What Spyware & AntiVirus Programs do you use and Why?

[sam7557797]

On my PC's I use:
Firefox
AVG Free
MS Antispyware Beta
Ewido (Purchased, but free is excellent, just no real-time or autoupdate)
Prevx Free
Hardware firewall

Prevx is a bit advanced for newbies and some intermediates.

[cheeseh]

I used to recommend Norton AV (standalone not NIS or system works) because it had the best detection around, but the problem with Norton since about version 2002 (although got really bad with 2004) has always been its resource hogging. Plus Norton always has a fit on installation on WAY too many systems.

Now my recommendation goes to Trendmicro Pccillin. The newest version is great. It has detection on level with if not superior to Norton now, and it uses barely any resources, not to mention it almost never has a problem installing. Even the Pccillin 2005 internet security installs easily and works great.

[The_Silent_One_1]

Antivirus Products

(Norton)

Norton has lost it's shine for me about 2 years ago. I just saw too many infections on Norton-protected systems. I still see infections on Norton 2005 "protected" systems. Also, when Norton Antivirus or Internet Security "goes south", it can be a major hassle to get it back up and running... (sometimes requiring a format). I also disliked Norton's appetite for resources and the fact that it insisted on showing it's systray icon even while disabled. (I know it's petty)

(F-Prot)

I liked F-Prot for awhile. It's really easy on resources and can be scheduled when to update etc. However, I have seen it fail to find too many things for me to recommend it to most people. I did try to get a wholesale agreement with F-Prot but after beating around the bush for a month they flat-out refused because someone else in town sells them ???? Anyways, out of talking to their "guy", I got involved with Panda.

(Panda)

Their 2005 Titanium Antivirus is currently the most impressive that I've used for basic protection. Protection seems to be pretty good and I have installed it a few times on systems that had had Symantec and they almost instantly detect malware. On the downside, they have pop-up reminders and alerts and self-checks more than I'd like and they don't offer as in depth options as some others. I like them for lower level users or on systems which I know will be used for file-trading. Currently it's my favorite all-in-one protector. No systems have come back infected yet.

(AVG Free Edition)

I install this on some systems that are only personal use machines. (ie. not being paid for by company cheque) The price is right and I don't believe that I've seen any come back with infections.

(Clam Antivirus)

Just started using this. Reminds me of F-Prot with it's low footprint and update scheduling. Hopeful of great things from it.

(Antivir)

Haven't seen it for awhile but seemed kind of awkward

(Sygate Personal Firewall)

Use this on home systems pre-XP. Usually try to use the main programs once that they will use online and check the box to not show the prompt again (for allow/deny)

(Windows XP SP2 Firewall)

Usually turn this on whether behind router or not unless they have another firewall program such as Panda Titanium

(Spyware Blaster 3.4 or latest)

Usually use this on Windows 98 Machines to help prevent certain types of malware

(Spybot Search and Destroy)

Used to use a lot 3 years ago. Now I hardly do anymore as it seems like it is outgunned quite frequently

(Adaware)

Don't use much anymore for same reason as Spybot. Does good for light malware but can't handle heavier threats

(Pest Patrol)

Have a subscription but don't use as much anymore... some false positives and was really really slow. Better than some though for thoroughness.

(Spy Sweeper)

Have subscription... too many pop-ups for my liking but one of the better removal tools.

(CounterSpy)

Have a subscription... less obtrusive than spysweeper.

(TDS-3)

Unfortunately discontinued but was one of the best antitrojan detectors when a lot of antivirus products semed to be naively lacking.

(Hijackthis)

Very handy for quick checks for evidence of infection. Can't recall if I've seen major malware that didn't show up here in some form or other.

(Broadband Routers)

Often Recommend these to people to help guard the gateway.

