Virus scanners, what do you recommend ? (PC)

[Dum*P*ster]

As per title, what scanners do you suggest?

I have just un-installed AVG, as it would impact on my games performance.. After disabling it, the games would run normally.. I have been doing a fair bit of reading about scanners on the Whirlpool forums for info..

Many people claim that AVG is system intensive and is resource hungry.. Also, some swear by it.

Im currently trying out NOD32 , and actually I am happy with it.. It "seems" ok, I can play GTA IV without much hassles.
Although, after a scan using NOD32, it had picked this file up a "Maybe Risk" ..The action I took was to leave it.. As it seems legit, and playing FNV its still fine, so I just think NOD32 is not sure of it..But just gives it as a Virus Warning.
C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\FalloutNV.exe - probably unknown CRYPT.WIN32 virus [7] - action selection postponed until scan completion


But im also curious on you're opinions on Virus Scanners that are GOOD, but at the same time.. not killing the System's Performance

All good & Helpfull posts I will give +Rep..

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

The new AVG is very nice, IF you pay for it.

If you are going free: Has to be Avast

If you are going to pay for it: AVG

I resell AVG because their paid product is a very good AV, but if someone wants a free AV, I ALWAYS Put avast on their computer.. But don't take my word it for, Avast CONTINUES to be rated as the BEST Anti Virus available.

Anyone who thinks Free AVG is good, has stones for brains, the free version is HORRIBLE, and its made that way.

Also to furthur solve your problem of wanting to game, give Tune-Up utilities a go.. 2010 version onward has a "Turbo" button, which puts AV's, SVHosts and other system stuff into the background, picks up on the current running program (I.e. your game), and gives it full priority. Neat little trick along with tuning your computer to perfect (C-cleaner is OK, but doesn't have recovery console, and only does 1/2 the things Tune Up does.. Any other program claiming to do that, including AVG PC tune, is shit)

Or! Do what I do: Don't run an AV... after all, the Best AV is a user who knows what they are doing.

Edit: Side Note: NOD32 is shit. Its almost as bad as having Apple Software installed on your computer

[Hangman]

I had the free AVG on my old computer, wasn't to bad. Slowed it right down while scanning though.

I have Avast now, haven't had any issues with it. Doesn't slow it down like AVG either.

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

See! Hangman agrees. Free AVG runs as a whole program, where the paid version runs as 38 individual smaller programs, which means less transfer from PAGE to RAM, which means it runs faster! and takes up less system resource.. Very smart AVG... Very smart

[wraith]

Never had a single problem with AVG how ever have had problems with Avast. It's what I use and it's what I put on customers PC's. Not once have I had any complaints. Oh and never found it impacted my performance at all.

[DAKSTER]

Anyone who thinks Free AVG is good, has stones for brains, the free version is HORRIBLE, and its made that way.


Or! Do what I do: Don't run an AV... after all, the Best AV is a user who knows what they are doing.

1. I must have stones for brains. I dont read the reviews, I dont care much.
I use AVG free. I dont get viruses. My computer doesnt slow down at any time, ever.
I'm happy with that, see no need to change.

2. Unbelievably bad advice.

[Hangman]

See! Hangman agrees.

And that makes all the difference

Unbelievably bad advice.

Not neccesarily, if you know what you're doing. I know a few people who don't run AV and have no issues. They probably don't look at as much porn as me though

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

1. I must have stones for brains. I dont read the reviews, I dont care much.
I use AVG free. I dont get viruses. My computer doesnt slow down at any time, ever.
I'm happy with that, see no need to change.

I don't get viruses Either, and nothing affects my speed :P, But don't use an AV at all. Like I said, the best AV is a user who knows what they are doing. Most viruses are spread via phishing, which is easy to avoid IF you know what you are looking for.

But yes, I was a little bit harsh on FreeAVG.. Let me rephrase: Anyone who things FreeAVG is better then FreeAvast, has dildo's for brains.

