anti-virus free or paid?

ss4

I am currently using avg free anti virus 7.5. I know that support for this ends in the near future so i'm considering what anti-virus product to use. The simple option would be to upgrade to avg 8 but i've heard mixed reviews about this. Also i've seen on other sites that people say avg misses a lot and you don't realise this until you've tried something else.

Looking around I have seen many options: Avira Anti-Vir, Avast, BitDefender, ClamWin etc. but I would like to hear people reviews and whether I should go with avg 8 or one of the others.

I have looked around the web and seen that kaspersky is highly recommended by many as a paid antivirus, so i'm willing to consider that. I want to know if I should change to another free antivirus or pay for kaspersky internet security?

[Deleted User]

Can I suggest you read these threads first...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1388535&highlight=antivirus
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1382287&highlight=antivirus
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1380295&highlight=antivirus
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1369497&highlight=antivirus
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1360867&highlight=antivirus
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1353973&highlight=antivirus

Millionaire

I use Eset Smart Security(Nod32) Paid for on my Windows Machine, but I got it in multiple user licence and split the cost so worked out around £18.

Don't use anything on my Mac.

Marty_J

Kapersky, NOD32, and Avira AntiVir (both the free and paid for versions) are all very good.

Like Millionaire, I don't use anything on my Mac.

DCFC79

I use avira and its good, i also use avast on the laptop and its also fine, i dont see why you should pay for it when theres free software available but its up to you in the end what you do

DatabaseError

I'm using comodo (the only one I know of with a free 64bit firewall) All seems good, if a little intrusive (I install quite a bit of software, and the firewall is a bit keen).
I suppose the real test is to check the drives with another AV solution and see what (if anything) gets picked up, might try that tomorrow as I don't think I've protected the W7 installation yet with anything, so I could throw avira on it.

free4440273

Avast here and its Corporate package (Server Edition) for our network:)

Unstoppable_2

DCFC79 wrote: »

i dont see why you should pay for it when theres free software available but its up to you in the end what you do

Because the free versions do not do realtime scanning of the current most common method of infection.

gjchester

Marty_J wrote: »

Like Millionaire, I don't use anything on my Mac.

I know Mac's are pushed as virus proof (and even by Apple themselves) but that is just a plain daft practice.

The following link is from someone at Sophos who do sell Antivirus software, so you could say they have a vested interest in pushing AV software.

http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2008/12/02/do-you-really-need-anti-virus-on-your-apple-mac/

However knowing the source doesn't change the facts, Macs DO get Virus's and they can trash your system or steal your data just as well as a PC virus can. Remember the first computer virus was on the Apple II, and don't forget the fact there are Flash and Java based virus out there means it can be platform independant to some degree. Your Mac may not get that Windows Virus but you could be pushing infected files out to your contacts and computer on your home network.

sweetstudent

I would recomend f-Secure internet security, you can pick up cheap oem's on eBay, i found it has the lowest impacce on computer performance!!!

Now I use a Mac, so i feel more protected.......

knowledgepower1

I had problems with avast on my Vista business, it kept on blocking my internet connection.I uninstalled it and went for AVIRA...it works perfect and detected some infections avast didnt pick.