Posted by JanetK_CA on 4/19/07 2:36pm
Msg #185991

techie question - anti-virus recommendation for Vista?

I recently purchased a new laptop with Vista pre-installed and a temporary McAfee anti-virus program. On my old pc, I was happily and successfully running Avast! (It's a free download for home users, BTW, for anyone interested.) I was using that because I had had a really bad time with upgrading my Norton Anti-virus to Norton Internet Security on the old pc. I eventually had to take it to a pc guru who removed it completely and installed the Avast! (That was $60 down the drain!)

When I got the new laptop, I again downloaded the latest version of Avast! (they didn't have Vista listed as one of the options...) but had to remove it because of conflicts between the two programs. The McAfee expires in a few days and I'm not sure where to go from here, but I don't want to leave myself unprotected. (McAfee I believe is owned by Norton and I still have a bad taste left from my previous experience...)

Anyone have any recommendations? Buying a laptop right now wasn't exactly a budgeted expense, so I'm interested in keeping expenses low, but Brenda TX, your comments below were well taken. Tks!

Reply by Joan_OH on 4/19/07 2:46pm
Msg #185993

I have never had a problem with Norton Anti-Virus and have been using it since my first computer. The problems I do have is with all the other Norton Programs. Even so, last time I renewed I upgraded to the full package with all the bells and whistles, internet security, etc. WHAT A MISTAKE! I had to uninstall the whole thing, reinstall Norton and then purchase the update for Anti-Virus only.

Joan-OH

Reply by Ndwa on 4/19/07 2:52pm
Msg #185997

I removed Norton last week and went with McAfee. Anything free is good, but then you know there are limits. That's why Avast also sell their full software version of AV & security. McAfee found trace of spyware in my system when Norton didn't. McAfee maybe owned by Norton, but I can tell each software is designed on a different platform. I heard Panda is also a good one which I'll try next year when my McAfee subscription is up.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/19/07 3:02pm
Msg #186000

I used Panda last year and let it expire in December. It's really good, I think. I have used it for three years until last year.

I found Windows LiveCare (I think it's called) to do a good job, plus routinely keep up the general health of my computer as well as back up onto my external drive constantly. I have all my documents, web pages, jpgs and pix all backing up around the clock/daily to that. It's great. So easy.

Reply by Larry/Ca on 4/19/07 3:12pm
Msg #186004

Many service providers will provide you....

free protection software. I have SBC dsl and have been very happy with their suite of free protection software. Be careful that you don't try to install new software while your computer still has another protection software installed. I was able to get my new laptop to go BLUE SCREEN 10 minutes out of the box by failing to remove the stuff that came with my new DELL.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/19/07 3:32pm
Msg #186011

Re: Many service providers will provide you....

I have Earthlink, but don't think I want to depend on them. I'm not a real fan of all the "Total Access" bells and whistles they try to promote.

So how do you keep protection while making the change from one program to another? Is it best to buy a store copy, disconnect from the internet to remove the old, then install the new before going online again (vs buying a download)? That interval is what concerns me the most. (And I'm not sure I completely understand your last sentence. Keeping up with all this stuff is not my forte!!! There's lots of junk - like Google tool bars, misc. start up programs, etc. that I would love to get rid of. All in due time, I guess.)

And has anyone had experience specifically with Vista compatibility with anti-virus programs?

Thanks very much all, for your feedback!

Reply by Larry/Ca on 4/19/07 3:54pm
Msg #186019

Janet, I just meant you should remove any.....

Anti- virus, Spyware protection currently installed before installing new. Conflict between protection software is common. I wouldn't worry much about the very short time between uninstalling one and installing the other, stay off the internet during this time if you are concerned.

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 4/19/07 3:28pm
Msg #186010

When I Installed Vista Ultimate...

...on a separate hard drive for experimental dual boot purposes two months ago, I went looking for Vista compatible AV software & ended up settling on AVG's free version. It's been bug free for me. You can go to AVG's web site @ http://www.grisoft.com/ to download it.

Hope this gives you one more option to try.

Reply by Dave_CA on 4/19/07 3:48pm
Msg #186015

Re: When I Installed Vista Ultimate...

I have been an avid user of computers for many years, and have utilized most ... I find NOD32 to be the very best I've ever seen, and recommend it highly.
I use the Vista firewall with this.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/20/07 2:17am
Msg #186073

Thanks -- to all!! n/m