anti-virus

[c2R]

Anyone got any recommendations on a good anti-virus package to use...

I have been using AVG6 Personal because it's not bloatware, and it's free with free updates; however the updates for this stop on the 15th Feb.

So I'm looking for something to replace it.... AVG7 is out because it won't run on W2k Server. I've used F-Secure in the past, and if I'm going to pay for anything I'd possibly give that a go again, as it seemed fairly reasonable before...

...but anyone got any other thoughts?

[Starbucks]

Panda Antivirus

when a magazine compared this to Symantec, McAffe, and other pay to use av software panda had the fastest scanning engine and highest rate of finding known viruses.

[sgtfuzzbubble011]

I use Avast! 4 Home Edition on my computer. Seems to work really well, and for home use, it's free. All they require is an online registration, and with that, you get a 14-month subscription to automatic updates. When the 14 months is up, just reregister, and you get another 14 months free, etc. It's not blazingly fast, but I've found it to be way faster, less bloated, and more powerful than both McAfee and Norton.

http://www.avast.com/index.html

Look for the Home Edition.

[SSJ4 Gogitta]

I use Norton Corp 7.5 on my Win2k pc, and PC-cillin 2000 on my 98se pc.

[OmensEdge]

I have Norton 2003. Great program.

[drewbar]

HA!
After working the support desk for a while I have come to the conclusion that any Norton product does more harm then good. And don't uninstall Norton Internet Securties, it will kill your winsock.

[Joel]

There's no doubt of the working power of the Symantec products but I also would like to see speed on my conputer...

[ScorLibran]

I tried them all (literally) up to last year, and this one is the very best for my needs. $39, but well worth it. Absolutely non-invasive, 100% capture rate, smooth interface, virtually transparent performance impact when monitoring and doesn't eat up the registry with hundreds of entries like McAfee and Symantec. And not that this is important (just noteworthy), but Windows Security Center even recognizes it (not so with other top-end protection apps like some other AV programs, or Kerio PF, or Sygate).

If there's a brand new AV system out there in the past 12 months, I'd like to try it. Always on the lookout for something better, but for my reqs NOD32 is on the top of the heap right now.

[mysterious_w]

I use Kaspersky. I really wouldn't recommend it. All the update servers was down for about a week a month ago.

[d0rk]

Originally posted by mysterious_w
I use Kaspersky. I really wouldn't recommend it. All the update servers was down for about a week a month ago.

And your still using it why?

[Smeggle]

Well I think Norton users want to drastically reconsider there choice of security...Found this in my /. feed today..

Norton User?= Your FuXored

Apperently it will 'Execute' certain viri instead of healing them. Affects all levels of Norton Security products. Couple that with a major vunerability when you run specifically xp in admin mode to malicious vbs scripts.

Add in a consistant flaw in it's java scan engine (I've researched this back as far as 99 in google -term used 'Flaws faults with norton anti virus')..

McAfee fairs little better imho..

I'll stick with AVG7.0 and pandas online scan as a bckup. (Plus some other toys )..

My opinion of a virus or software that is malicious follows certain set test rules.
10. PRINT "Can I simply unistall the fucking piece of crap without it naffing up my system making a major back-up of data and re-install the only real option."

20. Goto 1,

30. RUN

Norton fails that rule = Norton is malicious ware - my way of looking at it.

I say what my computer should or should not do and whilst I may accept the use of there software. I reserve the right to remove that software. Especially if I pay for it. But that should not mean that by it's removal that my system becomes all but unusable ..(see rule 1 above) ..

I mean! Have you ever tried to un-install the nasty little bollox it is? Luckily I got a nice tool of a techy mate but b4 that - fucking nightmares - especially if it's a clients computer scary...

~

[Phyltre]

Uninstalling anti-virii is indeed nightmarish.

[c2R]

Anyone use OpenAnti Virus http://sourceforge.net/projects/openantivirus/

How does it rate?

Having untangled machines of friends from Norton, I don't think I'd touch it with a bargepole!

[griffinn]

Originally posted by c2R
friends from Norton

Which Norton?

• Norton, Kansas
• Norton, Massachusetts
• Norton, Ohio
• Norton, Texas
• Norton, Vermont
• Norton, Virginia
• Norton, West Virginia

Seriously though, the retail versions of Norton Antivirus are bad, but the Corporate Edition (at least since version 8.x) is great.

[omarello]

have you guys tried NOD32????

i havn't but heard a lot about it.... its supposed to be good!!

