Switching from Norton AV, is AVG good alternative, or is there a better choice?

WeakButHopeful · Jul 29, 2006

I'm using WinXP SP1 on a 3.2Ghz hyperthreading Intel P4. I've decided to move away from Norton Internet Security Suite to a free or less expensive AV and Firewall. I theoretically get McAfee free with my Comcast ISP, but I started going through their download and activation procedure and had a number of problems. Which is what got me thinking about AVG, but I figured I'd ask for other folks opinions before I settle on one. Thanks in advance for your time.

zoziw · Jul 29, 2006

I used McAfee for years before my IP put together their own security package and added it free to my subscription. I think it uses F-Secure.

At any rate, McAfee worked problem free for me for years and my mom still uses it because her computer doesn't meet the requirements of our ISP's package.

I've never used AVG.

Spudgrandma · Jul 29, 2006

I switched to AVG several months ago and as far as I can tell it is working fine. It does not stop my computer (as Norton and Panda did) when it downloads updates. It does update every day. So far I'm very happy with it.

rdale · Jul 29, 2006

When my last subscription for NAV (part of the Norton SystemWorks package) ran out, I switched to AVG and have been very happy with it. It's very light-weight/fast compared to NAV and supposed to be quite good... no problems I've noticed.

For the firewall, you ought to check out Sygate Personal firewall. Last yeat some time it was bought out by Symantec, but is still available. Here's a link at majorgeeks.com:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sygate_Personal_Firewall_Free_d3356.html

Really like this firewall! Just wish that I had bought the "Pro" version when it was available. You can block access on a per app/instance basis with a high level of control. Tried ZoneAlarm, then just went back to Sygate, as I love the way it works.

Another app you might want to check out is called Process Explorer from http://www.sysinternals.com I have Process Explorer set to run at boot, and it's nice to know what is wanting to call home, i.e. Wga, Windows Update, etc... The guy who wrote Process Explorer is the same guy who discovered the Sony rootkit deal a while back, and I think just last week was hired by Microsoft. The reason I mention this is that I don't know how long his apps will continue to be available, kinda like the Sygate/Symantec deal. Autoruns, and a few others he created are worth checking out too.

MrJim · Jul 29, 2006

AVG is working great for me. I've used antivir and avast but find AVG works easier & better.

WeakButHopeful · Jul 29, 2006

Thanks one and all for the advice!

And rdale04, I've already visited the links you included and downloaded several apps. Thanks for the heads up.

HisEagle · Jul 29, 2006

I won't swear to it, but isn't AVG only available on a limited trial basis, after which you have to purchase a license?

As for Sygate, my understanding is that it is discontinued and that the only free version available is nearly 2 years old.

My advice would be to go with ZoneAlarm as your firewall. I use it, and it actually does a great job. It can slow down your system just a tad, but if you can deal with that, it protects you well.

As for a free anti-virus program, I swear by Avast. It is totally free, and quickly updates on a regular basis without interfering with what you are doing.

MrJim · Jul 29, 2006

groundhog said:
I won't swear to it, but isn't AVG only available on a limited trial basis, after which you have to purchase a license?

As for Sygate, my understanding is that it is discontinued and that the only free version available is nearly 2 years old.

My advice would be to go with ZoneAlarm as your firewall. I use it, and it actually does a great job. It can slow down your system just a tad, but if you can deal with that, it protects you well.

As for a free anti-virus program, I swear by Avast. It is totally free, and quickly updates on a regular basis without interfering with what you are doing.

AVG Free isn't a trial only-and I agree with the ZoneAlarm-I've been using it since symantec quit supporting their free version.

kopilo · Jul 30, 2006

Really? Apparently windows XP SP2 firewall is actually better then Zone Alarm, well that is what the uni geeks think anyway.

I'm using NIS but it is a pain to use, sometimes it does get in the way of everything and it can't differentiate between LAN and the internet.

*goes off to check out sygate* BTW Kerio seems like a decent firewall, as does firestarter although I don't think firestarter has been ported to windows.

