Avast! Anyone use it?

SakSquash · 07-09-2005, 02:02 PM

It's the free antivirus everyone is telling me about. Download.com has it and it has gotten good reviews but before I install it I was wondering if anyone here could tell me if they use it or not and if they like it.

NuttyGal · 07-09-2005, 02:43 PM

My mum uses AVG and a software name Scan Spyware! They both work well! AVG we have had for a longer period of time but since we have use scan spyware we are finding that it is much easier to get rid of any virus that may come along

As for Avast i havent heard about it so i wouldn't know which one is the best to use!

Ninth · 07-09-2005, 02:45 PM

I'm using Avast, and I've had no problem with it so far.

SakSquash · 07-09-2005, 03:00 PM

Wick. I'll check it out.

Watcher of the skies · 07-09-2005, 03:07 PM

I'm using CounterSpy. Haven't had a problem, yet.

Mike

Sage · 07-09-2005, 05:25 PM

I have no use for that sort of thing, but thanks for the link anyway

ScottMate

SakSquash · 07-09-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

I have no use for that sort of thing, but thanks for the link anyway

ScottMate

No? Is the high and mighty Scott above getting viruses?

Aj_ · 07-09-2005, 06:08 PM

Macs don't get Virii *snigger*

SakSquash · 07-09-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aj_

Macs don't get Virii *snigger*

Ha, that's such crap. I have nothing against macs, but I hate how they claim that their comps are "crash free" and all that crap. I work in a computer lab while in school, and all the computers are macs; we're ALWAYS having problems with them.

Sage · 07-09-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temporaryscars

Ha, that's such crap. I have nothing against macs, but I hate how they claim that their comps are "crash free" and all that crap. I work in a computer lab while in school, and all the computers are macs; we're ALWAYS having problems with them.

Aj_ is correct; There has yet to be a single proven virus caught by a Macintosh.
I never claimed Macs were "crash-free". User error, lack of maintenance, and sheer pig-headed stupidity will make any computer crash. As a matter of fact, that very situation is what led me to utter my signature quote. A friend of mine kept trying to see if software that wasn't recommended for his ancient Mac could be made to work on it anyway by nefarious means.
Macs are not Wintel boxes, nor are Wintel boxes Macs, and trying to apply solutions that work on Wintel boxes to Macs is a pretty good way to screw things up as well. In a computer lab, where many people of varying skill levels use the computers on a daily basis, solving problems and repairing what idiots have "fixed" is just part of the day's business.
Should you have questions or need assistance with the Macs at your school, post your problem here: www.dealmac.com/forums

ScottMate

SakSquash · 07-09-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

Aj_ is correct; There has yet to be a single proven virus caught by a Macintosh.
I never claimed Macs were "crash-free". User error, lack of maintenance, and sheer pig-headed stupidity will make any computer crash. As a matter of fact, that very situation is what led me to utter my signature quote. A friend of mine kept trying to see if software that wasn't recommended for his ancient Mac could be made to work on it anyway by nefarious means.
Macs are not Wintel boxes, nor are Wintel boxes Macs, and trying to apply solutions that work on Wintel boxes to Macs is a pretty good way to screw things up as well. In a computer lab, where many people of varying skill levels use the computers on a daily basis, solving problems and repairing what idiots have "fixed" is just part of the day's business.
Should you have questions or need assistance with the Macs at your school, post your problem here: www.dealmac.com/forums

ScottMate

Eh, I don't get paid enough to fix their computers. In fact, I don't get paid to do that at all. I'm there to load the printer and make sure nobody takes off with anything.

***fov*** · 07-09-2005, 08:18 PM

I installed Avast a few weeks ago when my Norton subscription ran out (after 3 years of paying for Norton). Almost immediately, it found a Trojan on my machine that Norton hadn't caught.

Aj_ · 07-09-2005, 08:26 PM

Quote:

There has yet to be a single proven virus caught by a Macintosh.

Well no, there have been Unix Virii, thus BSD virii, and more importantly a proof-of-concept OSX virus, just add out in the wild to your statement. The point is that the Mac is not invulnerable, and that if the platform was targeted then I think the shit would hit the fan, because of complacency. On the other hand Unix and Linux based operating systems are so much better at security, network security in particular than Windows based machines. Obscurity protects these operating systems aswell.