But an interesting fact; On a computer used by a noob, no Anti Virus will stop the computer from getting a Virus, as there just no way to stop every single type of virus.. And it amasses me how determined some people to get a virus on their computer. As such, when looking to mark an AV, most scores go to virus removal as apposed to virus prevention. And Avast superseeds AVG on so many levels its not funny. So much so, that FreeAvast is better at removing viruses, then paid AVG, or AVG Internet Security as I should put it.

Speaking of wich... Would anyone like to purchase AVG Internet Security 2011? 5% discount! :P

[DAKSTER]

I don't get viruses Either, and nothing affects my speed :P, But don't use an AV at all. Like I said, the best AV is a user who knows what they are doing. Most viruses are spread via phishing, which is easy to avoid IF you know what you are looking for.

Thats like saying 'I'll remove the seatbelts and doors, I'll be ok coz i'm a careful driver' ..

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

Oh and to add more to discussion: All three are perfectly acceptable anti Viruses, and do what they are told. (I say three because generally speaking AVG, Avast, and Avira (Free-AV) sit around the same ballpark. Avast>AVG>Avira.)

I guess at the end it comes down to personal preference... To be mature
And to be Imature! Dildo's in your head.

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

Thats like saying 'I'll remove the seatbelts and doors, I'll be ok coz i'm a careful driver' ..

No its not. On the road you have other people who can crash into you, and "unforseen" circumstance. You don't have that on my computer. I'm the only one who uses it, and I'm carefull where it goes, what I click, and who I accept things from.

[Darren]

I've gone through plenty of AV solutions in my time.

SEP11 - intrusive in general (doesn't like 2008 Server if running the client version) but is a real hog whilst running a scan and doesn't seem to do a good job from what I've found.
Mcaffee - I put this in the same boat with SEP11 although not sure on the 2008 server part.
Avast - Missed files which were virus infected.
AVG Free - rubbish as well, resource hog, if you have a decent machine then no reason not to run it but from reviews the hit rate is rather ordinary, I can't speak for the paid version, I figure it as if you can't get the free version right why bother paying for it.
NOD32 - Light footprint although did let a virus or similar through once so I stopped using it.

The past few years I guess I have settled for Microsoft Security Essentials, never missed a beat and just works, my WSUS server gets the updates daily and the server dishes out the defs, couldn't be simpler.

Just to be sure I run a pass with Sysclean every month or so.

Trend Micro a number of the guys at work swear by although I tried it once and found it really intrusive, are you really really sure you want to do this type scenario, I couldn't be bothered with it, I just wanted something to work out of the box.

[aaronevolution]

Oh and to add more to discussion: All three are perfectly acceptable anti Viruses, and do what they are told. (I say three because generally speaking AVG, Avast, and Avira (Free-AV) sit around the same ballpark. Avast>AVG>Avira.)

I guess at the end it comes down to personal preference... To be mature
And to be Imature! Dildo's in your head.

Been using the free version of Avira for years and never had a problem. I also install it on anyone else's PC that asks me what's best.

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

Avira is a nice program, best thing about it is not many people about it, so when it comes to virus detection, it does very well because viruses aren't designed to get around it. I just think its a bit front even heavy with user interaction, where AVG and Avast sit in the back more... What Avast has over the both of them, is four hour updates... Meaning you are ALWAYS up to date even if your computer is turned off, chances are when you turn it on it will update sooner then later, where as AVG only updates once a day, and if you miss it... You have to wait untill the next day unless you do it manually... And if you know how to do that, you probably know enough not to have an Anti Virus.

Regardless of what anyone chooses, if they aren't carefull, they are going to get viruses. And yeah, we overlooked MS Security Essentials which is actually a nice bit of software. Good call Darren!

