How do you determine what Anti-virus works?

I need a referral for a new antivirus all-in-one: firewall, storage, anti-spyware etc. I know most people go by reviews in PC World and other places, but do you guys use trial and error, word of mouth, or other sources? I just want to know what's reliable before I spend all the $$$ or sign up for something random!

 

trial and error
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Maybe Avira Security Suite

 

I us more than one method to determine which antivirus or suite to use. I do a lot of research on various security forums, google search, read reviews and I try out software for myself. There are many good suites out there. I know that not every aspect of a suite is always great - but I like managing everything from one place. For me, my current choice is Defender Pro 15-in-1 (which is really a rebadged bitdefender 2009 total security but it was cheaper). Everything about the program is exactly the same - just changed logos etc.

Before that I was using VIPRE - and I think it's a good product too. Fast scans, low resource usage and the product is always improving and I like the direction it's heading. They're planning on integrating the Sunbelt Firewall to form a suite at some point. I remember last year on Black Friday I got VIPRE for $10 because they were having a sale - and I was very happy with it.

I may use it on my desktop when the license expires - but on my laptop I just wanted a easy to manage suite where everything was in one place.

 

As far as an "all in one" anti-virus... DOES NOT EXIST. Nowadays you have to mix it up. No matter who clams an antivirus prog captures all aspects of attacks, they are wrong. you have virus, malware, spyware, rootkits... and so on and so on. Not one software will handle all of that unless something was collaborated between 5 companies that produce these anti-softwares. For me I start with a base that claims to cover a lot without eating my resources like norton. I would suggest using a free software like AVG.Free or Avast. That would take care of your "normal" anti-virus... now you need some items that "specialize" in other attack fields like spyware and malware.

For these other items here are my favs:
1. For Syware - Spybot
2. For Malware - Malwarebytes (get the free version)
3. For Adware - Adaware (Get Adaware free)

I don't let these other items run in the background. I use them like once a week but they are there to do what they do best. To keep everything clean, I would create a folder in your start/programs call Anti-Suite and stick all the shortcuts in there and that would be the "suite" that you are asking about. Remember that not one piece of software will do ALL that you want so you have to put it together. Happy Hunting!

 

This is very similar to the approach I've taken as well. Currently we use McAfee Internet Security Suite (prior to that it was F-Secure Security Suite and before that NOD-32). All were fine with the result that neither my wife nor I have ever experienced a virus and the malware (tracking cookies) are minimal. Once our subscription expires (next June) we'll likely go with what Microsoft is offering (which is free and according to PC-World a very solid product). So... in answer to the original question: we read reviews (generally on PC-World) and base our decisions accordingly.

 

Perhaps, Broni... but it's worked very well for us. ;-)