Tech: Antivirus software

Subject: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 01:05 AM

Not too long ago somebody mentioned an antivirus program that was leaner and faster than Norton Antivirus, but just as effective (not McAfee, either). I suspect NAV is one reason my computer gets so slow sometimes, and I'd like to try a different program. I can't find the thread, though. I tried searching for "virus", "antivirus", "anti-virus", and "protection" so I guess the thread was originally about something different. Does anybody remember what the program was? (I imagine everybody will chime in with his or her favorite, and I'm hoping I'll recognize the one I was looking for, or else I'll find another one that I like.)

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Gurney
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 02:14 AM

I use Etrust, from Computer Associates. I'm not sure that I've ever had a virus or worm in the last 3 years, or whether my problems can be laid at Microsoft's door.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: John O'L
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 02:22 AM

I use Vet from Computer Associates (now called eTrust vet) and like Gurney have not had an infection in nearly 4 years.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 02:32 AM

I use AVG (its free) and does its job perfectly with constant online updates.

I also use noadware (which is not very expensive) and that is brilliant for getting rid of parasites.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:10 AM

I use AVG free on my Win setups and am very happy with it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Nick
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:19 AM

I also use AVG at home and work with no hassles

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:56 AM

Not sure if it's the same as AVG, but I've used Avast AntiVirus for some time. It appears to be quite effective.

http://www.avast.com

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: pyewacket
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 07:59 AM

My Computer builder put me unto Panda Antivirus several years ago and it has performed flawlessly. It now includes a great firewall.
Trend Micro also offers a super spyware finder. It is the best I have used and often finds things that my "paid for " Spy Sweeper misses.   
http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/
Trend also has a free antivirus scan that my local shop uses as an excellent everday tool. Go to home page for the virus scan.
(Google...Trend Micro)

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:17 AM

Pyewacket
Trends free antivirus is great and you check your machine live. Occasioannly I go to that site and do a check, because it does pick up things that others don't.

a href="http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/">http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/

Look at popular resources and you will see both available.

They willcheck your machine whilst logged in. There is nothing to worry about - this sight can be trusted

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:01 AM

There is nothing to worry about - this sight can be trusted

It's a shame that your basic literacy can't.. (this sight indeed)

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:04 AM

LOL
I stand humbly corrected. Apologies.

Site it will be then :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:11 AM

A truly sorry site this...

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: mooman
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:15 AM

I use eTrust (Computer Associates) on the networked system I manage (as a "free gift" in addition to my proper job!) at work. On my PC portable I use V-Com Fixit Utilities 5 which includes an excellent anti-virus that updates automatically nearly every day plus a number of other useful utilities. It is relatively inexpensive compared to the better-known programs and just as good if not better IMHO. I've also installed Panda (mentioned above) on a friend's machine which seems pretty reliable.

At home I use a Mac with a firewall and have never had a virus problem in years!

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Ross
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:17 AM

A sight for sore eyes?

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:18 AM

JmC, AVG is made by Girsoft - different thing.

Here is a link to the AVG Free Edition.

Like Villan, I have also been known to use the trend online scan. It is certainly worth knowing about if you want a "second opinion".

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:20 AM

AVG got an excellent review in my paper yesterday, which didn't surprise me, as I have used it for several years. They said it (and 'Avast') often do better than the paid subscription types...Norton, McAfee...etc..

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:23 AM

For Linux BTW, I'm trying Clam at the moment.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Ross
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 10:51 AM

Sorry all wrong - it was an optician

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:11 AM

Thanks, all--it was AVG. I'll check it out, along with the others mentioned. I feel a bit like I'm abandoning an old friend, though...I've been a Norton customer since 1985 when I used The Norton Utilities on my Epson Equity I. Stick it in the b: drive and away you go!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:19 AM

I'm still looking for my most recent ref on AV programs, but in the meantime:

An excellent, and extensive, article on security in general is at Maximum Security: 94 Essential Tips for Staying Safe , 11.02.05, By Michael J. Steinhart , PC Magazine.

For easier reading, click the "Print" button on the first page. I'd link the print version directly but they seem to block direct access.

There are no specific recommendations for AV programs in the article, but lots of tips – at least a few of which may be helpful to most anyone – and a good place to run through current reccomended practices.

