Which Anti Virus Program Is Best?

My subscription is about to expire on my Norton anti-virus software. While speaking with a neighbor about computer problems......he advised me that Norton will slow your computer down drastically while on the internet.

He mentioned McAfee's as a better program.......with less degradation.

Would appreciate any input on this topic.

I do have one lap top that does not have AV protection (it is strictly for business with no file sharing allowed).......when I did get on the internet with it, it was blazing fast.......this is an older computer compared to newer ones I use for Net use.

I run spyware on my computer continually as well as deleting cookies, defraging, etc to keep my computer at max performance.


What is your opinion?


NC_Yank

McAfee isn't as much of a system hog as Norton. But there are a few other choices.

There is a free one called AVG - just type in AVG Virus protection in Google and you'll find it.

There is also Symantec, which is usu. corporate, and not as cheap.

SOme other computer programs that will save your neck are:
Spybot Seek & Destroy (removes spyware) and Ad-aware (similar, but also blocks pop-ups)

I thought that Symantec was part of Norton because it is on my computer. My neighbor said that Norton will slow down the computer significantly.

I have Spybot but I am not as impressed with it as I am of SpySweeper, which seems to be excellent.

I downloaded Qurb for my email program which so far has intercepted over 3000 junk mails.

Do you know if AVG actually keeps current on the latest
viruses as does Norton?

AVG is not AS current, it's free and they do their best to keep up. But for a free program, it does all right, I'm not complaining.

Another way to limit your exposure to viruses/spyware/adware is to not use Internet Explorer. You may already know this. IE has holes in it for crap to go through the size of Africa.

I use Firefox, by Mozilla. Also free. They even have a program that is much like Outlook called Thunderbird. Of course, there's always Linux, but I think that is less commonly used than Mozilla (which is part of the advantage - so many of the crud on the 'net is written to invade through IE, but not into Firefox or Linux. I think there is another called Opera, but I have never seen/used it.

Hope that helps. My brother is a computer geek & taught me all I know. If you want to ask him, or a few other geeks I know, I can provide you with his information.

Thanks LadyGrey,

I will check them out.

NC_Yank

The Firefox browsers is very nice....and FREE as you said.
I am impressed, can tell the difference in speed as well as junk popping up.

I am still checking out AVG.

Thanks again.

NC

You're welcome!

I use ZoneLabs (which I believe is symantec). I originally got their free firewall but then paid for the antivirus. Have never had a problem and I download a lot. It seems that when a virus appears, it quickly alerts me that something needs fixing. I don't get many virus', though, because the firewall is fantastic! If you go to www.Komando.com there is some great shareware to download.

As someone pointed out earlier, I also use Ad-Aware and Spybot. However, I just recently uninstalled Spybot because for the year I had it nothing was ever found (except the same 5 things which I believe is from the software). Ad-Aware is great and has helped me keep my computer clean.

EstateXchange

After the first run or two, yeah, Spybot only finds the same 5 things. But that first run! WOW. One of the fun things to do on a friend's slow computer is to run Spybot, finr 250 thing, then Ad-aware, find over a thousand (I found 1,243 items in Ad-aware on a friend's computer once).

I still keep Spybot, just in case. :)

Here is a very informative article about keeping your computer healthy (w/ tons of links to free programs):

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=289948&st=0

I use PC-Cillin when browsing with IE. Also browse with Mozilla. Am really happy with both.



[ Edited by joel on Date 03/20/2005 ]

I had the same success with Spy Sweeper... it cleaned over 5,000 traces of junk removed in 7 months. [addsig]