Antivirus Shootout

[DarkRanger]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for two other Anti Virus Software to go up against nod32.

Me and the other IT guy want to go the ESET route, but our boss isn't convinced. Anyhow, so we've decided to do a little test with the apps.

We are going to install a fresh copy of windows on a machine, get as many viruses unprotected as possible, install one of these apps, and then run a scan to see how they fare (cleaning up viruses and protection while doing the same browsing before the installation). Each time we will start with a fresh copy of windows on the same machine.

What other AV Apps would you suggest we run in the test? We need two other.

Thanx.

PS: Didn't PCFormat once do a comparison with AV software?

[GreyWolf]

Kaspersky and Avira

[Pluto]

I second Avira, I've been using it for well on a year now and haven't looked back.

There are some interesting comparisons between different AV suites here: http://www.av-comparatives.org/

[Stuart]

I'm with GreyWolf if you want decent AVs. If you want an unfair competition then use McAfee and AVG.

[DAE_JA_VOO]

LOL yeah. I'd recommend Microsoft Security Essentials, but that's just as good as NOD32, so that wouldn't be in your favour.

[DarkRanger]

If you want an unfair competition then use McAfee and AVG.

That's exactly what both me and the IT guy decided on!

[GreyWolf]

LOL yeah. I'd recommend Microsoft Security Essentials, but that's just as good as NOD32, so that wouldn't be in your favour.

dude... how could I have forgotten!!! We are using MSE at work and to be honest I find it quite good. And we are using the free version!

[Stuart]

LOL yeah. I'd recommend Microsoft Security Essentials, but that's just as good as NOD32, so that wouldn't be in your favour.

dude... how could I have forgotten!!! We are using MSE at work and to be honest I find it quite good. And we are using the free version!

I think there is only a free version. Or do I stand under correction?

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure there's only a free version.

MSE is freaking awesome. I started using it when it came out and I haven't had a single issue since. Definitely the best free AV I've ever used.

[GreyWolf]

LOL yeah. I'd recommend Microsoft Security Essentials, but that's just as good as NOD32, so that wouldn't be in your favour.

dude... how could I have forgotten!!! We are using MSE at work and to be honest I find it quite good. And we are using the free version!

I think there is only a free version. Or do I stand under correction?

You are right. I don't know why, but I had a STRONG impression of there being a more powerful version of MSE, but a quick search of the MS website reveals nothing. Must be working too hard.

[rustypup]

kaspersky/MSE/antivir

pros and cons across the board.. kaspersky is finicky and prone to pranging, antivir and eset have become quite bloated but both provide excellent consoles, (which is a big deal when you're administering a large user base), and MSE, while free, is designed for dimbulbs - nowhere near the customisation functionality you'd require in a corporate environment...

choices.... choices....

[Monty]

I think there is only a free version. Or do I stand under correction?

You are right. I don't know why, but I had a STRONG impression of there being a more powerful version of MSE, but a quick search of the MS website reveals nothing. Must be working too hard.

There is MS Forefront which is paid for, and, from what I've gathered, a enterprise aimed solution.

[Cupis]

I am going to back MSE as well as being good AV... i have been using it for a month or two now... I am pretty cautious with what stuff i visit, and flash drives i use, so i actually have not been putting it to the 'test'. Av-comparatives certainly think highly of it, which is pretty much good enough for me.

Someone help me out on this one though... i am a little confused about the licensing for MSE. I know its free, but what about for commercial use? I read through the EULA, it does mention something about commercial use, but i am not sure if it forbids it or if its not RECOMMENDED for commercial use.
Then there is the definition of commercial use, which is blurred between the different manufactures.

Nod32 all i can say is .. "Awesome". I have been running it on my network for almost a year. I have had a few detections but nothing that has spread. The administration side of it is also great. Remote Installation, with automatic config files, remote Scan Jobs, remote reporting.. man its just a breeze. I really enjoy working with the product. I would recommend it.

[KALSTER]

I am ditching AVG for MSE. Let's see how it goes.

[ryanrich]

Been using MSE since it's release now and it's fantastic. You install it and forget about it. No annoying popups or worries, low resource usage, great detection rates. We also run the MS Forefront AV component on our one corporate domain which is the same as MSE but a corporate focused edition as Monty pointed out.

[chowzen]

Any comments on Sophos enterprise version - we use it on our Macs at the office...never had any issues - and it kills germs...dead..haha///
Have you guys used Commodo free version - i think it is OK...what you owes think?

[KillerByte]

Our parent company uses Sophos but personally I use Kaspersky on all my PCs.

Sophos is nice if you don't want your users to have any control over the software

[chowzen]

Well...We have a very strict policy when it comes to IT, so, no, I dont want those ID10T error inducing sausage fingers close to any functions, especially AV functions...