WeakButHopeful · Jul 30, 2006

OK, I'm now using AVG Free and Zone Alarm Free...very happy so far. AVG Free scanned 75 gigs worth of my hard disks on my PC, 350 thousand "objects" in 70 minutes. Zone Alarm Free was very easy to setup...the usual alerts that I had to reply to with "Remember this setting" and I had to add my trusted LAN subnet, but now I'm good to go with a 100% reduction in cost, probably less drain on my system (IMHO Norton=bloatware) and no need to phone the cust. support to find out why my free (as a Comcast user) McAfee download just doesn't install.

Thanks for everyone's help! Oh yes, I have another vendor change planned, but I'll let the forum rest for a bit before starting a new thread.

HisEagle · Jul 30, 2006

My bad about the AVG. I must have been looking at the wrong site. I could have swore it was for a 30-day trial only.

Hmmm....that makes me think. I'll have to try it out.

As for NIS, I actually liked the firewall, but had problems with ccApp.exe not allowing me to reboot. Supposedly reinstalling fixes the problem, but I'm not about to go back through the whole process of downloading the software from the Symantec website. When I first bought it, I was on broadband, but I'm on dial-up now and it would take forever.

rdale · Jul 30, 2006

groundhog said:
Supposedly reinstalling fixes the problem, but I'm not about to go back through the whole process of downloading the software from the Symantec website. When I first bought it, I was on broadband, but I'm on dial-up now and it would take forever.

If you are ever curious/bored... I still think Sygate is worth checking out. Easy on your system resources and very effective.

chritophera · Jul 31, 2006

WeakButHopeful said:
I'm using WinXP SP1 on a 3.2Ghz hyperthreading Intel P4. I've decided to move away from Norton Internet Security Suite to a free or less expensive AV and Firewall. I theoretically get McAfee free with my Comcast ISP, but I started going through their download and activation procedure and had a number of problems. Which is what got me thinking about AVG, but I figured I'd ask for other folks opinions before I settle on one. Thanks in advance for your time.

Good call getting away from Norton. NAV should actually stand for Norton Always Vicious.

Depending on what you are looking to spend would really dictate what you are looking for. I personally recommend Kaspersky or NOD32. I run NOD32 and have had no issues to date. I uninstalled Norton about 4 months ago and ran the NOD32 trial version and it found 4 viruses that Norton let through. Its around $50 for the package, and then approx. $25 for the renewal fees.
Everyone is going to have a favorite, but mine is NOD32.

kopilo · Aug 1, 2006

Download from the webstite rather then running live update, live update to my knowledge is uninstallable. Hence only costing a 1 time cost but costing more time in downloading (because the files are larger to download).

Antivirus alone is never a shield, it can at the most only prevent viruses from running. From what I'm reading, NOD32 only works as a detect and destory rather then stopping the stuff from being downloaded onto your computer in the first place. Use a firewall, a good antivirus program (eg NOD32), more then one spyware scanner (ad-aware, spybot, xsoftspy) and minimise threats through restricting access, such as through the browser (whitelisting access to scripts, cookies, etc).

Hopefully by then your computer may be safer when accessing the internet.

pastel · Aug 1, 2006

Where do I get this AVG? I currently have Norman Antivirus (nothing to do with Norton) ... and it stopped updating even though I have another 6-7 months left on my subscription. I am thoroughly displeased with Norman before this.

SumTinWong · Aug 1, 2006

I use Bitdefender on one machine and Live Care on teh other and I like them both equally well.

SumTinWong · Aug 1, 2006

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads29.html - for Antivirus software and http://www.majorgeeks.com/AVG_Free_Edition_d886.html for AVG free

BRAN84 · Aug 2, 2006

AVG is the best way to go.

It's free. Enough said.

SumTinWong · Aug 2, 2006

The other thing to remember is you get what you pay for. I bought Bit Defender which is ranked #1 in response time with a firewall and a spyware detector for $20. Can't beat that. I got One care with the same options for the same price.

I did use free Zone Alarm and AVG for years but felt guilty for mooching for all those years without buying thier products. But they are over priced so i wasn't going to shell out that much for the full versions...

WhirlwindMonk · Aug 2, 2006

I've used a number of different AVs and firewalls. My personal preference right now is Avast AV, and I just rely on the hardware firewall in my router. I've also used AVG and I liked it, though for some reason it suddenly started using a lot of resources after several months of no problems. I don't know what that was about. But I'd say Avast or AVG.

Switching from Norton AV, is AVG good alternative, or is there a better choice?

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