I reinstalled windows yesterday and I'm wondering what Antivirus program you would all suggest. All I want is antivirus that wont blog up my system and turn my computer into a vegetable.

I know that when it comes down to it its personal pref so let me know what you think.

I dont want the firewall or any other crap just the a lite antivirus that is updated and will scan my computer it doesnt even need to scan emails. Any suggestions guys, Norton just kills my sytems preformance.

edit - i'm already using Sygate Firewall and i like it a lot more then ZoneAlarm

Well, I was going to suggest Norton... but if that boggs up your system (?) then nevermind...

hehe i may end up with norton again if i cant find something better but like i said it really seems to slow down my computer and internet connection but i guess switching off the auto virus helps. Its not just my system norton is famous for this and with nav2004 internet connections slow down a lot for many people.

I like NOrton too.... but I can't use it on server 2k3

I was using Antivir for a little while and thought it was the best free antivirus. This thread reminded me of Avast! 4 so I looked through my downloads folder and it turns out I'd forgotten to install it.

Based upon the installation window it looks great but I'll have more information once I experiment around with it.

Based upon the # of downloads for each at MajorGeeks I definitely recommend Antivir. Although I think I'm going to favor Avast. Avast also includes a mail protection system.

Avast! Home Edition: 11389 Times
AntiVir Personal Edition 6.22.09.09 (Updated): 106295 Times

Many recommend AVG Free Edition...
AVG Free Edition 6.0 Build 563: 56906 Times

What about McAfee?

AVG is what I use. Haven't had any problems and it does not bog down the system at all. Norton and Mcafee do. Want proof besides the obvious slowdown? Open taskmanager then open a program. Watch as the norton or mcafee process jumpes to 75% cpu usage.

Ok i'll give AVG a try and see how that goes i'll probably update you all on how i find it sometime tonight or tomorrow.

I'm really liking Avast. As soon as you reboot you will enter a scan similar to XP's error checking scan. Although I tried bb's system resources % test. I tested the cpu usage jump by opening KL++; avast process was bumped up to 55% cpu usage 3/4 or so through load.

I'll have to give AVG a try as well. I've installed it once before but didn't test enough.

edit: I've just uninstalled avast! even after updating to latest version and installed AVG in it's place. AVG has the same functionality and uses less resources, trusting bb.

Now it's simply a matter of rebooting...

Ok so i'm using the free AVG antivirus prog right now did a scan it already picked up two files that mcafee didnt and fixed them up i dont know how Mcafee could have missed them but its running great taking minimum resources only slow down i had for about 3 seconds what when opening all my emails in Outlook... thank bb for the info i'll stay with this for now.

Anyone that doesnt like ZoneAlarm i suggest you check out Sygate firewall its working great for me and with some test i've done it seem a bit more secure but that could be fixed in the more recent versions of ZA.

The problem with anti-virus programs is that you have to keep closing them every time you want to play a game. Many anti-virus programs have loads of sub tasks which is annoying, using up more memory.
I use AVG Free Anti-Virus and I sometimes use a free online scan like TrendMicro to make sure its doing its job

yeah your right its annoying with games and when installing certain softare it can also get in the way... I'm using the same AntiVirus as you at the moment so far so good

I like norton but on this machine I use one called The Hacker. It works really well and my machine hasnt been infected once.

Nothing but good things to say about AVG from my comp fast reliable and free hmmm again a free ap is the best one I like this trend

Common knowledge that Norton 2k3 is a resource hog? Ok, I'm looking for tests now. I have NEVER on any system faster than a 300Mhz had a problem with Norton taking to much resources.

Checking out Neowin now.

I'm the guy that can get Windows XP on a Pentium 90, and make it work. Norton 2k3 takes less CPU threads than Windows XP on a P-90!

Ok, fine. If that's how it runs for you, then that's how it runs for you. I'll shut up now.

I first started a few other threads about what you all like I've used loads of different antivirus programs and here is what I think.

Norton - Mcafee are in the same bag as far as i'm concerned i've used both and they do seem to pick up all threats but the system resources they use make all my machines feel like they are being held back. (Bloated Software) The latest 2004 release by Norton killed my internet connection by half with the nav.

AVG - I've been using AVG for a few days but when I got a virus that it warned me about and then couldn't find it in the scan i was a bit worried. After some research and help from you guys I found out that it was most likely due to the system restore option in windows xp that had to be turned off.

Now finally after that I had to assume that AVG took care of the virus but since i never got a confirmation i wanted to make sure so i did a few more scans still nothing with AVG. I went ahead and decided to get try out Panda Titanium Antivirus 2004 as someone suggested to me.

Note: AVG is still a good antivirus in my book

Easily installed did a scan and it found 5 infected files. It run with minimal system resources just as AVG does but its not free. Panda software is probably the best antivirus I've test till now and i'm thinking of sticking with it for now. I'll probably write a review for it later this month.

I've also tested F-Secure but i would only recommend it for administrators of a network or advanced users.

Not sure why it picked up more virus that AVG ignored maybe they aren't serious but just using this program today I already prefer it to all the others.