[Low_VX_Taxi]

I run ClamAV with a GUI front end (ClamTK) on my linux box (not that I get viruses, more for the others I share files with) I had been running Avast on my computer pre-linux (winblows vista) but found after installing linux and ClamAV that avast had missed a few viruses, not particularly damaging or adverse but were missed just the same.....

Still I found Avast (personally) was the best free option as most others were huge resource hogs and still missed pretty much everything anyway.

I have heard good things about MS security essentials too but personally don't know much first hand about it.

[Dum*P*ster]

I consider myself smart to find out whats OK and not good to go into .. etc lol..I had to Learn the hard-way years ago on my old arse IBM PC LMAO.

The main reason is, I do a fair bit of online banking.. I would personally feel better to 'hopefully' have a good enough Scanner to find and block any threats. (Should one, somehow get into the PC)
I used to download a lot of Mods for Unreal Tournament..Some were done so well, that you didn't know it was rooted with a virus.. But i never have downloaded mods since lol..

But it's good to know everyone's personal opinion tho,
+Rep will be given out very shortly ;p

If you still got more good posts throw em up!

[Darren]

As a matter of interest to some of you, I dug through my handy links and dig this one out VirusTotal - Free Online Virus, Malware and URL Scanner

If your unsure of a file / site you can plug the details in and it scans with a mass of virus scanners to determine whether it's safe, ok it ain't the quickest but better to be safe than sorry, right?

I have heard good things about MS security essentials, but it comes at a price (like everything MS produces lol).

Security Essentials is free last I checked unless your talking the cost of the OS to start with?

[Super_Low 91]

I use Kaspersky
IMO best protections iv had for my computer, come with my ROG motherboard an its awesome has settings for games an stuff.. How ever it is a paid program but well worth it,

[T-rex]

I'm backing Kaspersky internet security, I've used Norton, AVG, Trend PCcillin. And compared to the others its on a whole different level, its the only one that I have been able to just install and leave it to its own devices with FA input unless something serious comes up. You can get it very cheap from MSY as well, I think it was 25 bucks for 2 years which is ridiculous value, but its a bit more expensive through other places.

[DAKSTER]

I used to swear by Trend Micro. It was reliable, unobtrusive, and updated several times a day. The 2008 edition, something changed, and I started having problems with it. I've tried them all, I think of the paid ones I would choose Kaspersky. I dont see the point in paying though when AVG Free is working fine for me.
Maybe its a system hog, I dont know as my system is good, but I will be sticking with it. Re Avira, I have heard a lot of good stuff about it but havent tried it. I've tried Avast too, it seems ok.

I am not a retail outlet but I build several computers a week for paying customers to supplement my pension. When I speak to customers, I recommend not buying AV programs as I consider the free versions just as good. If they insist on buying one, the only recommendation I make to them is to NOT buy Nortons. Apart from that, with a modern computer, they all do a good job.

[aaronevolution]

I agree. Norton annoys the hell out of me. My dad used to work for IBM in the 80's and has been building and repairing computers ever since and he has never paid for a virus scanner. For personal use the free ones work fine.

[Calaber]

I've heard others say to stay away from Norton. What is the problem with their AV?

[DAKSTER]

Norton is a major system hog, and highly intrusive. It wants confirmation for just about everything you do. In some ways this can be safer, like windows user account control, but mostly its just annoying, just like windows user account control lol

[ephect]

Microsoft security essentials, it's free, it works, no fuss, not intensive at all, and it let's u choose what to do with any 'acquired' software that gets detected as malware.

We use trend officescan at work and it runs fine too.

Been thru most of the anti-virus solutions, kyspersky is about the only one I haven't dealt with. For home use: Mse is a clear winner.

Most av solutions include interent filtering, firewall, and other scanning tools, which all adds up on CPU toll.

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

lol @ people who think MS only make paid for versions. The only thing they don't release a free version off is the Main OS (And you can even get A free OS from Microsoft.. However its about as usefull as MACOS, thus not meant for the common end user).