[carmody]

Could people here tell me which is the best?

I have Norton and am thinking of moving to AVAST.

The Consumer Reports rates AVPs but it doesn't look right to me. Is there a place where I can go to get an unbiasedrating of the major AV pgms. or am I in effect asking for someone to rate religions?

I am running XP on a Dell desktop e521Dimension and don't do any music, gambling, porno, or video......

thanks,
carmody

[Cheeseball81]

This question is asked often here - you'll probably get a lot of different opinions (and some same).

I personally like AVG.

and NOD32 gets rated quite high.

[Mr. Newton]

Here is some info you might find informative.An antivirus comparison site.One of many.
http://www.consumersearch.com/antivirus-software

[carmody]

You ask 8 different people and get 8 different answers. Strange. There doesn't seem to be any totally independent and knowledgeable source.

Thanks Mr. Newton for the consumer search site.

Also, maybe Norton takes longer than others, because it is do more?

[ferrija1]

http://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=...us+is+the+best

[karbo]

NOD32, period! Free antivirus software is not comparable.

[Mr. Newton]

Blink anti virus,period!
I jest because carmody is right,ask 8 different people,get 8 different answers.Although I finally settled on Blink after using Norton paid.'Also the paid versions are better than the free.

[hrlow2]

Any but Norton. If you decide to remove Norton, better have a blowtorch( or Norton Removal Tool ). It can be stubborn.

[karbo]

Originally Posted by hrlow2

Any but Norton. If you decide to remove Norton, better have a blowtorch( or Norton Removal Tool ). It can be stubborn.

Yeah, same with McAfee!

[Kenny94]

Originally Posted by Cheeseball81

I personally like AVG.

Me too!

Originally Posted by carmody

You ask 8 different people and get 8 different answers. Strange. There doesn't seem to be any totally independent and knowledgeable source.

Now you have two same answers...

[hrlow2]

2 out of 7. Not too shabby.

[carmody]

ferrija1's answer was a very sophisticated response and a good illustration of what I was trying to say.

my sense is that the really important questions in life don't have any black or white answers. it is all relative......

[hrlow2]

Seriously though. There is no way that anyone can say that any program is the best.They all have good points and bad, but all named above are very good at what they do.
The best thing is to try each for a while and find one that suits you.

[karbo]

To be quite honest, even if I prefer NOD32 (with ESET Smart Security), I think most antivirus programs are ok for normal everyday use of the Internet. If you follow common sense on the net, less chances you'll ever be infected:

- Don't download stuff with P2P or torrents;

- Stay away from porn sites or other questionable sites;

- Keep your Windows updated;

- Be sure your web browser is well configured;

- Don't open emails from people you don't know (spam) and especially don't click on the links they show you, nor download their attached files;

- Don't click on .exe files unless they're safe and you know exactly what they are;

And the list goes on...

[carmody]

Thank you Karbo. Every bit of guidance is appreciated.

However I am not sure what the following mean:

-Don't download stuff with P2P or torrents;
.........what are torrents...
- Be sure your web browser is well configured;
.......how does one make it well configured?