Effective but FAST AV/Firewall software?

Matt Van Dam · 23 Mar 2006 at 18:35

I just formatted my PC having used Norton 2005 for the last few months and cannot get over how much my PC is without it installed. I pretty much don't want to go back as my Windows seems so much more streamline without it.

Can anyone reccommend some reliable, effective but not performance compromising AV/Firewall software other than Norton from experience?

Many thanks!

Etaqua · 23 Mar 2006 at 18:37

For the AV, if you want a really lightweight, quick and effective one, NOD32 is really the only option, everything else uses up loads of system resources.

Aidoscuz · 23 Mar 2006 at 18:53

I use NOD32 and Kerio Personal Firewall and they're working really well. I haven't had any issues with them at all so far, and they don't slow down my computer at all. They're so much better than the norton stuff I was using for ages.

Scream · 23 Mar 2006 at 21:01

Etaqua said:
For the AV, if you want a really lightweight, quick and effective one, NOD32 is really the only option, everything else uses up loads of system resources.

Yep, NOD32 is well known for its light resource usage and scan speed but unfortuately by the monthly stats, it shows that by being quick, it misses quite a few viruses.

I'd be more inclined to buy an av that is the best in the business and does the job right despite of scan speed.

My choice would be Kaspersky.

Matt Van Dam · 23 Mar 2006 at 21:13

What about AV/Firewall packages?

Monstermunch · 23 Mar 2006 at 23:06

Matt Van Dam said:
What about AV/Firewall packages?

Simply put the packages are crap!

Best is the individual progs...

I use Avast AV & Kerio Personal (Sygate until recently) and they seem to be working very well, but i've also heard a lot of good things about Kapersky and may give it a whirl myself!

Avast & Kerio are both free & very good.... Plus while you're at it download the free version of Lavasoft's AdAware SE: It saved my PC countless times when slowing.

Scream · 23 Mar 2006 at 23:10

Matt Van Dam said:
What about AV/Firewall packages?

Kaspersky being the no1 antivirus at this current time also have a product known as Kaspersky Internet Security which has antivirus/firewall/antispam etc as part of the package.

The firewall takes some time to setup but once its setup and you have it trained, its an acceptable firewall.

Etaqua · 23 Mar 2006 at 23:33

Scream said:
Yep, NOD32 is well known for its light resource usage and scan speed but unfortuately by the monthly stats, it shows that by being quick, it misses quite a few viruses.

Take a look at the Badass Windows performance sticky. NOD32 ranks in the top 15 AVs (all subscription ones, not free versions). It misses 35 or so out of the 330 virus testbeds, which isn't too bad, really.

Scream said:
My choice would be Kaspersky.

Widely accepted as the best at finding viruses, although it is a bit slower and heavier on the resources. Go for this if you scan overnight/when idle. NOD32 when you scan while using your PC.

janesssssy · 23 Mar 2006 at 23:51

its one thing finding them and dealing with virus's.

Elston · 23 Mar 2006 at 23:53

Etaqua said:
Take a look at the Badass Windows performance sticky. NOD32 ranks in the top 15 AVs (all subscription ones, not free versions). It misses 35 or so out of the 330 virus testbeds, which isn't too bad, really.

Sticky is a bit dated now, that test was done in 'June 2004'. Anyone know a more upto date list?

Scream · 26 Mar 2006 at 23:52

Here are a list of results for various av software testing each month.

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/comparatives.html

There are a few others but seem to be missing from my favourites or else I've gone blind.

lumocolor · 27 Mar 2006 at 16:23

The most respected independant virus review site in the professional IT industry:

http://www.virusbtn.com/index

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