The Last Paragraph of this rather long article does list:

Free Virus Scanners:
Trend Micro Housecall (housecall.trendmicro.com)
McAfee Free Scan (us.mcafee.com, registration required)
Symantec Security Check (security.symantec.com)
RAV AntiVirus (www.ravantivirus.com/scan)
Panda ActiveScan (www.pandasoftware.com/activescan, registration required)
Computer Associates (www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx, download required)
Avast! (www.avast.com, registration required)
Kaspersky Antivirus (www.kaspersky.com/scanforvirus, upload required)
GrisSoft AVG (www.grisoft.com/doc/40/lng/ww)
Norman Antivirus (www.norman.com , 30-day trial)

[links immediately above are copied from the article, but I didn't verify all of them at time of post. See article if I messed any up.]

The above are "known reliable" places where you can get a scan of your machine, and in some cases of an individual "suspicious file." They generally are all AV program makers, so perhaps the names alone will suggest that great program that's being sought.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 01:05 PM

Great timing on this thread, Mark! I'm working with a family transplanted from Louisiana who simply don't have the money for a new computer but the old one needs major help. I'll be replacing the hard drive, reinstalling the OS (WinME--horrible thing, but I have updated drivers now from Gateway that will help a little) and these programs that BillD and others have been talking about for several years.

Ironic, if they just had the money to buy a new Operating System program, they'd be about half-way to buying a whole new computer. [sigh]

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 03:39 PM

SRS, maybe get them to try Linux. I downloaded Ubuntu the other day, burnt a CD and put it on my Lattitude C800 laptop. If O/S and other software costs are a consideration, it is seriously worth looking at least at the live CD (runs from CD no install as such) to get an idea what it is like. If suitable, you get a complete Office Suite (Open Office) and all sorts of other bits on the CD to start you off. Plus it's current and supported, unlike some (not sure the status of ME) MS OS's.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 04:40 PM

I use a Mac and therefore am immune to viruses, but my PC using friends recommend AVG,

hope it helps
LL

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Tootler
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 04:47 PM

I too had problems with Norton slowing the computer down and changed to AVG. The free edition is fine and updates regularly.

I use spybot to deal with adware.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:03 PM

I use a Mac and therefore am immune to viruses

Less at risk, yes, but I don't buy "immune" for any system.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:16 PM

I thought about Linux and did some asking around, but we're talking about someone who has only a passing familiarity with the machine's functions as dictated by software. Learning a new OS would be a lot of work on top of all that she is doing to coordinate 20 family members who relocated to North Texas in one fell swoop.

I'll be setting up bookmarks in her browsers and leaving instructions on how to download updates, but I think I'd drive them away from using their computer if I make too many changes. The active desktop in ME is (in my experience) unstable, so I need to set it so they can do all of these things from a list of links, not icons, like I use most of the time myself. For now, just getting it up and running is what she needs.

I may set up a little partition in my own computer just to try out Linux. I've been meaning to do that for a while now. (I had two bootable partitions in my last computer, and doing that has some drawbacks, but nothing unmanageable.)

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:30 PM

Thanks for the reply SRS. You may have missed what I'm suggesting though - the live CD to see if it looks as if it might be promising and user friendly enough for them.

I think my biggest "thing" I have with Linux these days gets less and less from usability in terms of needing knowledge but I don't find programs start up as quick on older machines when graphical desktops (needed unless you are a "nerd"!) like KDE, Gnome are involved. Oddly enough, in that sort of area, I do like Win2K pro - seems lighter weight and more reliable than 98 or 95 but doesn't (as I've heard reported - not really used it) require what I've seen said about some XP setups - ie. great providing you have....

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 06:37 PM

(in alt.comp.freeware, the 'try everything once' folks are recommending 'Mepis' linux...they say it is quite easy to install and has good GUI....I may try one of these when I get my courage up)

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 07:17 PM

Bill, I've not come across that one but if it anything like the Ubuntu Live one you don't need courage. Try it (without installing anything) - and if you don't like it, bin it.

(Although Pip likes CDs for bird scarers in the summer so I guess you could send a wasted CD to her ;-) )

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Hen Harrier
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 07:55 PM

I was using Grisoft AVG Free Edition which was OK until I started getting Trojan Horse infections, so have now upgraded to plus Firewall Edition (on 1 months free trial). It seems to be doing the job EXCEPT it sometimes slows down my clunky old Dell Windows 95 (upgraded to 98) PC owing to lack of disk space!

