Avira Free Anti-Virus - Comments Page 1

Hello bob, I think I prefer kaspersky after all. But for free version, I like AVG.

Avira didn't work well with my PC .... After trying several , I settled on NOD32. It is wonderful. It updates several times every day. Truly is "set and forget "

I started out with McAfee about 4 years ago in XP.
They used to have Just AV and Firewall. Not too much of a system drain and good detection but now it's all or nothing so, I didn't renew.Went with AVG 7.5 Free but got infected.I then tried Avira AntiVir Personal and really like it's ability to protect along with fast scans. The updater has a "Nag Screen" but, I don't mind it because I know it has updated the definitions. keeps your mind at ease.

For antispyware, I use SUPERAntispyware Professional with real time shields. PC Tools Firewall rounds out my main protection package. This configuration does not take allot of resources and protects my interests for an enjoyable web surfing experience. Thanks Bob for taking the time to talk about Avira.

Hi Bob,I bought a Packard Bell PC 4 years ago with Norton pre-installed for 3 months.I took the simplest line and renewed it when it expired. However, I found it a "resource hogger" and had to increase my RAM to keep up a reasonable speed.In its favour, I didn't get any viruses etc. so I purchased Norton 360. What a difference from Norton 2006 & 2007 !
It no longer slows things down, as it scans when my PC is idle - unlike Avast etc. which tend to scan at "Start up" and bring proceedings to a crawl unless you have loads of RAM.

Its Avira personal for me.From what I'm reading It has a detection rate as high as the highest rated commercial antiviruses.
I really like Avast and the way it updates does a boottime scan etc but its detection rate was a lot lower than Avira,last time I checked anyway.If I buy a commercial version I will buy Avira because of the good results with the free one.

I find it frustrating when techs suggest free malware software, but never tell which ones can work together on the same PC. I understand there are two different types of free malware, and there can be conflicts.

EDITOR'S NOTE: But I *did* tell you! At the end of the article, I said "My article 'Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software?'(http://askbobrankin.com/should_i_buy_antispyware_or_antivirus_software.html) details my recommendations."

Stuart .......... Avast only "scans at startup" if you configure it that way either during installation or via Options once it's installed. It will either Scan on demand or can be configured to scan all/part of your machine at a time of day set by yourself. Spyzooka's supposed to be the "bees knees" of protection, the developers offer a 100% money back guarantee if you're not totally satisfied.

I connect to the internet through a adsl router with hardware firewall and NAT enabled. Do i still need anti virus/spam/malware software?

EDITOR'S NOTE: You don't need a software-based firewall, but the router will do nothing to protect you from viruses and spyware.

For all those great comments, with all due respect, from what i understand, rating an antivirus is not made by the promises which are made by the manufacturer or the mind blowing tech features with hi tech words naming them(features).
Its all about your computer and security, for many people a good AV is an AV software which works without errors and if there is a slight glitch due to something else on the pc they blame the AV program for it. And mind it; there is a lot of differences between anti virus and anti spy ware. AVG & Avira are the good ones with a high detection index... i've seen known good programs taken in by some "great" security suites as generic trojans.. in short catching the wrong guy.. there is a lot of logic to apply in that case.

I like avira,avast,asquare,malwarebytes,prevxcsi and ad-aware... Use them all... Avira is my favorite...Avast does a boot scan... None of these caused any conflicts on my hp laptop(4yrs old)... Also use advanced windowscare... I scan with one and then another,etc... Works for me...