Anti-virus suggestions needed - Page 2

moopet · 29th March 2009, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by shandyjan

I used AVG until it changed, it became a whole resource centre including for spyware/adware. The it was a resource hog for many people. Also, I'm happy using my own spy doctors, idont like one complete one. So I switched to Avira and my partner tried Avast..and we are both happy. Avira has been great for me stopping the malicious scripts and redirectors that are hitting photo share sites recently like 4shared and photobucket.

The free version of AVG has not changed in this respect. It is not a "whole resource centre including for spyware/adware".

Note that I am no more advocating AVG than 67s is advocating clam. I just want to reply to some people's arguments against it.

Ducky · 29th March 2009, 01:44 PM

seriously? bickering over AV? Have we had the token flame bait of "use linux" or "use mac" yet? tell you what, I'll go another route: Use a B5000 running the MCP.

(Before the Tron jokes fly, google that OS. Yes it existed.)

GreNME · 29th March 2009, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

seriously? bickering over AV? Have we had the token flame bait of "use linux" or "use mac" yet? tell you what, I'll go another route: Use a B5000 running the MCP.

El Greco · 30th March 2009, 12:16 AM

I quit using AVG after it kept quarantining a false positive, while I had instructed it many times to let that file rest in peace.

"DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT SCAN THAT FOLDER"
"LEAVE THAT FILE ALONE"
"FOR THE LAST TIME, STOP MOVING THAT FILE"

Sigh. Uninstall.

Miss_Kitt · 30th March 2009, 12:23 AM

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before touching your...

Oh.

Never mind...

Oliver · 30th March 2009, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by El Greco

I quit using AVG after it kept quarantining a false positive, while I had instructed it many times to let that file rest in peace.

"DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT SCAN THAT FOLDER"
"LEAVE THAT FILE ALONE"
"FOR THE LAST TIME, STOP MOVING THAT FILE"

Sigh. Uninstall.

The Pro version actually has this feature. As for scheduled scans:
avgforums: How To: Exclude Folders or Drives from Scheduled Scans

Gangularis · 6th April 2009, 12:23 AM

I've never liked AVG.. i've always liked avast.. it catches malicious files immediately.. it doesn't seem to bog down the system.. and it talks to you!!

i tried avira on one of my computers, and I don't like it.. Mainly because everytime I boot up that computer, I get an ad from Avira asking me to purchase their anti-spyware software, or some other thing.

Agular · 6th April 2009, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Gangularis

i tried avira on one of my computers, and I don't like it.. Mainly because everytime I boot up that computer, I get an ad from Avira asking me to purchase their anti-spyware software, or some other thing.

There are ways around Avira's ad, and it's when it updates, not every time you boot up your computer.

Gangularis · 6th April 2009, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by Agular

There are ways around Avira's ad, and it's when it updates, not every time you boot up your computer.

It's got a strong record of doing that every time i boot up my computer.. maybe because it updates even more frequently? What ways around that would there be? At least I don't get bothered with these ads AT ALL by avast.

Agular · 6th April 2009, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Gangularis

It's got a strong record of doing that every time i boot up my computer.. maybe because it updates even more frequently? What ways around that would there be? At least I don't get bothered with these ads AT ALL by avast.

Whatever you say. As for ways around the ad when updating, I don't see the point in telling you since you are happy with Avast and don't get bothered with any ads "AT ALL."

Gangularis · 6th April 2009, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Agular

Whatever you say. As for ways around the ad when updating, I don't see the point in telling you since you are happy with Avast and don't get bothered with any ads "AT ALL."

How bout because I asked? And maybe other people here would find the information useful.. Or do you really not have a way around it, other than clicking "close"?

Leftus · 6th April 2009, 09:12 AM

Blocking the Avira ads is fairly simple on anything other than XP Home.

Control Panel > Admin tools > local security policy > software restrictions > additional rules > rightclick for new path rule > browse down and select avnotify.exe

Done. If this is your first time setting up a software restriction, you'll have to create a new rule before you can create additional rules.

If you are doing it on XP Home, you've got to go into safe mode, browse for the file, right click on it and deny access via the advanced tab or something.

Agular · 6th April 2009, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Gangularis

How bout because I asked? And maybe other people here would find the information useful.. Or do you really not have a way around it, other than clicking "close"?

Because you asked? Um, no. Also, nice assumption on me not having a way around it, but dead wrong. The solution given above was correct, and there is another for Avira version 9 in XP which I use, but that one requires a registry edit. Mine is slightly different to the one above though:

Windows 2000/XP: (2000 & XP Pro do not require you to boot into safe mode)

Boot into Safe Mode (tap F8 repeatedly after you restart the computer)
Log in using the Administrator account
Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security-> advanced
Under the Permissions tab click on SYSTEM under Permission entries:
Edit-> Traverse Folder / Execute File-> deny-> ok ->apply-> yes -> ok-> ok
Reboot the computer into Normal Mode (start-> shutdown-> restart)

Gangularis · 6th April 2009, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Agular

Because you asked? Um, no.

So nice of you!!

Quote:

Also, nice assumption on me not having a way around it, but dead wrong.

Oh no! Dead wrong!! Dun dun dduuun!! Seriously, you're going to get all high and mighty over my anti-virus preference..

nice technique on disabling the ads.. too bad they don't just give you that option in the settings of the program. At least avast is free enough that they don't have to bug you like a spyware ap, with advertisements, until you go through a contrived process to disable them.

Agular · 6th April 2009, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Gangularis

Oh no! Dead wrong!! Dun dun dduuun!! Seriously, you're going to get all high and mighty over my anti-virus preference..

Stop acting like a nitwit. I couldn't care less about your anti-virus preference, as you are well aware. A poor attempt at hyperbole.

Originally Posted by Gangularis

nice technique on disabling the ads.. too bad they don't just give you that option in the settings of the program. At least avast is free enough that they don't have to bug you like a spyware ap, with advertisements, until you go through a contrived process to disable them.

And that pompous attitude is exactly why I wasn't willing to reveal it to you in the first place. Hey, your program is the best anti-virus in the world, and only because YOU use it.

And since I know that you'll just have to have the last word, by all means have it. I'm more than done with the likes of you and your foolishness. Hopefully, you'll try and stick with reality this time.

Gangularis · 6th April 2009, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Agular

Stop acting like a nitwit. I couldn't care less about your anti-virus preference, as you are well aware. A poor attempt at hyperbole.

And that pompous attitude is exactly why I wasn't willing to reveal it to you in the first place. Hey, your program is the best anti-virus in the world, and only because YOU use it.

And since I know that you'll just have to have the last word, by all means have it. I'm more than done with the likes of you and your foolishness. Hopefully, you'll try and stick with reality this time.

LOL.. stick with reality? All i gave was a comparative statement of fact. You're the one that took some kind of personal offense by my pointing out the problem with Avira's ads. I initially gave no attitude. I asked a straight face question, and I get "Why should i tell you?, neener neener".. Childish.

mark4mark · 6th April 2009, 09:00 PM

I use Antivir
http://majorgeeks.com/download955.html

Works well IMO.

Dancing David · 8th April 2009, 05:15 AM

Such bickering! Are we in Politics or R&P all of a sudden?

six7s · 8th April 2009, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by Dancing David

Such bickering!

Geeks, nerds and dweebs with strongly-held yet flimsily-based conflicting opinions... who would have thunk it?

lofgoernost · 8th April 2009, 09:54 AM

I've used the free version of Avira Antivir for a couple of years now. Occasionally I'll run a free online scan to see if anything has snuck past Avira - there are plenty - Bitdefender, Panda, ESET and Kaspersky are some I've tried.

ihaunter · 13th April 2009, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by moopet

AVG never discontinued their free version.
They forced an upgrade a couple of times, starting with 7.5 for vista compatibility iirc, and they presented ads for the pay-for-version in a slightly larger font than the links to the free version.

I don't understand why people continue to say they don't offer a free version. It seems a common misconception, but I'm absolutely baffled as to why. In my last job, customers would come in and have the pay-for version or Norton installed on top and claim it was because AVG stopped being free. If I was faced with having to stick my credit card into the slot in the front of my computer (wait, that is how you do it, right?) I'd take a heartbeat to read what was on the screen in MASSIVE LETTERS first.