To purchase the Firewall Edition costs €67.68.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:06 PM

Back to AV issues,... A big player in the game is YOU - and I can't always (though mostly I can) hold my own had up there (I hate it but stupidity is far from beyond me even if only once in a while)

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Don Firth
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:17 PM

I dunno about this. . . .

I would have to be awfully darned convinced that there was something better out there before I'd swap Norton antivirus software for anything else. I've been using it since I first went on the internet (I used Norton Utilities before then, and still do) and I've never been nailed by a virus. I have the Norton Internet Security suite, including firewall, loaded on our desktop, and both Barbara and I have it on our HP notebooks. To avoid conflicts, I disabled the Windows XP firewall and use the Norton one, which monitors two-way traffic, not just incoming. Also, we're broadband and wireless, well secured (I had a friend who writes books on home wireless systems set us up). We do most of our internet surfing with our HP notebooks, and Norton has stopped a whole bunch of viruses and various other attacks and attempted intrusions (it usually lets you know when this happens—little screen pops up). I periodically check with Shields-Up and a couple of other sites and have them probe, and they can't find our computers. Stealth mode.

I haven't noticed any tendency for NAV to slow our computers down—except when it automatically updates the virus definitions. This happens every few days, and sometimes, if the nasties are out and about, maybe twice in one day. But it only slows down for a couple of minutes, at the same time letting me know that it's updating the definitions. I figure that's a pretty small price to pay for the protection.

Are you sure it's NAV that's causing the slow-down?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:24 PM

Myy own feeling Don is that the "big" AV packages grab too much control to the point of them being annoyances and "controllers" themselves (can we see a parity in life there?). I don't know though and would be interested in other views.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:32 PM

I wouldn't use Norton or McAfee if my life depended on it...

AVG all the way, baby!

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:46 PM

I had MacAfee AV and renewed the thing till I ran out of cash. It sat around for a while, then I removed it and put on AVG. It pulled out hundreds of registry entries, nearly a thousand, and the machine before I installed AVG ran noticeably faster. (P133 64Mb)

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:57 PM

I tried putting an up-to-date NAV on my old Win 98 laptop and it essentially ground to a halt. It was ready to retire anyway, so I took NAV off and took the computer off of the internet access. Now it's for resident applications and solitaire and lives in my son's room.

Sorry I didn't address that suggestion about the test CD, Jon. Actually, that might be a good one for me to try on my computer, since I'd like to see how it works. When I was looking for information about the Linux sites out there I found the following: http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=02/03/09/1727250. Lots of great info.

I'll see about burning one for me to look at, then go from there.

Meanwhile, let me ask a real simple question. Does Linux run the MS productivity software? Do the files generated in MS productivity software easily move into the Linux-based programs?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Beer
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:36 PM

I wouldn't use Norton as well. I have friends that have nothing but trouble with it. Then My sister and brother in law swear by it. Maybe the answer is if it works for you then why change. I use the following and I run a scan once every two weeks.
Ad-Ware Se
Ewido
Spybot
AVG
I just finished running the Trend Micro Housecall and I think I will in the future as well. It didn't find any problems though.

Off the subject a little. Someone told me that I should use Mozilla FireFox as my search engine and to drop Internet Explorer. The reason being that FireFox is safer. Well. I used it for about a week then decided that I wanted to go back to Internet Explorer. So I deleted all of the FireFox files and now I have a problem.
   
When I receive an e-mail and it has a internet site to go to in the message area, I cannot open it. I tried and tried and it won't work. So just by chance I downloaded FireFox again and presto. No problem. So now I have Firefox in my hard drive taking up space and I'm not happy.
Thanks for the listen and enjoy your thread Mark
Beer

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 10:16 PM

Beer...sounds like you have some default set to look for Firefox, and if it isn't there, things get awkward ☺. If you MUST use IE..*tsk*, you need to tell IE that it is again your preferred browser....and maybe your email can be told to open IE when it look for a URL.....it is just a matter of locating the menus where these setting are.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Beer
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 10:20 PM

Thanks Bill.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 12:10 AM

Again the tired old advice.

Even if you use another browser, Windows uses IE for bunches of internal stuff, so you should still keep up to date with IE security patches and updates.

