Alternative Antivirus Solutions: Escaping Norton Antivirus DRM

[morriswindgate]

From WinXPNews;

Now that NAV (Norton Antivirus 2003) has embraced the DRM (Copy Protection so no backup copy) concept, we're on the lookout for good antivirus alternatives. We mentioned that McAfee antivirus caused more problems than DRM scumware, but we've decided to retract that statement. We got a lot of email from users who are very happy with McAfee! In addition to McAfee, here are some other antivirus solutions that you might want to consider:

Panda Antivirus:
http://www.pandasoftware.com
AVG:
http://www.grisoft.com
NOD32:
http://www.nod32.com/home/home.htm
Protector Plus:
http://www.protectorplus.com
Command Antivirus:
http://www.commandsoftware.com/products/soho.cfm
Kaspersky Antivirus:
http://www.kaspersky.com

[glc]

If I weren't using Norton, I think I would use either AVG or Trend.

[juppy]

I'm still using AVG and continue to be very impressed with the frequency that they post virus sig updates. All this quality and free too. I like it! :) One of the guys at a local repair shop said he'll only use Panda; he thinks its THE virus scanner and nothing else compares. I've never used it though so I can't say whether it's good or not.

[doubledragon5]

Ok gentlemen who without argument has the best and most reliable antivirus service? I have always used Nortons, but today I have nothing but problems and no solution. I posted it in the protection thread. I was looking at Zonealarm Pro. I see here a list of antiv virus Co, but how do you set aside the good from the bad.

[glc]

ZA Pro is not an antivirus - its a firewall. If Symantec is not satisfactory, try Trend Micro.

[doubledragon5]

Ok would you recommend Za Pro over Norton Inet Security. And if so could you give me your personal thoughts on the two?

[CMT]

well newer lol I went to Win ME the computer shop put on EZtrust it seems to be decent alot of updates anyone else use it or heard anything about it?:D

[glc]

EZ Trust is what used to be InoculateIT - it's not bad but CA is not supporting their users well.

I use ZA Free - never had a problem that wasn't solved by uninstalling and reinstalling. I do not like NIS. If you are behind a router, especially one that has a stateful packet inspection (SPI) firewall in it, you really don't need a personal firewall.

[doubledragon5]

Thanks glc

[mike breck]

I would be quite happy to consider EZ Trust again; however the problem was, it didn't offer EMail scanning like NAV.

[glc]

Trend (PC-Cillin) and AVG both offer email scanning too.

[doubledragon5]

Does anyone know how this AVG antivirus works? I downloaded it and I can't figure out how to run a virus check. Does it do it all by itself? I know it is set for a daily scheduling but I don't leave it on all day long.

[glc]

Open the control panel and click on Run Complete Test.

By default, it runs a complete test if the computer is on at 1 AM and checks for updates sometime between 7 and 9 AM.

[juppy]

With AVG, I totally disabled all the scheduling and update checking stuff. I just do the "Run Complete Test" thing like glc said, and I use the icon that is in the taskbar to check for updates a couple times a month.

[doubledragon5]

Thanks found it. Now another question when it runs the test in the box below it has some files it say "Can't open not tested". So am I correct in assumming that it is unable to scan those files for viruses? How to you go about fixing that so it can scan all files or what do ya do?

[mike breck]

I would update your anti-virus a bit more regularly than that juppy. At least once a week.

I tend to do it every few days now.

[Cricket]

I've been checking for AVG updates daily :D.

I'm working on a computer now that is infected by W32/Klez.H@mm...nasty little bugger...596 infected files. PC owner has NO antivirus software and likes to download mp3's from file sharing sites. Talk about risky behavior.

:) Cricket

[juppy]

mike breck > Yeah, I've been told that in the past too, that I should update more often. When I first installed AVG I did just that, checked about every other day or so but it seemed like there weren't any updates that often, so I started spacing it out a bit. I'm at a little bit less risk than some people though; only a very select few people actually have my email address and I don't ever download any of those music files, movies, etc from places like Kazaa or others. Come to think of it, I don't download much of anything except the occasional updated driver, and even that is limited because my machine is so old the hardware has ceased to GET updated drivers. :D I know what you're thinking, that's the type of attitude that gets you a virus. Well, so far I have yet to get a single virus *knocks on wood*. Hopefully, it will stay that way too. Thanks for the advice anyway though. :)

[mike breck]

I know what you mean juppy.

But all it took was one spam Email for Bugbear to penetrate thro NAV because I was a week out of date.

Fortunately, I was able to stop and eradicate it.

It ruins your day tho.

[scooby]

Panda updates on a daily basis, uses very little system resources during the live scans and also scans at the TCP/IP layer. In addition their 24/7 support is pretty impressive. When a new outbreak hits the net they send you an e-mail.

I've used them for the past year and a half and have had 0 infections in over 200 attempts. Didn't get that type of results with any of the big names.

My 2cents

[bellgamin]

A) If your risk is low & you want free, go AVG. I've been well protected by it for a long time.

B) If your risk is med to high & you want free, go Gladiator. It's beta but stable & with fast, superb support. Very strong AV, & good AT as well. Site...
http://www.gladiator-antivirus.com/

C) If your risk is med to high & you want bang for the buck...

Dr Web $22 - great AV, fair AT...
http://drweb.imshop.de/index_e.htm

D) If your risk is med to high to v.high & you want *industrial strength*...

AVK $39.95 - superb AV, good AT, uses DUAL scanners from RAV & Kaspersky - 2 scanners for the price of one...

AVK's Engllish lang site (http://www.boomerangsoftware.com/Products/AntiVirus/AVKProInfo.htm)

Regards........bellgamin