Virus protection

[passatdoc]

CA (Computer Associates)

I started using this when Norton stopped supporting Windows versions before XP, about five years ago. At the time, I had one XP Pro and two Win2000 Pro computers networked in my office. Buying the then-current version of Norton would not work, since it no longer supported Win2K.

I took the problem to Staples and they suggested CA Antivirus, which at the time worked on 98, Me, 2K, XP, and Vista (7 had not yet been introduced). It comes in both "full suite" versions and "antivirus plus antispyware only" versions. I bought the latter, simpler version. It currently is sold in single user and five-user versions, the latter of which in particular is economically priced. I typically buy the five-license version, and install it on my three office computers plus two home computers.

The two Win2000 computers have been retired and replaced with Dell XP machines, but I've stayed with CA since I was forced to change by Norton's refusal to support versions before XP. I recall the change was about 2005-6, only four years after XP introduction. Either you ran XP or Vista, or you didn't use Norton anymore. CA works well on 7, I have a netbook running 7 basic and CA works fine.

 

[passatdoc]

CA en Benelux.....maar niet op Nederlands

http://www.ca.com/be/en/default.aspx

http://www.ca.com/be/en/default.aspx

 

[dirtybuck]

Avira

I've used Avira for over 7 years, and have been very happy with it.

However, with the last re-format on my hard drive, I reinstalled it and for some reason it will NOT update automatically. I've tried scheduling it for different times more than once, and still no luck. I've deleted it from my hard drive and reinstalled it (twice). Same problem. For the heck of it, I switched to AVG for a few months, but I didn't like it (it seemed to slow my computer down a bit).

If I remember (without getting a notice from Windows when I do a morning boot up), I'll do a manual update (last manual update before today was on the 14th of this month).

I also use Windows Defender, Ad-Aware, CCleaner, SpyBot, and good old-fashioned Disk Clean up (from the accessories column on Windows XP) to keep my computer running decently. I do a "tune-up" every 3-4 weeks.

 

[DADoES]

 

<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: small;">I've never used Computer Associates AV, but I recall a couple years ago a client who uses it caught a spam zombie infection that it apparently didn't detect.  One of their office computers was spewing spam, which prompted their mail server host to block their DSL IP, bringing their entire office's mail service (they're a title company that hugely depends on email) to a halt until we figured out what had happened.</span>

 

[foraloysius]

Just installed Avira, it looks like my computer is faster now. Thank you all for your opinions!

 

[3beltwesty]

With AVG Win 2000 is still supported

Even NT versions below Win2000 here are used with AVG very manually updating with the update from folder. ie with the folder containing today's latest BIN file which is about 67 megs today.

Even old Win98SE machine here with AVG still can have there updates down via pointing to todays BIN file. If one reboots or opens up AVG's control panel; one gets the "AVG bitch notice" that one just ignors twice. If you do the as the say with WIN98SE the version it seeks will not run under win98se. Thus here I have been just upgrading the BIN files on these old win98SE boxes.

Like washing machine repairs; the software guys want everybody to have a new washer and XP, 2000, Win98SE and DOS killed of; and 1-18's crushed too.

Virus software does not catch everything AND never will. If you deal witht eh public's inputs like I do with discs, fobs, emails, ftp transfers one is goint to catch some manure after awhile. Thus a disposible or reghosted box is used.

Here I run NT3.51, NT4, Win2000, XP64, XPpro, Vista and Win&, plus DOS. I have an Imac 20" unit that has been the internet for 1 yar only and is all screwed up. Yet FTP box runs win2000 has no issues and hands not even behind a router.

Download Free Antivirus Software for PC | AVG

Get Windows antivirus for PC & laptop: block viruses & protect against malware. Download AVG AntiVirus Free, now!

free.avg.com

 

[pdub]

I give my vote to Microsoft Security Essentials.  I did a lot of reading of reviews before choosing and since it is made by MS it seems to have the least problems working with Windows and Explorer.  It also does not seem to slow the computer down at all while it is scanning or updating its definitions.  Best part is it's FREE.  Good Luck!

