Virus Scanners - what your preference?

[Ext User(Swampfox)]

"Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
news:43c43ac4$0$1045$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>
> "Swampfox" <groint@pochta.ru> wrote in message
> news:43c35c47$0$23753$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>>
>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:42g025F1ige78U1@individual.net...
>>> Phred <ppnerkDELETETHIS@yahoo.com> wrote
>>>> Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
>>>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote
>>>>>> MJT <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote
>>>
>>>>>>> What would be the best [virus] scanner out
>>>>>>> there, particularly the low cost or free ones?
>>>
>>>>>> Personally, I say that if you want to pay, get the best, Mcafee
>>>
>>>>> It isnt the best.
>>>
>>>> What is, Rod?
>>>
>>> I'm not convinced than anything is.
>>>
>>> I think the best approach is to use a decent hardware firewall,
>>> use a decent browser that stops the worst of what web sites
>>> can get up to hijacking wise, dont bother to even open any
>>> emails with attachments that you dont know why they are there,
>>> and run something decent like AVG free basically so you can
>>> check stuff you get via emule etc and ocassionally run one of
>>> the free online checkers like the Symantec and Trend Micro for
>>> a bit of extra security.
>>>
>>> I dont really care about how well a system deals with infections,
>>> basically because I prefer to avoid getting infected in the first place.
>>>
>>> I'm not convinced that its really feasible to test virus checkers
>>> rigorously,
>>> its too hard to quantify which manage to catch the newest viruses
>>> quickest etc.
>>>
>>>> Some years ago I stumbled on a site that did testing of antivirus
>>>> programs from many manufacturers, and had been running those tests for
>>>> several years to that time. But I'm damned if I can track down that
>>>> site now. I *thought* I knew what it was; but, if my recall was
>>>> correct,
>>>> the buggers must have pulled the plug on the testing they once did. :-(
>>>
>>> Yeah, likely it ended up being just too hard. Cant see how you
>>> can ever deliberately infect the test system with the latest viruses
>>> reliably, and check which managed to pick that up first etc.
>>>
>>
>> According to PC World Norton is the most thorough in real world tests.
>
> PC World need a new tester, then. I had a client with a working and almost
> up to date (1 def update behind) NIS 2005 last year. The prog wasnt even
> stopped. Mcafee found 1035 infected files on it. I gave him a copy of free
> AVG and told him about it and Mcafee and left the rest up to him. He ended
> up going Mcafee as he runs a business off it.
>
>> It's still slow and a resource hog so I stick with Avast free edition and
>> haven't had a virus for yonks.
>> What you say is true though Rod, don't open suspicious email attachments
>> and be very wary of Warez sites and of files from p2p.
>>
>>
>
> Don't forget porn sites, the best place to go to get your daily dose of
> infections.
>

I'm far too responsible (;-

[Ext User(Swampfox)]

"Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
news:43c43b7b$0$1045$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>
> "Swampfox" <groint@pochta.ru> wrote in message
> news:43c367fc$0$9291$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>>
>> "Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
>> news:43c24de8$0$1047$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>>>
>>> "Swampfox" <groint@pochta.ru> wrote in message
>>> news:43c193f3$0$22294$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>>>>
>>>> "MJT" <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:43c15e20.00007c4e.bm002@gmail.com...
>>>>> Interested to know what virus scanners you guys use? I'm currently
>>>>> using
>>>>> AVG Free. It appears to work OK, but obvioulsy, you probably won't
>>>>> know
>>>>> if there's a virus or not if it can't detect it.
>>>>>
>>>>> We used to run McAfee Virus Scan Ver 4.5. It was via work who had a
>>>>> site
>>>>> licence that allowed employees to make copies for home use. But when
>>>>> we
>>>>> went to Ver 7 at work, this licence no longer applies. SO, that's when
>>>>> I
>>>>> went to AVG.
>>>>>
>>>>> The missus' Dell laptop had Norton's AV on it. But it seemed to be a
>>>>> resource hog and when it expired 2 months after getting the laptop I
>>>>> uninstalled it. I wasn't prepared to pay annual licence fees to run a
>>>>> program that I've paid for. So, all the PCs now have AVG Free.
>>>>>
>>>>> What would be the best scanner out there, particularly the low cost or
>>>>> free ones?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> If you can't beat your computer at chess... try kickboxing.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I've been using Avast (Free) for quite a while with good results.
>>>> You have to re-register it once a year to maintain the auto update but
>>>> that's hardly a bother.
>>>> Combined with MS Antispy and Sygate firewall (Both free) we've had no
>>>> problems for ages.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> MS antispyware is shit. Hardly knows much at all. Run it on an infected
>>> machine and let it get rid of what it finds then go run Adaware and
>>> Spybot and watch how many MORE are found.
>>>
>>> Sygate is Swiss Cheese.
>>
>> I only use the software firewall to stop programs calling home, and
>> Sygate does that effectively.
>>
>
> It's Swiss Cheese. What you catch and what you don't see are quite a ways
> apart.
>

I have a hardware firewall so as I said Sygate is only to stop certain
programs from contacting home base.
So far so good.

