Virus protection security programs. (Norton vs... ) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

GreenLantern · 10-11-2011, 10:18 AM

Hey guys.

So I have a new school laptop that allows me to back up my xcell/word files online so I won't lose a lot of my stuff should my computer crash. However my pdfs and bigger files (for instance I use a modelling program and the modules are too big to save online) are only able to be backed up on the schools system. This is good... if I am always at school. But when I am at home I need to keep them readily available on my computer.

So that leads me into the question of this thread, virus protection programs.

Right now I have McAfee. A 30 day free trial came with the laptop, it is set to expire in four days. I am going to for the first time in my life pay for a virus program because I want top end security to avoid viruses. In my younger days I used to consider myself quite computer savy and up to beat on the current threats. Now a days apparently I can just click a webpage and my comp is over run.

So my question is, what do you use/recommend, and why?

My first choice was Norton, I have used it in the past and really liked it. I use AVG free on my desktop comp and although I like it, it hasn't stopped viruses before.

Also plz dont tell me to stop looking at pron, I only do that on the desktop

Hockeyguy15 · 10-11-2011, 10:22 AM

Laptop pron > Desktop pron.

I don't have much to add, I use Shaw Secure...I'm sure there will be some people that tell you Shaw Secure sucks, but it hasn't done me wrong yet.

BlackArcher101 · 10-11-2011, 10:25 AM

I use the free Microsoft Security Essentials. Works great with no problems that the other free programs usually cause.

photon · 10-11-2011, 10:37 AM

The Microsoft one is pretty good, though I did have something get by it the other day.

Kaspersky or NOD32 are my two other top choices.

OldDutch · 10-11-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Laptop pron > Desktop pron.

I don't have much to add, I use Shaw Secure...I'm sure there will be some people that tell you Shaw Secure sucks, but it hasn't done me wrong yet.

Of note, Shaw Secure is no longer free. You get a 6 month trial then they want $60 for a 3 computer license.

I was a Shaw Secure fan as well. Now I use the Microsoft one.

If you want the new Shaw Secure, just download McAffe from their site, not shaw. It is the same program but McAffe is charging only $15 if you buy right from them.

GreenLantern · 10-11-2011, 11:17 AM

I guess it is pretty much impossible for anything to be 100%, with a new virus coming out everyday..

I do like the fact that this NOD32 allows 2 PC's for just 10 dollars more. I imagine buying Norton only gives me the license for one PC?

Answering my own questions here.

http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

I find this site to usually be pretty accurate in its comparisons, very in depth if nothing else.

photon · 10-11-2011, 11:21 AM

I think there's a large difference in footprint (processor and memory usage) for each of these apps, and stuff like Norton have grown large lately.

The Microsoft one seems quite light in terms of footprint, and I used to use NOD32 for the same reason.

Finding an actual comparison based on these things though is difficult to find.

OilKiller · 10-11-2011, 11:22 AM

MSE is free and easy to use. Avast is free and also easy to use. If you are a little more experienced user and want a full free suite, Comodo Internet Security is what I use and would recommend.

Leon · 10-11-2011, 12:32 PM

I would highly recommend MSE. Avira is excellent too if you don't mind a single pop-up.

But ya, MSE is the way to go.

Norton is mediocre and by many accounts is very bloated software. Perhaps I'll find a link somewhere of some recent comparisons but the two aforementioned rank extremely high if not the highest.

GoinAllTheWay · 10-11-2011, 12:42 PM

You can't get that trial version of the scanner you are using off your rig fast enough IMO. Man that program is a resource hog. I use Avast! free (bought pro for a year) and it has worked very well.

GreenLantern · 10-11-2011, 01:16 PM

I think I will give MSE a try for now and see how I like it.. I am pretty careful which sites I visit on this lap top so that should help reduce the traffic of harmful content.

I do my downloading/web surfing mainly on the desktop.

Unless CP tries to hack my computer I guess I should be fine...

Leon · 10-11-2011, 01:23 PM

Just give me your IP and I'll make sure it's safe.

Rathji · 10-11-2011, 01:28 PM

I will echo the other sentiments in this thread.

Use MSSE. It gets updated with Windows update, so less likely to be forgotten. Has a very reasonable footprint when passive, and a slightly larger (than some of the other options, like Avast) when physically scanning.

Plus you never get annoying pop ups like pretty much every other free option out there.

OilKiller · 10-11-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathji

Plus you never get annoying pop ups like pretty much every other free option out there.

MSE is OK, but not fantastic. CIS is a great full, free suite and I get zero popups.

Rathji · 10-11-2011, 02:18 PM

Most people don't want (or need) the size of the footprint needed by a full suite, which is why I typically dont suggest it.

OilKiller · 10-11-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathji

Most people don't want (or need) the size of the footprint needed by a full suite, which is why I typically dont suggest it.

Having a firewall and sandbox is a great addition to any system and really, we are not talking about a huge size difference and I don't notice any drag on my older system at all.

MSE (in the tests I performed), never did that well, so if you come across viruses often, I would not suggest using this one. Just my opinion though in the testing I've done.

BlackArcher101 · 10-11-2011, 02:35 PM

Just curious, what sort of testing did you do?

I use the net extensively for surfing and downloading (tons) through varying sources. I have never ever run anything more than a basic virus package, router firewall, and sometimes the Windows firewall (when I forget to disable it). Have yet to have any problems the past 5+ years, no pop-ups, no infections, notta.

Those full-suite packages are definetely not a requirement, and for me just increase the load on the pc unneccesarily.

OilKiller · 10-11-2011, 02:41 PM

I've done lots of testing against various viruses, most are zero day viruses in the wild. I simply find that having something like a sandbox that is included in CIS is great if you like to install things that may or may not be harmful and if you surf in places that, well, maybe you shouldn't. I feel no extra load on my system at all with CIS and I would recommend it to anyone really. I still can't believe it's free.

Plus, the firewall that is included in CIS is much better than Windows Firewall, but again, that is just my personal opinion.

GoinAllTheWay · 10-11-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I am pretty careful which sites I visit on this lap top so that should help reduce the traffic of harmful content.

I'm not. As long as you pick one of the recommended scanners in this thread, you will be pretty much alright. I can't comment on the others as I've only used Avast over the years and it has been VERY good about keeping out the nasties.

Rathji · 10-11-2011, 03:00 PM

What is the footprint though? Knowing it doesn't bog down your system doesn't mean anything without some indication of the resources you have available and use in your workflow.

A sandbox is a pretty awesome tool though, I have never come across one that worked easily enough for a non-technical user though. I might have to check it out.