Need new AntiVirus Software.

bwanshoom wrote:

ReadyToGo wrote:
I just looked at my Avast and it allows wildcard exclusions,and it is a highly rated anti virus program.

He's looking for wildcard paths, not extensions. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to exclude *.exe

You are correct *.exe will NOT work

rwbradley wrote:

Kart-Racer wrote:
When you choose Ignore in many cases it puts in a wildcard exclusion for the signature of the file (not the name), this way if the file pops up in another location, it is still OK, or if you rename it from file.exe to file.doc it is still OK.

This does not work, because each copy of the file has minor (sometimes major) modifications, but the same name depending on which folder (program set) it is located in.

I know the file does not contain any virus (I wrote it), and it is not ready to release to the public yet -- still working on it and it's different versions.

TenOC wrote:
I am going to be getting a new computer. For years I have used Norton Antivirus software and I like it. However, the new versions of the software has one feature that makes it unusable for me.

I have the same file (with minor modifications) located at many different locations on my computer. I want to exclude this file (call it "Known_Good.exe" ) no mater where it is located for antivirus scan. Older version of Norton would allow me to do this. New version will not allow me to input a wild card -- such as F:/*/known_good.exe. I contacted Norton and they said that wild cards are not accepted in a list of files to exclude for scan.

Do any of you know of a good (for Win 7 64) antivirus software that will allow me to do what I wish?

I use BitDefender (free edition). AFAIK it's working although there is really no way to know for sure as you can't prove a negative. from experience and reading I've come to believe that the best defense is a layered approach. no single A/V, anti-malware or anti-spyware can possibly intercept every nasty out there. think of it this way. the best armor that the knights of old used were made up of layer upon layer of armor rather than a single layer of think metal. layering strengthened the shielding effect and was a better hedge against unknown better enemy weaponry.

so I use Bit Defender (free) for A/V, Advanced System Care PRO ($, but there is a free version) for anti-malware and anti-spyware and I regularly scan the PC with Malware Bytes Anti-Malware ($, but there is a free version) and SuperAntiSpyware ($, but a free version is also available). sometimes one suite will detect a threat that the others did not. does that mean I am virus/spyware/malware free? hardly because there is no way to prove the existence of a threat that my software did not detect. but I think I am better off than just relying on a single suite of software.

good luck.

The OP has asked for a recommendation
Regarding "A SPECIFIC FEATURE"

Using wildcard symbols in an exclude list for virus scan

This is the info he would like, which IF ANY antivirus software has this feature

With Nod32 I can exclude file names with either a direct path: c:\file.ext c:\folder\file.ext or c:\*\file.ext

If your file has revision changes on the end: c:\*\file*.ext
you can go many subs deep: c:\*\*\*\*\file*.exe

I use it and it works for me.

TenOC wrote:
This does not work, because each copy of the file has minor (sometimes major) modifications, but the same name depending on which folder (program set) it is located in.

I know the file does not contain any virus (I wrote it), and it is not ready to release to the public yet -- still working on it and it's different versions.

Since you wrote it you should be able to control the locations of the files. Can you group all the various versions under a single directory and then exclude that directory? For example:

C:\My Program\Version 1\...
C:\My Program\Version 2\...
C:\My Program\Version 3\...

Then exclude C:\My Program from your AV scans?

guidry wrote:
If you're getting a new computer I'd recommend a MacBook Pro and avoid any anti virus completely! What you save on that software can be spent on a great laptop! I'll never go back to a windows laptop.

I loved that commercial where the PC caught cold but the MAC was so proud of how he did not catch cold.

NO, Macs get Influenze with Dobuble Pneumonia tossed in on the side.

You sir, are living dangerously.

To the original poster: There are many good A/V programs out there, Best recommendation is to use two or more, Avast, AVG and MalWare Bytes all have free versions, and using one of the first two with the last one run manually is very good protection (I run MB most every day).

OR you can just exclude every incidence of the "Known_Good" File it should be fairly easy to do with Norton.

I truly do not like McAffee for other reaons I will not iterate here.

bwanshoom wrote:

TenOC wrote:
This does not work, because each copy of the file has minor (sometimes major) modifications, but the same name depending on which folder (program set) it is located in.

I know the file does not contain any virus (I wrote it), and it is not ready to release to the public yet -- still working on it and it's different versions.

Since you wrote it you should be able to control the locations of the files. Can you group all the various versions under a single directory and then exclude that directory? For example:

C:\My Program\Version 1\...
C:\My Program\Version 2\...
C:\My Program\Version 3\...

Then exclude C:\My Program from your AV scans?

This is what I have done with the current Norton version. But I do not like it since all files in "C:\My Program" are excluded and it is necessary to sometimes download files from the internet into this director. I currently pass the download files into a different director and scan this directory and them move to the correct directory. I was looking for a simpler solution.

guidry wrote:
If you're getting a new computer I'd recommend a MacBook Pro and avoid any anti virus completely! What you save on that software can be spent on a great laptop! I'll never go back to a windows laptop.

Mac is not as immune to virus/hackers as they used to be.

My ISP offers a very good free security suite. Malwarebytes is also a very good free option.

Free Avast has worked well for us for many years.
It updates it self automatically and has many
user set features.

The version that you pay for has more features.

I also regularly run Malwarebytes and Spybot.
Both also free.