Definitive Best Antivirus

[Si Veteran]

Please use this thread as a reference for this topic, as time goes on and availabilty changes, the poll will be updated.

[Slimy]

^ nod32 is not free. The 30-day trial does not make the antivirus free software.

[-Thomas-]

I was wrong about AntiVir having any memory problems or any problems with slowing down the system. Sorry.

I'm surprised nobody has said this yet, but NOD32 was proven by thousands of experts around the worldto be extremely good... low memory usage, active watch and auto updates... You can download the trial version for 30 days and after that, it continues to do it's work except it isn't allowed to update.

By that time, you could have either bought it, or downloaded a new and more efficent virus software.

I rather have a good free anti virus, like AntiVir, than have a trial version of something that can't update anymore.

[ZIPO]

Kaspersky. Version 6 is just what I needed. Doesn't take up resources, it's fast (much faster than v5) and it has proactive defense which I consider very important. I'm a paranoic, want to know what's going on in my system and Kaspersky v6 is just what I needed.

I've been using it since version 4.5.

[Sniper101]

Avast for me :) AVG has problems :)

[Lasker]

did anyone in here tested norton antivirus 2007 beta? looks pretty cool and better improvement over the others previous version :yes:

[Jayzee]

NOD32, 'nuff said.

[Smigit]

Nod32 for me due to good detection rates and low resources. PC Cillian wasnt to bad when I used it but (2005 release) and having a firewall with it meant I didnt have to find my own.

Best free anti virus? Id setrtle with Avast. I've heard quite alot about AVG not being that good with their virus definitions compared to avast so thats whatd I'd use. The one problem is system reources which it can be a bit heavy on but disabling the skins helps that somewhat when your actually opening the app.

[gdodson]

I love all these people who ride the NOD32 bandwagon. Used it, it sucked. After trying most of the popular ones, Trend Micro has the best feature set and I've been virus/spyware free for 3 years.

[theyarecomingforyou]

I love all these people who ride the NOD32 bandwagon. Used it, it sucked.

"It sucked" isn't very descriptive of the problems you had with it. You haven't justified your position. I have tried most antivirus programs and have found NOD32 to be pretty exceptional - performance is great, detection rates are great, security is great, updates are very frequent, heuristics are excellent, scan time is pretty amazing and the price is very reasonable. Kaspersky was also decent, though performance was lacking - I hear that has actually improved recently, so I'll be keeping my eye on it.

Spouting "it sucked" without a supporting arguement is just looking for a fight on these forums and you really should be careful in future. I also disagree that it is a "bandwagon" - it has been building a large fan base because of the excellence of the product, not from PR.

[OverBrn]

Used Norton for 10 years, the progressive bloat finally made me switch. Tired Avast and AVG. Have stuck with AVG Free for the last few years and I love it.

[snypa]

Was using norton for about 3 years, then 05 was a complete and utter mess, using 30-50k, not using any AV atm, never had a virus, and my system is running amazingly smoothly.

But some help would be useful, after reading all the pages, I can't seem to decide which is better, Avast Pro, Nod32 or Kaspersky. Advice from past or present users of these would be useful.

[GoldenSheep]

What about like worms and html related viruses where you're not required to download? How do you feel secure without an AV to protect you from those? Anyways I am using NOD32 and it's always quick to load and quick to respond. Some of the people I know buy "branded" computers and some of them came with Norton and whenever I start up their computer it takes forever.

[MarGa]

Tried NAV 2005, Kaspersky, PC-Cillin, Avast Home and Nod32. My choices: Nod32 (first) and Kapersky (second).

[snypa]

What about like worms and html related viruses where you're not required to download? How do you feel secure without an AV to protect you from those? Anyways I am using NOD32 and it's always quick to load and quick to respond. Some of the people I know buy "branded" computers and some of them came with Norton and whenever I start up their computer it takes forever.

I don't, It's just that when I had AV, I never got a virus, not even warnings that theyve been stopped or prevented.

[mortem]

NOD32 user here, low memory usage, fast and optimized scan, daily updates.

[Evilpig]

Heh. I like Zone Alarm Security Suite. It is so suite.

But heh. May is over.

[Tai]

I'm using Mcafee personal firewall plus but thinking of changing to Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 .

anyone tried KIS 6 ? verdicts on it ?

[Smigit]

Well I had been trialing Nod32 and emailed their sales and will be getting a 50% discount since I'm a student so I will go for a 2 years subscription. I would have tried Kaspersky but for the price I will be paying Nod32 really cant be beat and it's not like its a poor program. Hell if I do decide later I want to swap I still payed less than I would have for a one year subscription at non student prices so it's a win win situation.

[b0m8er]

Windows Live OneCare is my choice ;)

[Malik05]

NOD32 has never let me down

[uniacidz]

I love all these people who ride the NOD32 bandwagon. Used it, it sucked. After trying most of the popular ones, Trend Micro has the best feature set and I've been virus/spyware free for 3 years.

Bandwagon aye? okk

I have used Trend Micro for many years, since PC Cillin 2002 Antivirus and i can easily say, i converted to Nod32 only due to the heuristics of the program.

Trend does not have advanced, or any heuristics. They base the detection rate on signature files alone. Nod32 uses heuristics to also detect unknown or new viruses and signature files.

The impact on the system is virtually the same, if not, Nod32 is better when having the real time scanner active. No slowdowns.

I still like Trend Micro, soft spot for that AV and still rank it secnond to Nod32 for now.

And for me, i only want a antivirus and not a full suite. Trend have recently released to australian markets the PC Cillin antivirus, which is latest installment, but no spyware detect or anything like that, just antivirus.

[mAcOdIn Veteran]

Just because an antivirus says they don't remove spyware doesn't mean they don't and just because they say they remove spyware doesn't mean theyr'e good at it. Spyware's a tricky subject with AV's because some companies will detect alot of spyware as trojans instead and remove them that way others will use "potentially unwanted programs" or something and remove them that way, either way an AV is not the best solution for spyware as they're almost always late to the party.

And out of curiosity does nod 32 have heuristics as a part of it's real time scanner yet? Last time I checked it was just their email portion that had their "award winning" heuristics, but it'd be great if they expanded it's use.

[nXqd]

NOD32 user here, low memory usage, fast and optimized scan, daily updates.

it updates every hour :D, it's great for me

[Agnes Leroy]

kaspersky 6 is good it is low on sys res and do a good job on catching viruses

its proactive defence,speedy scanning engine etc are very good.

All i have to say is that stay away from norton

[RootWind]

And out of curiosity does nod 32 have heuristics as a part of it's real time scanner yet? Last time I checked it was just their email portion that had their "award winning" heuristics, but it'd be great if they expanded it's use.

Yes, "Advanced Heuristics" is in the real-time monitor now.

it updates every hour :D, it's great for me

Actually NOD32 doesn't update every hour, but is on a "need-based" schedule (why some weekends don't have any updates). They won't update for malware they don't deem as outbreak worthy until they have enough or in conjunction with some more prevalent malware.