So what's a reasonably priced lightweight virus scanner these days?

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February 14th, 2008, 09:44 AM
Tuttle

So what's a reasonably priced lightweight virus scanner these days?
I had a quick look back a couple of months and couldn't find anything along these lines, so I figured I'd ask. My requirements for an AV package are pretty simple:
- Scheduled scanning
- Real-time file scanning
- Automatic updates
- I don't want any integration with IE/Windows Mail/Office or any web/email traffic intercepting. The product can do it, but I need to be able to turn it off completely.
That's pretty much it -- anything else needs to be disableable. Oh yeah, and did I mention reasonably priced?

(Begin rant -- tune out now if you just want to offer a suggestion.)

I've been using NOD32 for the last year. It was a free copy, which was nice of them. I like the product. I was even going to pay for a renewal this year since my freebie runs out next week. ESET in the US reckon that it's US$66.99 to do my 4 PCs for a year. Sounds like a fair price (roughly AU$75), except because I'm in Australia they won't sell it to me -- I'm supposed to go to the Australian distributor.

ESET Australia reckon that exactly the same renewal should cost me AU$151.20. Yup, pushing those definition updates from the US to here is so expensive that it's going to cost me double. For what it's worth, I can get a boxed 5-user copy of Norton Antivirus for about AU$120... (no, I'm not doing that either).

So yeah, it's probably time to find some other product to like instead.

(End rant.)
February 14th, 2008, 09:52 AM
fink

Avast fits all those criteria except one.. reasonably priced.. it's free ;).

I've used it on various PC's for a few years and find it's reliable, easily configurable and uses less resources than most full a/v progs.

www.avast.com
February 14th, 2008, 09:53 AM
lgbpop

I've been using AntiVir for 2½ years now and haven't had one problem with it yet. Small footprint, automatic updates and almost infinitely configurable. I like the price too (free). If you want more bells and whistles, there are paid versions as well.

www.free-av.com
February 14th, 2008, 10:46 AM
HAN

Either recommendation is good. I would probably lean more toward free Avast because I like the built-in http scanner. (It can be disabled.)

Free AntiVir usually tests a bit better in malware catching ability than Avast. But, from time to time, some have complained about Avira limiting the bandwidth of the free update servers. I don't know where that is currently, but I've never seen Avast have that issue.
February 14th, 2008, 12:10 PM
Train

Still running the old CA etrust. $33 a year for 3 computers.
February 14th, 2008, 03:00 PM
104456

Not sure how light you want to go but ClamWin does most of what you want

Quote:

ClamWin is a Free Antivirus program for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 and Vista.
ClamWin Free Antivirus comes with an easy installer and open source code. You may download and use it absolutely free of charge. It features:
High detection rates for viruses and spyware;
Scanning Scheduler;
Automatic downloads of regularly updated Virus Database.
Standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Microsoft Windows Explorer;
Addin to Microsoft Outlook to remove virus-infected attachments automatically.
The latest version of Clamwin Free Antivirus is 0.92
February 14th, 2008, 06:09 PM
Tuttle

ClamWin doesn't do real-time scanning. I could work around that, but it's asking a bit much of mum. :) I'm also not sure why I'd trust the frequency of their AV updates (as much as any AV can keep updated these days) -- what's their business model? At least with Avast and AntiVir I can see how they run -- they sell the more fully featured packages. There doesn't seem to be a commercial Clam version though, and running a malware lab costs serious money.
February 14th, 2008, 07:16 PM
fink

Not necessarily an endorsement because I've never personally used it, but my highly regarded and much liked by me, mid sized ISP (DSL) uses Clam a/v on their email servers to process emails for approx 12,000 clients.

They swear by it and I have to say that I've never received a single virus laden email in the 2 years I've used this ISP.

I do agree though that a relatively inexperienced computer user probably wouldn't benefit using a manual scan only a/v program regardless how good it is.
February 14th, 2008, 08:57 PM
jerryctx

Clamwin is Open Source like Linux, Open Office, Firefox, etc. A free anti-virus makes as much sense to me as a free OS. Their updates seem to be as frequent as commercial A-Vs.

However, lack of an on-access real-time scanner makes it unsuitable for all but the most anal-retentive. I suspect the ISP uses a script to check emails.
February 14th, 2008, 11:03 PM
Broni

Don't forget about AVG...
February 15th, 2008, 07:01 AM
HAN

Broni: But I'm trying! LOL! :D Seriously, IMO, it's an "ok" AV. But my own completely unofficial observations indicate to me that the highest number of HiJack This participants are either Norton or AVG users. I'm probably wrong but it seems like it me! ;)

I must admit I have recommended AVG, but rarely. It is a good example of set and forget. (Maybe that's also the problem?) But I truly feel its protection is not as good as the other 2 freebies...
February 15th, 2008, 07:13 AM
SpywareDr

I agree, Avast or AntiVir and then AVG.
February 15th, 2008, 01:28 PM
SuperSparks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuttle

I've been using NOD32 for the last year. It was a free copy, which was nice of them. I like the product. I was even going to pay for a renewal this year since my freebie runs out next week. ESET in the US reckon that it's US$66.99 to do my 4 PCs for a year. Sounds like a fair price (roughly AU$75), except because I'm in Australia they won't sell it to me -- I'm supposed to go to the Australian distributor.

ESET Australia reckon that exactly the same renewal should cost me AU$151.20. Yup, pushing those definition updates from the US to here is so expensive that it's going to cost me double. For what it's worth, I can get a boxed 5-user copy of Norton Antivirus for about AU$120... (no, I'm not doing that either).

So yeah, it's probably time to find some other product to like instead.

(End rant.)

I'm in exactly the same position, I've had a free copy for a year. And I too refuse to renew because of the massive differential pricing between the UK and the US :mad:

I've been thinking about MS Live OneCare, as I can get that free. Any thoughts?
February 15th, 2008, 02:17 PM
Welshjim

Any reason why a friend in the USA could not buy and send you the latest NOD?
February 15th, 2008, 05:04 PM
Tuttle

It's a renewal subscription -- there's no product to ship as such, just a username and password. I guess my friend in NY could buy a new license and send me the codes, but that puts the cost back up a fair bit as well.
February 15th, 2008, 06:16 PM
SuperSparks

I wouldn't do it on point of principle. IMO the best way to stop companies continuing these practices is to vote with the wallet.
February 15th, 2008, 06:45 PM
HAN

Quote:

I've been thinking about MS Live OneCare, as I can get that free. Any thoughts?

Nick, say it ain't so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: I'd go AVG before that. And I've already posted what I think about AVG.

I have never seen anything that says OneCare is anything beyond mediocre...
February 15th, 2008, 06:48 PM
SuperSparks

Yeah, I guess you're right Han, on further reflection. I'm starting to like the look of Avast, I'll install it in a Virtual Machine tomorrow and see how I get on with it.
February 15th, 2008, 07:56 PM
Broni

Quote:

I agree, Avast or AntiVir and then AVG.

I'm with you guys...