Which Antivirus & Antispyware?

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Gambit2008

Weaksauce
Joined
Apr 3, 2008
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Hi guys..

I am building a new PC and have not previously had AV software on my PC. With the new PC i really want it to run perfectly with no problems (and obviously no viruses lol).

Which one would you recommend (apart form AVG as i do not really like that)? I was looking at Kaspersky but also heard good things about the free ones Avast! and Avira.

Also what antispyware..or should i just get the all i one?

Thanks
 
Avira AntiVir + SuperAntiSpyware or PCTools ThreatFire Free edition are the best combo.
 
NOD32, no antispyware.

Browse with Firefox + NoScript, and a couple other add-ons, and life is good.

Defender, Ad Aware, Spybot all installed for scans that I run every 6-8 weeks, but nothing really to worry about.

And of course, HiJackThis just to make sure all is well.
 
NOD32, for AV duties only.. Eset Smart Security is the latest package product and has NOD32 v3 in it as well as a great firewall and proper spyware/malware detection and removal tools as well. If not Smart Security, then...

Windows Defender, for spyware/malware duties. I've done tests on heavily "infested" (not infected) spyware/malware virtual machines I have set up for just this kind of testing and SuperAntiSpyware ended up at the bottom of the list - in one test it didn't detect one damned thing while other products picked up thousands of issues. I really don't see what's supposed to be so "Super" about such a product, but that's just me I suppose.

A proper browser, meaning IE7 at the bare minimum, and probably Firefox with NoScript or some other addons for protection. Scripting is where almost all the infestations of malware happen these days, and NoScript definitely helps considerably in that respect.

All the other products for malware/spyware... I can't stand any of 'em, and none of 'em are worth whatever cost they have associated to them in my opinion. Just 'cause it's free don't mean it's worth the bandwidth needed to download it, or the time and disk space to install it. ;)
 
One of the best preventions of browser hacks (whether from the internet or installed by malicious software) is to use a Sandbox and run your internet browser in it.
When something goes titsup, delete the sandbox and you are back to the default config again.

I use Sandboxie
http://www.sandboxie.com
It has come in sooo handy, my XP install is fresh as a daisy after 1/2 year (and I abuse it), never had that before.

You can test install new software into the sandbox and then virus/malware scan it. Delete when finished.
This way you can find any malware that hides inside installers, either encrypted or password protected etc.
 
Gotta love that tagline: "Trust no program."

Sorry, but Sandboxie is a program, hence, it's vulnerable to attacks just the same. Funny how that works, ain't it?
 
There's a fine line between absolute security and usability. I don't store any highly sensitive info on my desktop and I never save passwords (Except for apps like Firefox that have a master password option). I have good antivirus and antispyware software installed, I use Firefox with Adblock Plus, Windows firewall enabled, Windows Defender running, and I don't run any old script I find on theseladiesarehotandhorny.com. I take regular Ghost images of my machine and if somehow my PC gets infected, I can revert to the last image. It really isn't that difficult to practice safe computing, but you also don't need to make it any harder than it needs to be.
 
I knew someone would bring up that A-d-b-l-o-c-k thing... it's against the rules to discuss it or even mention you're using it regardless of how you may or may not have it set up.

Having said that, my recommendations from earlier still stand:

NOD32 + Windows Defender + a proper browser with spyware/malware blocking/detection/etc... sandboxing is beyond the means and cares of most average users... Just not us average Joes ;)
 
Well most antivirus programs are really too expensive for my tastes nowadays so I went with AVG. It's free, comes with spyware detection but no firewall. AVG has found things that my $60 copy of TrendMicro PC-Cillin 2007 couldn't detect. Trend Micro wanted me to resign up for 60 bucks when I could have just bought the CD again off newegg for 40 bucks. I really don't understand them trying to rip me off like that but whatever.

I've heard Avast was alright. I used it only for a few days so I really couldn't give you any real feedback on it but my buddy loves it. It's also free.
 
Antivir Classic * Superantispyware * Spywareblaster

All free and work awsome together:cool:
 
BitDefender + Spybot
Avira Antivir + Spybot + Threatfire
AVG Free + Spybot + Threatfire
Avast Home + Spybot

That's what I have in some of the computers I use.
 
i roll with AVG free + spybot + spyware blaster

between the 3 i pick-up just about every threat...
 
I ran NOD32 but ever since 3.0 came out i don't like it. It missed a Virus which AVG picked up so im using AVG (paid version) 8.0 now.
 
Joe Average said:
NOD32, for AV duties only.. Eset Smart Security is the latest package product and has NOD32 v3 in it as well as a great firewall and proper spyware/malware detection and removal tools as well. If not Smart Security, then...
Click to expand...
I was under the impression (And can't find anything to lead my opinion elsewhere on Eset's site) that all the Smart Security did was give you firewall+spam.
The NOD32 Anti-Virus already contains virus+malware protection.

The only folks that would benefit from ESS are XP users, IMO... As Vista's defenses are very capable.
Spam- well... smartly manage your email address and it'll never be an issue.

bboynitrous said:
Well most antivirus programs are really too expensive for my tastes nowadays so I went with AVG. It's free, comes with spyware detection but no firewall. AVG has found things that my $60 copy of TrendMicro PC-Cillin 2007 couldn't detect.
Click to expand...
IMO, if you haven't tried NOD32, you haven't gotten a good feel for a "paid" version of a good AV.
Take Norton for example. You still pay for that, but it's still shit.



IMO there are no decent free AV out there.
Tried AVG, tried Avira, tried Avast... None of them beat NOD32.


I'm someone who, in general, likes free software. Most free software is quite capable of the paid software out there, but nothing comes close to NOD32.
 
Thanks guys..i decided to get Kaspersky Internet security 7.0...will i need (or do you recommend) anitspyware/spam or firewall programs or is this fine by itself?

I took your advice guys about nod32..only problem was that over here in the UK it is quite expensive to purchase...and the kaspersky worked out to be half the price.
 
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