AV Options

[Iman74]

Please read the entire thing before replying.

I been in the IT business for about 15 plus years, and viruses and more malware is getting worse than ever especially this FBI virus.

Now the business I work for is particular on what they sell for many reasons. First and foremost, the only free that I use (out of desperation) is Microsoft Security Essentials when the client doesn't want to upgrade or/and get a new antivirus and I have to keep this on the down-low for the simple fact as the owner says: we don't use anything free. Well I rather have them use something free than use nothing at all. I am not a huge fan of AVG, and that other one I found expires after awhile, I think that was Avast.

We been using Symantec Antivirus for awhile now and quite frankly I think it sucks! We use it for we can centralize the distribution and licensing but I strongly believe it just does not work well enough; it catches some stuff but for the most part it doesn't really do its job.

So with all that said lets list the things that seem to be on my good or/and okay list:

Malwarebytes - it's da-bomb. It does it's job, and I love it. I pushed for the paid version but since we can't truly test it that idea has been shot-down.
Symantec Internet Security - I can honestly say any computer that I worked on that has this loaded has been completely free of infections. Coincidence? Maybe. But with this many infections giving me work to do I have my feelings this might work. Now as I am typing this I might go and check to see if they have a version where I can centralize protection.

So in short, looking for KNOWN programs/versions that work, you can centralize and even those you can't.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[glc]

I have not been following the major packages at all, but a friend of mine in the software development business swears by Trend Micro.

[rjfvillarosa]

What operating system is the most widely used by your customers?
Do any of your customers still use OutLook or OutLook Express for emails?

[David M]

After the discount at Fry's and the mail in rebate, I just got the paid version of BitDefender for free. So far I am happy with it and saw that it found 15 tracking cookies that MSE missed. MSE apparently does not see privacy stealing tracking cookies as malware.

[Iman74]

Originally Posted by glc I have not been following the major packages at all, but a friend of mine in the software development business swears by Trend Micro.

Forgot about that one. I have clients that have it but still get infections so not pleased with it.

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa What operating system is the most widely used by your customers? Do any of your customers still use OutLook or OutLook Express for emails?

Majority of them use Outlook, and some use OE but I really push them to get away from it with it's limitations and all.

OS's mostly XP and Windows 7. Some Vista here and there but that's it for now.

Thanks for the replies.

[David M]

Originally Posted by Iman74 Forgot about that one. I have clients that have it but still get infections so not pleased with it.

There is no anti-malware software that is going to catch 100% of the baddies.

[Force Flow]

I've heard good things about bitdefender. Their ratings on av-test and av-comparatives are very high.

But, if malware is your problem, the pro version of malwarebytes does have a 30-day trial.

[Iman74]

Originally Posted by David M There is no anti-malware software that is going to catch 100% of the baddies.

Ain't that the truth. But can't say I don't try.

FF,
As I said in the OP, they shot that down while back. I gave up on that but can't help but think that would be a very effective program since their free removal tool works so well but then again that is just a theory.

[quartet-man]

The paid version of Malwarebytes has a one time fee unless you are corporate. Then you have to do an annual license dependent I think on how many you have. (In other words, I think the volume licensing will get you a break for several).

[rjfvillarosa]

From what I have seen and feedback from friends in the trade, MSE doesn't play nice with OutLook or OutLook Express, in so far as it doesn't scan incoming or outgoing emails and at the moment AVG is not picking up the FBI/UK Police scam.

[jdeb]

I second bitdefender, it is very good. I also like F-Secure for business class as well.

[Iman74]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa From what I have seen and feedback from friends in the trade, MSE doesn't play nice with OutLook or OutLook Express, in so far as it doesn't scan incoming or outgoing emails and at the moment AVG is not picking up the FBI/UK Police scam.

Well that is just silly if you think about it. When you say MSE I assume you mean Microsoft Security Essentials and since that plus O, and OE are made by Microsoft, well that is just silly!!!

[rjfvillarosa]

Iman. I have always been of the opinion that Micro$oft do silly things.
I know that AVG does integrate with OutLook and OE, but it doesn't have a good record in respect of the FBI/UK Police scam.

[glc]

I do know that AVG's commercial versions have a decent centralized management facility.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by glc I do know that AVG's commercial versions have a decent centralized management facility.

Deploying client upgrades (not AV definitions) was a little glitchy in when upgrading to 2012 from 2011 versions (which basically resulted in having to do a manual install on all clients). I'm not sure if the issues were fixed in 2013 yet or not.

Bitdefender's centralized solution can't be installed on a physical server with virtual networking adapters using broadcom BACS--the firewall component essentially kills networking under that condition unless the firewall component of bitdefender is uninstalled.

[Iman74]

We normally don't load any firewalls. Our firewalls are physical devices usually Sonicwalls.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by Iman74 We normally don't load any firewalls. Our firewalls are physical devices usually Sonicwalls.

The server component has some firewall features, though it's not a fully-fledged application firewall. The windows firewall is still in charge.

[Iman74]

We always disable the Windows Firewall. It can be a real administrator nightmare at times.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by Iman74 We always disable the Windows Firewall. It can be a real administrator nightmare at times.

I can't say I've ever had an issue with it.

If I need to open up a port, I just use GPO rules.