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Kent DyerFlag for United States of America

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What is the best antivirus?

I am working on a friend's computer that had Microsoft Security Essentials, but got infected anyway.

I have looked at http://www.av-comparatives.org/

and it's report.. http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_od_aug2010.pdf

I have looked at:
http://lifehacker.com/5399564/five-best-antivirus-applications

http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/

Avira Antivir and Avast seem to stand out.  However, the thoughts that come to mind are they seem to be a bit subjective and also point-in-time as software and virii change.

However, what is a interesting is there is also a "shot gun" approach..
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/05/25/multiple-antivirus-software-on-windows-computer/

What is interesting is reading the AV-Comparitives report is that is lists Norton/Symantec as being a contender..

Then, to remove an infection, wind up having to use Malwarebytes, ComboFix, or Dr. Web Boot CD..

I have also read about using a tool like ThreatFire as well..

I apologize if I seem like I am bouncing around while writing this..

To my question:
What is the best AV/Malware Tool out there?
Is the shotgun approach needed or necessary?

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Kent
Avatar of Alen_MNE
Alen_MNE

Kaspersky 2011 for home pc would be my recomendation. i have it at home, at work on my server and all clients on the domain, never had a prob yet. But at work i use kaspersky open space security Enterprise Edition...
I would recommend Avira (free) or Nod32 (paid).

The "best" antivirus is training of the user (or even keeping the computer always turned off and disconnected :)

Not to get into the OS wars, but for most simple things, Linux is now a viable option that doesn't have as many virus problems (though has it's own security issues--once again, training of the user is the "best" option)
There is no 100 % sure antivirus programm. As you see in this test below the best antivirus (Panda & Trustport) will just find 63 % in that test. If the user takes care you can avoid viruses!

Test:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_report26.pdf

With Panda Cloude free & ThreatFire you are in a good side. Im using both myself!

2010.jpg
Avatar of Kent Dyer

ASKER

I agree with you about not going out and seeking virii.  That is you and me as IT Pros..  What about that "common guy"?

Also, attached is a screen print of the false positives from Panda.  The one good thing you could say with that is that it will let know if see suspect behavior.

Thanks,

Kent
fps.JPG
FYI..

Like that of testing Virii you can go to http://eicar.org and get the test file, just found a way to test ThreatFire on a Windows Box..  Go over to http://filehippo.com/updatechecker/ and download the "stand alone" version of the Update Checker and when it launches the file browser, ThreatFire stops you..  Good stuff!

Thanks,

Kent
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phototropic

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I think the solution is good as it covers more than just an opinion.  He was able to back it up with some real-life scenarios.  Biggest problem with computers even though I have used and supported them for over 15 years now, it is good to get another perspective and he was able to provide the for me.
Thanks for the points and grade.
@kdyer
I can live with false positives. Because the detection rate is important for me. Today you can upload the file to services like virustotal and find the false positives quickly.

Important criteria for me:
- FREE ( because i'm a poor student )
- Best detection rate
- few problems
- must be slim and go easy on resources

In your ID: 33802645 you are NOT talking about cloud products! Cloud products work with realtime (see the link below) signatures (not like Avg, Avira McAfee, Kaspersky and other stuff)  and i never had false positives :)

http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/threat-information/