[Ext User(Clockmeister)]

"Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
news:43c43a46$0$1040$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>
> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:42g96nF1hm089U1@individual.net...
>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote:
>>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:42g07gF1ikmhmU1@individual.net...
>>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote:
>>>>> "Phred" <ppnerkDELETETHIS@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:42eu84F1ik3kjU1@individual.net...
>>>>>> In article <42dftaF1itmpvU1@individual.net>, "Rod Speed"
>>>>>> <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote
>>>>>>>> MJT <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote
>>>>>> [snip]
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> What would be the best [virus] scanner out there, particularly
>>>>>>>>> the low cost
>>>>>>>>> or free ones?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Personally, I say that if you want to pay, get the best, Mcafee
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It isnt the best.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What is, Rod?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Some years ago I stumbled on a site that did testing of antivirus
>>>>>> programs from many manufacturers, and had been running those tests
>>>>>> for several years to that time. But I'm damned if I can track down
>>>>>> that site now. I *thought* I knew what it was; but, if my recall
>>>>>> was correct, the buggers must have pulled the plug on the testing
>>>>>> they once did. :-(
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Regardless of what ROd says, Mcafee IS the best. I have installed it
>>>>> brand new on many an infected machine and it cleaned the lot out.
>>>>> Nortons wouldn't and AVG couldn't.
>>>>
>>>> Separate issue entirely to what works best to prevent the system
>>>> getting infected in the first place, particularly when the system is
>>>> run properly, behind a decent hardware firewall, and the user not
>>>> doing anything stupid like opening any unknown emails that turn up
>>>> etc. And you'll have to pardon us if we just dont believe you when
>>>> you cant even manage to get AVG free to update automatically
>>>> when everyone else manages to get that working fine.
>>
>>> You go on believing AVG free updates automatically at good intervals,
>>> Rod.
>>
>> I know it does thanks, and its completely trivial to check that.
>>
>
> I know it doesnt and yes you are right - it is completely trivial to check
> it.
>
>>> I make a lot of money out of people who believe that. The simple
>>> truth is that it doesn't. The free edition will update from time to time
>>> but that may be days apart and right now that isn't good enough.
>>
>> How odd that I have never ever got infected when using it.
>>
>
> Yeah ROd but by your own admission you ARE odd! :)

He's also right on this occasion.

[Ext User(Agent \ 86 \ ®)]

"Clockmeister" <no-one@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:43c51322$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>
> "Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
>
news:43c43a46$0$1040$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au.
...
> >
> > "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:42g96nF1hm089U1@individual.net...
> >> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote:
> >>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >>> news:42g07gF1ikmhmU1@individual.net...
> >>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote:
> >>>>> "Phred" <ppnerkDELETETHIS@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >>>>> news:42eu84F1ik3kjU1@individual.net...
> >>>>>> In article <42dftaF1itmpvU1@individual.net>, "Rod Speed"
> >>>>>> <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >>>>>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote
> >>>>>>>> MJT <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote
> >>>>>> [snip]
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> What would be the best [virus] scanner out there, particularly
> >>>>>>>>> the low cost
> >>>>>>>>> or free ones?
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> Personally, I say that if you want to pay, get the best, Mcafee
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> It isnt the best.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> What is, Rod?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Some years ago I stumbled on a site that did testing of antivirus
> >>>>>> programs from many manufacturers, and had been running those tests
> >>>>>> for several years to that time. But I'm damned if I can track down
> >>>>>> that site now. I *thought* I knew what it was; but, if my recall
> >>>>>> was correct, the buggers must have pulled the plug on the testing
> >>>>>> they once did. :-(
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Regardless of what ROd says, Mcafee IS the best. I have installed it
> >>>>> brand new on many an infected machine and it cleaned the lot out.
> >>>>> Nortons wouldn't and AVG couldn't.
> >>>>
> >>>> Separate issue entirely to what works best to prevent the system
> >>>> getting infected in the first place, particularly when the system is
> >>>> run properly, behind a decent hardware firewall, and the user not
> >>>> doing anything stupid like opening any unknown emails that turn up
> >>>> etc. And you'll have to pardon us if we just dont believe you when
> >>>> you cant even manage to get AVG free to update automatically
> >>>> when everyone else manages to get that working fine.
> >>
> >>> You go on believing AVG free updates automatically at good intervals,
> >>> Rod.
> >>
> >> I know it does thanks, and its completely trivial to check that.
> >>
> >
> > I know it doesnt and yes you are right - it is completely trivial to
check
> > it.
> >
> >>> I make a lot of money out of people who believe that. The simple
> >>> truth is that it doesn't. The free edition will update from time to
time
> >>> but that may be days apart and right now that isn't good enough.
> >>
> >> How odd that I have never ever got infected when using it.
> >>
> >
> > Yeah ROd but by your own admission you ARE odd! :)
>
> He's also right on this occasion.