It's because the notices they put out when they discontinue the older versions are poorly worded (or well worded if your goal is to get people to buy the not free version). The MASSIVE LETTERS you are talking about is usually something like "Free AVG7 will no longer be supported, buy AVG8 today!" It's the smaller print that shows how to get the free version. Since they don't make money from the free version, it makes sense that they would push the pay-for, but that push often causes confusion.

TheDaver · 13th April 2009, 01:10 PM

Oh, something else I forgot to mention about AVG:

If your computer has a SD/CF card reader, AVG will make it next-to-useless. After removing a card from the reader, you have to reboot the computer for it to be able to read another.

29th March 2009, 02:04 PM	#43
GreNME Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 8,283	Originally Posted by Ducky seriously? bickering over AV? Have we had the token flame bait of "use linux" or "use mac" yet? tell you what, I'll go another route: Use a B5000 running the MCP.
	__________________ _{Like love, criminals will always find a way. -- foxholeatheist The kind of pacifism I endorse is brought about by eliminating one enemy combatant at a time.-- JoeyDonuts}

30th March 2009, 12:16 AM	#44
El Greco Summer worshipper Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Παρά θιν'αλός Posts: 14,259	I quit using AVG after it kept quarantining a false positive, while I had instructed it many times to let that file rest in peace. "DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT SCAN THAT FOLDER" "LEAVE THAT FILE ALONE" "FOR THE LAST TIME, STOP MOVING THAT FILE" Sigh. Uninstall.
	__________________ "Robbing a bank is no crime compared to owning one" - Bertolt Brecht "Let it go and come to bed already, El Greco" - MoeFaux

30th March 2009, 12:23 AM	#45
Miss_Kitt Zombie Horse of Homeopathy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lesser Seattle Posts: 3,617	Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before touching your... Oh. Never mind...
	__________________ It's much better to live an honest life than a delusional one -- desertgal Magic thinking is a lead personal floatation device. It looks really reassuring, but it will drag you down--whatthebutlersaw

30th March 2009, 02:52 AM	#46
Oliver ~The Rascal~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cologne Posts: 17,369	Originally Posted by El Greco I quit using AVG after it kept quarantining a false positive, while I had instructed it many times to let that file rest in peace. "DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT SCAN THAT FOLDER" "LEAVE THAT FILE ALONE" "FOR THE LAST TIME, STOP MOVING THAT FILE" Sigh. Uninstall. The Pro version actually has this feature. As for scheduled scans: avgforums: How To: Exclude Folders or Drives from Scheduled Scans
	__________________ Last edited by Oliver; 30th March 2009 at 02:53 AM.

6th April 2009, 06:54 AM	#48
Agular Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	Originally Posted by Gangularis i tried avira on one of my computers, and I don't like it.. Mainly because everytime I boot up that computer, I get an ad from Avira asking me to purchase their anti-spyware software, or some other thing. There are ways around Avira's ad, and it's when it updates, not every time you boot up your computer.
Agular Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	__________________ THE most misspelled word on the Internet is "lose" LOOSE (for those who misspell it) = not tight LOSE = to suffer loss

29th March 2009, 01:29 PM	#41
moopet binary decision maker Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 705	Originally Posted by shandyjan I used AVG until it changed, it became a whole resource centre including for spyware/adware. The it was a resource hog for many people. Also, I'm happy using my own spy doctors, idont like one complete one. So I switched to Avira and my partner tried Avast..and we are both happy. Avira has been great for me stopping the malicious scripts and redirectors that are hitting photo share sites recently like 4shared and photobucket. The free version of AVG has not changed in this respect. It is not a "whole resource centre including for spyware/adware". Note that I am no more advocating AVG than 67s is advocating clam. I just want to reply to some people's arguments against it.

29th March 2009, 01:44 PM	#42
Ducky Titanium Puprhero Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mayor of your front lawn. Posts: 12,296	seriously? bickering over AV? Have we had the token flame bait of "use linux" or "use mac" yet? tell you what, I'll go another route: Use a B5000 running the MCP. (Before the Tron jokes fly, google that OS. Yes it existed.)