On Macs don't crash, OSX is much more stable I'm sure, but MacOS before the BSD core was prone to crashing as much if not more. Windows 98SE tweaked was reliable as hell, and Windows XP has had ups and downs, but with the right drivers and once patches are supported, it's pretty stable.

The only thing that was stopping me getting a Mac was the CPU and price, and although I'd prefer AMD because they are so much better, a Pentium M iBook would be sweet. Of course, this can all change in the time that it takes to make a x86 Mac, maybe I'll stop making fun of the Mac folks for their weak will when it comes to shiny stylish electronics. OOoooo shiny, me wants it.

SakSquash · 07-09-2005, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fov

I installed Avast a few weeks ago when my Norton subscription ran out (after 3 years of paying for Norton). Almost immediately, it found a Trojan on my machine that Nortan hadn't caught.

Same here

Ninth · 07-10-2005, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temporaryscars

Same here

And same here.

Intrepid Homoludens · 07-10-2005, 08:00 AM

So I suppose I should download this one, then. I'm not using any anti-virus stuff, only Spybot and Adaware.

SakSquash · 07-10-2005, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

So I suppose I should download this one, then. I'm not using any anti-virus stuff, only Spybot and Adaware.

I'm liking it so far, and you can't beat free

Intrepid Homoludens · 07-10-2005, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temporaryscars

you can't beat free

***fov*** · 07-10-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

So I suppose I should download this one, then. I'm not using any anti-virus stuff, only Spybot and Adaware.

I'd download it. It catches lots of stuff (even spyware stuff) that those two don't.

Mishale · 07-10-2005, 11:20 PM

What's your scanning regimen like for those of you that have Avast? It doesn't come with a scheduler in the free version, and I'm too used to having Norton scheduled for a scan every week now to manually have to do it. I just checked my Spybot, and I haven't scanned in 27 days

So, how do you people remind yourselves to do it?

07-09-2005, 02:02 PM	#1
SakSquash Banned User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Paltz...for now... Posts: 6,177	Avast! Anyone use it? It's the free antivirus everyone is telling me about. Download.com has it and it has gotten good reviews but before I install it I was wondering if anyone here could tell me if they use it or not and if they like it. Share Share this post on Twitter

07-09-2005, 02:43 PM	#2
NuttyGal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 177	My mum uses AVG and a software name Scan Spyware! They both work well! AVG we have had for a longer period of time but since we have use scan spyware we are finding that it is much easier to get rid of any virus that may come along As for Avast i havent heard about it so i wouldn't know which one is the best to use! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Life Is A Game - So Play It

07-09-2005, 02:45 PM	#3
Ninth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 6,409	I'm using Avast, and I've had no problem with it so far. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ ...It's down there somewhere. Let me have another look.

07-09-2005, 03:00 PM	#4
SakSquash Banned User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Paltz...for now... Posts: 6,177	Wick. I'll check it out. Share Share this post on Twitter

07-09-2005, 03:07 PM	#5
Watcher of the skies Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 176	I'm using CounterSpy. Haven't had a problem, yet. Mike Share Share this post on Twitter

07-09-2005, 05:25 PM	#6
Sage Bad Influence Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Birmingham, Alabama USA Posts: 5,547	I have no use for that sort of thing, but thanks for the link anyway ScottMate Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Ignorance is bliss, denial is divine, and willful ignorance is a religious experience. Share the love. <3

07-09-2005, 06:08 PM	#8
Aj_ Beyond Belief Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Blighty Posts: 2,186	Macs don't get Virii snigger Share Share this post on Twitter

07-09-2005, 08:18 PM	#12
*fov* Rattenmonster Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 10,404	I installed Avast a few weeks ago when my Norton subscription ran out (after 3 years of paying for Norton). Almost immediately, it found a Trojan on my machine that Norton hadn't caught. Share Share this post on Twitter Last edited by fov; 07-09-2005 at 08:30 PM. Reason: typo

07-10-2005, 08:00 AM	#16
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	So I suppose I should download this one, then. I'm not using any anti-virus stuff, only Spybot and Adaware. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

07-10-2005, 11:20 PM	#20
Mishale Gaming Art Historian Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 144	What's your scanning regimen like for those of you that have Avast? It doesn't come with a scheduler in the free version, and I'm too used to having Norton scheduled for a scan every week now to manually have to do it. I just checked my Spybot, and I haven't scanned in 27 days So, how do you people remind yourselves to do it? Share Share this post on Twitter

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