Kaspersky versus Avast?

freebooter · 12 Aug 2008 at 22:54

I have been running F-Secure anti virus for a year since getting for nothing through my bank (Barclays). It has been ok but takes ages at boot. The year license has come to an end and I have downloaded Kaspersky Internet Suite through a similar offer. My other option is just to use Avast whichI have been pretty happy with when I have used it.

How does Kaspersky compare to Avast esp boot time? My computer use results in me very rarely coming across a virus. I have read the info at the Kaspersky site and it sounds a bit full on and I see it is also a firewall, so far I have just been using the XP firewall without problems afaik.

PMWD · 13 Aug 2008 at 00:33

I've gone from F-Secure to Kaspersky IS when I dumped in a new hard drive and SP3. Compared to how much of the resources F-Secure used to hog for no apparent reason it's a real breath of fresh air.

Solid and clear to use, only criticism is the "You need to reboot to complete updates" which seems to pop up about once a month so far.

TomElZ · 13 Aug 2008 at 00:41

Nod 32 all the way

yantorsen · 13 Aug 2008 at 01:07

Avira AntiVir TBH

Darkwave · 13 Aug 2008 at 01:31

yantorsen said:
Avira AntiVir TBH

This. Someone was posting charts here not long ago and Antivir came out on top.

yantorsen · 13 Aug 2008 at 01:53

Avira is also less intrusive than everything else, and I've tried everything. Avast gets annoying...

"Virus database has been updated"

/robot voice

Ratbag · 13 Aug 2008 at 09:51

Ulfhedjinn said:
This. Someone was posting charts here not long ago and Antivir came out on top.

Yes! I am renowned for posting links to prove that freeware AV's are more than capable of outquaffing payware, in both detection rate and resource usage.....

For some unfathomable reason, Avast seems to be the most popular of the freeware AV's but I'd argue all day long that AntiVir is the best.

Check out the detection rate comparatives here. And when you're done, follow the link here for evidence of resource usage.

Then download and install AntiVir. Use the advice here to get rid of the nag screen after updating the database. Enjoy.

freebooter · 13 Aug 2008 at 10:15

Thanks for the replies. The antivir sounds good but I see that the free version is just the basic virus scanner whereas the version in the comparison site is the full internet security version which isn't free. The Kaspersky version I could use is the full IS version, although I am not sure whether I want firewall etc.

I must admit that I am getting a bit cynical about these ratings and comparisons of av software. It always seems that there is a new program that is much better than everything else. I remember that a short while ago Kaspersky was being touted as the best at detection, now that site indicates that it is rubbish. Has it really got so much worse?

I might reinstall windows and make an image before I install the av and then try both.

Ratbag · 13 Aug 2008 at 12:02

The virus scanning component is the same in the free version as the payware and the so-called security suite.

yantorsen · 13 Aug 2008 at 12:58

if you have vista you won't need a firewall

Simian · 13 Aug 2008 at 13:43

yantorsen said:
Avira is also less intrusive than everything else, and I've tried everything. Avast gets annoying...

"Virus database has been updated"

/robot voice

You do know you can change that to say what ever you want or turn it off altogether don't you??!!!..

I'm quite happy with Avast (Pro on me main PC and Free on me Lappy)

yantorsen · 13 Aug 2008 at 14:32

Simian said:
You do know you can change that to say what ever you want or turn it off altogether don't you??!!!..

so could i make it say

"Yantorsen, you rule"

/robot voice.

Ratbag · 13 Aug 2008 at 16:10

yantorsen said:
if you have vista you won't need a firewall

You will if you've switched off windows own notoriously flaky firewall. If you are still using windows firewall and care about outbound filtering you just might want to try a 3rd party firewall.....

freebooter · 13 Aug 2008 at 16:25

yantorsen said:
if you have vista you won't need a firewall

I am running XP with just the built in firewall.

yantorsen · 13 Aug 2008 at 16:31

Ratbag said:
You will if you've switched off windows own notoriously flaky firewall. If you are still using windows firewall and care about outbound filtering you just might want to try a 3rd party firewall.....

na im good thanks. I've never had any problems with it.

ScoobyDoo · 13 Aug 2008 at 18:07

TomElZ said:
Nod 32 all the way

Its the future

Just renewed for another 12 months with them.

TomElZ · 13 Aug 2008 at 18:35

ScoobyDoo said:
Its the future

Just renewed for another 12 months with them.

Haha quality

manjuice · 13 Aug 2008 at 18:46

My license for Eset SS expired the other day. I gave Avira Premium Security Suite a go and found it terrible.

Start-up took longer, files took longer to load in windows explorer (real time scanning – didn’t happen with ESS), internet speed was reduced with web guard and firewall enabled, also, file scans took twice as long. Even though Avira uses less memory than ESS, Avira made my system less responsive.

I've now reinstalled ESS and will buy 12-months after this 30-day trial is over.

eXor · 13 Aug 2008 at 19:12

Ratbag said:
You will if you've switched off windows own notoriously flaky firewall. If you are still using windows firewall and care about outbound filtering you just might want to try a 3rd party firewall.....

What's wrong with Vista's outbound filtering?

Simian · 13 Aug 2008 at 20:43

yantorsen said:
so could i make it say

"Yantorsen, you rule"

/robot voice.

Yepski!!..

Make a .wav and use it where ever!!! :cool: