Which anivirus and antispyware do you guys use?

Hey all, with all the anti-virus apps out there, I'd love to know whay you guys are running for AV. spyware killers, and also why?

I read on cnet that Kaspersky was rated top out of all the major ones for its apparent ability to find everything. It is also very "light" and is not a system hog. Any of your experiences would also be appreciated.

Thanks...

 

Hello CrunchDude,

I use KAV AV on one installation and NOD32 on another and like them both very much.

Don't run resident anti spyware apps - on demand scanners ony:
AVG (ewido) Anti Spyware
SuperAntiSpyware
SpyBot
Ad-Aware

Regards - Charles

 

AVG Free on three systems. Two systems (the kid's) also have SpywareBlaster, Ad-Aware, and SpyBot Search & Destroy. My system just has Ad-Aware with AVG. Everything works great and have not had any problems with the programs or any viruses. Occasionally, I will run a couple online scans, Trend Micro and Panda ActiveScan, on the systems. They always come up clean though.

Mike

 

NOD32 antivirus

CounterSpy antispyware (plus: Ad-aware, Spybot, Spyware Blaster).

 

I use Norton Antivirus on one system and F-Prot Antivirus on the other, plus Ad-Aware, Webroot Firewall, Zonealarm, and Counterspy. I don't particularly like Norton, just using it while I have a free subscription. I *do* like F-Prot.

Not to potentially hijack the thread, but I had a question. I run Counterspy with real-time protection. Is that bad? Is there some reason we should avoid resident anti spyware apps?

 

Hello thentavius,

Not at all - not a question of good or bad. Its a matter of need and preference.

All I get with the scanners are tracking cookies. I also have IE6/IE7 "locked" down - very restrictive generally with exceptions for some sites. Malware enters through the Browser and most users don't want to put up with surfing restrictions, that's where a resident AS is usefull with white/black site lists and known spyware signitures.

I also have a "process" firewall, it monitors all executions on the system - most people aren't going to have that on their system. A flavor of that kind of app is a firewall with behavior blocking - two that I'm familiar with are ZA Pro and Sunbelt's Kerio.

Regards - Charles

 

charlesvar--I thought you ran Windows Defender (which you know has just gone Gold). It is not one of the most highly rated resident antispyware programs but it is FREE!

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

 

Hi Jim,

No I don't - thought about installing and using it as a scanner, but never did.

Used to have MSAS, and that I ran as an on demand scanner.

Regards - Charles

 

Thank you for the insight, Charles.

I believe webroot Firewall also looks for suspicious behaviors, instead of just tracking cookies.

I like Sunbelt Software's Counterspy, so I'll certainly look into Kerio. Thanks!

 

I have used Panda Titanium for a few years now along with AdAware and Spyware Blaster. Panda has done a great job keeping me clean plus its firewall does a decent job along with my hardware firewall.