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AVG or Avast?

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 2:03 pm
by Nobahar
I finally decided to get rid of Norton altogether since it is such a huge system resource hog and the new version is going to be even worse (they never learn). McAfee has always sucked in my opinion- it has never protected me from a trojan and it is anal about wanting constant internet access.

So I go back to the free and more pleasing virusscans. I know AVG is a decent scanner, but I haven't seen too many reviews comparing it to Avast. I use Avast right now and I like it, but I'm not sure which software is more effective- (catches the most viruses, uses least resources, scans faster, etc.).

Anyone that has used both and prefer one over the other?

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:04 pm
by infinitevalence
I have not used avast but i am using AVG right now. so 1 vote for it.

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:31 pm
by gvblake22
Where can you download the free version of AVG? I was browsing their website and all they have for free is the trial versions :?

And while we're on the subject (not trying to threadjack), what free firewall do you all prefer?

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:52 pm
by jtm55
Hi All,

I use AVG, & am completely satisfied with it . Here's the link for the free edition

http://www.grisoft.com/linkout.php?doc= ... risoft.com

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:55 pm
by gvblake22
Sweet, thanks jtm :)

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:21 pm
by Nobahar
I think zonealarm is the best free firewall one (and pay one probably), but I use blackice still. I don't know why I prefer it.

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:46 pm
by jtm55
Hi All,

As far as Software Firewalls go, I think Sygate is one of the best. Here's the link for the free version http://soho.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:11 am
by BiG Kahuna
I have some friends that use AVG and are satisfied with it. I haven't tried it myself though.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:45 am
by alister
jtm55 wrote:As far as Software Firewalls go, I think Sygate is one of the best. Here's the link for the free version http://soho.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
I have tried all of the free firewalls and I like Sygate the best. I just wish that they would get a Windows XP 64 compatible version.

Alister

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:24 pm
by Sasquatch
When I worked at a PC repair shop, we would get in flakey machines with Norton or Mcaffe installed and they would run like crap. So I would uninstall their antivirus and install AVG Free. AVG would always find a bunch of trojans that the other scanners would miss. Personally, I run AVG free at home and it works like a champ for me.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:35 pm
by LVCapo
I've been using AVG for quite awhile and think its great.
I used to use Norton, but got a virus that destroyed my HDDs, I called to get some help and try to understand why it happened after I paid $50 to make sure it didn't and the Norton people were incredibly rude and not any help at all. I installed my new drives and switched to AVG, and have never given it another thought.
Zone Alarm is the best firewall regardless of price, the free version is is everything you would evere need.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:47 pm
by Antonik
I had avast and i didn't like it one big, also had norton, but it made my games lag a little. never tried avg though.

Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:19 pm
by zepper
I use a combo of TrendMicro.com's PC-Cillin (comes free with VCom's SystemSuite 5 utility package) and Sygate firewal; (which also comes with SS5). Both are more than good enough and very low drag.

. It seems that Kaspersky is among the best of the AV software though you do have to pay for it. I think the best free AV software is Linux... ;)

.bh.

Here, have a :drinkers: !

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:16 am
by graysky
NOD32 is the best one out there...

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:59 am
by killswitch83
I have to go with the general populous and vote AVG...I have a crap system (see sig) and it runs great on it, so I can imagine how it would run if it were on the rig I'm about to build!! :mrgreen:

but yeah, AVG is more effective IMO, uses less resources, catches most everything that Norton catches, and it's simple to use, bottom line :)

concerning firewalls, I use ZoneAlarm, but I really, REALLLY, want a copy of BlackICE, because I've heard a lot about it, how good it is; btw, SyGate is a system resources HOG!!! I know this from when I tried to install it on this current system, and it locked it down, literally! But that kinda tells me it's good as well, just depends on what resources you have to spare.

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 7:44 am
by gvblake22
I use Zone Alarm and AntiVir and I like it. Very very minimal. I've also tried Norton and Trend Micro and Norton was great at catching viruses but was a hog like you said. The Trend Micro was a little bit less of a resource hog but did not get rid of viruses as well as the Norton program (yes, personal experience with this).
Using my previous combo of zone alarm and Trend Micro, or just Trend Micro (with thier firewall), or just Norton (with thier firewall) I think I've gotten at least one virus. But actually, using Zone Alarm and AntiVir, I haven't gotten anything even remotely harmful! :)

Nice little overview of a lot of different antivirus programs HERE

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:13 pm
by Kerii
I like Kaspersky myself (not free though).

Good independent review site:
http://www.av-comparatives.org

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:20 pm
by infinitevalence
I have swiched over to antivir, so far so good. But then i almost never have virus problems.

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:22 pm
by killswitch83
yeah, that's crazy, Kaspersky is 99.88% on with their scans...good to know. If they have it on CD I'll consider grabbing it :)

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:25 pm
by killswitch83
there is something I've been finding though....something I didn't think AVG would catch but it did......a Trojan embedded itself inside my Java OpenStream app, but AVG didn't want to remove it for some reason, so I took care of it, but still it's something I didn't think it would catch....crazy.