Comments on: How effective is your antivirus software?

By: Echo9er

Echo9er — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:17:26 +0000

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By: FWGMills

FWGMills — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 16:53:15 +0000

I use AVG simply becuase I have 4 machines that need AV (three workstations and one server) and the cost to protect those machines with Symantec Anti-Virus was prohibitively expensive. I was able to get a 5-user license of AVG (this included remote management) for the price of 2 1/2 workstation licenses on Symantec…and the server license for Symantec…DAMN!! they’re proud of that!

By: Oliver

Oliver — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 15:48:19 +0000

@Wataru: This has been H+BEDV Antivir (antivir.de). This is used as second scanner for all incoming mails at our system, so it will only appear when a mail has been let through by the main scanner. This happens occasionally. There’s a free version for non-commercial use.

By: Captain Hook

Captain Hook — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 02:55:06 +0000

I use AVG. It looks like I’ll have to switch to Avast. But will the free version offer the same degree of protection? Yarr.

By: Wataru

Wataru — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 02:48:25 +0000

Oliver wrote:
“I’ve seen a free scanner not mentioned here at all to react to new threats much faster than at least one of this list’s top entries.”

Great, can you enlighten us about this product, and where to obtain it?

By: Oliver

Oliver — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 15:46:40 +0000

It’s useless to compare antivirus software based on just one test. I’ve seen a free scanner not mentioned here at all to react to new threats much faster than at least one of this list’s top entries.

By: Java

Java — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 15:27:26 +0000

how long did it take these same companies to detect the sony rootkit. It bothers me to no end that some of the big boys knew about the rootkit and it took weeks before they did a thing.

By: Wataru Tenga

Wataru Tenga — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:57:53 +0000

There is also a Zone Alarm package that comes with an anti-virus component. I believe it is identical to the eTrust software that did not do so well above.

Avast has a free version, so Ed’s implication that free anti-virus programs are going to be less effective than commercial ones is a bit odd. Companies like Avast and AVG generally offer free and commercial versions, with the free ones restricted to private use. I switched from Avast to AVG because the former puts a limit on the number of incoming connections, which was causing problems for me. In any case, I’ve been using the DEP (on all programs) solution noted here earlier, and haven’t had any problems yet.

By: John S

John S — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 23:42:30 +0000

Zone Alarm is a firewall whereas the ones mentioned above are antivirus programs.

A firewall is a device – hardware or software – that filters information being transferred through your Internet connection with your computer. If a packet of information is flagged by the filters, it is not allowed through. Simply, a firewall is a barrier to keep destructive forces away from your property.

An antivirus program – like the ones mentioned above – scans for viruses and other malware on your system. Also, most of the better ones provide realtime protection by scanning everything that is downloaded.

John

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 21:35:19 +0000

How does Zone Alarm stack up to this?

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 18:50:42 +0000

Yes, true about Avast, but I think it’s a crapshoot either way. Look at Kaspersky. Time and again that (not free) program ends up at the very top in detection-rate tests. Yet not in this case.

By: John S

John S — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 18:29:33 +0000

I’ve been using the Free avast! 4 Home Edition for about a year and had no problems. Sure is nice to see its protection recognized up there with the other big names.

John