[dba-Tech] Antivirus Software - Who do we like, who do we not like?

Gary,
Don't do it! My Sister in-law just went through a Norton 2005 issue (because
she's too proud to ask). Screwed up the entire PC. Just the last in a long
list of Norton problems I've had to hear about. If you're one of those
REALLY lucky people then you stand a chance, otherwise the chances are that
you will eventually regret it.

I was a Norton supporter until the 2005 version was released. I can fully
recommend any Norton product up to 2004 (which you can still get for a
steal) but I ABSOLUTELY do not recommend Norton 2005. It is quickly rising
on my list of most problematic products. I have now removed Norton 2005 from
almost as many PCs as McAfee products (which I don't recommend either - yes
Jon I know you like McAfee, but like NAV, I used it many years before it
started causing more problems than it was worth, we'll just have to agree to
disagree :o)

If you want to go with something else I recommend CA's security products.
Their home products are EZ-AV (uses the same engine as their corporate
eTrust AV), EZ firewall (which is apparently re-GUI-ed ZoneLabs) and Pest
Patrol are top notch products. Also Trend Micro products are very good.
Trends online scan is tops and their downloadable emergency AV "SysClean" is
the best (kicks McAfee's Stinger all over the place). Counterspy from
Sunbelt Software (which is based on the same engine as Giant AS, MS-AS) but
is has more advanced functionality is probably the very best anti-spy.
Sunbelt had contracted with Giant to write this for them before MS bought
out Giant. The signature updates actually come from MS now!

If you want to go the free route Grisoft AV is free for personal use and
very good, Sygate Personal Firewall is free for personal use and is very
good, and of course MS anti-spy is very good and free. All highly
recommended!


John B.


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Gary Kjos
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 8:07 AM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: [dba-Tech] Antivirus Software - Who do we like, who do we not like?

Hi all,  I'm looking for opinions here.

Got a message from my Norton Antivirus 2000 this morning that my
subscription for updates was about to expire and I needed to renew.
OK, no big deal, let's to it right now..... so I click the Renew Now button
thing and it comes up and tells me that NAV 2000 has been DISCONTINUED and I
have to upgrade to 2005 version. I recall hearing people indicate that they
had issues with NAV 2005 so I backed out and did not continue - plus they
want $39.95 to upgrade. I know I have seen it in stores for less than that.

I've been a faithfull NAV user for many years. I have Norton Internet
Securiity 2004 on another machine which includes the NAV 2004 - and while I
have come to HATE the Norton Firewall, the 2004 Antivirus hasn't caused me
any grief. I don't use that machind for E-Mail though. The machine that is
expiring is my main e-mail machine and so I do need as good of protection as
I can get.

The most recent machine I bought - a Notebook from Dell - uses McAfee.
That's just what it came with. So maybe Dell has changed over from Norton to
McAffee on their new machines?

So, please post your stories of horror or success with NAV 2005 - or other
versions or even other companies software because I will need to be making a
purchase soon and I'm not sure what direction to go.

--
Gary Kjos
garykjos at gmail.com
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