PCAnti-virus

[Dazzler]

I use PC guard as my anti-virus software, but lately since the release of the new version it seems to be slowing my PC down terribly. Anyway, I tried Microsofts security essentials on an old laptop, this seems to be fairly good, and doesn't seem to be a drain on the laptops resources. What I'd like to know, is do many people use just the security essentials software, and has it been reliable etc.

[Dan]

Hi,

security essentials is only an anti-virus scan, it won't protect your PC. (if you have it its only really good as a back up incase you have a problem with your normal anti-virus)

If you looking for a freeby one then AVG 9 is your best bet.
(there is no firewall though so turn on the windows one, or install a seperate one like zonealarm or online armor)

[/tobys]

unless you're on vista/win7, team MS Security Essentials with Windows Defender and use the MS Firewall. Unless you visiting dodgy sites, you should have decent protection.

If your on Vista/win7, defender's built in and the firewall is good too, so Security Essentials should be fine on it's own.

IMO, avoid McAfee.

HTH

[Ross]

Sorry to Hi-jack, i'm just about to install ESET NOD32, i had this on a old laptop and it was great, will it be ok on Win7 ?

Ross

[/tobys]

I'd make sure you have the latest version as this reduces the likelihood of compatibility issues.

[MatJohnson]

AVG sucks! get avira and just turn the nag screen off. Smaller footprint and better detection

[Zipper]

Originally Posted by Toadeh

get avira

+1

[jim76]

+1 for McAfee is shite! couldn't detect a rampaging bear in your living room.

[SlowOne]

There was a piece in the paper this week about anti-virus software. They recommended some of the lesser-known ones as being less cost and quite good. However, their point about the big-name ones was that, like MS-OS, they are so popular that people write stuff to get through them, whereas they don't bother with the lesser known ones.

I got a cheap one from PC World when buying my notebook, and it works fine. My son has a free one and he's not had any problems for years. HTH

[simoncrabb]

I use Avast, it's free, and seems to work well...

[MatJohnson]

If you must buy one, Kaspersky is about the best at the moment.

[dodgydiy]

just use avg free, zonealarm free and spybot search and destroy, between the three you are pretty safe

[Whiskers]

Originally Posted by simoncrabb

I use Avast, it's free, and seems to work well...

+1!!

I have it on all 3 computers in my house. It found a virus that AVG missed!

[Conrad]

Eset Nod32 for antivirus with a separate firewall, zonealarm or comodo or you can get the Eset smartsuite which includes the firewall and other spam/spyware stuff as well. Eset runs quickly, quietly and doesn't slow your machine to a halt every time it thinks about something.