I have found that all the major AntiVirus programs Norton/McAfee/Avast/AVG all preform about the same. The only real difference I have found is in the amount of resources they use and that is directly related to the features each contain. An no antivirus is 100% effective 100% of the time. If there is a new virus out there with no definition then it will infect you no matter what antivirus you are running.

CyberStalker
just an example 2 week ago a friend was having a problem with his computer and ask if I could take a look at it. He was running McAfee and was updated automatically all was current. Some time in the last month or so he got a virus that did not have a definition the virus disabled McAfee ability to detect virus and you couldn't even tell it was disabled it looked normal and was running. By the time I finished cleaning his computer I removed 350 virus and Trojan infected files and 200 mall ware programs.

This can happen to any antivirus program they can not stop what they cant see.

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A little common sense goes a long way

Later Grandpa

I never said that McAfee was 100% foolproof. When it comes to updates, I find it's much more quicker then Norton. I have yet to come across such a problem with McAfee and I always do at least 2-3 virus scans a week along with scanning our computer with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware SE. I'm not saying that it's not possible for us to get a virus that McAfee can't detect because it is very possible.

Working in the industry i have noticed that the free anti viruses have a delay on the updates. Usually 12 - 24 hours.

I personally use AVG free edition and have found that it does a good job. Viruses are usually a smaller file, if your audio download is less than 2 MB then be aware. 871.7kb is a sure sign of a trojan.

As I have worked in the repair centre I have often advised parents that the cost of fixing the bug ridden computer outweighs the cost of downloading the tracks that you are after. ($0.99 per album if you know where to go)

Limewire is good but be careful in what files you download. I refuse to download anything in quicktime format because of the websites that pop up when playing and the fact that they do not hold what they say they portray.

Any bugs that i have inadvertantly downloaded have been soon sorted out with a good scan.

BTW I am the manager of an internet cafe.

Guys

Personally, I see the "free" versus "non-free" AV scanner as a non-augument, e.g. it serves no purpose, the simple fact is that you should have one running on your PC.

And there endeth the discussion.



UK Bob

Dead set

If you have anti virus on your PC then you have protection. If you dont then you are asking for trouble(youlookin at me).

Anythin is better than none.


Best anti virus VET (aussie made) Best free AVG

kraken

the cost for traditional AV can be less than $20.

For home users !nada!

Use any as long as you can get updates.

Updates are essential

kraken

I use Norton AV on my mac & AVG on windows. Not that I really need one on my mac, but better to be safe than sorry. And I'd prefer not to pass on viruses if there's any connected to any windows file I downld. Whilst Mac OSX doesn't have viruses, the earlier OS's did have some. And I found a couple of those ... only one infected me (after which I got an AV.)

BTW TamTheBam is busy trying to discover what the heck that is under his kilt. Though he'll need to put his glasses on as he can't see it very well ... well apparently there's something there. Frostbite perhaps!

Apologies ... my comments were purely specific assigned ... not meaning all scotsmen!

BTW TamTheBam has gone walkabout (aboriginal saying) ... over the hills & far away ... never to return again so to speak!

Uhhhhhhh Their are 2 Mac OSX Viruses/Worms/Trojans currently and I would say with firm assurance their are more to come.

http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/ne...acosxleap.html

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A little common sense goes a long way

Later Grandpa

Very true and as Mac gets a bigger market share there will be more people attempting to wright viruses for mac. One thing all Mac user must remember is that the OS is written by people. And anything that one man builds or creates another man can tear down.

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A little common sense goes a long way

Later Grandpa