7 replies to this topic

[Shiva]

Hi,
This is one of the most discussed topics in the internet.But still, I want to know the opinion of "Vlexoians"!

Which is the 'best' and "free" anti-virus you  have ever used or came across?

You can mention multiple anti virus with different ratings.

Please note the points below while rating them:

1)Detection Rate (more, the better)
2)Resource usage (Less, the better)
3)Speed. (more, the better)
4)Updatability  (more often, the best)
5)User Friendly.
6)Install and un install time.
7)Extra features (like anti-spam or email scanner etc).
8)Available for Linux?

When you say "BEST", note that it meets almost all the points above.

Also, there are evolved and new kind of anti-virus programs like Cloud Based ones.But they work only with internet connection ON. Please comment on them too.


Personal Experience: I have used MSSE for 3 Years and using Avira from past 4 years. Both are wonderful with their own draw-backs. :-)


PS: Discussion is only on FREE AV. Please don't post about paid ones.

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[brujito]

Hi Shiva,

Shiva, on 26 July 2011 - 12:29 AM, said:

Which is the 'best' and "free" anti-virus you  have ever used or came across?

First: Best and free  - That's a challenge...

Secondly: As you know: Three people - four different opinions (at least...)

MY OWN requirements are:
      1) Very important: Detection Rate and Resource usage
      2) Less important : Speed, because I use the linux-version to scan in the background while working with linux

So for a few years I used the free version of Avira. Since the beginning of 2011
I payed for a 2-Year license (Antivirus only, not Security Suite) , because in the free version I was missing the ProActiv and Webguard technology.
The free version also misses the AntiPhishing- and MailGuard-technology.

Since a few weeks the Webguard technology is  included in the free version with SP2 as well, but
you have to accept the searchfree-toolbar during installation - A point that you have decide for yourself.

I also tried Kaspersky and G-Data(uses 2 engines), which I find as a 1-year-free-version
in a computermagazine but my experience is: Too much Resource usage.

I'm really interested to other experiences, so let me know.

[Sharad D]

I am using Avast free from long time and its good I was more happy with Avast 4.8 as it provided more controls to user. I like its Boot Time scan feature which removes virus before OS loads, and you can also set the action while scheduling and go to sleep

AVG's Detection Rate is high,but many false positives.
I haven't seen Avast use much resource for OnAccess Scan and Mostly I schedule Boot time scans. So Its not a problem with resource.
Avast Updates once in a day or two.
Avast definitely is user friendly
Features: On Access Scanner scans File System,Mails,Web,P2P,Instant Messenger,Network,Scripts and Also Behaviour. I have no idea of most of these as I don't need them. It also provides AutoSandbox for files it finds suspicious but you can't force run any App in Sandbox.

Its Available for Linux, but am not sure why you need it since there is a boot time scan already

[brujito]

Maybe the regularly published results at av-comparatives.org
are useful for you.

They are testing the full functional versions, but for usual the scan-engines are the same.

[lodijoe]

Great brains think alike!   Sharad D and I use Avast free with good safe results.  I will point out the obvious which is that we must be very careful about which internet sites we visit.  I have helped some people who have had their computers taken over in spite of having had an anti-virus on them.

[H@D]

I always use AVG or Panda Cloud  on a daily basis both have a high detection rate both are very lite. I also like Avast but it has disappointed me a couple of times in the past while searching for hacker tools so . AVG is faster in terms of scanning and updating compare to Panda Cloud. It is very user friendly  but I hate the installation time it take to much time in my opinion. AVG features antivirus of course , email scanner, anti-root key, id protection, security toolbar, anti-spyware, link scanner and a resident shield.  AVG is available for Linux.

I like free antivirus on a daily basis but when I need to fight a real though virus I resource to Panda Security is one of the best for cleaning my clients PC's. Later I install them AVG free. Sadly free antivirus are not always reliable. But I would recommend for free antivirus AVG or Panda Cloud I would also recommend Avast, it disappointed me at certain point but not everyone gives the same use to the computers, we had a good run together.

I also tried at certain point Kapersky and Avira also tried many paid ones like McAffe and Norton and honestly there is no doubt I like the ones above specially AVG free and paying Panda Security.

[timeless]

3 months ago I used AVG but it was too slow to use. so that is why I moved to Avast and I had no problem with it. I think it is just the best antivirus ever invented. I also tried Avira but I just didn't like it for no reason

[developers]

I used Avast Anitivirus and i think it is the best.