Free Anti-Virus Programs - Comments

And...what is your opinion of the need for, the availability/reliability of and the product comparison of antivirus software for Mac OS X users?

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's a numbers game for the virus writers -- they want to cause the most damage possible. And since only 5% of the computer market runs Macs, they tend not to bother with that platform. All of the savvy Mac users I know tell me they don't use anti-virus software.

I have been using Comodo AV and Firewall for quite a while and I am very satisfied. Both are free and they are very effective. Daily updates with the AV and system compatable for beginners and experienced users. -- comodo.com

I agree with you about Norton/Symantec. After spending 2 months dealing with the issues that resulted from a failed update, once I finally got NAV cleaned out of my first laptop, I never again installed it on any computer of mine. I have been very happy with Spybot, Ad-Aware, Avast, AVG, and Kerio (not all at once, or even on the same machines). My XP desktop is running Comodo's free firewall and eSets paid anti-virus. My new Vista laptop is running Windows Defender, and Avast AV. I'm happy with these so far.

It would save me truckloads of time if you would prominently indicate programs that work with the MacIntosh.

EDITOR'S NOTE: None of them! Mac defenders tell me there is no need.

Neither Linux users do need one. I see it as one of better things in using Linux. You can share your PC power doing some usefull work e.g. folding@home and not putting resources just to keep malware off.

I agree with some of your comments about Norton, but as a service professional I've found McAfee to be much worse. In the area where I live the largest employer uses McAfee and of course employees take home a copy of it, install it on their machine and all their neighbours computers. I then get calls to sort the mess created by the McAfee product, computer locking up, can't uninstall it, etc. After cleaning out the registry and deleting their program, I then install the free AVG product. After a year of this, I haven't had one complaint of virus infection, computer running slow, or any problem I can attribute to it. Personally I run Kaspersky Internet Security ver 7, and I am happy with it.

I use Avast Ativirus, Xp Firewall, And Windows defender on my Laptop. If something is working and doing its Job well, then why try to fix it if it ain't broke? When these Programs start to fail me on this laptop then I will take into consideration several of Bobs recomendations on other programs. I also learned real quick that if you go to CNET/ZDNET, PcMag.com, or PCWorld among other site reveiws, you will find all have there own opinions, so find what works for you but don't overkill as I no what it can do to your computer . Thanks again Bob for such an awesome site. 2 Thumbs up for you my friend !!!

I read somewhere maybe in the Tourbus that you should use an anti-virus in linux if you use wine or windows apps in it. Could you tell me a good anti-virus for this and if it doesn't have a gui if possible could you tell me the commands to use to update the definitions run a scan and if the the AV has realtime scanning so that I don't have to run a scan manually. I would also like to know if there is an automatic update feature or not. Thanks.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, if you use Windows in a virtual machine setting on Linux or a Mac, then you should install your favorite Windows anti-virus software in the virtual machine.

On the other hand, 5% of all computers is a large number of unprotected machines. It will hit the MAC users soon.
Also, Mediacom cable subscribers have the CA security suite available to them at no charge!

I have been in the industry since the late 70's. I remember when there were no anti-virus programs because there were no viruses. Of course, the operating systems and the apps were buggie enough - who needed more problems? Can you say DOS 4? Norton was one of the early ones, but today it is a mega resource hog, and if I wasn't forced by my employer I would choose something else. I have used both the free and pro versions of CA and AVG. Excellent. AVG Pro has a two year subscription for about $20 US dollars. Man, that is just unbeatable. And you are so right about where most of the bugs come from. Its a tax on the sin surfers. Just one man's opinion.