B
Bob
Which is the better anti-virus package for Windows computer:
Free Avast Home Edition or AVG Free Edition?
Free Avast Home Edition or AVG Free Edition?
E
Ernie B.
Opinion only but I like Avast better. I especially like the frequent,
small to download updates.
T
Tom McCune
(e-mail address removed) (Bob) wrote in server.houston.rr.com:
My two cents:
Long ago, I tried AVG and then Avast. Both seemed to work fine, but the
AVG freeware license only allowed it to be used on one computer in each
home. For whatever reason, I liked the Avast GUI better, so just went with
using Avast on my home computers.
I later had a problem that I thought might be related to my EZ Armor
software (which I was then using because it is free for RoadRunner users),
so wound up uninstalling EZ Armor, and using Avast and Sygate PF on my
wife's machine, and all has gone well, and this continues to be the
combination used there. BTW, it turned out that the problem was due to an
MS critical update instead of EZ Armor.
More recently, on this machine, there was an EZ Armor problem, so I tried
Avast on this machine. However, the virus definitions updates were not
working, so I switched to AVG freeware, and all is fine with it.
My two cents:
Long ago, I tried AVG and then Avast. Both seemed to work fine, but the
AVG freeware license only allowed it to be used on one computer in each
home. For whatever reason, I liked the Avast GUI better, so just went with
using Avast on my home computers.
I later had a problem that I thought might be related to my EZ Armor
software (which I was then using because it is free for RoadRunner users),
so wound up uninstalling EZ Armor, and using Avast and Sygate PF on my
wife's machine, and all has gone well, and this continues to be the
combination used there. BTW, it turned out that the problem was due to an
MS critical update instead of EZ Armor.
More recently, on this machine, there was an EZ Armor problem, so I tried
Avast on this machine. However, the virus definitions updates were not
working, so I switched to AVG freeware, and all is fine with it.
H
History Fan
Which is the better anti-virus package for Windows computer:
It's a matter of opinion. The only way to discover your preference
is to try one or both of them. Not at the same time, of course.
It's a matter of opinion. The only way to discover your preference
is to try one or both of them. Not at the same time, of course.
B
Bob
I assume you are talking about the free version, AntiVir
PersonalEdition. Is it crippled in any way?
B
Bob
Does anyone know any virus tests?
I only know about eicar:
http://eicar.com/anti_virus_test_file.htm
Y
Ya doesn't hast to call me Johnson
That's like choosing between PBR and Old Milwaukee.
Go with NOD32.
Go with NOD32.
R
Ron Lopshire
Bob said:
Bob,
Eicar is not a virus test, per se. Here is Kaspersky's take on it. You
can Google for others.
(http://www.viruslist.com/en/viruses/encyclopedia?virusid=55843)
,---quote---
EICAR is a short 68-byte COM file that is detected by anti-virus
programs as a virus, but is actually NOT "VIRAL" at all. When executed
it just displays a message and returns control to the host program.
Why is this harmless file detected as a virus? The file was created in
order to demonstrate to users the messages and procedures that
anti-virus programs display when a real virus is detected.
,---quote---
If by test, you mean tests of detection rates of various AV apps, here
is some AV info for your perusal:
AV-Test (Andreas Marx - Germany)
(http://www.av-test.org/)
AV-Comparatives (Andreas Clementi - Austria)
(http://www.av-comparatives.org/)
Virus.gr (VirusP - Greece)
(http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp)
Food for thought (Eugene Kaspersky)
(http://www.viruslist.com/en/analysis?pubid=174405517)
Try to take polls, reviews and the opinions of those who accept
advertising dollars with a grain of salt. And keep in mind that trends
are more important than any single test.
BTW, even if you are not a KAV user, E. Kaspersky's essay has some
good info about where he thinks the AV industry is headed. Dealing
with viruses is becoming less of an issue compared to all of the other
garbage out there.
Ron
B
badgolferman
Ya said:
Very good analogy.
B
Bob
While I appreciate the adage that you get what you pay for, I was
looking for a freeware AV product.
H
History Fan
While I appreciate the adage that you get what you pay for, I was
The free versions of Avast or AVG work just fine. Good products.
Of course, common sense when surfing the Internet compliments your AV
product too.
The free versions of Avast or AVG work just fine. Good products.
Of course, common sense when surfing the Internet compliments your AV
product too.
