Obviously we all recommend something different. I say run a few trials (one at a time) and see what works for you. This could go on forever.
Most viruses spread because of careless users. Once those careless users start to migrate to Linux, you can be darn sure viruses will also pop up along with them. Antivirus doesn't primarily stop viruses from infesting the OS, it prevents users from infesting their own computers.
I use Free-Av (Avira) and it hasn't failed me over the years that I've been using it.
i use Norton 360, it works in the background and does what it needs to do, it runs its own scans, updates itself, and deletes what it needs to delete and popups occassionally to tell me so. It costs, which im not crazy about,
but to be honest there is more than just viruses,
more than just spyware,
more than just rootkits,
or bots,
or browser re-directs,
or false ads that look like your anti-virus software telling you that you are infected and need to download an update to protect yourself,
more than directx calls,
or malware embedded in picture files,
or macro's that run in documents,
or trojans,
or keyloggers,
or ads that pop up asking you to update your profile, with account and credit card information,
more than im messages from people you dont know,
with messages or attachments that aren't what we think they are,
more than worms that wreck havoc,
or hackers hacking away at our firewall, or lack thereof,
or foreign governments spreading kill-ware,
or criminals that build sites selling "whatever" to get your name and address and ssn, so as to impersonate you and get a loan, or a home, or a spending spree in your name with the bill delivered to your door two months later.
There is a "LOT" of mean and crazy stuff out there,
And alot of freeware doesnt even "see" the rootkits or the keyloggers, or the file that sits in some folder down on the hard drive that copies itself over and over again.
The commercial stuff may not catch it all, but the freeware catches even less.
Buy or not the program you want, but we all get what we choose, for better or worse. But thinking that all i will get is spyware or viruses is pretty blind to all the other stuff that is out there.
One woman last year had a bot that ran her computer as a zombie, didnt even know it was there, it kept downloading porno when she connected to the net. She had so many hits that of course things slowed down, alot, but she didnt know why. She still didnt know anything until the FBI showed up on her doorstep and confiscated the machine.
Not too cool.
Anyway, I pay for the commercial Norton, it does a decent job, and im ignorant of what it doesnt. But with anything else i wouldnt even be protected from what i do know. But get what you think is best, and hope that it is enough.
Just my take on things,
-Teal
Congratulations! Your machine is also free of professional level software applications, games from this decade, all of the software 99% of the world uses at home and at work, etc. etc.
You should be smart enough to understand that he was looking for a WINDOWS solution, not some self-satisfied Shareware OS diatribe.
You see, he's one of those 99.99% of computer users who actually USE their computers for more than web browsing, web mail, and file sharing. Ahem.
Does Stardock make customizing programs for linux? I don't think so.How about Mac? Sorry,I'm afraid not.This is WIN(short for Windows)Customize,or at least it is where I am posting from.Discussion of other OS's has no bearing on anything in this thread imo. Wizard 1956
Very well said , this is Wincustomize
Does Stardock make customizing programs for linux? I don't think so.How about Mac? Sorry,I'm afraid not.This is WIN(short for Windows)Customize,or at least it is where I am posting from.Discussion of other OS's has no bearing on anything in this thread imo. Very well said, this is Wincustomize.
Kaspersky is the clear winner.
It is not. There is no "clear winner" in this area, which should be very apparent by now.
Aren't you confusing viruses with trojans ? It is true that no good design or good code will make users safe from social engineering (only being smarter than a chair prevents that*). Unlike trojans, viruses and worms spread without user intervention, and I think good design and security processes deal with that effectively.
Migration of windows users and their mentality has already started - they typically choose Ubuntu linux. While some users are so stupid as to run everything with with administrator privileges (no kidding - I've seen someone saying in a forum he precedes all commands with sudo because he's not sure when to use it), I'm going to say open source, open standards etc make even clueless people safer. For example, vast majority of free/open source software in linux is installed from official repositories, rather than downloaded from some random website which may appear ok. Official repositories, especially in more mainstream distributions, are subject to rigorous quality control and review. Downloading software from a website is a frowned upon method of installation, and even less technical Linux users acquire these habits. For average linux user, using repositories is the easier method, and that's why he's going to stick with that.
* and some common sense. I think people can largely be taught that, just like you can teach people not to share their credit card number with anyone. Spam messages sometimes contain 'unsubscribe' links, but what would make you think they're going to honor your wish if they've sent you unsolicited mail in the first place ?
I don't know a single "true" virus that can infest an out of the box Windows Vista installation without user intervention.
I can "secure" windows by repository too quite easily, by telling someone they can only install software that is available on my site. I could even make an easy install app, so you can just click on what you want, and it'll get installed automatically. Windows runs perfectly fine too when rigorous control is kept on what software is installed.
The sudo-problem is also apparent (and much more common) in the MS Windows world with users who disable UAC and allows any software run as administrator. UAC may be poorly implemented and annoying (at times), but it's definetely not unnecessary.
I have had problems with Norton in the past, being such a huge resource hog, then recently i guess they rewrote their code base, and released a good product, I use Norton Internet Security, and it is very very good, easy to use interface, not a resource hog at all, so my pitch is Norton Internet Security, plus when you purchase it it comes with 3 licenses, to use with 3 pcs in your household ifyou have them,
Antivir
Cobra, you are on the right track. I am a writer and heavily surf the web in my research.. and I have been totally run over twice by very vicious malware; once running Kaspersky, S&D and Malwarebytes; once running AVG Internet Security. All except S&D were paid versions and the malware disabled my protections and blew right in and you know the rest.
Can't tell you how much money I have spent on anti-malware but the list also includes most of the others in this thread. I can share a little of what I have learned:
1) Be careful w/ programs that purport to catch malware by behavior (Webroot Viper, Comodo, Zone Alarm Extreme etc) as they often do more damage, to programs, than good.
2) Choosing the right registry cleaner is more important than the right anti-malware. You may think you have a virus when actually some registry entries have been erronously deleted.
3) Real-time disk defrag or Auto-defrag programs (Advanced System Care 3, Diskkeeper etc) can play havoc with your system if you have an unexpected shutdown. May cause you to think you have a virus.
4) Who's best in anti-malware is a game of leap-frog. First one, then another and so on. Pay attention not to what's there in a program but rather what's not there. Only one anti-malware program I know of that detects and catches ActiveX "webbugs" and that is K7. Download the trial and read your favorite news site. You will be appalled at how many "webbug" implantations are attempted. These little buggers track your every move and send the info to friend and foe alike.
lol impotent
But yes, good advice.