6th April 2009, 12:23 AM	#47
Gangularis Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Barberton, Ohio Posts: 985	I've never liked AVG.. i've always liked avast.. it catches malicious files immediately.. it doesn't seem to bog down the system.. and it talks to you!! i tried avira on one of my computers, and I don't like it.. Mainly because everytime I boot up that computer, I get an ad from Avira asking me to purchase their anti-spyware software, or some other thing.

6th April 2009, 08:07 AM	#49
Gangularis Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Barberton, Ohio Posts: 985	Originally Posted by Agular There are ways around Avira's ad, and it's when it updates, not every time you boot up your computer. It's got a strong record of doing that every time i boot up my computer.. maybe because it updates even more frequently? What ways around that would there be? At least I don't get bothered with these ads AT ALL by avast.

6th April 2009, 08:28 AM	#50
Agular Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	Originally Posted by Gangularis It's got a strong record of doing that every time i boot up my computer.. maybe because it updates even more frequently? What ways around that would there be? At least I don't get bothered with these ads AT ALL by avast. Whatever you say. As for ways around the ad when updating, I don't see the point in telling you since you are happy with Avast and don't get bothered with any ads "AT ALL."
Agular Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	__________________ THE most misspelled word on the Internet is "lose" LOOSE (for those who misspell it) = not tight LOSE = to suffer loss

6th April 2009, 08:30 AM	#51
Gangularis Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Barberton, Ohio Posts: 985	Originally Posted by Agular Whatever you say. As for ways around the ad when updating, I don't see the point in telling you since you are happy with Avast and don't get bothered with any ads "AT ALL." How bout because I asked? And maybe other people here would find the information useful.. Or do you really not have a way around it, other than clicking "close"?

6th April 2009, 09:12 AM	#52
Leftus Thinker Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 156	Blocking the Avira ads is fairly simple on anything other than XP Home. Control Panel > Admin tools > local security policy > software restrictions > additional rules > rightclick for new path rule > browse down and select avnotify.exe Done. If this is your first time setting up a software restriction, you'll have to create a new rule before you can create additional rules. If you are doing it on XP Home, you've got to go into safe mode, browse for the file, right click on it and deny access via the advanced tab or something.
Leftus Thinker Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 156

6th April 2009, 01:51 PM	#53
Agular Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	Originally Posted by Gangularis How bout because I asked? And maybe other people here would find the information useful.. Or do you really not have a way around it, other than clicking "close"? Because you asked? Um, no. Also, nice assumption on me not having a way around it, but dead wrong. The solution given above was correct, and there is another for Avira version 9 in XP which I use, but that one requires a registry edit. Mine is slightly different to the one above though: Windows 2000/XP: (2000 & XP Pro do not require you to boot into safe mode) Boot into Safe Mode (tap F8 repeatedly after you restart the computer) Log in using the Administrator account Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security-> advanced Under the Permissions tab click on SYSTEM under Permission entries: Edit-> Traverse Folder / Execute File-> deny-> ok ->apply-> yes -> ok-> ok Reboot the computer into Normal Mode (start-> shutdown-> restart)
Agular Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	__________________ THE most misspelled word on the Internet is "lose" LOOSE (for those who misspell it) = not tight LOSE = to suffer loss

6th April 2009, 02:29 PM	#54
Gangularis Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Barberton, Ohio Posts: 985	Originally Posted by Agular Because you asked? Um, no. So nice of you!! Quote: Also, nice assumption on me not having a way around it, but dead wrong. Oh no! Dead wrong!! Dun dun dduuun!! Seriously, you're going to get all high and mighty over my anti-virus preference.. nice technique on disabling the ads.. too bad they don't just give you that option in the settings of the program. At least avast is free enough that they don't have to bug you like a spyware ap, with advertisements, until you go through a contrived process to disable them.
	Last edited by Gangularis; 6th April 2009 at 02:30 PM.

