What Antivirus software do you use on your HOME computer?

[Paul Martin]

My Norton AV subscription is about to expire. Typically, I just get the new version for free or almost after upgrade rebates. But, having read reviews about NAV 2006, I'm not so sure. So, for HOME, what do you use? Suggestions, tips, war stories?

Paul

[Paul Martin]

My Norton AV subscription is about to expire. Typically, I just get the new version for free or almost after upgrade rebates. But, having read reviews about NAV 2006, I'm not so sure. So, for HOME, what do you use? Suggestions, tips, war stories?

Paul

[dlangton]

Got tired of Norton and it's firewall. Switched to Zonealarm AV this year. It's a lot more work than other products, but with a little effort, I can at least get everything to work proplery - internet connection sharing, Wifi and bluetooth networks, web server, SQL server.

[Dent]

Macafee
AdAware
SpyBot
-
Windows Firewall

[manywhere]

I've been testing F-Secure Internet Security 2006 and it looks to me like a suitable program. It is quite advanced in certain aspects but still simple enough for anyone to use. In short the features are:

• Anti-Virus - protects against viruses, trojans and other peskywares
• Anti-Spyware - no spyware, adware, whatever you call it
• Anti-Rootkit - no Sony "we own you and your CD" rootkits are undetectable to this scanner
• Firewall - lets me know when someone scans my ports as a bonus
• Spam filter - works nicely, together with Outlook 2003
• Parential control - can be turned off, since you might not need it

Plus, F-Secure is among the fastest in releasing protection updates for viruses according to some study I saw. (That is the reason I switched from Symantec and I still thank my gods for doing myself that favor at every worm outbreak. )

It works nicely out of the box with ActiveSync and requires little configuraion to work IMO. The spam part doens't catch everything, but it catches the emails that Outlook doesn't.

But, in the end, you decide which to choose. Be sure to check out AV-test.org where they test the update response and such of different virus companies. You might also be interested in a review of F-Secure IS 2006 by PCMag, as well as look at the other anti-virus options while you're there.

[Paul Martin]

Thanks for the suggestions....I'll look into F-Secure.

[ctmagnus]

I got NAV2006 for close to 50% off but I am seriously unimpressed with it compared with the 2005 version. So I may switch to another AV software when I rebuild my machine sometime within the next week. I may even simply extend my subscription to NAV2005 if I can't find anything else that impresses me.

[Paul Martin]

Thanks, CT. I read complaints from those who did that very thing, keeping me from pulling the trigger and going with NAV2006. Right now, I'm giving NOD32 a spin. Seems to be highly recommended, though the UI could use some work. But, there's no discount so it's $39. Many argue it's well worth it. But, $39 compared to FAR...hmmm.

[ironguy]

I got Norton AV along with the whole Security package and Ghost for free after rebate (I really wanted Ghost).

After that I may give McAfee a shot as Comacst provides it free of charge to subscribers.

I've been using AVG on one of my PCs for a couple of years and it appears really solid - no issues anywhere - except I have to manually update.

[kellybelly]

I've used AVG/Grisoft for a few years now on my PC ... no problems and it's online 24/7.

But my main computer is a Mac, and I don't use my PC save for a few things, so my real answer should be "None." :wink:

[Jason Dunn]

I don't use antivirus software on any of my machines. 8)