Best Paid Anti-Virus Programs - Comments Page 2

I also use Sunbelt's Vipre. It's fast and very reliable. I've used three others that didn't do as well. Two of them cost more.

I'm a strong proponent of the Sunbelt Software(now GFI)Vipre. They make the statement that"If you do get a virus and are using a current vipre antivirus, We will clean your pc at no charge!"
With a position like that you can't miss.
Also it comes with a bullet proof firewall.

What happened to AVG paid version? I would have thought AVG should have made any reviewer's short list of anti-virus software. I've been using AVG since 2005 and had no problems with it.

Don't overlook Webroot Antivirus with Spysweeper. I've been using it for years and it keeps my XP SP3 HP in great shape. It even warns me before logging into sites that are known to harbor malware. I'm a very satisfied user.

I am now running Microsoft Essentials and you can't beat the cost of that one. If I really wanted a paid program, I would use ESET Nod32. It is excellent and I never had a problem with in during the two years I ran it. It also has a small footprint, which is something you can't say about Norton's and MacAfee.

Bob,
I don't know why people still insist Norton is a resource hog. I run NIS 2011, and have used Norton since 2009. Prior to that I had McAfee, and that really slowed down my system. With Norton there is no noticeable loss of surf speed. Very few alerts, minimal use of resources (checked with multiple system analyses), and simple UI. I think it's great and will probably stick with it for the long haul. It scans all email, downloads, etc., and combined with Malwarebytes I have been virtually problem-free for nearly 3 years. I think a lot of people are basing their opinion on old information (I used to be guilty of that years ago, when my IT guru practically insisted Norton was the devil's spawn).

I am using McAfee on one PC b/c it came with a paid subcription, but I'll switch once that runs out. On my laptops, I use Vipre. I like their pricing and one can find coupon codes/discounts for it many times. I definitely does NOT slow down my pc's at all, it's very quick and doesn't seem to get in the way of anything.

I have read many anti-virus reviews recently and was surprised how many times the new Norton came out on top. Not only for virus detection, but supposedly, it's no longer the system hog it used to be. I keep hearing this, so maybe I'll try it after McAfee runs out on my desktop. I'll definitely keep Vipre on my laptops, though.

The paid anti-virus is ever better than free ones. Wanting free ones without full benefits? The choice is yours.

I agree with you Bob 100%. My experience that freeware malware protections can be put together from 3-4-5 sources with flying colors. At the same time payed AV's like Norton (Symantec) made my computer sluggish. Why to pay for trouble? Unfortunately unmoral manufacturers like HP are bundling their products with preinstalled "free" Norton trash that continuously harassing owners in order to suck up money, when the really free MS Security Essentials can do the same job much better. The latter was not preinstalled. I would be curious what amount of money got HP from Norton to let bullying the new computer owners. Unfortunately, Costco is part of that scheme. Costco sells computers with preinstalled Norton trash with fake "free" products!

Hello Bob, thank you very much for your always useful advice and explanation.

I use NOD32 and I am very glad with it, a few years ago I used Norton, but it was too slow and my PC was too old, so I decided to try a new Antivirus, when I found NOD and fall in love.
I have other friends who use it too and they said it is doing its work fine.
One of my PCs is used by my son, who doesn't know about security and click here and there without even think about it.
He makes NOD flags some trojan and virus too, but thanks to NOD they were stopped before cause any kind of problem in my system.

I am a glad NOD user. :-)

Bob,
Since there is so much interest in this topic and so many different opinions, perhaps you should write another article and address these issues as well as discuss other paid antivirus solutions.
Nezzar

Like Bruce I have used various Norton products for years but a recent one was troublesome. This can give a bad impression of Norton as a whole. The early 2011 Norton 360 suite which deals with computer optimisation and back up as well as anti-virus and other internet security measures has done very well on my Windows 7 desktop, although a Trojan did get through to my ancient Evesham Windows XP laptop.
I'm sure several other paid applications are also very effective, you just tend to stick with the one you know!

I too use ESET NOD32 and have found it to be completly outstanding. I used to be a Norton believer until I was introduced to NOD as an outside IT consultant years back. The system impact between the 2 is unreal, ESET doesnt even seem to be there and as of a little while ago, they were claiming to be the only company that had never had a zero-day "wild" outbreak succeed. I dont know if that is still true but regardless, it is one of the best I've ever seen and Ive installed it for anyone who asked about what they should purchase. So far, no comebacks. It is also cheaper than most of the "big guys" who are probably subsidizing all of these package-bundling deals they are paying for on new PCs.

The truth is nobody knows for sure if your programme is finding and eliminating malware.You never get 100% malware detection.This is mainly because broadband is super fast and the antivirus isn't quick enough to detect it especially if it's hidden in files or the operating system.I find it's best to do at least two scans to make sure.And as soon as you've done the two scans,another malware hacker has got in.

How could you possibly recommend McAfee or Norton? Those are the two worst anti-virus programs around and have been for years. They both slow your computer down severely and leave a huge footprint on your system. I have personally worked on computers that could not connect to the internet or boot up properly and when I removed McAfee the machines worked fine. Norton does no better. When it runs it slows everything down, doesn't really protect your system and is difficult to uninstall. I wouldn't pay a dime for either of them. I now uninstall both programs without question whether the customer paid for them or not. When they question me about, I tell them that they wasted their money and that AVG Free or Avast are far better programs and don't cost a dime. McAfee and Norton just plain suck, and I would recommend them if they were free.