Using another browser may lessen your outward exposure, but any unpatched holes in IE can still be exploited if something does get on your machine. And browsing isn't the only route for crudware.

The article I linked at 28 Nov 05 - 11:19 AM assumes that everyone has good AV, and talks mostly about all the other things you should know about if you want to stay as safe as one can. I'd recommend at least a quick scan, if you can find the time.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Ravenheart
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 02:25 AM

I use NOD32 antivirus from Eset; it runs well, is rated very effective, and makes very light demands on your system. It's said to be written in assembly language.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: mooman
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 03:41 AM

Due to continual problems with Micro*%$$ocks server software I installed Linux server software on our netwok with embedded Micro*%$$ocks "virtual machines" (so the user sees no practical difference and can run their usual stuff). No major server problems since and the advantage is the open source nature of and expertise community on Linux should anything need patching.

I have had very bad experiences with Norton and have converted lots of friends machines from it, not without difficulty on occasion.

Peace

moo
(full-time biologist and spare-time systems manager!)

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 04:45 AM

SRS, I think if you are looking and meaning Word, Excel, etc. while you might get away with the free Wine, I think you would possibly be better off with Cross Over Office.

That said, you could find the things like Open Office more than meet your needs and you have less need to run Win software than you might think. They are capable programs, maybe not quite as "flash" but certainly more "MS Office" than "MS Works".

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 05:33 AM

Sorry SRS, I didn't really read your question properly... There was another thread here recently and the general feeling was that overall Open Office does a pretty good job of importing the likes of Word docs. I can't say I've much experience there - I rarely write anything that in the longer term I think worthy of keeping.

My biggest move away from some sort of MS tie (needing IIS or perhaps alternatively Sun/Chillieoft) was a different type of thing altogether and while I did use a "translator" to help me a little, involved a lot of hand editing. End result is here and I can now run entirely on free open source programs. I'm happy but that sort of change is not something I'd want to undertake every day!

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 11:09 PM

The other consideration has to do with practicality. The money is spent on WinXPpro, on MS Office (few dollars, actually, since I work at a university) and the others that go with it. It's in place. It seems it would make more sense to install the Linux and such on a new machine that isn't already fitted with the MS stuff.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 12:51 AM

SRS -

Assuming you've got room on it, having dual OS with dual boot capability shouldn't be considered anything exotic. The biggest hurdle is that WinXP (and Win2K for that matter) really do work better with the OS on an NTFS partition, which of course hardly anything else can read. If you partition to isolate the op systems, and keep your shareable data on a separate partition that both can get to, it shouldn't be much of a problem.

Most "clean" WinXP installation probably will format the drive to NTFS, and splitting off a partition that you can reformat to FAT32 or other 'nux usable system may be a bit messy, but can be done. Quite a lot of early Win2K installations were done on FAT32 drives, but we saw a significant improvement in performance when I replaced a hard drive and went to NTFS with our Win2K machine.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 05:08 AM

Current Linux's (and I can gurantee Unbuto as the Win portion on by dual boot laptop ia that) are quite happy reading NTFS file systems.

If going about a clean dual boot install, I've always put Win on first as these Linux's are pretty good at setting themselves up to co-exist on a drive with Windows. The only thing you might want to change is the suggested partition sizes. It via grub (or lilo with some other Linux distruibutions) will also sort you out with a dual boot menu.

The biggest drawback I found personally (although I think I can say the same about Pip...) is that with a dual boot system or at least my first attempty - it wouldn't be the case now, it's tempting never to look at the unfamiliar but to stick with what you know.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 05:19 AM

That said, if you do go for another machine, you should find it sits happily on a network with your Win PCs. Running the Samba server on the Linux box will allow the Win machines to think they are dealing with another Win machine within a "workgroup". Athrough readily available from the Internet, Samba is bundled with Ubuntu and others and you will generally find some easy to use (rather than editing the samba.conf text file) set up utility.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 05:33 AM

Oh and... Working in a university... may be an advantage too - you might well have a few experts on Unix, Linux, BSD, etc. whose brains to pick once in a while.

Subject: RE: Tech: Antivirus software
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 12:29 AM

I ran a dual setup for several years on my last computer, and have the current Partition Magic program that came bundled with Ghost (though there are lots of ways of partitioning drives nowm, including using Ghost, I think). I would have to move everything program-wise to another partition for it to be sharable, though. Now that is a daunting task.

SRS