What is the "BEST" Anti-virus program?

Question

There are many, but what is the best one?

I'm currently using Norton Antivirus, and although it does seem to be strong for what it does, it's just too slow. It's a huge resource hog. It sucks up a whole lot of RAM with a whole lot of running processes. I play PC games so obviously this affects me alot, since it causes alot of lag.

I've been contemplating getting this program called NOD32 (download.com) has anyone heard of it? is it as strong as norton? i've heard a few good things about it.

i didn't necessarily say i had a virus, just i wanted a good virus protector. norton helps block out ports when it sensed someone trying to use an exploit in windows media player. i want that same kind of protection with another, faster program.

somehow i disbelieve that anything from AOL could be more reliable as a virus protector, but thanks for that.

Answer 1

NOD32 is a great program ... it is BETTER then norton in that it updates more often, and takes FAR less ram. Not to mention theres a nifty lil patch that will make the 30 day trial last for something like 16 million days... which comes out to just over 45,000 years....

Answer 2

hi Joe, fascinated by your problem. could you send me more details? checkout the Q&As on my profile (there aren't many). Have you got AVG antispyware installed as well as AVG anti-virus? Make sure you do not have Nortons or any other Symantec anti-virus active (even in the background). Multiple antivirus programs running at the same time is BAD! One will often consider the other as a baddie and they will prevent each other doing the job. LOOK OUT Beemo9 has just demonstrated a "trap for young players" as the golfers would say. ZoneAlarm and AVG anti-virus do DIFFERENT things!!!! DO NOT expect a security guard to be a fire fighter!! you need and must only have 1 anti-VIRUS program active, (it is very good practise to have more than 1 but alternate which is active. You ALSO need 1 or more ant-SPYWARE programs active. You ALSO need only 1 firewall active (if running ZoneAlarm turn off other firewalls including Windows firewall). You ALSO need 1 or more Trojan blocking/hunting/killing programs.

Answer 3

NOD32 seems to always come on top from many (no agenda) comparison and review sources (from time to time people on top tech forums like: SANS, ZERT or GRC analyze different criteria than publish results making data and source available for review for public – another words facing scrutiny of academic world and pretty much engineers from all major security business), NOD32 also seems to come high in top experts recommendations.
In regard to big combos like: Norton, McAfee or ZA some people believe applications are not the best, prone to conflicts and arbitrary (often undesired) actions done behind user’s back (most likely same applications used as stand alone AV- are still OK).

Answer 4

The best is Grisoft's AVG Anti-virus... and that free as well.

http://free.grisoft.com, the best I've found. It's not a burden on the system. Using it for more than 2 years and a lot better than any other anti-virus software found today.

Answer 5

From a recent test at www.virus.gr the top 25 in virus detection capabilities are: ("in the wild" viruses)

1. Kaspersky version 6.0.0.303 - 99.62%

2. Active Virus Shield by AOL version 6.0.0.299 - 99.62% (free)

3. F-Secure 2006 version 6.12.90 - 96.86%

4. BitDefender Professional version 9 - 96.63%

5. CyberScrub version 1.0 - 95.98%

6. eScan version 8.0.671.1 - 95.82%

7. BitDefender freeware version 8.0.202 - 95.57% (free)

8. BullGuard version 6.1 - 95.57%

9. AntiVir Premium version 7.01.01.02 - 95.45%

10. Nod32 version 2.51.30 - 95.14%

11. AntiVir Classic version 7.01.01.02 - 94.26% (free)

12. ViruScape 2006 version 1.02.0935.0137 - 93.87%

13. McAfee version 10.0.27 - 93.03%

14. McAfee Enterprise version 8.0.0 - 91.76%

15. F-Prot version 6.0.4.3 beta - 87.88%

16. Avast Professional version 4.7.871 - 87.46%

17. Avast freeware version 4.7.871 - 87.46% (free)

18. Dr. Web version 4.33.2 - 86.03%

19. Norman version 5.90.23 - 85.65%

20. F-Prot version 3.16f - 85.14%

21. ArcaVir 2006 - 83.44%

22. Norton Professional 2006 - 83.18%

23. AVG Professional version 7.1.405 - 82.82%

24. AVG freeware version 7.1.405 - 82.82% (free)

25. Panda 2007 version 2.00.01 - 82.23%

Answer 6

I know how much people hate and love Microsoft. But if you are going to class yourself as a basic user, I will recommend microsoft new software to solve your problem.

Why OneCare?
Help get confidence and peace of mind with round-the-clock protection and maintenance—virus scanning, firewalls, tune ups, file backups, the whole nine yards. Delivered to you in a smooth, hassle-free package.

Answer 7

Personally I like kaspersky anti-virus just because I've had it for a long time and it's never failed to block out dangerous files. However, If you really dont want viruses, stop using the wrong p2p programs and dont be stupid when you are using them.

www.kasperskylabs.com

Answer 8

I can give a few links that offer free virus and spyware removers...! Norton, AVG , Avast are free antivirus software. Ad-aware, Ewido are free spyware removers. You can download free softwares at
http://fixit.in/antivirus.html and http://fixit.in/spywareremover.html

Answer 9

The best solution to viruses, malware and spyware is to install Linux - it's immune to all these threats.

Go to http://www.distrowatch.com to see the most popular versions. Linux is free, or very reasonably priced (less than $10).

DC :)

Answer 10

norton anti virus