 

[foraloysius]

I'm actually not very impressed by Microsoft Essentials. Last year I had a very agressive virus attacking my computer when I clicked on a link that looked innocent. Norton 360 immediately was activated and caught it. ME didn't do a thing. Or at least hadn't detected it yet.

I'm using the ME firewall now, Norton 360 had one, but I activated the ME one when I removed Norton from my computer.

 

[seamusuk]

My Choice...

Hey Guys
I use the free security software my ISP (Virgin Media Cable) provide. Its actually rebadged Bitdefender, seems to work really well and dosent slow the PC down unlike both McAffee and Norton when ive had them in the past.

Seamus

 

[austinado16]

Glad you like the Avira

Also glad you were able to do a successful uninstall of the Norton. Usually, it's woven so tightly into the registry that there can be problems with it after-the-fact.

 

[foraloysius]

Uninstalling wasn't a problem. Deleting my account isn't as easy though. There is no way to get rid of your account yourself. I mailed Norton with the request to remove it. We'll see what happens.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I've been using AVG for the past two or three years, and I really like it.  I haven't had a virus yet using AVG.

 

[spookiness]

Talk about timing...

I read this post around Wednesday and saved the link as a reminder that I needed to update the anti-virus software on one of my laptops. Well on Friday I managed to get attacked by two different virus/malware programs. A tricky issue was that the virus prevented me from executing any programs, and also blocked access to the internet.

I had Malwarebytes installed on the machine, but the definitions were outdated, and I couldn't download them. I had no antivirus s/w on the machine (I know, dumb) because in the past I attempted to install the free Symantec package that the university offers, but I could never get it to install.

Luckily I had another working computer. Rebooted the infected one in safe mode. Managed to manually copy a current MWB definitions file to the infected machine- luckily found links on Google that told me how to do this. One malicious program was relatively easy to remove manually. The other one was not, but once I got MWB to run, it found it. MWB also found and remove 11 other items.

Then I installed and ran Avira. It found 11 more.

Then I installed and ran Avast. It found 7 more.

Moral of the story, run anti-virus and malwarebytes regularly!

 

[whirlcool]

 On a lot of viruses/malware the first thing it does is kill your connection to the internet so you can't download anything that may fix it.  I knew a guy who had a virus that made his floppy disk and CD drive inaccessible.

 

And would you believe that there are a lot of people out there who don't use ANY anti-virus program?  My stupid sister just bought her daughter a brand new Toshiba laptop a few months ago. She also bought a copy of Norton Anti-Virus for it.  When she gave her daughter the laptop she told her to make sure she installs Norton.

 Sure enough a couple of weeks later her daughter calls me crying that she has a virus. I asked her if she installed Norton, and she replied "Was I supposed to do something with that box?" Idiots!

 

You know sometimes I think kids today intentionally act stupid. Some things I hear from them makes me wonder if they ever passed 8th grade.

 

[DADoES]

 

I don't have an antivirus on my WinNT4 system at work.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know ... but the one I was using for years (F-Prot) dropped NT support two or three years ago.  It's used online but only by me and for limited and specific tasks.  Are there any still available that do support NT4 Workstation?  I suppose I should make an effort to replace the system (it's 12 years old), but there's software on it used daily that won't work on 2K or higher due to both software and hardware incompatibility.

 

[whirlcool]

I think Kasperski may work on NT4 Workstation. It was one of the last to support Win98.

 

[passatdoc]

I checked CA antivirus and they no longer support anything before XP.

Last summer, I replaced two eight year old W2K computers in the office to new XP (Dell) machines. I had purchased CA Antivirus 2010 in March 2010 and upgraded all the machines, including the W2K's, so I know that the 2010 version worked on W2K, possibly on NT. The subscriptions for the March 2010 are quickly approaching expiration, so I renewed them online last week using the existing software. Apparently if you buy CA new, the current version does not support anything before XP, though existing installations on older computers could be renewed.

I think Whirlcool is on to something, see below link.

Security for Windows Server | Kaspersky

Kaspersky Security for Windows Server protects complex networks and ensures your business is safe.

www.kaspersky.com