Virus Protection--what is best

[ladybegood]

Long time Norton AntiVirus user but McAfee trial came with my new Dell computer. Computer two days old and already problems--will not download updates, claims that Nachi.com worm found and deleted only to have it "reappear" when I rescan again. Went online for Online McA support--after over 2 HOUR wait, got technician who at best would be deemed INCOMPETENT and did not solve problems. Wish I could have printed out "chat"--since almost textbook on what not to do. Is this just beginners bad luck or is this product and its staff really that bad?

Should I get Norton Antivirus again or is there another product that is better? Use a dialup modem.

Also new computer is Dell 4600 (yes one of the deals found on gotapex), with Windows XP Home Edition. Do I need Norton Systemworks? Still in beginning stages of learning about computer but seems that several of things that Systemworks does may already be in system.

[billxp]

What is best is pretty subjective.

I've used Nortons System Works for years without any problems.

But I'm sure McAfee is loved also as well as AVG from grisoft.

[Joshua]

Go with Norton... ...Used it religiously for 7 years now and have no complaints.

[Renski]

I've used both for years. If I were to choose I would go Norton.

[Paymaster]

I don't know how it is possible, but I have had McAffe seriously crash several different systems upon installation. I would have to re-boot into safe mode and uninstall it.

I don't know how this possibly made it past their QA... one of these was actually a perfectly clean install of 98se. No other garbage on there at all, and it would bring the system down.

The other two were a different system, with two different versions of McAffe. The first was 4.5(something), and when 5.0 came out, I thought for sure the problem would be resolved, but sure enough, my system died again after installation.

And I know what you are thinking, but these were all full, legal, retail copies of McAfee. I always do the upgrade rebate deals around tax time, where I purchase McAfee to qualify for the norton rebate, and Norton to qualify for the McAfee rebate. :)

The norton installs have always gone fine.

So.. moral of the story... while my experience must certainly be an isolated one (or McAfee would have gone under long ago), I would recommend Norton.

[sbp]

AVG is what I use. http://www.grisoft.com/
http://www.avast.com/ is also good.

I'd used Norton over McAfee. McAfee has gone down over the years.

[rajatQ2]

I use McAffee, just because i get it free from my university, but it is a real hog some times. AVG, like bill and sbp said, is a pretty good, free alternative. YOu can at least try it out for free and see if you like it.

[seqiro]

Originally posted by ladybegood
...claims that Nachi.com worm found and deleted only to have it "reappear" when I rescan again.

We use McAfee at work and I'm no big fan. The latest DAT file update does not correctly remove Nachi. It picks up the DLLHOST.EXE file, but totally misses SVCHOST.EXE. This didn't happen with the daily version of the DAT that came out the day Nachi was released.

However in its defense, you MIGHT actually be getting Nachi over and over again after it is removed if you haven't installed Microsoft's RPC patch.

[zero2dash]

I used to love PC-cillin back in the old days before Computer Associates killed it off; after that I decided to get and use Norton Antivirus and I have loved it ever since. Since...oh...I'd say Norton AV2002...it's no longer the system hog it used to be; it's great. I highly recommend Norton Antivirus; they just released 2004 a day or so ago I believe so you'll probably find it on sale if you look around.

However I don't think anyone needs Norton Systemworks. Most of the tools it has are already built within Windows and I've had problems with it before, especially trying to uninstall it. (Kiss your system goodbye if you try.) The two most useful functions that Systemworks comes with is Norton Antivirus and UnErase and the new versions of Norton Antivirus include UnErase.

[look_ma]

I use AVG. A completely free Anti-virus that has weekly updates. It is great and catches everything. I know it has already been posted, but I just wanted to vouch for it. What finally made me switch from Norton to AVG was because Norton has become overly protective and too n00b friendly. It has features that I do not even want, and it actually cost me money if I acquire it legally. Any way go www.grisoft.com/ .

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by zero2dash
I used to love PC-cillin back in the old days before Computer Associates killed it off...

Just FYI -

PC-Cillin is still shipping from TrendMicro:

http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm

But I agree with you - I like Norton better, and stay away from SystemWorks!

[zero2dash]

Actually, I was thinking of InoculateIT, which is the one Computer Associates had but killed off in favor of some EZGuard thing or something which of course is yet another "pay for subscription" antivirus programs. And now that I remember that, I remember that I stopped using PC-cillin for the same reason; they turned it subscription-based.

I started having problems with Norton 2003 last night...I dunno why. Now it won't load and it says "Internal error. Please reinstall." So I'm trying AVG...so far so good. It's very small, doesn't hog resources and it scans very fast - I like it a lot so far especially for freeware.