6th April 2009, 03:33 PM	#55
Agular Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	Originally Posted by Gangularis Oh no! Dead wrong!! Dun dun dduuun!! Seriously, you're going to get all high and mighty over my anti-virus preference.. Stop acting like a nitwit. I couldn't care less about your anti-virus preference, as you are well aware. A poor attempt at hyperbole. Originally Posted by Gangularis nice technique on disabling the ads.. too bad they don't just give you that option in the settings of the program. At least avast is free enough that they don't have to bug you like a spyware ap, with advertisements, until you go through a contrived process to disable them. And that pompous attitude is exactly why I wasn't willing to reveal it to you in the first place. Hey, your program is the best anti-virus in the world, and only because YOU use it. And since I know that you'll just have to have the last word, by all means have it. I'm more than done with the likes of you and your foolishness. Hopefully, you'll try and stick with reality this time.
Agular Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	__________________ THE most misspelled word on the Internet is "lose" LOOSE (for those who misspell it) = not tight LOSE = to suffer loss

6th April 2009, 08:56 PM	#56
Gangularis Muse Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Barberton, Ohio Posts: 985	Originally Posted by Agular Stop acting like a nitwit. I couldn't care less about your anti-virus preference, as you are well aware. A poor attempt at hyperbole. And that pompous attitude is exactly why I wasn't willing to reveal it to you in the first place. Hey, your program is the best anti-virus in the world, and only because YOU use it. And since I know that you'll just have to have the last word, by all means have it. I'm more than done with the likes of you and your foolishness. Hopefully, you'll try and stick with reality this time. LOL.. stick with reality? All i gave was a comparative statement of fact. You're the one that took some kind of personal offense by my pointing out the problem with Avira's ads. I initially gave no attitude. I asked a straight face question, and I get "Why should i tell you?, neener neener".. Childish.
	Last edited by Gangularis; 6th April 2009 at 09:06 PM.

6th April 2009, 09:00 PM	#57
mark4mark Scholar Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NY Posts: 60	I use Antivir http://majorgeeks.com/download955.html Works well IMO.

8th April 2009, 05:15 AM	#58
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 34,700	Such bickering! Are we in Politics or R&P all of a sudden?
	__________________ Hell, dynamiting fish in a barrel is more challenging. - Ladewig I suspect you are a sandwich, metaphorically speaking. -Donn And a shot rang out. Now Space is doing time... -Ben Burch You built the toilet - don't complain when people crap in it. _Kid Eager

8th April 2009, 05:19 AM	#59
six7s veretic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 8,710	Originally Posted by Dancing David Such bickering! Geeks, nerds and dweebs with strongly-held yet flimsily-based conflicting opinions... who would have thunk it?
	__________________ Evolution and the rest of reality fascinates the be-jeebus out of me!

8th April 2009, 09:54 AM	#60
lofgoernost Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 503	I've used the free version of Avira Antivir for a couple of years now. Occasionally I'll run a free online scan to see if anything has snuck past Avira - there are plenty - Bitdefender, Panda, ESET and Kaspersky are some I've tried.
lofgoernost Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 503

13th April 2009, 01:00 PM	#61
ihaunter Undead Skeptic Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Middle of nowhere, Iowa Posts: 375	Originally Posted by moopet AVG never discontinued their free version. They forced an upgrade a couple of times, starting with 7.5 for vista compatibility iirc, and they presented ads for the pay-for-version in a slightly larger font than the links to the free version. I don't understand why people continue to say they don't offer a free version. It seems a common misconception, but I'm absolutely baffled as to why. In my last job, customers would come in and have the pay-for version or Norton installed on top and claim it was because AVG stopped being free. If I was faced with having to stick my credit card into the slot in the front of my computer (wait, that is how you do it, right?) I'd take a heartbeat to read what was on the screen in MASSIVE LETTERS first. It's because the notices they put out when they discontinue the older versions are poorly worded (or well worded if your goal is to get people to buy the not free version). The MASSIVE LETTERS you are talking about is usually something like "Free AVG7 will no longer be supported, buy AVG8 today!" It's the smaller print that shows how to get the free version. Since they don't make money from the free version, it makes sense that they would push the pay-for, but that push often causes confusion.
	__________________ "Omne ignotum pro magnifico" (Everything unknown passes for something splendid) - Publius Cornelius Tacitus "No two humans are created equal. They're like snowflakes with a 250° C combustion temperature." Freefall comic

13th April 2009, 01:10 PM	#62
TheDaver hairy farting brute Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montréal Posts: 972	Oh, something else I forgot to mention about AVG: If your computer has a SD/CF card reader, AVG will make it next-to-useless. After removing a card from the reader, you have to reboot the computer for it to be able to read another.