He IS ?????? Where ?????

It all depends on the user and it could be argued that both are right . At
the end of the day its all pretty pathetic .
Mcafee is used by a lot of corporates , not many corporates use AVG .

[Ext User(Clockmeister)]

"Agent " 86 " ®" <M.Smart@control.com> wrote in message
news:M2dxf.213828$V7.160570@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "Clockmeister" <no-one@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:43c51322$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>>
>> "Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
>>
> news:43c43a46$0$1040$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au.
> ..
>> >
>> > "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> > news:42g96nF1hm089U1@individual.net...
>> >> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote:
>> >>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> >>> news:42g07gF1ikmhmU1@individual.net...
>> >>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote:
>> >>>>> "Phred" <ppnerkDELETETHIS@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> >>>>> news:42eu84F1ik3kjU1@individual.net...
>> >>>>>> In article <42dftaF1itmpvU1@individual.net>, "Rod Speed"
>> >>>>>> <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> >>>>>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote
>> >>>>>>>> MJT <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote
>> >>>>>> [snip]
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>>> What would be the best [virus] scanner out there, particularly
>> >>>>>>>>> the low cost
>> >>>>>>>>> or free ones?
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> Personally, I say that if you want to pay, get the best, Mcafee
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> It isnt the best.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> What is, Rod?
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> Some years ago I stumbled on a site that did testing of antivirus
>> >>>>>> programs from many manufacturers, and had been running those tests
>> >>>>>> for several years to that time. But I'm damned if I can track
>> >>>>>> down
>> >>>>>> that site now. I *thought* I knew what it was; but, if my recall
>> >>>>>> was correct, the buggers must have pulled the plug on the testing
>> >>>>>> they once did. :-(
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Regardless of what ROd says, Mcafee IS the best. I have installed
>> >>>>> it
>> >>>>> brand new on many an infected machine and it cleaned the lot out.
>> >>>>> Nortons wouldn't and AVG couldn't.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Separate issue entirely to what works best to prevent the system
>> >>>> getting infected in the first place, particularly when the system is
>> >>>> run properly, behind a decent hardware firewall, and the user not
>> >>>> doing anything stupid like opening any unknown emails that turn up
>> >>>> etc. And you'll have to pardon us if we just dont believe you when
>> >>>> you cant even manage to get AVG free to update automatically
>> >>>> when everyone else manages to get that working fine.
>> >>
>> >>> You go on believing AVG free updates automatically at good intervals,
>> >>> Rod.
>> >>
>> >> I know it does thanks, and its completely trivial to check that.
>> >>
>> >
>> > I know it doesnt and yes you are right - it is completely trivial to
> check
>> > it.
>> >
>> >>> I make a lot of money out of people who believe that. The simple
>> >>> truth is that it doesn't. The free edition will update from time to
> time
>> >>> but that may be days apart and right now that isn't good enough.
>> >>
>> >> How odd that I have never ever got infected when using it.
>> >>
>> >
>> > Yeah ROd but by your own admission you ARE odd! :)
>>
>> He's also right on this occasion.
>
> He IS ?????? Where ???

> It all depends on the user and it could be argued that both are right .


At
> the end of the day its all pretty pathetic .
> Mcafee is used by a lot of corporates , not many corporates use AVG .

That in itself proves nothing.
McAfee and Norton's are overrated and in some cases cause more problems then
what they are trying to protect you from.

