I've been browsing the posts and see a lot of names I'm not familiar with. I'm also not even close to being a tech person. I've been relying on the Geek's for years. I currently have Kaspersky AV on my computer... I pay for it annually. Recently I spent a few hours on the phone with the Geeks who cleaned up my computer and removed a "start up" virus. I'm thinking I should get more informed about how to deal with my pc and clean it up myself. Also... Kaspersky did NOT pick up on the start up virus. So I'm a bit disappointed in that. Suggestions? I have a 2008 HP Pavillion pc and Vista Home Premium, IE9.cts

I am no IT expert but gave up a long time ago on depending solely on anti virus software to properly address malware issues - that include paid version of Kaspersky. Suggest you try one of the many free malware software programs and see if that helps - I also found that virus/malware becomes less of an issue when I abandoned IE.Edit: typo because should have been becomes

I don't think any one AV program will catch 100% of the viruses 100% of the time. And on the other hand, if you install more than one, if you're not a geek, you're liable to cause yourself more problems because often one AV program will conflict with another AV program.Bill

I've used it for years, with no issues. I like that it runs in the background with little to no input and doesn't slow down my system like a lot of them do.My daughter was using Trend Micro AV, and was infected by a very malicious Trojan virus. I had to do a complete wipe and clean install to remove it! She now uses Kaspersky AV.

Check with your internet service provider. I have Comcast and they offer Norton AV for free to subscribers.

I have been using Kaspersky for years. About every two year I will get a virus that I have to take to a shop and get removed. I would not get Norton. Had it once and could not get it removed. Once you have Norton you will always have Norton on that computer. You can delete most of it but not all.

Opinions on Kaspersky AV | Good Sam Community

fugawibill
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
I second Avast. As a former tech, I recommend visiting dotTech
1SG
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
I am currently using Kaspersky and it allowed malware to infect my computer. Tried several free malware removers with not much success. Finally used Webroot SecureAnywhere and it removed the infections and working in conjunction with Kaspersky my computer has been free of virus' and malware.

Paul
ctpres
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
No virus program I know of can protect against the first wave of infections. Virus co's may find it own their own or it may be reported by infected users. Then and only then can they develop a block and then they must get it out to all paid subscribers and then subscriber must go online to get updates. Depending on popularity of the infection source a lot of computers can become infected before update arrives. In other words - if you are one of the first - no virus program can help. True they might stop basic techniques but serious threats seldom follow old ways. As with many things in life - you get the quality you pay for.
Thunder_Mountai
Explorer II
Dec 27, 2014
Had a Gateway years ago that came with Norton. It was a pain and as others have said impossible to completely remove from the computer. Had McAfee on a succession of computer. It was provided by my employer since I had remote access to their network. It required to many resources and really didn't run in the background. After I retired, I continued a subscription since it was easy. Did get hit with a couple of virus. We bought a new computer last year for the with and bought a three computer subscription for Kaspersky. It truly runs in the background and you only know it is there when you need it. I just renewed for next year.
wintersun
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2014
The best anti-virus software I have found is available for free. It is Avast and the free version is excellent at blocking not only viruses but browser malware. I have had zero interference with my normal applications which cannot be said with any of the 3 paid anti-virus software applications I have used over the past several years.

Use the Window firewall, Avast anti-virus, and a good malware removal tool and you are covered. Or you could buy an Apple computer and not bother.
covetsthesun
Explorer
Dec 26, 2014
Thanks for the advice. I switched to paid Kaspersky several years ago after having a very nasty computer virus...literally having to pull the plug out of the wall because popups were coming at blinding speeds! Took the geeks quite awhile to clean it all up.

Haven't had a virus issue for years untill this start up virus happened. It caused the system to freeze, slow down and I couldn't get it to reboot for awhile. It slipped past Kaspersky.

It appears that nothing is truly safe. I don't click on ads or attachments unless I specifically asked for them. No E cards...nothing. And still...

The geek did not have a name for the start up virus, but what it did was disable the "quick start" function and mess with performance.

Has anyone had that recently?

cts
Wayne_Dohnal
Explorer
Dec 26, 2014
The best antivirus protection IMO is to make sure you're not running in Administrator mode.
Clay_L
Explorer
Dec 25, 2014
Pc Mag rates internet security software.

See HERE

and HERE

I have used Kapersky for about three years with no problems so far.
stetwood
Explorer
Dec 25, 2014
An organization and myself have used AVG & Avast and both allowed viruses to quickly get through. All computers had to be wiped cleaned and everything reinstalled. We both had done some backups, but not everything. UGH. The organization is using Kaspersky for about a year and I have been using ESET NOD32 for about 6 years with no problems to date. Both have multiple subscriptions and are updated several times a day.
ctpres
Explorer
Dec 25, 2014
Have been "K" fan for a number of years - at home and work. Keep updates current and if you do happen to get something - let them know. If you want to change look into "ESET NOD32 Antivirus Software". In my book "K" and "ESET" are consistently the best.