A Virus scanner that works?

[Rerednaw]

Well I have the latest version of Java, Vista with SP2 running on a HP notebook.

I used to use Trend Micro virus scanner.

Well once I switched to this computer I cannot find anything that runs. It doesn't work under IE, it doesn't work under Firefox. I turn off all the firewalls, bypass the router, turn off all security and nothing.

It gets as far as 'starting house call' - idle.

And then it does nothing.

And I'm suspicious because my computer runs very very very slow when trying to open websites like google or yahoo or hotmail.

Are there any virus or malware scanners you folks recommend that will actually run on my machine.

Thanks.

 

[AnnonUSA]

Download superantispyware and install and run it...

And I insinuate from your post that you do not currently have an AntiVirus Program on this system? BAD BAD choice. Spend $50 buck and buy something good.

 

[Billb2]

Malwarebytes works pretty good at finding malware.
I like Avira for anti virus.

 

[Collider]

AVG is great. and its free.

 

[Sam25]

+1 for Superantispyware. I use NOD32 for anti-virus and been happy with it.

 

[RESmonkey]

Norton Internet Security 2009. It's not bloated, it works, and is NOT a system hog.

 

[WildHorse]

kaspersky serves me very well. it's a little bit complicated learning how to put custom settings in some of it's more intricate available settings (but defaults work fine anyway).
however, kaspersky hosts a web forum where it's easy to get reliable help with anything that puzzles you.

also, i've used Schadenfroh's tool a few times (but not recently) and i recommend it to you, but not sure if it's up to date now...it may be, but you might email Schadenfroh and ask him about that. Doubt much of anything would get past Schadenfroh's script.

Schadenfroh's custom virus killer script

 

[Sylvanas]

+1 Nod32

 

[Rottie]

I have tried both Superantispyware and Malwarebytes they are doing a great job finding malwares and spywares. Also I would suggest you to try Avira Antivirus and Comodo firewall both are free if you want to save money. I have them on my laptop.

 

[Fusion5303]

The theme you get what you pay for is true for about everything. AVG and Avira are good but free doesn't always mean best. But it's better than not having anything. However, since I prefer a paid anti-virus, I recommend either BitDefender or kaspersky with Webroot spysweeper + Antivirus at a 3rd. All 3 are top programs.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Fusion5303
The theme you get what you pay for is true for about everything. AVG and Avira are good but free doesn't always mean best. But it's better than not having anything. However, since I prefer a paid anti-virus, I recommend either BitDefender or kaspersky with Webroot spysweeper + Antivirus at a 3rd. All 3 are top programs.

Avira is one of the best in the business, paid or not. It's better than Bitdefender, and as good as Kaspersky. It also isn't buggy like Kaspersky tends to be.

 

[WildHorse]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
It also isn't buggy like Kaspersky tends to be.

???

never had a single problem on several computers since I switched from McAfee to Kaspersky about 3 - 4 years ago. Not aware of any bugginess...I regard Kaspersky as a real smooth product, very effective, very deadly to infections, ery reliable.

you just have to learn how to use it in case you want to change any of its default settings, that's all.

when I first made the switch Kaspersky found a bunch of infections lurking in this desktop computer that McAfee had let lurk there for who knows how long, which really sold me on Kaspersky.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: scott

Originally posted by: lxskllr
It also isn't buggy like Kaspersky tends to be.

???

never had a single problem on several computers since I switched from McAfee to Kaspersky about 3 - 4 years ago. Not aware of any bugginess...I regard Kaspersky as a real smooth product, very effective, very deadly to infections, ery reliable.

you just have to learn how to use it in case you want to change any of its default settings, that's all.

when I first made the switch Kaspersky found a bunch of infections lurking in this desktop computer that McAfee had let lurk there for who knows how long, which really sold me on Kaspersky.

I can't remember specifics, but I've read of some issues on the forums, and one of my clan mates had some problems with Kaspersky. I used it for a brief period when AOL was giving a version away. I didn't have any problems, but I prefer Avira's interface. Kaspersky strikes me as being similar to ZoneAlarm. When it works, it works great, but sometimes an update throws a wrench into the works.

 

[martensite]

I like Avast home edition + MBAM + SuperAntispyware.
I tried Avira a couple of years ago, but it had some problems running properly on my system, so i switched to AVG free. But the current version of AVG didn't do it for me, so i switched to Avast a few months ago, and it seems to do a great job.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Rerednaw
Well I have the latest version of Java, Vista with SP2 running on a HP notebook.

Uninstall SP2, since a number of vendors are still readying patches for SP2 compatibility.

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Norton Internet Security 2009. It's not bloated, it works, and is NOT a system hog.

Or just NAV 2009 without the all-encompassing suite. It runs even better.

 

[thescreensavers]

Anti-vir all the way.

 

[Mide]

Avira AntiVir + malwarebytes + a-squared + hijackthis

 

[Rerednaw]

Thanks folks for all the assistance...I'm researching each of these and seeing which ones have trials.

So far several of them just plain killed my machine (as in I had to reset to factory to get it to run again.) I tried ZoneAlarm's suite and boy was I disappointed. I loved ZA firewall from the old days and thought this would be good...but it has too many bugs (won't work w/o SP1, doesn't recognize SP1 after you install it, massive computer performance degrade...so slow windows actually thinks the computer has frozen.)

Cheers.

 

[Rerednaw]

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
Download superantispyware and install and run it...

And I insinuate from your post that you do not currently have an AntiVirus Program on this system? BAD BAD choice. Spend $50 buck and buy something good.

Actually I DO have two antivirus progs on my machine.

They don't work. Both came with the computer.

 

[dguy6789]

Another vote for Avira Antivir. It has better detection rates than everything mentioned here except Kaspersky and Nod32, which it ties with. It's also free. The only problem is it has an annoying popup that comes up randomly during the day that needs to be disabled.

 

[Chapbass]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
Another vote for Avira Antivir. It has better detection rates than everything mentioned here except Kaspersky and Nod32, which it ties with. It's also free. The only problem is it has an annoying popup that comes up randomly during the day that needs to be disabled.

If you're going the free route, this. Avast is alright as well, but IMHO, AVG is borderline terrible nowadays. I see TONS of computers that are just covered with malware and AVG doesn't have a clue.

Out of the pay for programs, Kaspersky, NOD32, and one that doesn't get alot of attention is Spysweeper /w Antivirus, all 3 are very solid programs. The new norton 2009 internet security is pretty solid too (360 still takes up too many resources).

 

[CrankyMcStank]

Avira.

 

[WildHorse]

Schadenfroh's custom virus killer script

Kaspersky

edit: link fixed