[Ext User(Agent \ 86 \ ®)]

"Clockmeister" <no-one@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:43c58da9$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>
> "Agent " 86 " ®" <M.Smart@control.com> wrote in message
> news:M2dxf.213828$V7.160570@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> >
> > "Clockmeister" <no-one@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> > news:43c51322$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
> >>
> >> "Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
> >>
> >
news:43c43a46$0$1040$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au.
> > ..
> >> >
> >> > "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >> > news:42g96nF1hm089U1@individual.net...
> >> >> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote:
> >> >>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >> >>> news:42g07gF1ikmhmU1@individual.net...
> >> >>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote:
> >> >>>>> "Phred" <ppnerkDELETETHIS@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >> >>>>> news:42eu84F1ik3kjU1@individual.net...
> >> >>>>>> In article <42dftaF1itmpvU1@individual.net>, "Rod Speed"
> >> >>>>>> <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> >>>>>>> Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote
> >> >>>>>>>> MJT <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote
> >> >>>>>> [snip]
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> What would be the best [virus] scanner out there,
particularly
> >> >>>>>>>>> the low cost
> >> >>>>>>>>> or free ones?
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> Personally, I say that if you want to pay, get the best,
Mcafee
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> It isnt the best.
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>> What is, Rod?
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>> Some years ago I stumbled on a site that did testing of
antivirus
> >> >>>>>> programs from many manufacturers, and had been running those
tests
> >> >>>>>> for several years to that time. But I'm damned if I can track
> >> >>>>>> down
> >> >>>>>> that site now. I *thought* I knew what it was; but, if my
recall
> >> >>>>>> was correct, the buggers must have pulled the plug on the
testing
> >> >>>>>> they once did. :-(
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Regardless of what ROd says, Mcafee IS the best. I have installed
> >> >>>>> it
> >> >>>>> brand new on many an infected machine and it cleaned the lot out.
> >> >>>>> Nortons wouldn't and AVG couldn't.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Separate issue entirely to what works best to prevent the system
> >> >>>> getting infected in the first place, particularly when the system
is
> >> >>>> run properly, behind a decent hardware firewall, and the user not
> >> >>>> doing anything stupid like opening any unknown emails that turn up
> >> >>>> etc. And you'll have to pardon us if we just dont believe you when
> >> >>>> you cant even manage to get AVG free to update automatically
> >> >>>> when everyone else manages to get that working fine.
> >> >>
> >> >>> You go on believing AVG free updates automatically at good
intervals,
> >> >>> Rod.
> >> >>
> >> >> I know it does thanks, and its completely trivial to check that.
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> > I know it doesnt and yes you are right - it is completely trivial to
> > check
> >> > it.
> >> >
> >> >>> I make a lot of money out of people who believe that. The simple
> >> >>> truth is that it doesn't. The free edition will update from time to
> > time
> >> >>> but that may be days apart and right now that isn't good enough.
> >> >>
> >> >> How odd that I have never ever got infected when using it.
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> > Yeah ROd but by your own admission you ARE odd! :)
> >>
> >> He's also right on this occasion.
> >
> > He IS ?????? Where ???
>
> > It all depends on the user and it could be argued that both are right .
>
>
> At
> > the end of the day its all pretty pathetic .
> > Mcafee is used by a lot of corporates , not many corporates use AVG .
>
> That in itself proves nothing.
> McAfee and Norton's are overrated and in some cases cause more problems
then
> what they are trying to protect you from.
>
>
>
So thats your opinion . Nothing gained , nothing lost

[Ext User(Clockmeister)]

"Agent " 86 " ®" <M.Smart@control.com> wrote in message
news:Asixf.214006$V7.9944@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
<snip>

> So thats your opinion . Nothing gained , nothing lost
>
>

I can live with that :-)

[Ext User(David Fairbrother)]

