Virus Software

My family uses CA antivirus, which came recommended from a friend.  I haven't bought a new one in a while, but I don't remember it being overly expensive.  The program has worked very well to date.

I've heard some friends talking about AVG and Avast which are free. I don't know how they compare to other brands though.

I like Norton 360.  I have used Norton for years. The 360  takes up less room on your hardrive than in the past.  You can look on the back of the box and compare Nortons Antivirus, Internet Security as well as the 360 to see which suits your needs.You can get a 3 user lisc at one of the local office SUPER STORES for $79 less  $30 in store coupon on box for  $49 net. All 3 lisc. begin when you install the first one but if you have more than 1 computer this is pretty cheap for what you get. You can set it to update automatically so you stay up to date on the latest definitions.

Norton 360 is a great application because computers today need more than just Antivirus. Packages like this and Microsoft OneCare come with Firewall protection, antiphishing and spyware. Yes there is a csot to this but automatic updates from companies needing to worry about PC security.

THANKS!!!

Norton 360 is the cancer of antivirus programs. It soaks up system resources, hard drive space and constantly is annoying you. Not to mention people don't even see that it blocks parts of websites or creates all sorts of issues in the background.

Avast for free, Kaspersky for 30 bucks.

Malwarebytes free for spyware, manual scan once a week. 

Best defense against a slow and infected computer, don't go to websites you don't know. Be aware of sites that have ad's or banners that resemble valid websites. A common thing now is to see download sites having these banners, and they say Download now... and you are waiting 20 seconds for the original download to start.

I prefer to just use linux instead of windows, then you don't really need the antivirus. (google Ubuntu)

If you really must use windows though, Symantec/Norton Antivirus is the way to go. It will chew up some extra processing power behind the scenes, but probably not much to interfere with your computing unless you are a hardcore gamer that needs every cpu cycle. Norton works great behind the scenes to stop anything before it gets to your computer, i've used it in the past to wonderful results, although i tend to not use antivirus at all anymore.

I use Avast at home. Its free and does a fantastic job plus it updates automatically.

Avast is what i used Until my isp started given me mcafee for free. The only other thing i would recommend is putting a router between your computer and your inter-net...make sure you change the routers password from the default.

AVG is great.  I have it on three computers and I have no problems.  It updates itself and it is free---that is the best part.

If you are running Windows, I usually recommend AVG's free antivirus, in tandem with Spybot S&D.  To top off the protection suite, I usually recommend Malwarebytes free scanner.

I have repeatedly encountered situations where Malwarebytes finds infections Webroot, McAfee, and even Norton miss. In addition, as mentioned earlier, Norton is a MASSIVE resource hog.

Those three together have yet to steer any client of mine wrong, and and I even use the combo myself with my XP install.

   I use Stop Sign, it takes up very little space, and malware is stopped.

It's about  fifty bucks a year, but it auto updates daily.

I've got Spy Sweeper, with Virus protection. It auto updates.

Kaspersky is going to be your best bet as far as paid virus protection goes. AVG is a good free anti virus solution.

Also, like lowwalker said, Symantec's Norton anti virus products are known for hogging system resources, and it does have some very annoying side effects.

Great product, easy to use.

AVG Anti-Virus

AVG Internet Security

For more information on AVG products visit http://www.avg.com/us-en/homepage

From someone who has been following the internet security biz for a while.

I'd recommend either Kaspersky or Avira Premium if you want to pay.

Otherwise stick with Avira free or Avast if you take the free route.

I advise against AVG as its malware detection rates are noticeably lower (and slower at detection) than other free alternatives like Avira and Avast nor does it detect rootkits.

Of Note: Avira is stellar but its spyware protection is disabled in the free version so unless you decide in getting a standalone spyware scanner, you may be better off with Avast.

My husband loves and swears by AVG for his Windows machine but since I have and use a Mac I don't use any antivirus software, not needed for Macs!

Linux is great too, used it on my last IT job.

I have to tell him about Avast, Avira Premium and Kapersky.  Norton's is annoying, I've had some problems with it running properly in the past using Windows 2000 and Windows XP OS. This antivirus stuff changes every day. Thanks to all of you who suggested these programs and to all who posted, there's some great info in these posts.

I used Norton360 for 2 years. It is Great!

IrieGirl said…

My husband loves and swears by AVG for his Windows machine but since I have and use a Mac I don't use any antivirus software, not needed for Macs!

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I see this statement often. I wouldn't bet the farm that with the growing popularity of Macs that exploits and hacks aren't far behind.  Here's just one press release from 3 days ago.  Anti-virus might be worth considering, as Macs and Linux have less users (meaning less hacker interest), nothing - including Linux - is invincible.  Just a kind word of advice.

Mr. S

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INTEGO SECURITY MEMO - April 16, 2010
HellRTS Backdoor Can Allow Malicious Remote Users to Control Macs

Malware: OSX/HellRTS.D

Discovered: April 14, 2010

Description: Intego has discovered a new variant of a malware for Mac, called HellRTS, which, when installed on computers running Mac OS X, opens a backdoor that allows remote users to take control of infected Macs and perform actions on them. Intego identifies this backdoor as OSX/HellRTS.D, a variant of an early Mac OS X malware first spotted in 2004.

INTEGO SECURITY MEMO - April 16, 2010
HellRTS Backdoor Can Allow Malicious Remote Users to Control Macs

Malware: OSX/HellRTS.D

Discovered: April 14, 2010

Risk: Low

Description: Intego has discovered a new variant of a malware for Mac, called HellRTS, which, when installed on computers running Mac OS X, opens a backdoor that allows remote users to take control of infected Macs and perform actions on them. Intego identifies this backdoor as OSX/HellRTS.D, a variant of an early Mac OS X malware first spotted in 2004.

HellRTS, built in RealBasic, and a Universal Binary able to run on both PowerPC- and Intel-Based Macs, is able to perform a number of operations if installed on a Mac. It sets up its own server and configures a server port and password. It duplicates itself, using the names of different applications, adding the new version to a user's login items, to ensure that it starts up at login. (These different names can make it hard to detect, not only in login items, but also in Activity Monitor.) It can send e-mail with its own mail server, contact a remote server, and provide direct access to an infected Mac. It can also perform a number of operations such as providing remote screen-sharing access, shutting down or restarting a Mac, accessing an infected Mac's clipboard, and much more.

This backdoor requires installation on a Mac, which could be carried out via a Trojan horse, or by exploiting a vulnerability in a program that accesses the Internet (such as a web browser). While Intego has not found any instances of Macs being infected by this in the wild, the fact that this malware is being distributed on a number of forums shows that it will be accessible to a large number of malicious users who may attempt to use it to attack Macs.