Anti-virus is your most crucial piece of software, aside from the operating system itself.
If you're not sure what a virus, trojan or worm is, you can learn about them by using the FAQ/Glossary, links go to Wikipedia articles.
Since June 2001, I've been installing and testing retail and freeware anti-virus programs. I've also done hundreds of virus removals for other people.
Effective 6-15-2006, I will not recommend a freeware anti-virus program, only a retail one. I see enough issues in my testing that lead me to still believe that it's better to invest $40 in an anti-virus program.
Every year I test the top 5 retail, and the top 3 freeware, anti-virus programs, and any others if recommended by colleagues. I still like Nod32 best.
In my opinion, there is simply no free anti-virus which provides adequate protection.
You can see independent test results of anti-virus programs by visiting AV-Comparatives. Test results are released annually. Reports are downloadable in .pdf format, Adobe Acrobat Reader required.
You must have a good anti-virus to keep your system running. This is critical.
If your computer is not connected to the internet, but you move files (of any kind) from other computers to yours, you still need anti-virus. That includes music, videos, MS Word documents, connect an ipod, etc.
If your computer is not connected to the internet, then you probably should use Norton Anti-Virus instead of Nod32. Nod32 is the anti-virus program I recommend, information and link is further down the page.
Norton allows you to download virus definition files from any computer with internet, and you can then carry those files to your computer and update your virus definitions. Nod32 doesn't allow that, you must be connected to the internet to update. Nod32 does have an administrator version which would allow you to perfom updates to computers that are offline, but I consider that way too much of a hassle.
If you don't update your anti-virus, then there is no point in even running the anti-virus program.
If your computer will never touch the internet, and you don't bring files or programs to it from other computers, then you don't need anti-virus.
I use all freeware programs for protection (and removal on other people's computers) with the exception of anti-virus. I don't trust my computers to free anti-virus, and you shouldn't either.
FYI, no anti-virus program catches everything. Some programs are better at detecting certain types of threats.
I was converted to using Nod32 about 4 years ago. I stopped using Symantec Norton Anti-Virus because although the program provides great protection, it also uses an incredible amount of system resources. That means it slows down your computer, like many anti-virus programs.
If you have a super computer, then running Norton will not be a problem. Norton's protection is outstanding, but about 4 years ago Symantec products became loaded with bloatware (lots of extra processes run on the system).
I haven't had any problems while using Nod32, and it is doesn't use up a lot of system resources.
Take note:
For the best anti-virus protection, use Nod32, about $40.
Nod32 is a highly effective anti-virus program which is much lighter on system resources than other anti-virus programs.
I've been using Nod32 since 2005. I was a Norton Anti-Virus user before trying Nod32.
There is a very noticeable increase in system performance when using Nod32, and the program provides outstanding protection.
Nod32 also works perfectly with the other programs recommended on my site.
If you want to uninstall either Norton or McAfee anti-virus products, you should run the appropriate removal tool to avoid problems.
Otherwise, when you uninstall either Norton or McAfee, there will be residual registry entries left behind, and some no longer needed processes are most likely to continue running on your sytem after removal of the programs. Those processes will use your system resources and slow your computer down. Regardless of how many times you reboot your computer after uninstalling the program.
Removal of either Norton or McAfee thru Windows "ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS" will leave parts of the applications on your system.
For Norton products, you have to select the appropriate removal tool to match the version of Norton you're removing.
McAfee's removal tool removes all McAfee products.
You can access the Windows Task Manager and see what processes are running on your system by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del and then select the Task Manager by pressing the letter T or using your mouse.
I know what processes usually are found running on Windows, and which belong to Norton and McAfee. You may have to Google search process names to determine origin. Example: nvsc32.exe is seen in your running processes and you don't know what is, so you Google it and go from there. From the search results you'll find that nvsc32.exe is a legitimate process and you want to keep it running.
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