Swampfox wrote:
> "Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
> news:43c43b7b$0$1045$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>
>>"Swampfox" <groint@pochta.ru> wrote in message
>>news:43c367fc$0$9291$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>>
>>>"Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
>>>news:43c24de8$0$1047$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>>>
>>>>"Swampfox" <groint@pochta.ru> wrote in message
>>>>news:43c193f3$0$22294$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>>>>
>>>>>"MJT" <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>news:43c15e20.00007c4e.bm002@gmail.com...
>>>>>
>>>>>>Interested to know what virus scanners you guys use? I'm currently
>>>>>>using
>>>>>>AVG Free. It appears to work OK, but obvioulsy, you probably won't
>>>>>>know
>>>>>>if there's a virus or not if it can't detect it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>We used to run McAfee Virus Scan Ver 4.5. It was via work who had a
>>>>>>site
>>>>>>licence that allowed employees to make copies for home use. But when
>>>>>>we
>>>>>>went to Ver 7 at work, this licence no longer applies. SO, that's when
>>>>>>I
>>>>>>went to AVG.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The missus' Dell laptop had Norton's AV on it. But it seemed to be a
>>>>>>resource hog and when it expired 2 months after getting the laptop I
>>>>>>uninstalled it. I wasn't prepared to pay annual licence fees to run a
>>>>>>program that I've paid for. So, all the PCs now have AVG Free.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>What would be the best scanner out there, particularly the low cost or
>>>>>>free ones?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>--
>>>>>>If you can't beat your computer at chess... try kickboxing.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>I've been using Avast (Free) for quite a while with good results.
>>>>>You have to re-register it once a year to maintain the auto update but
>>>>>that's hardly a bother.
>>>>>Combined with MS Antispy and Sygate firewall (Both free) we've had no
>>>>>problems for ages.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>MS antispyware is shit. Hardly knows much at all. Run it on an infected
>>>>machine and let it get rid of what it finds then go run Adaware and
>>>>Spybot and watch how many MORE are found.
>>>>
>>>>Sygate is Swiss Cheese.
>>>
>>>I only use the software firewall to stop programs calling home, and
>>>Sygate does that effectively.
>>>
>>
>>It's Swiss Cheese. What you catch and what you don't see are quite a ways
>>apart.
>>
>
>
> I have a hardware firewall so as I said Sygate is only to stop certain
> programs from contacting home base.
> So far so good.
>
>
probably digging up an old thread here, but -
if you arent an absolute dumbshit, Norton is fine. Norton Internet
Security is probably the best av+firewall i've found, but it is a
resource hog for older machines. costs a bit, too.
if your current AV works fine, then stick with it.

[Ext User(MJT)]

Interested to know what virus scanners you guys use? I'm currently using
AVG Free. It appears to work OK, but obvioulsy, you probably won't know
if there's a virus or not if it can't detect it.

We used to run McAfee Virus Scan Ver 4.5. It was via work who had a site
licence that allowed employees to make copies for home use. But when we
went to Ver 7 at work, this licence no longer applies. SO, that's when I
went to AVG.

The missus' Dell laptop had Norton's AV on it. But it seemed to be a
resource hog and when it expired 2 months after getting the laptop I
uninstalled it. I wasn't prepared to pay annual licence fees to run a
program that I've paid for. So, all the PCs now have AVG Free.

What would be the best scanner out there, particularly the low cost or
free ones?




--
If you can't beat your computer at chess... try kickboxing.

[Ext User(Whatcher?)]

"MJT" <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:43c15e20.00007c4e.bm002@gmail.com...
> Interested to know what virus scanners you guys use? I'm currently using
> AVG Free. It appears to work OK, but obvioulsy, you probably won't know
> if there's a virus or not if it can't detect it.
>

My experience with it over many machines is:

1) The FREE edition hardly ever AUTO updates but then you expect that as you
didnt pay for it.

2) So long as it is kept updated, you are as safe using it as bought ones.

3) If you ever get a virus in, it is all but useless getting rid of it. You
have to pull the drive out and treat it as a slave to another machine in
order to get rid of it.

4) It picked up viruses that Nortons didnt about a month ago.

> We used to run McAfee Virus Scan Ver 4.5. It was via work who had a site
> licence that allowed employees to make copies for home use. But when we
> went to Ver 7 at work, this licence no longer applies. SO, that's when I
> went to AVG.
>

The only product from Mcafee I think is worth it these days is Virusscan.
Damned GOOD program.

> The missus' Dell laptop had Norton's AV on it. But it seemed to be a
> resource hog and when it expired 2 months after getting the laptop I
> uninstalled it. I wasn't prepared to pay annual licence fees to run a
> program that I've paid for. So, all the PCs now have AVG Free.
>

Apart from Nortons hogging things, I also found that it didnt always know it
was infected even when fully updated and working properly.

> What would be the best scanner out there, particularly the low cost or
> free ones?
>

Personally, I say that if you want to pay, get the best, Mcafee but if you
don't want to pay, stay where you are.

[Ext User(John_H)]

MJT wrote:

>Interested to know what virus scanners you guys use? I'm currently using
>AVG Free. It appears to work OK, but obvioulsy, you probably won't know
>if there's a virus or not if it can't detect it.

