What should I look for in an antivirus program?
I've never really bothered with antivirus software or firewalls before, and it's never been a problem, but since I just invested in a nice new Windows box, I figured I'd get some extra protection.
What sort of features should I expect out of an antivirus program? I mean, they all obviously scan the HDD for viruses, so what else? Do some update their virus definitions more quickly than others? Or I suppose some programs are less demanding on system resources than others? Apparently there are testing agencies that compare and rate virus software; should I consult one of those?
Note: Please do not tell me what you think is "the best" antivirus software. I am looking for objective criteria that I can use to decide what is best for me. I imagine that a good answer would actually be OS-agnostic, unless there is some particular feature that I should look for on Windows (like some kind of registry scan for instance).
software-rec anti-virus
asked Sep 24 '11 at 14:56
Neil Traft
3352615
add a comment |
I've never really bothered with antivirus software or firewalls before, and it's never been a problem, but since I just invested in a nice new Windows box, I figured I'd get some extra protection.
What sort of features should I expect out of an antivirus program? I mean, they all obviously scan the HDD for viruses, so what else? Do some update their virus definitions more quickly than others? Or I suppose some programs are less demanding on system resources than others? Apparently there are testing agencies that compare and rate virus software; should I consult one of those?
Note: Please do not tell me what you think is "the best" antivirus software. I am looking for objective criteria that I can use to decide what is best for me. I imagine that a good answer would actually be OS-agnostic, unless there is some particular feature that I should look for on Windows (like some kind of registry scan for instance).
software-rec anti-virus
asked Sep 24 '11 at 14:56
Neil Traft
3352615
2
"Is Antivirus Dead?" schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/11/is_antivirus_de.html
– Aki
Sep 24 '11 at 15:10
Good article, and it does make me wonder: having gone over 10 years without clicking on any bad links, whether antivirus would help me at all. But then again, if even Bruce Schneier himself still uses antivirus...
– Neil Traft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:23
Yesterday, I deleted ~100 auto-quarantined items spread across about 150 computers. One (average) month's worth. This does not include auto-deleted items, nor blocked Internet requests. AV is long from dead. :(
– Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
Sep 24 '11 at 15:28
@Neil: That sort of thing is completely dependent on how likely a person is to click through to the kind of site that doesn't work their security well enough to avoid getting hacked. I think viruses that infect programs are dead, but malware is alive and kicking - especially the "install fifteen additional malware programs" and the "go invisible in Task Manager and Add/Remove Programs" types.
– jprete
Sep 24 '11 at 17:38
1
IMO, the best antivirus is Common Sense Antivirus 2012, it's free, it takes no memory or CPU resources, and it never need to be updated, and it is the only antivirus that can catch any zero-day viruses.
– Lie Ryan
Sep 24 '11 at 17:42
add a comment |
I've never really bothered with antivirus software or firewalls before, and it's never been a problem, but since I just invested in a nice new Windows box, I figured I'd get some extra protection.
What sort of features should I expect out of an antivirus program? I mean, they all obviously scan the HDD for viruses, so what else? Do some update their virus definitions more quickly than others? Or I suppose some programs are less demanding on system resources than others? Apparently there are testing agencies that compare and rate virus software; should I consult one of those?
Note: Please do not tell me what you think is "the best" antivirus software. I am looking for objective criteria that I can use to decide what is best for me. I imagine that a good answer would actually be OS-agnostic, unless there is some particular feature that I should look for on Windows (like some kind of registry scan for instance).
software-rec anti-virus
asked Sep 24 '11 at 14:56
Neil Traft
3352615
I've never really bothered with antivirus software or firewalls before, and it's never been a problem, but since I just invested in a nice new Windows box, I figured I'd get some extra protection.
What sort of features should I expect out of an antivirus program? I mean, they all obviously scan the HDD for viruses, so what else? Do some update their virus definitions more quickly than others? Or I suppose some programs are less demanding on system resources than others? Apparently there are testing agencies that compare and rate virus software; should I consult one of those?
Note: Please do not tell me what you think is "the best" antivirus software. I am looking for objective criteria that I can use to decide what is best for me. I imagine that a good answer would actually be OS-agnostic, unless there is some particular feature that I should look for on Windows (like some kind of registry scan for instance).
software-rec anti-virus
software-rec anti-virus
asked Sep 24 '11 at 14:56
Neil Traft
3352615
asked Sep 24 '11 at 14:56
Neil Traft
3352615
asked Sep 24 '11 at 14:56
Neil Traft
3352615
asked Sep 24 '11 at 14:56
Neil Traft
3352615
asked Sep 24 '11 at 14:56
Neil Traft
3352615
3352615
2
"Is Antivirus Dead?" schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/11/is_antivirus_de.html
– Aki
Sep 24 '11 at 15:10
Good article, and it does make me wonder: having gone over 10 years without clicking on any bad links, whether antivirus would help me at all. But then again, if even Bruce Schneier himself still uses antivirus...
