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Topic: Looking for recommendations (Read 2529 times)
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Barry Nix
Executive
Newbie
Posts: 57
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I have been using Norton Internet Security on and off for several years to combat viruses and other nasties. For the most part it seems to have worked fine and I have never experienced a data loss due to a virus, worm, trojan etc. The biggest issue seemed to be when I wanted to get rid of NIS when I wanted to experiment with another product. (I see they now have a 'scrubber' available on the Symantec web site which may solve this problem.) Anyway, I was wondering what programs other members are using and if they have been satisfied. Do the free programs (AVG, Avast etc.) provide complete enough coverage? How necessary is a software firewall if you are using a router? I noticed Staples has BitDefender on for under $50 for a two year licence for 3 (I think) computers. Anyone have experience with BitDefender? Have we ever focused on AV software at a monthly meeting? So many questions  I hope there are some answers out there. |
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Doug Mitton
Executive
Newbie
Posts: 180
Beware the Penguin!
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The big problem that I see with the "for profit" anti-virus programs is that they want to do everything for you and promise a whole lot of protection if you just pay your money. This seems to mean that they become resource hogs and in many cases really have a performance impact on your computer. The free anti-virus seems to just do what it is supposed to ... BUT keep the definition files up-to-date.
I have been using (Free) AVG on several computers and it seems to do the job. Also, you have a built in Firewall in your Windows and a hardware firewall in your router.
Good luck!
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Merv Yeomans
SIG Member
Newbie
Posts: 5
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I have become increasingly uneasy in respect of Norton being a total anti virus answer. I stopped using it a few weeks back and have found Kasperky more efficient, and it found 2 trojans on one machine that I felt were there, but Norton could not find them. A 30 day free trial will provide a meaningful test drive. As for free products, I cant see the point, you get what you pay for, all things considered, and for about 80 bucks, you can have a full version of an otherwise diluted copy, its simply good insurance
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Doug Mitton
Executive
Newbie
Posts: 180
Beware the Penguin!
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You definetly get what you pay for BUT sometimes the "paid" products seem to want to do everything ... and get out of control. I don't know what issues you've had with Norton but I have been involved with many who had Norton simply "bog" down their hadware and have a significant performance impact.
The nice thing I have noticed about the "free" products that they are usually the anti-virus portion of a much larger (bloated?) package that has been released separately as a loss-leader.
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Merv Yeomans
SIG Member
Newbie
Posts: 5
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Its not actual issues, just the feeling that Norton was not cleaning everything, and when I tested it with something else, it wasn't. So if 906 trojans are stopped, and two get through, the Greeks still win, and the Russian sounding names come to the rescue, so thats my conclusion.
And as a postscript, I am sure you are right about overhead with Norton, Kasparsky runs with less impact
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Doug Mitton
Executive
Newbie
Posts: 180
Beware the Penguin!
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I'm just glad I run Linux and don't have these issues. I put anti-virus on my kids computers but due to the things they do some "non critical" (I can't remember the exact term the anti-virus uses) "virii" do get through. Mainly pop-up type stuff. But, they keep answering questions that let them in. I just firewall them from my Linux systems and let them go. Teens know everything you know?!?!  As a side note, what flavour of Windows do you run? |
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Merv Yeomans
SIG Member
Newbie
Posts: 5
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XP-Pro SP2 with current updates, and one machine on XP Home
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Doug Mitton
Executive
Newbie
Posts: 180
Beware the Penguin!
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XP-Pro SP2 with current updates, and one machine on XP Home
Yes, these "home" varieties of MS Windows are very limited in the user permissions available ... most users run with Administrator privileges as the alternative is severely restricted users access. |
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BICC Discussion