(Best Protection)

Safe Surfing - No Porn, No File Trading, No free Programs without checking with me first, always say yes to Windows Critical Updates, don't re-enable your outlook express preview window, delete suspicious looking e-mail and double-check the date of your antivirus definitions every once in awhile. (Those that follow these drastically reduce the risk of any kind of malware infections)

[The_Silent_One_1]

Posting this at Mayet's request because I had expressed some concerns about Panda AntiVirus to her. About 3 years ago Panda was being pretty roughly handled in AV software tests, so Panda essentially stopped submitting test software to most labs. They would only consent to have their software tested if the tests were performed by Panda techs in Panda facilities. They would then report the results to the lab. right.

Really, anybody who takes the AV issue seriously should take a look at the major labs test methods and results. The top performers in AV software are a small group, and there are pros and cons to each of those products that may influence your choices. I would just like to see folks stop reccomending products that perform poorly in test http://agn-www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/vtc/naveng.htm

When I posted, I had only read the first page of quotes. I happened to read this after the fact and would like to comment.

I am not very loyal when it comes to Computer Products. I've from AMD to Intel and switched back and forth from Nvidia to ATI. I used to Like Norton Best. I also used to like F-Prot Best. Norton is the most accessible to re-sell, but I became disenfranchised with it. If Panda starts failing me and I notice that my customers are getting infected, I'll switch to whatever seems to be most affective. Right now the most affective for average users from my experience seems to be Panda.

I often keep an eye out for what the major magazines recommend and often use it to influence purchasing on utilities and peripherals. However, I've been somewhat jaded by antivirus reviews for the last several years and how Norton is often portrayed as the Sir Lancelot of Antivirus products. My particluar experience with home and small business has just not shown that to be the case. Norton seems to be naively vulnerable to certain types of attacks. I don't know what those attacks are and how Norton is compromised, because I don't doubt that it is good protection against most stuff, but the fect remains that I have seen it compromised time after time.

I assume that some of this is because it has so much market share that it has become an easy target for those planning to circumvent security. I'm also assuming that some of these attacks are multi-pronged virus/trojan/worm/adware/spyware/rootkit attacks, but my experience has been that if someone has an antivirus product that has been compromised, it is most likely Norton.

[MorseLady]

I have always preferred NAV and usually quickly despatch the free programs and trials which come with OEM installed new PCs and then put Norton on. I tried MacAfee recently when I had problems reinstalling NAV 2005 but it seems too lightweight and I was not convinced it was protecting me as well as NAV would. This Evesham XP Pro machine came with eTrust, again it seemed too lightweight to be useful.

I like some of Systemworks like the diagnostics and WinDoctor but not speed disk as that seems to contradict the efforts of Windows defrag.

I do n ot like Norton Firewall, it seems to slow the computer down and is intrusive and I much prefer the free version of Zone Alarm but Pro seems as problematic as Norton to me and I agree that safe surfing habits are the best protection and those of us who know about computers are probably in a better position to protect ourselves.

I use AdAware and keep it up to date and although sometimes run Spybot it comes up with nothing if I have already run AdAware.

The above applies to both my XP Pro main machine and my XP Home spare machine. My husband's XP Home machine has my third copy of Norton 2005.

I use a Linsky Wireless Router for my NTL Broadband and that has a firewall.

[culpe555]

At my main job we are running Panda Enterprize behind a corp. firewall. It has been excellent after we upgraded all the computers to W2K. We were previously running a stand alone Mcafee before we got Panda but it got to be to much resources used on the old Pentium 500's and trying to run 5 different programs at once. At my part time job we are running E trust EZ-Armor on XP (because our isp offered it with the package) behind a DLink wireless router.

At home I run AVG- free behind a DLink wireless router and Adaware. It is running on a older Pentium 650/ win 98, a W2K/ AMD 2000 and a XP /AMD 3000. We seldom have any problems at any of the locations. We keep up to date with the updates on everything and try to practice safe surfing.

[slgrieb]

Well, since this thread is all of a sudden active again, I wanted to update my earlier remarks about Eset (NOD32). The now have a U.S. office in San Diego as well as London, Bratislava, and Prague. I think this makes the product a lot more attractive to us Yanks.