– Neil Traft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:23
Yesterday, I deleted ~100 auto-quarantined items spread across about 150 computers. One (average) month's worth. This does not include auto-deleted items, nor blocked Internet requests. AV is long from dead. :(
– Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
Sep 24 '11 at 15:28
@Neil: That sort of thing is completely dependent on how likely a person is to click through to the kind of site that doesn't work their security well enough to avoid getting hacked. I think viruses that infect programs are dead, but malware is alive and kicking - especially the "install fifteen additional malware programs" and the "go invisible in Task Manager and Add/Remove Programs" types.
– jprete
Sep 24 '11 at 17:38
1
IMO, the best antivirus is Common Sense Antivirus 2012, it's free, it takes no memory or CPU resources, and it never need to be updated, and it is the only antivirus that can catch any zero-day viruses.
– Lie Ryan
Sep 24 '11 at 17:42
add a comment |
2
"Is Antivirus Dead?" schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/11/is_antivirus_de.html
– Aki
Sep 24 '11 at 15:10
Good article, and it does make me wonder: having gone over 10 years without clicking on any bad links, whether antivirus would help me at all. But then again, if even Bruce Schneier himself still uses antivirus...
– Neil Traft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:23
Yesterday, I deleted ~100 auto-quarantined items spread across about 150 computers. One (average) month's worth. This does not include auto-deleted items, nor blocked Internet requests. AV is long from dead. :(
– Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
Sep 24 '11 at 15:28
@Neil: That sort of thing is completely dependent on how likely a person is to click through to the kind of site that doesn't work their security well enough to avoid getting hacked. I think viruses that infect programs are dead, but malware is alive and kicking - especially the "install fifteen additional malware programs" and the "go invisible in Task Manager and Add/Remove Programs" types.
– jprete
Sep 24 '11 at 17:38
1
IMO, the best antivirus is Common Sense Antivirus 2012, it's free, it takes no memory or CPU resources, and it never need to be updated, and it is the only antivirus that can catch any zero-day viruses.
– Lie Ryan
Sep 24 '11 at 17:42
2
2
"Is Antivirus Dead?" schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/11/is_antivirus_de.html
– Aki
Sep 24 '11 at 15:10
"Is Antivirus Dead?" schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/11/is_antivirus_de.html
– Aki
Sep 24 '11 at 15:10
Good article, and it does make me wonder: having gone over 10 years without clicking on any bad links, whether antivirus would help me at all. But then again, if even Bruce Schneier himself still uses antivirus...
– Neil Traft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:23
Good article, and it does make me wonder: having gone over 10 years without clicking on any bad links, whether antivirus would help me at all. But then again, if even Bruce Schneier himself still uses antivirus...
– Neil Traft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:23
Yesterday, I deleted ~100 auto-quarantined items spread across about 150 computers. One (average) month's worth. This does not include auto-deleted items, nor blocked Internet requests. AV is long from dead. :(
– Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
Sep 24 '11 at 15:28
Yesterday, I deleted ~100 auto-quarantined items spread across about 150 computers. One (average) month's worth. This does not include auto-deleted items, nor blocked Internet requests. AV is long from dead. :(
– Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
Sep 24 '11 at 15:28
@Neil: That sort of thing is completely dependent on how likely a person is to click through to the kind of site that doesn't work their security well enough to avoid getting hacked. I think viruses that infect programs are dead, but malware is alive and kicking - especially the "install fifteen additional malware programs" and the "go invisible in Task Manager and Add/Remove Programs" types.
– jprete
Sep 24 '11 at 17:38
@Neil: That sort of thing is completely dependent on how likely a person is to click through to the kind of site that doesn't work their security well enough to avoid getting hacked. I think viruses that infect programs are dead, but malware is alive and kicking - especially the "install fifteen additional malware programs" and the "go invisible in Task Manager and Add/Remove Programs" types.
– jprete
Sep 24 '11 at 17:38
1
1
IMO, the best antivirus is Common Sense Antivirus 2012, it's free, it takes no memory or CPU resources, and it never need to be updated, and it is the only antivirus that can catch any zero-day viruses.
– Lie Ryan
Sep 24 '11 at 17:42
IMO, the best antivirus is Common Sense Antivirus 2012, it's free, it takes no memory or CPU resources, and it never need to be updated, and it is the only antivirus that can catch any zero-day viruses.
