AVG vs AVAST! anti-virus ... thoughts please...

[MinionZombie]

My folks got a new rig, and it's got AVG Free installed on it.

What are your thoughts on:

* AVG Free

(and alternatively)

* AVAST! 4.8 Home Free (downloaded it from Download.com)

...

Also - what about McAfee's software, any good?

I just don't want them to have another PC-Cillin type arse up. :eek:

[Legion2213]

Both are considered good solid freebies (if you remember to update them regularly, I don't think either auto-update)...I'd install plenty of anti-malware bits and bobs and run them at least once a week if I was relying on a freebie though.

advanced windows care
http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html

spybot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

ad aware
http://lavasoft.com/

sas
http://www.superantispyware.com/

zone alarm (firewall)
http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm-Firewall-Windows-2000-XP-/3000-10435_4-10039884.html

[MinionZombie]

In addition to AVG, we've got two anti-Spyware programmes which I've stuck by for a good while now.

I don't suppose there'd be any possible conflicts with Zone Alarm, or rather, I don't suppose Zone Alarm conflicts with other software?

Never heard of Super Anti Spyware before.

[clanglee]

AVG auto-updates. It's a good solid system, but I don't use it as my only scanner.

[Kaos]

I have used both. I am currently using Avast. AVG was my choice with older machines due to its smaller memory profile. I avoid McAfee. I had a number of updates hose my internet connection. Totally removed it and downloaded Avast. It works great.

[MinionZombie]

You mean McAfee hosed your internet? Or AVG did?

I've just installed Ad-Aware and Zone Alarm, so with those plus the other forms, that's FIVE layers of protection ... I don't just double-bag it, baby ... I ... ... five bag it.

Awwww yeah.

[MaximusIncredulous]

Just recently a Windows update trashed ZoneAlarm, killing all internet access. ZA fixed the problem after a few days, so it should be good for now. I use AVG, ZA, Spybot, and Ad-Aware and they seem to be handling things properly on my end.

[DubiousComforts]

NOD32 and Spybot is all you should ever need.

[Kaos]

You mean McAfee hosed your internet? Or AVG did?



McAfee hosed it. Had to uninstall it to restore my internet.

[Legion2213]

In addition to AVG, we've got two anti-Spyware programmes which I've stuck by for a good while now.

I don't suppose there'd be any possible conflicts with Zone Alarm, or rather, I don't suppose Zone Alarm conflicts with other software?

Never heard of Super Anti Spyware before.

Don't use ZA anymore since I got the full Norton suite with my Vista Lappy, but I used it for years when I had an XP machine and I never had any problems with it conflicting with anything else, it just sat in the background and did it's job.

[Neil]

Zone Alarm and Norton - Had problems with both...

To be honest don't see the point of a firewall application Your router and windows firewall should be more than sufficient...


The only application I have running on my machines is AVG. Periodically I then run other applications such as AVG Ant-Spyware, or a-squared.

If you're concerned about your machine, far more important than 3rd party firewalls (MHO) are:-
a) Ensure you have windows recovery/restore enabled. Just this weekend I flciked my machine back by a day to overcome a horrible problem. Probably save me from a re-install!
b) Backups backups backups! Ideally backup all your drives, every month or so!!

[MinionZombie]

Neil - this particular machine doesn't really require back ups. I'll get my folks a flash drive for their documents and letters, but aside from that, anything downloaded gets scanned and then transferred to another rig and then burned to disc.

As for Zone Alarm - aye, I've got the latest version which over-comes that problem with the Windows update thingy, I saw about it on Wiki.

Aye, I'll try and remember to set system restore points now and then on this rig, it's a good thing to remember, that is.

...

Dubious - NOD32, I was investigating that software as one to purchase for my folks' new rig, what's it like? I was initially thinking Kaspersky, but heard very mixed reviews of it, meanwhile NOD32 got far more consistent, and generally better reviews ... however, I couldn't find any copies to buy anywhere.

[DubiousComforts]

Dubious - NOD32, I was investigating that software as one to purchase for my folks' new rig, what's it like? I was initially thinking Kaspersky, but heard very mixed reviews of it, meanwhile NOD32 got far more consistent, and generally better reviews ... however, I couldn't find any copies to buy anywhere.

ESET NOD32 (http://www.eset.com/products/nod32.php)

You can try NOD32 for 30-days. I like it for using very little system resources following bad experiences with Norton and McAfee.

I agree with Neil that you should back-up regularly, not necessarily your files but the entire system and particularly before any major updates like a Windows Service Pack update. Once you get the system working the way you like it, back it up with a disk image and you'll save yourself a lot of hassle in the future. Try Acronis True Image (http://www.acronis.com/). I don't trust flaky Windows System Restore enough to rely on it 100%.