Antivirus question

[April]

I'm looking at buying a program, and I don't know which one is better.

I'm running Win 98 SE, and have no plans to upgrade to XP. Ever, if I can get away with it. Which one should I get? NAV 2002, NAV 2001? Or one of the McAfee versions? Cnet says that NAV is better, but I want actual user's opinions. I'm personally leaning toward Norton.

So...help?

 

[Mellon Collie]

I also have Windows 98 SE and we use McAfee. It works just fine for us.

 

[freakygirl]

I use McAfee.. the online version. It updates everyday.. as long as I'm on the net. I have it set up to update and scan at 9pm.

I can't use Norton products on my computer, because Hewlett Packard doesn't like them *shrugs* my in laws use Norton and pass on more viruses then anyone I've ever known. But I think that is more of a user problem than a product problem.

 

[SweetCherry]

If you have no plans on upgrading to XP, I'd recommend PCcillin. It's far better and is more up to date than most. Anytime a new virus appears, they have protection against it before any of the others.

 

[StLBob]

I use Norton Internet Security; It comes with auto-Updating AntiVirus that also scans all incoming and outgoing email, as well as a software firewall to protect you from hackers...

The latter is especially important if you either:
a) Use broadband internet access; T1, DSL, Cable, Satellite, etc. and tend to leave your 'puter connected to the internet for extended periods
b) Are online a LOT!

I'd estimate that I don't connect for more than 2-3 hours at a time without at least one Backdoor Tojan attack, or some such attempt that Norton blocks. For me, one who also runs a web-server on his box, I find it an absolute necessity, and well worth the relatively few extra $$$.

It can also be purchased/downloaded online... Though I would not do it with just a regular dial-up connection!

 

[Draco]

We exclusively pre-install PC-Cillin on all our customers machine.
No...I'm not singing their praises coz we have a contract with Trend Micro..I feel its the best most secure and most up to date one available on the market..they update at least twice a week..all the others are only once a week or even fortnight.

Another is Nortons Antivirus..but I'd go with PC-Cillin 2001

try the demo version first..if you like it..purchase it

www.antivirus.com (Trend-Micro's web site)

 

[Dillinger]

Whatever program you decide to get make sure you get the latest version - never buy a back-level version of something as important as virus protection.

The progam I use - and that my company uses - is Norton Anti-Virus - you can't go wrong with it - its as good as it gets - though the other programs mentioned are excellent choices as well. The important thing is to make sure that you keep the virus definitions up to date and the program up to date. The Symantec products (Norton Anti-Virus, etc) all come with Live Update which automatically updates your virus definitions without you having to worry about it. This is an excellent feature - I believe most of the current products on the market do something similar.

If you're willing to splurge a little bit I would recommend getting Symantec's Norton SystemWorks 2002 (professional edition if you can) - it not only comes with Norton AntiVirus but with Norton Utilities (optimization, problem resolution), Norton Cleansweep (cleans up internet clutter, temp files, etc...), GoBack (by Roxio) which provides System Recovery utilities and Norton Ghost which you can use to clone and upgrade your system. It even includes WinFax Basic to send and receive faxes from your computer.

Symantec sells it directly for $69.95 but you can probably find even better prices if you shop around.

 

[Spinaroonie]

Isn't it interesting that everytime a new virus pops up one of the companies has an antidote right then?

I smell a conspriacy

 

[miles]

There is free ACV software just as good

My PC came with McAffee until I found out how much better it ran withtout it. Tried NAV and thought it was a huge memory hog and like McAffee, played ittle tricks on your PC. Then I found AVG Anti-Virus. It's free, its updates are current, and it's easy on the resources. It also caught two email virus attacks without a hitch. Try it, tou'lll like it.


http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.html

 

[fgarvb1]

i use norton av2000

along with Zone alarm. it works well, but run live update several times a week. here in the last few months it seems to me there is a new up date every two days or so. norton so far has not let us down load a virus from outlook express. norton throws a fucking fit, freezes outlook. you can't get rid of a virus if you can't download it! we have to get our internet supplier to delete the email. like i said to my wife, it's hard to complain after all norton IS doing it's job.

 

[miles]

Dilly

Norton System Works is major league bloatware. Unless it's changed, it creates more problems and conflicts that it prevents and sucks your system resources dry. The only Norton software I bought that I still use is Clean Sweep, and I use it so infrequently I uninstall it when i'm through. I wouldn't recommend System Works - it's overkill.

 

[Bigdog]

I've used McAfee for 3 years with no trouble on 2 different computers. I have been considering switching to PC-cillin since I need new software anyway and have heard good things about it. If you go to www.housecall.com you can scan your computer for free, then they offer PC-cillin at 20% off.

I can't speak for Norton AV but SystemWorks fucked up my computer big time.

 

[Dillinger]

Re: Dilly

Norton System Works is major league bloatware. Unless it's changed, it creates more problems and conflicts that it prevents and sucks your system resources dry. The only Norton software I bought that I still use is Clean Sweep, and I use it so infrequently I uninstall it when i'm through. I wouldn't recommend System Works - it's overkill.

I've heard other people complain about that - but I haven't found that to be the case with the 2002 version - plus you can choose which items to run or now - you do not need to have the system monitor running all the time... (depending on how much RAM you have that CAN drain resources)...

However - SystemWorks aside - the Norton AV product stand-alone is quite good.

 

[Guest]

McAfee user here, it works great and updates and scans for viruses on its own each time I connect to the net

 

[Jaded1]

Only a recommendation.............

With todays technology I would personally recommend Norton's 2001 Internet Security System. Providing you with a Personal Firewall against hackers and trojan horse attacks. An Anti Virus package preventing virus attacks and a privacy control package which protect private information about you from going out over the web without your knowledge. It come with a year of free updates. The updates can be extended on a yearly bases for a small charge. Last check I was attacked over 800 times. I'm still sitting here smiling and writting you. It is compatable with Windows 98 SE. It runs great on my Windows 2000 Pro. Cost approx. $80.00. Any further questions email me

Jaded1, CT

 

[miles]

I'm sure it's good, but there are other products just as good you can download for free.