– Lie Ryan
Sep 24 '11 at 17:42
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
To me it needs to stay out of the way, honestly.There's nothing worse than an AV that slows down a system as much as the viruses its supposed to protect against (older versions of norton come to mind), or decides to announce loudly that it has updated (I can't remember which one this was).
I like AVs that do what they say on the tin - I want an antivirus, not a 'web site security checker' or 'suite' or firewall. If i need those i can install it myself.
Most importantly, it needs to work!
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:07
Journeyman Geek♦
112k43216366
FYI, it is Avast that has this uber-annoying feature of announcing it was updated. It can be disabled though, through Settings > Sounds.
– houbysoft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:51
add a comment |
See similar: https://superuser.com/questions/2084/what-anti-virus-software-is-easiest-to-novice-users-to-keep-up-with-and-not-get.
Note how it turned into "My favorite is...". :)
The main criteria are going to be speed and accuracy when adding to their definition lists and detection types. Which varies wildly from product to product, month to month, year to year. A lot of it is "who found it first", and "Who added it last".
Personal choice and experience play a big part in it as well.
My suggestions:
You'll want to look into what different types of anti-malware Detection Systems they have implemented.
For a network of computers, Centralized Management and Alerting may trump many other factors.
Their Customer Service can quickly change your opinion the first time you run into trouble.
Ease-of-Use and the UI would be huge, but since this is not OS-specific it can't be considered too much, as it can also vary greatly from platform to platform (for the same product line).
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04
Community♦
1
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:17
Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
98.7k14156212
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
oldest
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2 Answers
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active
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oldest
votes
To me it needs to stay out of the way, honestly.There's nothing worse than an AV that slows down a system as much as the viruses its supposed to protect against (older versions of norton come to mind), or decides to announce loudly that it has updated (I can't remember which one this was).
I like AVs that do what they say on the tin - I want an antivirus, not a 'web site security checker' or 'suite' or firewall. If i need those i can install it myself.
Most importantly, it needs to work!
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:07
Journeyman Geek♦
112k43216366
FYI, it is Avast that has this uber-annoying feature of announcing it was updated. It can be disabled though, through Settings > Sounds.
– houbysoft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:51
add a comment |
To me it needs to stay out of the way, honestly.There's nothing worse than an AV that slows down a system as much as the viruses its supposed to protect against (older versions of norton come to mind), or decides to announce loudly that it has updated (I can't remember which one this was).
I like AVs that do what they say on the tin - I want an antivirus, not a 'web site security checker' or 'suite' or firewall. If i need those i can install it myself.
Most importantly, it needs to work!
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:07
Journeyman Geek♦
112k43216366
FYI, it is Avast that has this uber-annoying feature of announcing it was updated. It can be disabled though, through Settings > Sounds.
– houbysoft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:51
add a comment |
To me it needs to stay out of the way, honestly.There's nothing worse than an AV that slows down a system as much as the viruses its supposed to protect against (older versions of norton come to mind), or decides to announce loudly that it has updated (I can't remember which one this was).
I like AVs that do what they say on the tin - I want an antivirus, not a 'web site security checker' or 'suite' or firewall. If i need those i can install it myself.
Most importantly, it needs to work!
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:07
Journeyman Geek♦
112k43216366
To me it needs to stay out of the way, honestly.There's nothing worse than an AV that slows down a system as much as the viruses its supposed to protect against (older versions of norton come to mind), or decides to announce loudly that it has updated (I can't remember which one this was).
I like AVs that do what they say on the tin - I want an antivirus, not a 'web site security checker' or 'suite' or firewall. If i need those i can install it myself.
Most importantly, it needs to work!
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:07
Journeyman Geek♦
112k43216366
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:07
Journeyman Geek♦
112k43216366
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:07
Journeyman Geek♦
112k43216366
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:07
Journeyman Geek♦
112k43216366
112k43216366
FYI, it is Avast that has this uber-annoying feature of announcing it was updated. It can be disabled though, through Settings > Sounds.
– houbysoft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:51
add a comment |
FYI, it is Avast that has this uber-annoying feature of announcing it was updated. It can be disabled though, through Settings > Sounds.
– houbysoft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:51
FYI, it is Avast that has this uber-annoying feature of announcing it was updated. It can be disabled though, through Settings > Sounds.
– houbysoft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:51
FYI, it is Avast that has this uber-annoying feature of announcing it was updated. It can be disabled though, through Settings > Sounds.
– houbysoft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:51
add a comment |
See similar: https://superuser.com/questions/2084/what-anti-virus-software-is-easiest-to-novice-users-to-keep-up-with-and-not-get.
