch...they help to get rid of the problem...
Conditions can be different in different countries of course......USA customers (because tey know how to complain...with there wallets) tend to get better deals than europeans..IMHO

darksteel88

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 26, 2009

For the one who said I never paid, you likely torrented it or something. It is possible to download them without paying, my friend suggested it, but for something like this, I wouldn't download it like that (even if I'm told by my tech teacher that this stuff is still not technically illegal in Canada).

Anyways, it expires today or tomorrow or something, and I went to speak with my mom. What she says is that she doesn't want to try a new one and what is wrong with McAfee. She claims her work office (government) uses McAfee therefore it should be best. I state that it is garbage and it never completely removes threats, and this one virus I had last year from Power ISO didn't even come up on it at all >_>. I renewed McAfee for now (40 dollars from a 50% off sale), knowing that I can get a refund within 30 days. I ended up emailing my tech teacher so we'll see what he says, she trusts him, so I hope he has something good to tell me.

Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it. I was going to get Kaspersky for those who are wondering. NOD32 was a toss up for me, either one would provide about the same, and I've a couple friends saying NOD32 was good, but one said he preferred AVG.

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McNinja

· #15 · May 26, 2009

I've been using NOD32 for a couple years now and its awesome!

I use NOD32 for Antivirus
Spybot Search and destroy for spyware and registry protection

darksteel88

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 26, 2009

That's the thing, I want to switch to either Kaspersky or NOD32. According to AV testing, they stack up pretty much the same minus the apparently bad start up times for Kasperksy. Again, we'll see in the next few days.

McNinja

· #17 · May 27, 2009

I always find NOD32 takes around 20 seconds to load up which is fast enough.

myauchandesu

· #18 · May 28, 2009

ESET Smart Security is simply the best. It doesn't hog an enormous amount of resources unlike other AV programs do. It's update is very quiet, no annoying questions. It practically does everything for you.

darksteel88

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 31, 2009

I'm currently using McAfee on two computers and AntiVir on another. I say 3 comps cause it treats partitions as diff, the Vista has McAfee and the XP has AntiVir. I really want to get NOD32 now, every recommends it as well as my tech teacher (who my mom would trust enough). We'll see what happens though, I'm trying out AntiVir as my tech teacher said he's been using it fine for a few years, and it's not a half bad anti-virus either, and it's free.

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