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I don't know about Norton, I have a friend and he tried norton pro 2004 and it didn't take up much resources at all...

his boot times where a little longer than usual but norton hadn't slowed him down at all...

this is very impressive considering the fact that he only has 112 MBs of RAM along with an Athlon XP 2000+

I am actually looking into the one actz suggested but has anyone had experience with PC-Cillin? TechTV recommends it so I am not sure.

EditL I made a HUGE mistake in this thread. I should have been saying all along that Norton 2k4 is a beast and that 2k3 is ok. My bad.

I've got PC-Cillin. I'm happy with it! But for those of you who like to send my your webcam feed and it keeps failing... say hello to my problem. I have that firewall up! ^^= But I must say, I like that program more than any of the other anti-viruses that I've had the pleasure/displeasure of having!

I was going to test this one out after I installed Panda but then i decided to just stick with it for the low resource usage and for the fast scan.

Norton 2003 never slowed down my computer much just maybe while booting up but 2004 like i mentioned turned my machine into a trunip. Slowing down my internet connection by half I couldnt really live with that for long.

I've heard some good things about PC-Cillin as we said earlier it comes down to personal pref. Just one thing that i dont like to see on my anitvirus software are options like > URL Filtering and Parental Control > Spyware Protection

I dont need URL filtering and I have spybot for spyware but i'm sure you can turn them off.

I've been using AVG and it seems to be working fine. The only problem I had was a few crashes when I first installed it but that was most likely due to the Bootvis setup that had started before the AVG scan and update had.

Highly recommended. I'm still trying to get Panda Titanium Antivirus 2004 though.

I was trying to read up on Panda. I am still not certain whether I want to give up AVG or not. However, i found this site and I am thinking I should just stick with AVG.

http://www.anti-virus-software-review.com/index.html

If you check the link you will see that panda is rated the lowest but all the options that it doesnt have is the reason i like it the most. I dont want a password on it, webmail/ i use pop3, Instant Messenging Protection, Integrated Firewall (I use Sygate Pro), Automatic Demand Scan (no thanks), Automatic Program Updates (thanks i'll just push the button manualy), Phone support (never called support for software in my life)... I think a lot of the options that they striped are the main reasons why it run so smoothly on my PC.

Here's the rule that will often times get you in trouble but that I find myself using sometimes. Most expensive = best and I know for a fact this is not always the case; sometimes I break into this habit though.

Point well taken, actz, all the "features" you mentioned above seem rather ridiculous and useless.

Its stuff like support that they take points off and silly automatic stuff that will end up interfering in whatever your doing. If i'm in a game and it decides to do a full scan on all 3 hd come on give me a break i do one every day anyways when i want to.

But its still a great link to see all the features that are important to you if i found this site earlier i would have tried panda before the others. Thats just me some of those features may be important to some and Panda wont be for everyone.

Well I use AVG7 so it's a little better than 6. I probably should have mentioned that at the start but, let's just say, my mind has been elsewhere lately. I like the ability of AVG7 to automatically update it's definitions, but, it's not like Mcafee or Norton, it only checks for an update once a day. Some people probably only want that, but I would prefer to be as up to date as possible especially with some of the more nasty virii out there.

Also, I have managed to stay squeaky clean in part to the fact that I am behind a router with a NAT firewall. That helps keep me from ever getting infected.

just to remind people automatic definition upgrade it does have... its the auto program update it doesnt Mcafee and Norton dont either. So it will download and update all the new definitions as soon as they are released.

ClamAv.

Simply superb.

Low resource, excellent detection - faster threat response than anything already mentioned: as proven by the released definitions to combat the most recent worm threats.

I love trying new software especialy if they are GPL but how do they get their funding for the project to keep it updated like that? Never heard of ClamAv but i'm checking it out now.

It might be worthwhile / interesting in linking to them?!

btw - win32 release is implemented using Cygwin Compatibility Layer.

- unsure of win32 functionality, but tbh most win users should start to familiarise themselves with unix devs for at least e-mail clients, and server administration. This is an excellent example programme.

Cygwin Download

I would recommend going to the homepage first though,
Cygwin Homepage.


Clam Av Download Binaries:

Win32 dev Homepage

Win32 Binary

ahh... I just stick with the ol' Norton Anti-Virus.. gets the job done.. lol

After uninstallation of Norton IS 2002 I noticed a huge performance boost (Intel Celeron 733mhz w/ 319mb ram).

I somehow or another missed Milk's recommendation of ClamAv but I'm sure this will replace AntiVir as soon as I get home. You have to love GPL. :w00t: It didn't say anything about automatic updates on the main page so I checked under FAQ:

Right now I am using AVG 7 pro ... seems to be working well

i had NAV 2004, but it really slowed down my system. Im using the free one that came wit the MS Feb 2004 update CD - EZ AV. Its crappy, but itll do till i get my hands on NAV 2003.

Yea.. I HATE NAV ... one of the biggest resource - hogging software I know of.. especially NAV 2004.

im looking at this one - Bit defender, i wonder how good it is...

.. I've heard it's pretty good.. not that popular though..

avast!