Computer question: How confident are you in your AV protection?

[PersonaNonGrata]

This is not meant to be a Mac vs. PC thing and I know that the Mac people will tout their near invincibility to viruses, spyware, malware, etc, and I don't want to debate that. (Disclosure: I am writing this on my MacBook while my main PC is being scanned... again.)

What are you using for anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware protection? How confident are you in their effectiveness? What other measures do you take? Any recommendations?

I ask this because my main PC got hit with some malware and I'm trying to deal with it. I use AVG and that detected the threats and supposedly removed them. Not feeling totally confident, I downloaded [URL="http://malwarebytes.org/"Malwarebytes[/URL] because it has many positive reviews. That detected some stuff and supposedly removed it. As of right now, that PC is coming up clean. I also use HijackThis but don't always understand the results.

[LVR]

I stay away from Internet Explorer (Firefox) and Outlook (thunderbird) and use Kasperskey...... actually haven't had a problem for some years now, and that includes all my employee computers also...

Cheers


J

[SuperGreg]

AVG for my PC, nothing on my Mac

[TwinsPoppa]

First, no one anti-virus/anti-malware package will completely protect you. You want to use combinations of packages and techniques. You can minimize greatly your chances and this will protect most users. You also need to do regular scans - both quick scans and full scans. However, even with real-time protections things will get through eventually.

With that out of the way.

I recommend Kaspersky Internet Security which includes anti-virus but also has pop-up blocking, real-time protection, etc.

I also use Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware which is similar to Kaspersky.

On top of those I use Trojan Remover from Simply Super Software.

When those cannot detect/clean something totally, I search on the web and you usually have to follow some procedures using certain software and sometimes manual removal. You WILL have to do this eventually.

RootRepeal is excellent in telling you what's going on hidden from you and Windows. It shows hidden files, processes, etc. Powerful simple tool but, as always, be careful - you can make things worse.

Most people usually won't get nasty true viruses like trojans - though they will eventually. Usually its more a problem with MS Word macro viruses, spam/malware/adware stuff.

Good luck!

- Jose

[x52006]

I just spent two days trying to get rid of Malware on my PC, what a pain. My next computer is going to be a MAC.

[motordavid]

PNG/K,
Admittedly, a very LowTech 'puter person here...but, also very
paranoid about my system.
-Currently run Norton 2009, (reviewed well by PC Mag), and as I've
had Norton for several years, (with mixed usage results), I have
to say this is their best effort:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330018,00.asp

-A techie friend turned me on to free AdAware by LavaSoft a few
years ago, which I used and liked, for adware, spyware, etc. I recently
free up'd to their "Anniversary Edition", which is faster, smoother
and even less intrusive:
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-Ann...-10045910.html

-I run CC Cleaner every day, at end of day, just to clear out cache and
junk and Reg smoothing.

-I still have Spybot, but run it seldom, as I think my other prophylactics above, do a better job.

Also run a router from my ComCrap very high speed internet connection...

Do I think those above are the best or, better than other suggestions?
Dunno...sort of like asking what's your fave convertible.

But, I like what I have, I know how to make the sumbitches work well,
I don't average a virus a year, and I feel better with those systems in
place.
GL,mD LowTech, in a HighTech Worl'

[ravenheart]

We have a small home network - and we dont use AV software. Haven't had issues in years. I try to avoid sites/software that are likely to cause problems and run firewalls, both on routers and PC's. I've never experienced a AV package that doesn't interfere with daily use - so I would rather risk it.

Occasionally I'll run a online virus scan - and when we have a problem, like the lsass virus (or whatever it was called) I either format or apply a fix if available.

The way I see it, there is nothing on any of our PC's that are that sensitive - and if a picture of my bumm was 'leaked' I pity the fool who downloads it

[haigha]

I use Microsoft Forefront and Defender on Vista with Windows Firewall on the two computers that are used regularly.

On Windows 7, which I'm testing on my TabletPC and in a VMware Workstation VM, I'm just running Defender without AV since I am not using using the machine for much Internet access and only with a few known applications.

IMO, there are four things that most users need to know:

1. Do not install software from an untrusted source. This includes:

- any pop-ups claiming that you are infected and need to install the cleaning software

- pirated software

- codec packs

2. Turn off AutoPlay for all drives (CD/DVD/BD/USB).

3. Never open attachments from an untrusted source.

4. Keep your computer up-to-date with Microsoft Update and updates for any anti-malware you are using with the automatic update settings enabled.

For home users, as long as you follow the above guidelines, I recommend AVG Free or Avast, with Defender along with the Windows Firewall.

For most home users, Gmail is a good email solution. It has the best spam filters I've seen, has malware protection and provides lots of storage.

[E61Silver]

I use IAntiVirus on my Mac.

[blondboinsd]

I have a Mac, no need for anti-virus :P My PC side of the Mac used Norton, it's been fine, I run a check every week or so