If detection rates are your concern F-Prot has long been the one to
beat.... http://antivirus.about.com/cs/beforeyoubuy/tp/aatpavwin.htm

Note that it doesn't come with firewall, antispam and online dating
service but OTOH it's almost affordable at US$25 p.a. Also has a very
small footprint -- unlike some of the resource hogs that don't have
anything like comparable detection rates.

It's probably not the best option for novice users though -- there's a
heap of no-brainers specifically designed for that.

You can also try it before you buy.

--
John H

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Whatcher? <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote
> MJT <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote

>> Interested to know what virus scanners you guys use? I'm currently
>> using AVG Free. It appears to work OK, but obvioulsy, you probably
>> won't know if there's a virus or not if it can't detect it.

> My experience with it over many machines is:

> 1) The FREE edition hardly ever AUTO updates

Bullshit.

> but then you expect that as you didnt pay for it.

More bullshit.

> 2) So long as it is kept updated, you are as safe using it as bought ones.

Yep, it just found one virus that VET didnt on one system.

> 3) If you ever get a virus in, it is all but useless getting rid of it.

Complete pig ignorant drivel.

> You have to pull the drive out and treat it as a slave to another machine in
> order to get rid of it.

Complete pig ignorant drivel.

> 4) It picked up viruses that Nortons didnt about a month ago.

And NAV does tend to get targetted by some viruses which disable it.

>> We used to run McAfee Virus Scan Ver 4.5. It was via work who had a site
>> licence that allowed employees to make copies for home use. But when we went
>> to Ver 7 at work, this licence no longer applies. SO, that's when I went to
>> AVG.

> The only product from Mcafee I think is worth it these days is Virusscan.
> Damned GOOD program.

Nothing special.

>> The missus' Dell laptop had Norton's AV on it. But it seemed to be a resource
>> hog and when it expired 2 months after getting the laptop I uninstalled it. I
>> wasn't prepared to pay annual licence fees to run a
>> program that I've paid for. So, all the PCs now have AVG Free.

> Apart from Nortons hogging things, I also found that it didnt always
> know it was infected even when fully updated and working properly.

Mainly because some viruses fuck it over.

>> What would be the best scanner out there, particularly the low cost or free
>> ones?

> Personally, I say that if you want to pay, get the best, Mcafee

It isnt the best.

> but if you don't want to pay, stay where you are.

[Ext User(Swampfox)]

"MJT" <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:43c15e20.00007c4e.bm002@gmail.com...
> Interested to know what virus scanners you guys use? I'm currently using
> AVG Free. It appears to work OK, but obvioulsy, you probably won't know
> if there's a virus or not if it can't detect it.
>
> We used to run McAfee Virus Scan Ver 4.5. It was via work who had a site
> licence that allowed employees to make copies for home use. But when we
> went to Ver 7 at work, this licence no longer applies. SO, that's when I
> went to AVG.
>
> The missus' Dell laptop had Norton's AV on it. But it seemed to be a
> resource hog and when it expired 2 months after getting the laptop I
> uninstalled it. I wasn't prepared to pay annual licence fees to run a
> program that I've paid for. So, all the PCs now have AVG Free.
>
> What would be the best scanner out there, particularly the low cost or
> free ones?
>
>
>
>
> --
> If you can't beat your computer at chess... try kickboxing.


I've been using Avast (Free) for quite a while with good results.
You have to re-register it once a year to maintain the auto update but
that's hardly a bother.
Combined with MS Antispy and Sygate firewall (Both free) we've had no
problems for ages.

[Ext User(Colin ®)]

"Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
news:43c17892$0$1049$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...


RE : AVG

> 1) The FREE edition hardly ever AUTO updates but then you expect that as
> you didnt pay for it.

Crap - the two I have update on first start every day without fail as does
Avast on this PC
Check the update settings

> 2) So long as it is kept updated, you are as safe using it as bought ones.


Agree

[Ext User(Pits)]

Colin ® wrote:
> "Whatcher?" <t.4.2@2.4.t> wrote in message
> news:43c17892$0$1049$61c65585@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>
>
> RE : AVG
>
>
>>1) The FREE edition hardly ever AUTO updates but then you expect that as
>>you didnt pay for it.
>
>
> Crap - the two I have update on first start every day without fail as does
> Avast on this PC
> Check the update settings
>
>
>>2) So long as it is kept updated, you are as safe using it as bought ones.
>
>
>
> Agree
>
>
My versions of avast and avg auto update and they are free.
No one has mentioned NOD32 yet why?