What is the best home virus scanner? - Page 3

asawadude · #21 04-14-2009, 05:22 PM

After years of stupidly paying for antivirus and firewall software, I've been using nothing but the freebie stuff for the past 4 years and it works well, if not better, than the usual Symantec and McAffee bloatware.

Once or twice a year, I'll look at product comparison websites to see what's out there.

Anti-virus: AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Welcome to AV-Comparatives.org
Firewall: Home PC Firewall Guide

The freeware that I use:

Anti-Virus:
Avast! Home Edition on two computers
Avira AntiVir Personal on two other computers

Firewall:
Comodo Firewall on all 4 computers

Spyware:
Spybot Search & Destroy

Much of this freeware is very well written and uses alot less memory than the internet security suites sold at the retail level.

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E61Silver · #22 04-14-2009, 05:46 PM

Should you run Anti Virus on Mac, what do you recommend?

X509 · #23 04-14-2009, 05:53 PM

I would recommend NOD32, or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Both work great and are what use @ home.

I used to run Kaspersky, but it is really bloated and is a memory-hog. NOD32 runs much smoother IMO.

Wagner · #24 04-14-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

Should you run Anti Virus on Mac, what do you recommend?

You're hijacking the thread.

E61Silver · #25 04-14-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wagner

You're hijacking the thread.

The title is : What is the best home virus scanner?

How would this be a hijack?

Wagner · #26 04-14-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

The title is : What is the best home virus scanner?

How would this be a hijack?

Are you kidding, because he is talking about PC's and specifically mention 'no' to Macs. Post your own thread

brian5 · #27 04-14-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wagner

Are you kidding, because he is talking about PC's and specifically mention 'no' to Macs. Post your own thread

I was waiting to see if you would even respond

I can go eat dinner now...

Wagner · #28 04-14-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian5

I was waiting to see if you would even respond

I can go eat dinner now...

haha. it is a constant battle.

Dannyell · #29 04-14-2009, 06:29 PM

I have used Kaspersky Anti-Virus for a few years now on the home network and laptop as well without any problems...I would recommend that..There are just too many choices, and depending on what exactly you are looking for, there really isn't a 'best' in all categories...

Had Norton a few years back, but I felt the PC was too slow ...

E61Silver · #30 04-14-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haigha

I haven't recommended Symantec or McAfee for years. They have become bloated and a liability.

The one I currently use is Eset NOD32.

NOD32 Antivirus Protection for Your PC: Antivirus for Windows XP and more

IMO, you don't need the suite just the AV/AS part. I use Microsoft's Forefront security too although I don't recommend it for home users and I don't recommend MSFT's bloated OneCare solution (which they're withdrawing anyway).

And I'm sure the clueless Mactards will come in saying their system is more secure. I'm not putting all Mac users in this category. Just the ones that are blindly ignorant on security.

Macs Aren’t Safer, Just a Smaller Target - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com

Mac Security Part II: It’s a Numbers Game - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com

And they'll probably have comprehension issues with these articles like the Macbois in the comments section do. So to summarize:

- Vista had about the same number of serious vulnerabilities as OS X last year (28 vs 27).

- It is true that the Mac is not yet a big target for malware. Some experts say it will be when its marketshare reaches 17% to 20% . So you won't see Mac malware headlines in the news like the recent ones about Conficker (which wasn't an issue if you patched your system with free Windows updates which were first available last October).

- If you have a Mac and visit questionable site (porn, warez, codec pack and generally "too good to be true" offers), you are vulnerable to malware.

- If you don't have AV/AS software, you don't know if you have malware on your system. Most modern malware tries to hide itself and use your system for the malware writers profit rather than damage your system to make it not boot, etc.

- Even with malware detection, you aren't safe from phishing and some other types of online scams on either platform.

Funny he talked about the need for Macs here, I think your just trying to stir the Windows/MAC pot. Which was not my intent.

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