Best antiVirus program for Win7?

[retro]

Nortons does protect the best but its pricey and a huge memory hog HUGE

Nope, it's not even close to being a memory hog anymore.

Are we talking about the same norton?

Indeed... it's been completely revamped from previous versions. This is as of last year's version, and this year isn't any different.

I've heard Norton is horrible for your computer

Nope... McAffee is horrible for your computer though. Norton wasn't ever "horrible", but it was a system hog unfortunately. So I used PC-cillin for a while, and then moved back to Norton. It's expensive, but you can get a 3-pack for $50. It's obviously more expensive than something like AVG, but with AVG you're getting what you pay for. It used to be really, really good, but those days are gone. If I had to recommend a free AV software, then I'd say to go with Avast... it's infinitely better than AVG.

[BadBoy]

Norton and McAffee are the worse. Its the first two targeted by viruses to be disabled. Once that happens, you are screwed, so then what?

I run F-Secure. I've never had a virus since installing 2 years ago and I don't even realize it is running.

[brieze]

Avast.

[retro]

Norton and McAffee are the worse. Its the first two targeted by viruses to be disabled. Once that happens, you are screwed, so then what?

I run F-Secure. I've never had a virus since installing 2 years ago and I don't even realize it is running.

You do realize that if you have an updated anti-virus application, a virus (unless it hasn't been discovered yet) gets caught by the AV before it can actually do anything, right? Plus, most AV software out there utilizes heuristics to determine if an application or file is exhibiting virus-like behavior, and quarantines them immediately if they are. That is if you have an AV software worth a damn and you keep it updated. Norton has the best track record of finding and stopping viruses before they do any damage to your computer, and it's anti-spyware properties are getting better as time goes on.

What it really comes down to is being smart about what you download and install from the internet. Also, not believing misinformation is always a good thing to do.

[retro]

Avast.

That's actually what I'm running on my work computer right now because I have Windows 7 and I can't buy a new corporate AV software until next year because of budget issues.

[brieze]

That's actually what I'm running on my work computer right now because I have Windows 7 and I can't buy a new corporate AV software until next year because of budget issues.

And because it's good

[BadBoy]

You do realize that if you have an updated anti-virus application, a virus (unless it hasn't been discovered yet) gets caught by the AV before it can actually do anything, right? Plus, most AV software out there utilizes heuristics to determine if an application or file is exhibiting virus-like behavior, and quarantines them immediately if they are. That is if you have an AV software worth a damn and you keep it updated. Norton has the best track record of finding and stopping viruses before they do any damage to your computer, and it's anti-spyware properties are getting better as time goes on.

What it really comes down to is being smart about what you download and install from the internet. Also, not believing misinformation is always a good thing to do.

I'm talking about undiscovered viruses. Ever wonder why Norton has the track record?

The best thing I ever did was to stop using IE for internet browsing honestly. Once hackers get bored with that they will move on. Its always fun to try to bring the big guy down.

FYI, I am a software engineer and know full well how AV software works.

[Panacea]

I plan on using Avast when my free trial of some shit ends.

[Panacea]

Nope... McAffee is horrible for your computer though. Norton wasn't ever "horrible", but it was a system hog unfortunately. So I used PC-cillin for a while, and then moved back to Norton. It's expensive, but you can get a 3-pack for $50. It's obviously more expensive than something like AVG, but with AVG you're getting what you pay for. It used to be really, really good, but those days are gone. If I had to recommend a free AV software, then I'd say to go with Avast... it's infinitely better than AVG.

Thanks

[retro]

I'm talking about undiscovered viruses. Ever wonder why Norton has the track record?

The best thing I ever did was to stop using IE for internet browsing honestly. Once hackers get bored with that they will move on. Its always fun to try to bring the big guy down.

FYI, I am a software engineer and know full well how AV software works.

That's what heuristic scanning is for, of which Symantec/Norton has some of the best in the industry.

Oh, and I'm a Systems Engineer... I get paid to keep my servers and computers secure. There are only two products that I'd trust to do that... Norton/Symantec (which I use currently), and Trend Micro Pc-Cillin (home) and OfficeScan/ServerProtect.

[BadBoy]

That's what heuristic scanning is for, of which Symantec/Norton has some of the best in the industry.

Oh, and I'm a Systems Engineer... I get paid to keep my servers and computers secure. There are only two products that I'd trust to do that... Norton/Symantec (which I use currently), and Trend Micro Pc-Cillin (home) and OfficeScan/ServerProtect.

Trend Micro really? You're the first SE I have heard to say this...

[retro]

Trend Micro really? You're the first SE I have heard to say this...

That's nice... I used it exclusively at a previous company (I didn't implement it), but their corporate software was top-notch. The best in the industry for centrally managed AV are SEP and Trend OfficeScan/ServerProtect. They provide the best protection, heuristic scanning, and ease of management.

[darkcgi]

I have heard good about Trend Micro as well
and I'm a forensic dev

[williamgrout]

I think Avira Anti Virus....

[Mystic]

i use avast, never had an issue, i install it on all computers and laptops i work on and i uninstall norton, mcafee and avg.
i've been using avast for about 10 years.