[Joel]

I have it, omarello

At this moment, he got one virus.... seems to be ok... and also got kerio.... I like the combination...

Also like the combination Nod32 and Agnitum Outpost firewall

Finally... I see speed in my boot and browsing OS

[mysterious_w]

Originally posted by d0rk
And your still using it why?

Because my parents would stress out otherwise.

[Wolfgang]

I used to use Panda, which I stole a serial for and felt guilty about, so I uninstalled it (which wasn't too bad) and am now using Avast. I think it's excellent, except for the "exclude" function which doesn't seem to work. I had some prank programs (like fake formatters) that it kept detecting even though I had them on the exclude list.

Other than that, Avast is outstanding.

[sgtfuzzbubble011]

That's funny, I've never had anything in the exclude list scanned by Avast!. Interesting.

[Smeggle]

Originally posted by griffinn
Which Norton?

• Norton, Kansas
• Norton, Massachusetts
• Norton, Ohio
• Norton, Texas
• Norton, Vermont
• Norton, Virginia
• Norton, West Virginia

Seriously though, the retail versions of Norton Antivirus are bad, but the Corporate Edition (at least since version 8.x) is great.

emm according to that report the problem hits ALL Platform models including 'Corparate Level' platform solutions. It also compromises Norton Firewall.

As I said over in the Breaking News thread that dlink posted (I think) on that English Banking system compromise, to be able to do what is said it is doing, someone some where must have compromised the main source code in some way. No other way I can figure it could be done at such an extensive level.

When you consider the blatant flaw reported last year, that Norton was all but useless in XP running online in Admin mode. That probably affects 80% of home users using xp products in that most - Goto shop/Purchase computer of shelf/run home and somehow get it going/booting direct into? ...Default Admin mode. How many will then know to create a 'User' account to surf the net with?
Norton at the time stated that they had no intention to offer or issue a patch for this problem. (Affected platform: Home users)

Linky

btw this affects the new Norton Flagship Home Security Product.

Symantec has admitted its flagship consumer security application, Norton AntiVirus 2005, has a security vulnerability that allows certain types of malicious script to infect a user's personal computer with a virus.

From personal experiance and from being sick of fixing clients computers I dumped Norton inside 4-5mnths of use. I refuse to support clients anymore who insist on continuing to use Norton or McAfee solotions. I can do without the grief for one, and find I have some sort of a life again instead of fixing somebodys junked system. Backing up and resetting the lot only to find the clown unloads the software you gave them that will keep them safe and loads all the garbage back on. 6-8 weeks later back to fucking sqare one

Sorry but I think it's sick what these companys are doing and one last thing...How come if I goto AVG/ un-install please/it does just that? It Un-installs and does not leave you with a borked up system that usually requires a re-install as is the case with any Norton or McAfee solution!

Sorry - I think I'm in safe ground when I say that Norton fits my rule on virii implicitly...

GOTO 10. Above
20. RUN

[griffinn]

Originally posted by Smeggle
emm according to that report the problem hits ALL Platform models including 'Corparate Level' platform solutions. It also compromises Norton Firewall.

The corporate level solutions you're talking about refer to mail gateways, Symantec firewalls, and the like. Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition is not affected.

[dlinkwit27]

neowin has a great report of antivirus programs, and what program stpped what viri, but i cant find it.

[Smeggle]

Originally posted by griffinn
The corporate level solutions you're talking about refer to mail gateways, Symantec firewalls, and the like. Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition is not affected.

Computers are at risk if they run an unpatched version of a Symantec product that scans files to detect malicious code and if they use the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris and AIX operating systems, Symantec said.

Not really wanting to argue the point but thats clearly stating 'If you run an un-patched Symantec product that scans for malicious code' etc

It does say specific products but as a footnote to 'the majority of Symantec products including Norton SystemWorks 2004 and Symantec Mail Security for Exchange'.

I'd assume your corparate edition product scans for malicious code, if so un-patched it will be vunerable.

Thats what it seems to be saying to me as I see it.. could be wrong though if there is some difference with the corparate software?


Looking at this thing says to me that it won't be long before Norton is fully compromised at all levels.

I'm not trying to scare monger just showing the reality of the situation as I see it. The choice is upto the individual user what they chose to use and whilst I may suggest Alternatives, such as AVG, I accept no recponsibility as to what anyone does to there computer as a result of passing on the information.

~








covers one's ass from a lawsuit at the end there