# What antivirus software do you like? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 26, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079 "2009-06-26T16:03:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/1 "2009-06-26T16:03:41Z")
We’ve currently got AVG (the paid version, subscription expires in a month or so) and though I think it’s kept the computer free, it bogs everything down when it does its daily scan. Admittedly, this is on a 5 year old computer. Our new computer arrives today (supposedly) and comes with (among other bloatware), McAfee. Any recommendations for or against any particular software? ---
**Author:** ![LionelHutz405](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lionelhutz405/32/536_2.png) [@LionelHutz405](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LionelHutz405)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/2 "2009-06-26T16:10:41Z")
Since you are already familiar with AVG, I’d stick with that and just turn off the daily scan. It certainly does slow down the computer while it’s running and I don’t really see the need to scan daily if the anti-virus is running anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/3 "2009-06-26T16:18:31Z")
\*\*\*Switch off Daily scan. \*\*\* (It’s way way way overkill to scan daily and it does generally take hours) Do a manual scan maybe once a month. learn how not to attract viruses. And yes, AVG (free) is the most popular/ ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/4 "2009-06-26T16:24:43Z")
Still don’t need one. ::knocks wood:: ---
**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:** [June 26, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/5 "2009-06-26T16:28:43Z")
I know you have an entire family using the computer and all, but don’t you have the daily scan set for a time when no one is using it? Mine runs from 4-7 AM, and I don’t notice it. AVG is my fave, for the record. Tried Avast! but couldn’t get into it. I LIKE daily scans. I find that “the computer world” seems to be 50/50 on AVG/Avast! Whatever you don, DON’T use McAfee. Seriously - nuke it first thing! ---
**Author:** ![TheMadEngineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TheMadEngineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadEngineer)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/6 "2009-06-26T16:32:24Z")
Kaspersky is the most amazing security suite available. Combine Kaspersky with Webroot Spy Sweeper and you’ll be golden. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/7 "2009-06-26T16:38:28Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > Still don’t need one. ::knocks wood:: Me neither. But I’m required to have one for accessing work remotely. ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/8 "2009-06-26T16:43:17Z")
I like Avast! because it’s free for personal use. It’s slightly crippled unless you pony up in that you can’t schedule a scan. ---
**Author:** ![TheMadEngineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TheMadEngineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadEngineer)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/9 "2009-06-26T16:52:16Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > Me neither. But I’m required to have one for accessing work remotely. If you’re browsing the internet without antivirus protection, I’d recommend at least doing a free scan with programs that offer 'em as “trials” of their products, or at least grabbing SpyBot Search and Destroy. Chances are good you have some form of malware unless you’re computer-knowledgable and running something like a \*nix or BSD release. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/10 "2009-06-26T16:52:19Z")
I’ve used [F-Prot](http://www.f-prot.com/) for three years now and have been entirely satisfied with it. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/11 "2009-06-26T16:55:42Z")
> [@TheMadEngineer](#): > > If you’re browsing the internet without antivirus protection, I’d recommend at least doing a free scan with programs that offer 'em as “trials” of their products, or at least grabbing SpyBot Search and Destroy. Chances are good you have some form of malware unless you’re computer-knowledgable and running something like a \*nix or BSD release. I have AVG free. And I don’t have any malware. Never have. I browse the internet all the time. I just know how not to get viruses. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/12 "2009-06-26T16:57:23Z")
> [@kelly5078](#): > > I like Avast! because it’s free for personal use. It’s slightly crippled unless you pony up in that you can’t schedule a scan. I have tried several programs, purchased and free, and I think Avast is great. I used the free version for a while, but finally bought the Pro version. The two-year subscription is a bargain, and with that, I can schedule scans. I have mine run at noon while I’m usually eating lunch, but even if I use the computer while it is scanning, it hardly slows down things at all. As suggested, get yourself a couple of free antispyware programs too. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/13 "2009-06-26T22:58:21Z")
TrendMicro. I hated Norton, and McAfee wasn’t much better. I haven’t tried the others, though. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/14 "2009-06-26T23:29:03Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Our new computer arrives today (supposedly) and comes with (among other bloatware), McAfee. As soon as you get the machine, run [PC Decrapifier](http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/) on it. That will remove most of that bloatware. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/15 "2009-06-26T23:54:44Z")
I like AVG try fooling with the settings. I found that if you turn off the link scanner, it works great. I don’t need to scan every internet link either. As long as UPDATE AVG every day you shouldn’t have a problem. I do a scan once a week but update it everyday. I also use Spybot and Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware as well. They catch a few things the others miss. I update them daily and run the scan with them once a week. \ all is going well. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/16 "2009-06-27T00:27:08Z")
> [@TheMadEngineer](#): > > If you’re browsing the internet without antivirus protection, I’d recommend at least doing a free scan with programs that offer 'em as “trials” of their products, or at least grabbing SpyBot Search and Destroy. Chances are good you have some form of malware unless you’re computer-knowledgable and running something like a \*nix or BSD release. I’m using MacOS X. We don’t have any viruses yet. We don’t have any adware either. (let’s NOT go off on a tangent as to why, that’s not relevant right now). Today’s antivirus will no more protect my computer from tomorrow’s hypothetical OSX virus than old out-of-date PC antivirus programs will protect a Windows PC. We _do_, now, finally, have a tiny smattering of malware out there; it takes the form of trojan horse. To get messed up by it, one needs to download the installer and install it, thinking it is something else. The one that’s out there, that has actually no-kidding infected some folks, claims to be a required QuickTime codec. The victims downloaded the trojan to (ostensibly) be able to watch porn videos they downloaded. If malware on OS X proliferates and becomes a genuine problem, I’m sure I’ll run some kind of antivirus sw; I did back in the Mac System 6-7 era. But for now we simply don’t need it. ---
**Author:** ![bit24sh0cker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5ac83/32.png) [@bit24sh0cker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bit24sh0cker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/17 "2009-07-09T16:22:39Z")
We use CYberdefender at the house and at the office. My IT guy recommended it for the office, so I decided to get it at home too. It’s great! The paid version comes with a toolbar that tells you if you hit a bad site, 2 gb of online backup and 24/7 support by phone or email. It’s well worth the investment, but you can dowload a free version to start. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/18 "2009-07-09T16:40:33Z")
> [@TheMadEngineer](#): > > Kaspersky is the most amazing security suite available. Combine Kaspersky with Webroot Spy Sweeper and you’ll be golden. ^^This. If you’re paying for it Kaspersky is easily the best choice. McAfee and Norton are gawdawful bloatware. They do their job fine (stopping viruses) but to my mind are as intrusive and annoying as many viruses they are meant to protect you from. Kaspersky all the way. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/19 "2009-07-09T17:12:55Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > I have AVG free. > > And I don’t have any malware. Never have. I browse the internet all the time. I just know how not to get viruses. Sure, viruses. But that’s no protection from Malware, Adware and Spyware. They lurk on legit sites, too. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079/20 "2009-07-09T17:29:54Z")
Thanks, all! I just realized I had posted this question then (very rudely) never popped back into the thread. Re scheduling the daily scan: yeah, I should probably have it run less often - say, weekly. Since presumably it prevents things from even getting a foothold. It’s hard to find a good time of day - either the computer is off, or someone’s actually using it. Hopefully the new one won’t be slowed down quite as much (whichever package we go with). Does Kaspersky also include firewall capabilities? We’ve also got Zone Alarm (on the old computer anyway) and I know there’s some overlap between that and the various antivirus packages. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-antivirus-software-do-you-like/501079.md?page=2)