Note how it turned into "My favorite is...". :)
The main criteria are going to be speed and accuracy when adding to their definition lists and detection types. Which varies wildly from product to product, month to month, year to year. A lot of it is "who found it first", and "Who added it last".
Personal choice and experience play a big part in it as well.
My suggestions:
You'll want to look into what different types of anti-malware Detection Systems they have implemented.
For a network of computers, Centralized Management and Alerting may trump many other factors.
Their Customer Service can quickly change your opinion the first time you run into trouble.
Ease-of-Use and the UI would be huge, but since this is not OS-specific it can't be considered too much, as it can also vary greatly from platform to platform (for the same product line).
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04
Community♦
1
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:17
Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
98.7k14156212
add a comment |
See similar: https://superuser.com/questions/2084/what-anti-virus-software-is-easiest-to-novice-users-to-keep-up-with-and-not-get.
Note how it turned into "My favorite is...". :)
The main criteria are going to be speed and accuracy when adding to their definition lists and detection types. Which varies wildly from product to product, month to month, year to year. A lot of it is "who found it first", and "Who added it last".
Personal choice and experience play a big part in it as well.
My suggestions:
You'll want to look into what different types of anti-malware Detection Systems they have implemented.
For a network of computers, Centralized Management and Alerting may trump many other factors.
Their Customer Service can quickly change your opinion the first time you run into trouble.
Ease-of-Use and the UI would be huge, but since this is not OS-specific it can't be considered too much, as it can also vary greatly from platform to platform (for the same product line).
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04
Community♦
1
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:17
Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
98.7k14156212
add a comment |
See similar: https://superuser.com/questions/2084/what-anti-virus-software-is-easiest-to-novice-users-to-keep-up-with-and-not-get.
Note how it turned into "My favorite is...". :)
The main criteria are going to be speed and accuracy when adding to their definition lists and detection types. Which varies wildly from product to product, month to month, year to year. A lot of it is "who found it first", and "Who added it last".
Personal choice and experience play a big part in it as well.
My suggestions:
You'll want to look into what different types of anti-malware Detection Systems they have implemented.
For a network of computers, Centralized Management and Alerting may trump many other factors.
Their Customer Service can quickly change your opinion the first time you run into trouble.
Ease-of-Use and the UI would be huge, but since this is not OS-specific it can't be considered too much, as it can also vary greatly from platform to platform (for the same product line).
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04
Community♦
1
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:17
Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
98.7k14156212
See similar: https://superuser.com/questions/2084/what-anti-virus-software-is-easiest-to-novice-users-to-keep-up-with-and-not-get.
Note how it turned into "My favorite is...". :)
The main criteria are going to be speed and accuracy when adding to their definition lists and detection types. Which varies wildly from product to product, month to month, year to year. A lot of it is "who found it first", and "Who added it last".
Personal choice and experience play a big part in it as well.
My suggestions:
You'll want to look into what different types of anti-malware Detection Systems they have implemented.
For a network of computers, Centralized Management and Alerting may trump many other factors.
Their Customer Service can quickly change your opinion the first time you run into trouble.
Ease-of-Use and the UI would be huge, but since this is not OS-specific it can't be considered too much, as it can also vary greatly from platform to platform (for the same product line).
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04
Community♦
1
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:17
Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
98.7k14156212
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04
Community♦
1
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04
Community♦
1
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04
Community♦
1
1
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:17
Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
98.7k14156212
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:17
Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
98.7k14156212
answered Sep 24 '11 at 15:17
Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
98.7k14156212
98.7k14156212
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
"Is Antivirus Dead?" schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/11/is_antivirus_de.html
– Aki
Sep 24 '11 at 15:10
Good article, and it does make me wonder: having gone over 10 years without clicking on any bad links, whether antivirus would help me at all. But then again, if even Bruce Schneier himself still uses antivirus...
– Neil Traft
Sep 24 '11 at 15:23
Yesterday, I deleted ~100 auto-quarantined items spread across about 150 computers. One (average) month's worth. This does not include auto-deleted items, nor blocked Internet requests. AV is long from dead. :(
– Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
Sep 24 '11 at 15:28
@Neil: That sort of thing is completely dependent on how likely a person is to click through to the kind of site that doesn't work their security well enough to avoid getting hacked. I think viruses that infect programs are dead, but malware is alive and kicking - especially the "install fifteen additional malware programs" and the "go invisible in Task Manager and Add/Remove Programs" types.
– jprete
Sep 24 '11 at 17:38
1
IMO, the best antivirus is Common Sense Antivirus 2012, it's free, it takes no memory or CPU resources, and it never need to be updated, and it is the only antivirus that can catch any zero-day viruses.
– Lie Ryan
Sep 24 '11 at 17:42