L
Lou
And it may complement it too.
B
Bob
I won't use an AV product unless it gets complimented by the Internet.
M
MikeB
Ron said:
I'm sorry to insert myself into this discussion, I'm a newbie that came
here looking for answers and clarifications on AV software.
I read all of the links above, and by all the tests mentioned, Norton
AV seems to perform much better than AVG, yet many more people seem to
recommend AVG.
What am I not understanding?
J
Jake Dodd
MikeB said:
People recommend AVG for reasons other than it's detection capabilities.
They don't like the top contenders because of system resource impact. I
think the top contenders have added too much functionality (bloat) to their
programs and users are paying more attention to this these days.
L
Lou
Be selective who you look for compliments from.
R
Ron Lopshire
MikeB said:
Mike,
If you can't ask an AV question in an AV NG, WTF good is it? <vbg>
I use KAV on my 3 GHz P4 512 MB WinXP box. The freeware AV apps work
fine for many people. It depends on your network/browsing usage. The
only way to be sure is to install the AV app on your system and
evaluate it during normal usage. Do you use P2P or do on-line gaming?
Some people have problems getting their AV apps to deal with these
activities. I wouldn't even consider trying KAV on my P2 80 MB Win98
box. KAV works great for me, but if I had problems, I would use NOD32.
I like and use a lot of freeware apps, but, IMO, some things are worth
paying for. For me, that includes my AV app.
Here are the preferences that I have gleaned from the various
security/paranoia NGs in which I hang out:
Free: AVG, Avast!, AntiVir
Paid: KAV, NOD32
Bottom of the List: Norton, McAfee
The knock against NAV and McAfee is due to bias (they're the big guys)
and issues not related to detection rates. Note that these assessments
are for AV apps for home/SOHO/personal use. The same may or may not be
said about the enterprise or corporate editions. I have personally
used McAfee, Norton, AVG and KAV.
KAV - Kaspersky Labs:
(http://www.kaspersky.com/us/products)
NOD32 - Eset:
(http://www.nod32-av.com/products/products.htm)
If you currently have no AV protection, download one of the free AV
apps, and then investigate your options:
AVG - Grisoft
(http://www.grisoft.com/doc/Programs/lng/us/tpl/tpl01)
Avast! - ALWIL Software
(http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html)
AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic
(http://www.free-av.com/)
All of the above AV apps may be upgraded to a
Professional/Full-Featured AV app for a fee.
Some General Anti-Virus info:
(http://home.neo.rr.com/manna4u/virusprevention.html)
(http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html)
A word to wise. Unlike Anti-Spyware applications, where the
multi-layered approach is preferable, Anti-Virus (resident)
applications absolutely do NOT like each other, and one should be
uninstalled completely before installing another. In many cases, eg.,
with Symantec products, this is easier said than done. In order to
switch or even evaluate another AV, you MUST completely remove any
resident AV application. Some info about removing AV apps
(particularly NAV):
(http://forum.kaspersky.com/index.php?showtopic=5233)
And so, before you install ANY AV application, make sure that you
acquire all information/tools/utilities that are necessary for its
COMPLETE removal. You have been warned.
At any rate, those are my thoughts on the subject.
Ron
M
MikeB
Ron said:
In general, coming from a software background, if I like a software
app, I try and pay the author for it, even if it is freeware. Good
work/products deserve being paid for. (just my $0.02)
I started with NAV a long time back - I think it came on my previous
PC. But lately I've been having difficulties with the firewall part of
NIS (blocking apps randomly, unable to change rules, multiple automatic
rules...) The final straw came when I reinstalled my OS on one PC and
every time I installed NIS, the machine just slowed to an absolute
crawl. Repeatedly. SO I decided to switch. Currently I'm running with
NAV only and with Windows Firewall until I've made up my mind.
My internet usage is confined to a very narrow range of activities - I
only download software from reputable companies, no pictures, movies or
music. I don't chat on any chat service and don't play online games or
download newsgroup binaries.
I much appreciate your thoughts, and on the basis of your very rational
discussion, I think I'm going to downgrade my NIS to NAV and stick with
Norton - I don't care how much resources it consumes, I just want to
know its the best I can get.
For a firewall I think I'll get ZoneAlarm - but I've got some research
to do still.
For spyware I have Lavasoft AdAware and MS Anti-spyware.
Ron
Thanks again Ron.