Community poll forum: Which antivirus utility protects your computer?

After trying Kaspersky and Norton (which I don't like at all). And also AVAST (it's free) I now use F-Secure. Works well, regular updates automatically.

I used to use Norton, got sick of it and it uses a lot of resources, so I switched to McAffee Suite. It seems to work well, no problems with it or my computers.

Good review on subject in 'Computer Shopper 198'.
I have BT Total Broadband that provides the Norton Internet suite free but previously used a combination of AVG free and Spyblaster (also free). Spybot - Search and Destroy also good. But keep the definitions up to date with whatever systems are chosen and remember to check for critical updates for your OS.
Good advice also available from Spyware Warrior Forum.

I prefer also F-Secure.

I am a speed freek. My computer has to really fly or I am miserable. Through the past 3 years, the Nortons and Macfee's got bloatier and bloatier. Any fast working machine would slow to a crawl once any of these were installed. There were points that I just ran unprotected so I could maintain my speed. Last year a friend told me to try the AVG FREE addition stating that it is not at all bloated. The rest is history.

It very light on system resources and processes, and has no impact on system performance. I was so pleased with this product that I purchased the full registered program for 3 computers with 2 year subscription!
The irony of it all is that there was a networked computer where I work that was deemed "unuseable" because it has worms & viruses in it. The server has the corporate version of Symantic antivirus etc. and couldn't remove it. It found them alright but kept saying reboot to complete the removal. They never got removed. Just for jollies, I installed the AVG FREE addition. It cleaned the viruses and worms on the first shot! THAT blew me away.

Well based on all the other comments it seems that Norton and Macafee slow down the computer and and agree. But I don't think that anyone has come up with a very user-friendly program yet. An all of them have there pesky problems. So I have found that the best virus protection is a warm cup of hot coccoa and a good book.

I use McAfee because it comes with my Comcast. I really like it compared to the nightmare that was preinstalled on my computer known as Norton.

I think you do a grave disservice and miss an important element for the survey.

A missing element because it would be good to know how many respondents are surfing without any protection at all would be interesting.

A grave disservice because Mac users (like myself) miss the fun time bragging about how pointless the antivirus utilities are.

At best, on a Mac, anti-virus software may prevent a Mac from being a vector to inadvertently forward an e-mail attached virus to a PC user. To date, there are NO viruses on Mac OS X. Most security compromises in Mac OS X are related to sloppy programming by 3rd party vendors... not the least of which is Microsoft.

Of course then we all must also realise that surveys like this are just pure drivel...
and as Dr. House is so fond of saying... "they all lie"

" So, if you are willing to put up with the inconvenience of lack of programs, a Mac might be the solution for you." - Carsonight

Precisely the kind of philistine pig ignorance I expect of PC users attempting to marginalise the Mac OS.

It is not a question of numbers. The fact is Mac OS is inherently more secure because it is based on proven, long standing OPEN standards. Anyone can download and prod and poke at the underpinnings of Darwin and BSD UNIX.

In keeping with the traditions of open source, improvements and fixes find their way into the DNA of the OS.

In contrast, the proprietary nature of MS Windows (in all it's flavours), is a closed shop. I would venture to guess that only a small, comparative handful of people in the highest levels of trust at Microsoft have access to the source code and even then, the focus is on trying to add new features rather than going back and fixing the thousands of holes already evident.

Bill Gates says that they are finding holes every day in the Mac... That's crap and he knows it.

As for the amount of software available for the Mac.... I am not a gamer so I care not for the only segment that Windows does have a larger variety of programmes. As for general productivity apps, my needs are met. The applications developed for the Mac (by Apple and others) are by and large far better integrated and work seamlessly, more reliably and intuitively than apps from Microsoft.

I'll stick with the Mac OS and if some future virus does successfully invade the Mac OS, then I will look to an Open Source based anti-virus package like ClamAV.

I have had to advise people to get rid of their mac and a get a pc several times.

Try to find a $30 DVD writer for a MAC.
Try to find a larger hard drive
Try to find a wireless Lan card for one.
Try to find a more powerful Video card.
Try to find an other half Gig of RAM for under $30.00 for one.
Try to install a firewire or USB card.
Try to replace the LAN card with a WOL card.
Try to install a memory card reader.


I have used MAC machines and they are easier once you make the adjustments (mostly attitudes) but I can make a change or upgrade to my PC myself for $30.00 and My PC will be off line for a half hour;or I can pay $40.00 to have a MAC shipped across the country where they will do the upgrade for less than $450.00 and I will have it back in less than a month.


If they really want to compete with The PC, they have to make parts readily available at reasonable prices and easy to install.

Surprisingly enough, there are some Linux (in my case, Ubuntu) users out there that check in to CNet fora. Pity that while we can see you, you seem to have some difficulty seeing us !...

Henri

On my PC I use Trend simply because my IT department decided to go for that. As far as I know they did an evaluation before the decision.
On my Mac I don't have any antivirus program installed. ;-)Gunilla

Love how Avast is working. Great deal on 2 PCs as well. I have been using for over 5 months now. I highly suggest using it!

Ken

After trialling and using about half of the producte on the list, I found Bit Defender the best compromise.
It is highly configurable and once you learn easy to use and schedu;e for automatic scans.
Michel Ney

My computer came with Norton but I had to disable it or my phone company internet provider wouldn't install since they use McAfee and it conflicts with Norton. McAfee is not 100% effective. I use supplemental virus protections to double check McAfee's work. I then use them on an oncall basis to rid whatever McAfee misses.