Any Comments or experience with the AVG anti-virus software?

[rchristensen]

I have heard some good comments about the free anti-virus software from some computer Guru's on the radio. I have never used it, always used Norton. A friend of mine is trying it on his second computer and says it looks good, updated dat files regularly. I was thinking about trying it on my Garage computer which I don't use for Email, mainly for the Forum and some Google searches. All of my computers are behind a router and have the latest in software updates.

 

[bmcmeen]

Richard -

If you can live with the limitations of the free version vs. the paid version, go for it.

Being behind a router doesn't do much good unless the router includes a firewall and the firewall is configured beyond a simple "let nothing outside in but let everything inside out" ruleset.

Recent IT trade rags suggested that the lesser known and smaller AV companies tend to be somewhat behind the curve when it comes to handling the latest threats.

 

[jgeorg]

Richard, I've been using and installing the free version on friends and neighbors computers for about 2 years now and no one has ever had a problem with it. Free is good enough for me.

 

[rmunday]

I wouldn't say that AVG is a lesser known company, just a bit newer.

We've used the free version in the past at client sites and my only gripe has been performance. i.e. it takes way too many CPU cycles to accomplish a simple scan of a file open as compared to other AV packages.

 

[bmcmeen]

Perhaps I should've said lesser known OR smaller.

I'll stick with paying for NAV for the network here at the house, thanks...

 

[digger]

I used Norton since 1983 and finally gave it up for McAfee. Way less intrusive to my puter and seems to work better, especially after I had gotten hammered by a virus Norton never heard of and the big M fixed it.

 

[bmcmeen]

Charlie -

But you see, I just "adjusted" my NAV installation to allow free updates 'til 2125

And nothing's intrusive on my AMD 64-bit

 

[tcbusch]

I use McAfee® Managed VirusScan® service. This software pushes the updates to my computer when they are ready. That way I don't have to set up a timed definition update. I don't have to worry about a fast moving virus and being out dated. Works very well.

I also use Microsoft AntiSpyware. I have found that spyware can make you computer about as useless as a virus can. In my opinion spyware should be considered a virus. I guess the only difference is that the user clicked on a link to install the software.

 

[rchristensen]

Terry B.
Are you using that new Beta version of anti-spyware from Microsoft?

 

[bmcmeen]

The beta version is the only version available as of yet. I believe it times out at the end of the year.

Having a vendor push when ready (a big undertaking on their part if they really do it this way) or a process that checks every 5 minutes is essentially the same.

Third, relying on any ONE piece of spyware software is not a good idea. At least three should be use - they ALL have gaps and the three will tighten those gaps up.

Of course, if people were careful about what they opened, used tools like Peek to check a suspect e-mail before opening it with Outlook, didn't install crazy, weird stuff like search toolbars from questionable sources and didn't frequent shady sites, we wouldn't all need this crap on our computers.

Sony notwithstanding, of course.

 

[rchristensen]

Bryan
I run AD-Aware and Spybot and when I run AD-Aware first Spybot usually finds it clean, but has occasionally found something. A friend of mine runs both and recently tried the Microsoft anti-spyware and found additional spyware on his computer so I am going to load it and run it on mine.

My Computer is used only by me and has no games on it. Any questionable Email goes directly to the bit bucket. I keep Norton and Microsoft software up to date and try to practice safe Webb surfing.

When you say search toolbars from questionable sources I hope you were not referring to Google!!!!

 

[kmcconaughey]

I use Spybot and Adaware. I don't have any virus scan software installed on my PC (I consider most virus scan software a sort of virus itself). I practice safe computing so far so good. I do occasionally use TrendMicro "Housecall" just to give my PC a checkup and I have in the past tried McAffee but I have never found any viruses. My ISP has a virus scan and spam filter on the email and any email that gets through the filter, if I don't know the sender, and or the subject line looks even the slightest bit "fishy" it gets deleted.

 

[bmcmeen]

Richard -

Well, depends who you listen to on Google

, but yes, I have the Google toolbar installed.

Oh, and check your OfficeMax flyer: NAV - $39.99 - $10.00 instant rebate - $20.00 Mail-in rebate = $9.99

Kraig -

AMEN!

 

[digger]

And you want to trust Microsoft to remove Spyware!
YEA RIGHT!
Check out what ALL windows OS software have in them straight from Microsoft!

Go To:
Start
RUN
type in: regedit
go to H_KEY_CLASS_CURRENT_USER
SOFTWARE
MICROSOFT
WINDOWS
CURRENT VERSION
INTERNET SETTINGS
ZONE MAP
DOMAINS

And in this drop down menu - you will see all sorts of Spyware and malware and adware!!!!!!!!
HOW DID THAT PORN SITE GET ON MY PUTER YOU ASK! HOW DID THAT DIALER GET THERE!

YES you can click on the yellow folder and right click and delete it out.

DO NOT DELETE YOUR PROGRAM FILES THAT ARE STORED IN THERE - Such as MSN, AOL and the like. Leave those in there, they hurt nothing.

(Message edited by cproctor on November 13, 2005)

 

[bmcmeen]

Um, in my registry I only have free.aol.com, which I put in there. And I've used the MS Spyware software since the first beta was released.

So how DID those sites get on your computer?

 

[jgeorg]

Charlie wrote: "Check out what ALL windows OS software have in them straight from Microsoft!"
Anyone care to enlighten me WHAT the story is with all this???????

 

[bjames]

I believe those sites in the registry are restricted sites and should be left alone.

 

[digger]

Bill J.
That's ok, you just keep thinkin that and you'll be JUST FINE.

 

[jegstad]

Charlie,

I'll mimic Bryan's response with:

Um, in my registry I only have "Name=ab (Default), Type=REGSZ, Data=(null), which I never put in there.

So, really now, how DID those sites get on your computer?

BTW: I use a corp edition of Symantec.

Bill J: Hacking the registry is not for the weak at heart.

 

[tcbusch]

All I have in my registery is msn under that key.

I never have anything cool on my computer.