The Definitive Best Anti-Virus Thread

[Allan]

On many support forums there are "stickies" or "pinned topics" with the title: "The Definitive Best ...... Thread" (the specific subject may be Anti Virus Software, Firewalls, Free Software, etc). I've suggested that CH do the same, at least for AV's, but to date it hasn't happened - so I thought I'd take the liberty of starting such a thread. If staff chooses to "pin it", all the better. Anyway, the following is a cut and paste of the first post from the sticky at my forum and I hope it goes over well here:



Okay, this question just comes up so often that I, for one, am tired of seeing it  .

So everyone who wants to give his or her opinion please do so here. Let's not argue about anything or question anyone else's choice, let's just state our preferences so those who want to read differing opinions can do so here. If you have very strong feelings about other programs (good or bad) go ahead and express them. Then when the question comes up in the future we can just point to this thread. One post per person should probably suffice (okay, wishful thinking [Wink] ).

I'll start. I like Kaspersky Anti Virus. I've been using it for about 5 years. All new versions are free as long as you maintain your yearly license. Definitions are updated several times a day. It's always active and I also use it to scan incoming email. Of course I also use a couple of spyware prevention utilities in conjunction with the AV (MalwareyBytes & SpywareBlaster - neither remains resident), but that's another topic. I can honestly say I've never had a virus on any system - and I started using PC's in 1985.

I'm sure there are a few good free AV's, but I personally cannot recommend any. I simply feel that anti virus protection is the single most important app you can have on your system and I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for. I would never consider skimping on AV software. If you can afford $50 for the latest computer game you can certainly afford $30/year to protect your system.

It should go without saying that the most important preventative is "smart computing" (never open an email attachment unless you are 100% certain you know what it is, don't click on links unless you KNOW where they go, avoid all forms of pirated sw and warez, etc.).

[soybean]

I'm sure there are a few good free AV's, but I personally cannot recommend any.

I believe numerous good  free AV's are available for home/personal use.  I've been using AVG on my Win XP system for several years and I have Avast installed on a computer running Win 7 RC.  I now think I like Avast better than AVG but I still believe AVG is a fairly good product.

Ones I have not used but have positive impressions based on reviews or forum comments include Avira, Comodo, and the relatively new product from Microsoft, Microsoft Security Essentials.  So, I believe the home user has numerous good free options.

[Dusty]

Perhaps this topic is best submitted as a FAQ for inclusion in the FAQ\Security forum?

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/board,26.0.html

[Computer Hope Admin]

This question is hard to answer since it's often based off past experience, and I'd imagine that pretty much everyone hasn't tried every anti-virus out there. I even make it a point to often switch between anti-virus programs every few months and I haven't even tried every one out there. Which is why I suggest users base their recommendation off of a site or person who's gone through the testing of each of the programs such as AV-Comparitives or other similar testing services.

This is also brought up in the below Computer Hope document.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000514.htm

I'll leave this thread in this board for a few days allowing anyone who wants to provide additional input to do so and then move it into the FAQ section so it can be easily referred to in the future.

[2x3i5x]

AVAST 5 is nice, they finally changed the interface / GUI and the scanning definitely seems to be using less resources than the previous version.

Also, you don't need to visit their website anymore to register the product, which is nice, just have to register within the software itself.

[overthehill]

Although this may create more questions than answers I feel compelled to jump into this post. And, forgive my rattling on but I too am looking for the "best" anti-virus program.
I'm wondering if there is a/any anti-virus program/s that could have prevented what I'm about to describe? I must also state that I have absolutely nothing against either of the two anti-virus programs that I'm about to mention. Recently I experienced a particular virus on two different PC's. In the interest of keeping this long message as short as I can, I won't go into the virus particulars.
Anyway, this particular virus infects the PC by (you guessed it) opening an attachment or I find now (and this baffles me)attempting to open an attachment.. Note; Please don't say don't open any attachments if you don't know where they come from. For reasons that I will not go into here, this was not an option at the time. The first PC (OS- XP) was protected by Avast Free Edition 4.8. (since upgraded to version 5) and Windows Firewall (now using PC Tools Firewall Plus). When the attachment was opened Avast recognized the virus immediately and(all hel- broke loose, including sirens etc.etc.) The file was immediately deleted (at that point was told that it was deleted) but obviously not completely, because the PC was infected.

The second PC (OS- Vista)was protected by AVG 9 free addition(since upgraded to paid version) and Windows Firewall (now using PC Tools Firewall Plus).  In this case the attachment would not open??. But because of the problem with the first PC I decided to have this PC checked too. I'm sure that you're now wondering if it was opened once why would anyone try again?. Trust me there was a reason. Well, both PC's are clean now(thanks DragonMaster Jay) but what I'm still very much wondering is; once that attachment was opened or attempted to be opened do you suppose there are any anti-virus programs out there that could have, would have, prevented this virus from getting into these systems?


Thanks for reading.

[patio]

Since the infection was likely a trojan and/or rootkit the short answer would be...NO.

[evilfantasy]

I refuse to participate in these topics.



If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. Neil Peart/Rush

[patio]

Neil Peart is one of the Best !

[Allan]

You know, this is the first forum I've seen where a thread like this doesn't work.

[kpac]

You know, this is the first forum I've seen where a thread like this doesn't work.

That's good! We're original.....

[BC_Programmer]

Not to mention there have already been enough "what's the best Antivirus?" type threads that we'd need to take off our socks and shoes to count them.

[Allan]

Not to mention there have already been enough "what's the best Antivirus?" type threads that we'd need to take off our socks and shoes to count them.

Precisely. Threads like this are intended to be pinned and pointed to when those questions arise. When someone posts: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,100232.new.html#new

you are supposed to just be able to respond with a link to the pinned response.

[jaydeee]

I am a happy AVAST user.

agree with the admin that its highly based past experiences, for me after failing in almost every free antivirus I end up using avast which is now my favorite.

[Allan]

Here's the way this thread is supposed to work. And at the very least, now if we point people to this thread they will have sources to which they can go for intelligent responses.


http://tweaks.com/forum/Topic11221-3-1.aspx

http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/861052-definitive-best-antivirus-2010/

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1280484