Whats the best virus protection?

Norton, AVG, others?

[dazz]

I am getting a new PC for work. It will be used for all the website updating and will have some important files on the hard drive. I will also be getting all the company emails to this pc. I need to know which is the best virus protection as I will be using Outlook Express!

Money is not too much of a problem within reason! Any ideas?

[Liane]

Get a Mac :)

[oilman]

I'd go with Norton - I've never had a problem with them (when I'm running it :))

I recently started running the free version of AVG (lost my Norton disc) and it's a really nice setup. For usability I like it more than Norton but I'm not sure yet if it's as effective.

[DrCool]

I would have to vote for AVG. It is free and I haven't had any problems with it.

[dazz]

Why a mac liane? Ive heard good things about them but never used one! Do they use Windows xp!? lol are they better agains virus attacks? Also can I use Frontpage on them?!

Oilman...I had free AVG on the old pc and got Klez! It doesnt seem to scan incoming or outgoing mail on Outlook. I downloaded an attachment and scanned it, AVG said it was clear so I opened it and whammo! Dead PC.

[oilman]

If you want to be really protected tho I'd run an email program like MailWasher and filter you email at the server as well as running virus protection.

AVG + MailWasher + AdAware = better sleep at night ;)

[oilman]

How old a version of AVG were you using? I got klez and AVG cleaned it right up for me. I also have it scanning email through Outlook for me as well (at least is says it does :))

Like I say tho - Norton is well worth the money if you're wanting to spend it. AVG is easily the best FREE virus protection but as we all know you can only get so far with free stuff.

[Liane]

dazz, I have to admit that I was partly being a smart a** ... but not entirely. Unless I am wrong, (someone correct me if I am) ... but Macs are not as susceptible to viruses only because most of the world are using PC and the jerks who write these things can't be bothered with the small percentage of us using Macs.

I have never had a problem with viruses and have used Macs for the past 5 years. I have Norton though ... just in case!

[mat]

AVP from Kaspersky is worth a look. Why? Often comes top of serious reviews, despite being relatively unknown. Daily updates of the signature files (automated if needs be), from ftp, http or LAN. I've had nothing get past it in 3 years, and it seem pretty up to speed with web.based infectors such as ActiveX exploits.

I also like Norton, but it sometimes gets in the way and tries to do too much to network traffic. I don't like the default 'scan outgoing' option (it uses its own embedded mail server) as it seems to confuse people.

Overall, I trust procmail/mailwasher/spam assasin first, common sense second and AV software third, like many others.

Oh, and don't use Outlook Express unless you have to - look at Eudora, PocoMail, the Bat, Pegasus - not necessarily because they're better, just that most modern viruses/worms are specifically targetted at OE.

Mat

[gsmitchell]

I would definitly recomend Norton. I have never had a virus (knock on wood) on any of the servers I maintain(10) and I like that it will scan email attachements on clients pc's. (really good if you have stupid users who don't listen to you about not opening attachments from unknown people)

[dazz]

Oilman, yes i know i will have to admit that after i updated avg free it did find the virus but it had done the damage by then! Sloppy by me i know and it was a lesson learn't :(

So it looks like Norton is the way to go with free avg and mailwasher!

[rcjordan]

> not necessarily because they're better, just that most modern viruses/worms are specifically targetted at OE.

Opera, Eudora v3.0.6 (no html), mailwasher, and norton would make a very good anti-virus combo. I use everything but the Opera part.

[richlowe]

I run my own email server with Norton Antivirus for Gateways (and a program called Spamfilter which blocks all spam-blacklisted IP addresses) in front. This strips most (so far all) of the viruses (about a dozen a day). Then Norton on the desktop, with updates every night (and another spam filter on the desktop, a content-checker). Also, KEEP IE PATCHED, even if you use Opera. Some programs use IE for rendering, so you MUST keep it patched. I check and install the patches once a month, and read all Microsoft security bullitens as they come out. Of course, you'd also be wise to get a good, hardware (not one of those silly software packages like zone alarm) firewall.

Richard Lowe

[dazz]

Just installed mailwasher at home.....it looks pretty good at the moment, ill have to see how it works at work where i get about 5 virus emails per day! I will probably register that and get Norton to cover.

Thanks guys for your advise...and if anyone else has any ideas to offer...keep them coming!

i hate spam and virus's :(.......why oh why do ppl do it!