What Antivirus Do You Use ?

[74-StreetMachine]

  I have been using the free edition of AVG antivirus for a couple of years. (One of them computer geeks highly recommended it.) The other day I got a notice saying my free deal was over and I have to pay for it.

  So now I'm researching antivirus programs. Bit Defender and The Shield Pro both get good reviews and both are priced at $30.  What do you use and what do you recommend ?

Thanks, Randy

[TruckDriver]

What version do you have. I use it, and of all of them I have used, it is far the best. I might be able to find you a activation code

[Troy]

I just switched to Avast from AVG. It seems to be ok so far although I turned off a lot of the "resident" features that I didn't need. Checking AVG's site though they list a free version of 7.5 so maybe that notice is saying they will no longer offer updates and support for older versions of the free AVG? It was dragging down my computer for a while though so I was already looking for a change. I spent a few hours on Google reading reviews and recommendations before settling on Avast. The user interface is nice but turn off the sound! I have also used Symantec and Norton with no real issues. I must also say that I'm behind two firewalls and a spam filter, I don't use IE, I don't browse questionable sites, and I don't open any unknown emails or attachments so the AV on my computer is rarely needed.

Troy

[Silver R/T]

Ive got McAfee, then Ive got Spybot and Ad Aware. They all work together keeping all the unwanted stuff off of comp

[Neal_J]

Norton Internet Security.  Never a problem if you keep the subscription current.  McAfee is fine too.

Neal

[Johnny SixPack]

Ive got McAfee, then Ive got Spybot and Ad Aware. They all work together keeping all the unwanted stuff off of comp

Same set up here.

Spybot has something called a Tea-Timer that makes it so before any settings are changed/programs added you have the option of oking it or nixing it.

If you do add Spybot, make sure to add the Tea-Timer. 

As for the McAfee, it came with my MSN Premium pack.

[Lostsheep_01]

PC-cillin and I like it a lot!

[derailed]

I use NOD32 from ESET.  It was highly recommended on one of those windows tech forums that I was reading. I had been using AOL anti virus powered by McAfee but it was slowing my computer down alot. Ive also used Norton and had good luck with that to.

[BlueSS454]

I run AVG along with Ad Aware.  Both are free and catch more things than Norton ever will.  The pop up you see about the AVG is just a reminder to update to the new version.  They are discontinuing the updates for the older version.

[Doc74]

Avast and it just stopped another one. Also sygate personal firewall. Never any problems and spybot rarely finds anything on the puter.

[TruckDriver]

I run AVG along with Ad Aware.  Both are free and catch more things than Norton ever will.  The pop up you see about the AVG is just a reminder to update to the new version.  They are discontinuing the updates for the older version.

And the problem with Norton's is, if you want to remove it out of your computer, and if you do not do it just right, it will screw up your computer good. I found out the hard way. It is just like AOL in the sense, it leaves behind traces that can still do auto updates and lock up your computer or certain features of it. I removed mine, and it would not let me open windows and stuff like my documents. And since the main program was already removed, I ended up having to reprogram the whole computer because we could not find the file that was making everything lock up. Well, actually, I got the newer one I am on now, and just reprogrammed my old one, which is now a spare back up. The old Norton's was the best there was at one time, but now since Norton's actually sold the brand name 2 or 3 years ago, it is just a basic "Walmart" type brand. I learned that about Norton's when one of the local radio station every once in a while, has a local computer expert on the air, and that was brought up. He also recommends AVG as it doesn't take up much space of your computer. It is mostly read only files vs. program space taking files. Norton's uses a lot of file space on your hard drive.

[Manfred318]

I used norton until i updated from Windoze ME to Windoze 2k Pro and apparently they werent compatable and my computer would always freeze and crash to the point I had to reformat my harddrive. I now have Windoze XP and use AVG free and havent had a virus yet. Just update to the new version and you wont keep getting that message and you wont have to switch products.

[red72chrgr]

Norton. No problems so far.

[74-StreetMachine]

 Thanks for the tips. I downloaded the newer version of AVG last night. But it says it's only good for a month. I'll have to go back and read more. I hate reading.

Here's what I'm running. Windows XP 2002, Linksys router, Firefox , AVG anti virus 7.5, and Spybot.

Thanks for all your advice.

Randy

[Manfred318]

If you downloaded the free version it should not be telling you that its only good for a month. You must have downloaded the free version including a free 30 day trial of the free version.

From AVG:
AVGAS-SETUP-7.5.0.50.exe
This setup contains the free as well as the paid version of AVG Anti-Spyware. After the installation, a free 30-day trial version containing all the extensions of the full version will be activated. At the end of the trial, these extensions will be deactivated and the program will turn into a feature-limited freeware version. The purchased license code can be entered at any time.

[Johnnys440Charger]

I use Symantec AntiVirus v10.  Its what we use at work.  it seems to work well.