Solved Antivirus programs

[ukthesis]

I presently use an AVG free edition program for the anti-virus function. There is a McAfee connection to this Windows 7 also, it comes up but I've not subscribed to it myself. However, I am now offered a Virgin Media Security software service (as a Virgin cable user) free of charge - but if I want this, I will have to uninstall AVG and presumably the McAfee that came with Windows 7.

What's the opinion on this? Is the Virgin product worth my while installing over the others on my PC for protection against threats?

 

[Anak]

If it is included in the service package why not?

I found a fleeting reference to it using Kaspersky, and on virgin's site it says it uses trend-micro, and garlik both not bad.

One thing get's me though, I notice on your timezone map in your profile that your location is in the middle of the North American Continent. Are you an International traveler?

I may be wrong, but I thought Virgin was European, have they expanded?

 

[ukthesis]

Right, but you would say better than AVG Free edition? And better than this McAfee package that comes with Windows 7? How do I uninstall this one? There's no point changing if they are all pretty much the same. I live in the UK.

 

[Anak]

Yes, and yes.

In order for Virgin to work properly you must remove the other two, otherwise you will have conflicts down the road.

Pick the 64bit, second one down: AVG - Download tools and utilities

For McAfee follow the instructions here:

SolutionIMPORTANT: If your McAfee products were preinstalled by the manufacturer of your computer, ensure that you activate your McAfee subscription before uninstalling. Reinstalling from a CD or download only installs your McAfee consumer applications, but might not recover your paid subscription term information.
Source: How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe)

 

[ukthesis]

So you think that Virgin is better than the other two? Why?

 

[Anak]

I may have only been a member here for just under two years, but I have seen enough grief from other members concerning those two programs, and how they affect their systems to personally stay away from them.

Its your call.

 

[metalmania31]

I've only heard on this forum that AVG has gotten less reliable or doesn't work as well as it did in it's hey day. A quick search of Virgin Media Security says it powered by Trend Micro. I had Trend Micro in the past and I had issues with it as it upgraded to each version. I don't know how good it is now. But either way if it's provided by your ISP it's free so it wouldn't hurt to try it out and if you don't like it or if it causes problems with your system just uninstall and reinstall a free or paid antivirus you like.

 

[ukthesis]

I'm not sure what to do. The man who installed this PC in 2011 says AVG is fine (free edition) and he runs a computer shop. McAfee on my old computer I had a mass of problems with and eventually got a refund (almost unheard of) after 6 months of use, despite its good reputation. So I've come to the conclusion that if you ask 6 people their favorite anti-virus program, you'll probably get 6 different answers. There doesn't seem to be a place you can go to read up, from technical experts, their opinion.

 

[metalmania31]

Actually there is. Here. AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Welcome to AV-Comparatives.org

I think most people will say that as long as you have some antivirus software it's better than not having one at all.

 

[profdlp]

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows has done a great job for me. Low overhead and it's effective.

 

[ukthesis]

Kaspersky is the best on this comparison site, but the Virgin, AVG or McAfee programs aren't it. Virgin seems to have an element of Kaspersky though, but I don't know what it is.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

So I've come to the conclusion that if you ask 6 people their favorite anti-virus program, you'll probably get 6 different answers. There doesn't seem to be a place you can go to read up, from technical experts, their opinion.

It's true that you can get 6 different answers. But there are some sites that at least attempt to separate the wheat from the chaff.

On this site, the better reputations go to Microsoft Security Essentials, Avast, Kapersky, Malwarebytes, and recent versions of Norton. Then a bunch of others in the middle.

You rarely hear anything good about McAfee.

 

[wanchoo]

AVG free may not be too bad although there are many who don't like it here and elsewhere but McAfee everyone says is the pits. I have used it for a short time over 15 years back and then gave up. It wasn't too bad then.

If Virgin is giving Kaspersky or Trend Micro then they are amongst the top of the list and you should plump for any one of them. Otherwise Avast free A-V is doing great for me.

 

[ukthesis]

Thanks guys for the good advice. Interesting that MaAfee isn't rated in the top rank since they are quite expensive and compete directly with Kaspersky. My own experience was horrendous. Basically, I got error messages on a regular basis. I contacted their customer support helpline, they said they'd corrected the fault (remote control accessing my PC, so they were in control) but they never did. I lost my patience with them and eventually got the refund.

 

[metalmania31]

For perspective I think McAfee's Enterprise versions operate better than the standard consumer grade version. I did 11mo contract with Intel and they use McAfee on all there PC's and I never had an issue with it. But like everyone has said already the standard version is less than regarded in the pc community.