I need help with antivirus software

[Hutash]

So who are the computer genius's on this site? I tried to download and run Norton internet security, and it crashed my whole system. I managed to get it running again, but can not load the software. Customer support at Symantec is a joke.

So my real question is, what are the best antivirus, antispyware programs out there?

[Bossman]

I am useing Norton Anti-Virus 2005. It comes with spyware control. Also I use ad-aware which is free from download.com to check for more spyware. Don't use Norton Internet security, I had more problem with that than anything else. I had to rebuild many computers because Norton Internet security just complete f*** up the PC.

[Live2Ski]

Go to download. com and get Spybot Search and Destroy and Ad-aware. These two will pick up 99% of spyware crap. Also search your computer for a file called "cookies" and clean that out. Do all of this once a week and you will sailing clear. As for virus protection, I use Norton Corporate provided by PSU. So no help for you there.

[Hutash]

I have used spybot before and found it good, I am glad to know it is still effective.
I did a scan with a McAfee product and did not turn up anything, so I think I am okay virus wise.

Thanks for the imput.

[94jedi]

Originally posted by Live2Ski
Go to download. com and get Spybot Search and Destroy and Ad-aware. These two will pick up 99% of spyware crap. Also search your computer for a file called "cookies" and clean that out. Do all of this once a week and you will sailing clear. As for virus protection, I use Norton Corporate provided by PSU. So no help for you there.

^ this is the best solution for spyware and cookies etc. Just keep the definition files updated, run it once a week and you're good. For A/V software any norton is fine. If you have WinXP, you don't need all the extra Crap Norton tries to package into the deal. Just get the plain old Norton A/V, keep it updated and you'll be golden.

[Hutash]

Does McAfee do the same`as Norton?

[94jedi]

Originally posted by Hutash
Does McAfee do the same`as Norton?

for the most part yes but I've worked with both in the corporate environment and McAfee let through more viruses in less time(time installed) then Norton. Plus Mcafee is always a bit slow to update their website and alerts etc. compared to Norton. Sorry, don't mean to bag on McAfee, just my personal preference.

[Bossman]

Originally posted by Hutash
Does McAfee do the same`as Norton?

Personally I would never install McAfee in my machine. We have McAfee 7.0 at work, we roughly get 3-5 major virus attack a year. Last week when we were attacked, McAfee didn't even pick it up. CA actually had to write a special update for us. The stupid update doesn't clean the virus but it just prevent it from getting infected again after we cleaned it. We are considering to get something else for our next platform.

[quattro_maniac]

i've stopped using virus scans...just Spybot and AdAware...they do the job...

and i use firefox so all that java BS that gets downloaded in IE never happens to me

[94jedi]

Originally posted by quattro_maniac
i've stopped using virus scans...just Spybot and AdAware...they do the job...

and i use firefox so all that java BS that gets downloaded in IE never happens to me

Hey bro, I use FF as well but does it hang for you sometimes? I mean it sorta just freezes on me for no reason.

[Xerophile]

SpyBot is King, although the new Anti-Spyware Beta that MS has released ain't half bad.

Make clicky

And for Anti-Virus, I use AVG Free Version 7. It's completely free, very unobtrusive (doesn't install lots of crap like Norton) and is good and reliable.

Clicky here for AVG

Edit: And FireFox is great, except when I need Java, then I switch Back to IE, but only for Java.

[keefer268]

i second AVG. AVG free found viruses that my norton and mcafee didnt find. now i have professonal, but there isnt much a difference.

[quattro_maniac]

Originally posted by 94jedi
Hey bro, I use FF as well but does it hang for you sometimes? I mean it sorta just freezes on me for no reason.

definately does...and whenever i close it i get some "Fatal error, this program will be closed" popup...not the blue-screen, just an "OK" box....weird as hell....i tried re-installing it and i get the same thing....i'm hoping they get the bugs out in the next version

[imola_Jon]

I use Symantec 9.0.1 AV/FW combo. I use Ad Aware SE for spyware when I need to, but I have the FW configured pretty well, so I don't really get a whole lot of that crap.