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Anti-virus suggestions needed

MetalSeagull

Critical Thinker
MetalSeagull
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
378
The trial anti-virus software on my new laptop expires in 2 days, and I need some advise on what to replace it with. I'm thinking of going with AVG. I have it on the other computer and haven't had a problem with it.

Is there anything better out there?
 
ClamWin Free Antivirus: Open source GPL virus scanner
ClamWin is a Free Antivirus program for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 and Vista.

...comes with an easy installer and open source code.

You may download and use it absolutely free of charge.

It features:
  • High detection rates for viruses and spyware;
  • Scanning Scheduler;
  • Automatic downloads of regularly updated Virus Database.
  • Standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Microsoft Windows Explorer;
  • Addin to Microsoft Outlook to remove virus-infected attachments automatically.
<snip/>
Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware.<snip/>
Read more...
Click to expand...
 
I found Clam unbearably slow on a 1.8mhz Vista laptop (as in four hours or more for scanning).

AVG no longer has a freeware version, but I'm not sure if that's a major criterion in this case.

Avast threw a fit about an alleged infected CAB file that it claimed it couldn't do anything about, it wouldn't move on past that file, and I couldn't find an option to ignore same (it was a legit file, so appeared to be a false positive).
 
Seanette said:
I found Clam unbearably slow on a 1.8mhz Vista laptop (as in four hours or more for scanning).
Click to expand...
But that's for a whole (or partioned) hard-drive, right?

If so, set it to run when you're in Zzzzzzz-land :)

I have just scanned a 745kB spreadsheet: 19 seconds

Yeah, perhaps not the fastest time possible... but - for those willing/capable of manual scanning - ClamWin is both very efficient and highly effective - cos its thorough and up-to-date
 
Um, AVG still has a free version. http://free.grisoft.com

ClamWin is really slow and not particularly good. For instance, it killed my thunderbird by quarantining my inbox folder even though the dodgy attachments I receive every now and then had no power over t-bird.

Avast is ok if you can get past the awful mystery-meat interface, avg is alright too.
Personally, I'd split people into the on-access/manua- and scheduled-scan camps, and say either is ok, but both is pointless on 99% of machines.

Obvious additional point: get any operating system that isn't Windows. Any of them.
 
AVG quite frankly stinks. It won’t so much detect viruses as it does let them through and then break, and you can only tell from the fact that it’s broken that you have a virus.

I used AVG up until a few weeks ago when some punk zombied my laptop and AVG never gave so much as a peep.

Never again. I use Avast! now.
 
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moopet said:
ClamWin is really slow
Click to expand...
Compared to what? Apps that constantly tie up resources? If so, so what?

moopet said:
and not particularly good. For instance, it killed my thunderbird by quarantining my inbox folder even though the dodgy attachments I receive every now and then had no power over t-bird.
Click to expand...
I sincerely suggest that this may well be a PEBKAC issue - with a solution literally at your fingertips
 
I've been using free version of avast for a couple of years on several computers and haven't had any problems with infections. :D
 
No matter who you ask, they'll tell you to use antivirus X instead of all others for Y reasons.

That being said, Avira, for no particular reason.
 
Agular said:
No matter who you ask, they'll tell you to use antivirus X instead of all others for Y reasons.
Click to expand...
Bollocks

Try reading this thread:
  • I haven't told anyone to use Clamwin;
    I have, however, recommended it
    please note the subtle yet significant difference​
  • I haven't promoted Clamwin instead of all others;
    I have, however, pointed out that some alternative approaches can be 'resource hungry'
    please note the subtle yet significant difference​
 
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And just who the hell was talking directly to you? I made a general statement about antivirus recommendations and what to expect. Perhaps YOU should please note the not so subtle yet significant difference in the first sentence above.
 
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