# Are there any decent anti-virus programs out there anymore? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 22, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332 "2005-11-22T21:44:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/1 "2005-11-22T21:44:09Z")
My Norton Antivirus 2002 update subscription expired a couple months ago, and, being short on cash, I didn’t renew at that time. When I finally got around to it, I was told that Norton no longer supports that version, and I was invited to upgrade. After looking on CNet and Amazon for reviews, it seems clear that the major anti-virus programs are riddled with problems in installation, compatibility, and whathaveyou. Every one I looked at got terrible reviews from users. Can anyone suggest an anti-virus program that is not a load of headaches? ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/2 "2005-11-22T21:54:06Z")
AVG Antivirus Free Edition is pretty good: > **[AVG Free Antivirus Download | Virus Protection Software](https://www.avg.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download)** > > Download FREE AVG antivirus software. Get protection against viruses, malware and spyware. Easy-to-use virus scanner for PC, Mac & mobile. Download TODAY. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/3 "2005-11-22T22:02:03Z")
With my new PC, I was looking to jettison McAfee - AVG was my new choice, and I’ve had no complaints. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/4 "2005-11-22T22:43:48Z")
My computer didn’t like AVG - so I purchased Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security and I’ve really liked it. Just FYI. - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/5 "2005-11-22T23:32:45Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#): > > My computer didn’t like AVG - so I purchased Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security and I’ve really liked it. Just FYI. Another vote for PC-cillin. It’s way, way better than Norton with more frequent updates and a much lower price. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/6 "2005-11-22T23:34:44Z")
I’ve been very happy with AVG. I’ve had it for over a year and it’s great. GT ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/7 "2005-11-22T23:48:54Z")
I have heard good things in general about AVG but never used it, Avast is also free and also top notch, even blocks attacks that your firewall normally would (when you turn it off) and very little system resources are used. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/8 "2005-11-22T23:57:02Z")
I uninstalled Norton because I like AVG better. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/9 "2005-11-23T00:04:50Z")
I use AVG and Avast, AVG running all the time, Avast when I do security maintenance. No single scanner is going to catch everything, anti-virus programs aren’t great at finding trojans, more is definitely better. Here are some independent testers of antivirus software [ISCA Labs](https://www.icsalabs.com/icsa/icsahome.php) [Virus Bulletin](http://www.virusbtn.com/index) [AV-Test](http://www.av-test.org/index.php3?lang=en) [Checkmark](http://www.westcoastlabs.org/checkmarkcertification.asp) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/10 "2005-11-23T07:21:35Z")
I ditched McAffee for AVG too. I actually wasn’t having problems with McAffee’s online version, but AVG has been fine and it’s free. My partner and I were looking for some good AV software for one of our smaller servers, and I came across NOD from the company Eset [http://www.eset.com/home/home.htm](http://www.eset.com/home/home.htm) It was the only AV out of 4 that found and cleaned the virus we had. I found it by Googling the particular virus and stumbled upon some message boards with people who rave about the product. If AVG ever fails me, I think I might get that one. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-anti-virus-programs-out-there-anymore/332332/11 "2005-11-23T09:47:27Z")
I’ve had Trend Micro PC-cillin for 2 years and I’m very happy with it. I just renewed for another year.