Are online virus scans any good?

kelp · 12-08-2005, 03:51 PM

How is Panda Activescan's and Trend Micro's online virus scanners? When you do use them, you basically download a small file to a temp folder and run it from there and use the online virus database. How would they compare to free anti virus software?

imported_Steve · 12-08-2005, 06:15 PM

I've never really trusted the online virus scanners. I don't trust the free ones either though.

There is a reason you don't have to pay for these services, it's because they lack something the paid versions have - most notably up to the minute updated virus definitions.

cmpolis · 12-08-2005, 06:20 PM

Alot of online and free virus scans actually contain spyware or adware. I suggest going out and buying a cheap antivirus. Stick with the main companies like Norton or Symantec.

-C

H Brando · 12-09-2005, 04:51 PM

I have used some before without much in the way of results.

I did find this one:

http://www.dmscs.co.uk/inoculate.html

and I have had good luck with it.

kelp · 12-09-2005, 07:58 PM

I've been using the free ones like AVG and Avant, but viruses haven't been a big problem. If there is a java program with a virus, Avant stops the connection and terminates it. I just prevent the virus from even coming by using a secure browser and having a firewall.

suzeygal · 12-10-2005, 12:30 AM

Ditto on AVG. It seems to be an okay virus scan, haven't had any problems since downloading a couple of weeks ago.

Susan

JBN-Rob · 12-10-2005, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmpolis

Alot of online and free virus scans actually contain spyware or adware. I suggest going out and buying a cheap antivirus. Stick with the main companies like Norton or Symantec.

-C

Norton is Symantec by the way

We only use and recomend Norton in store, it works the best from our experience... and it's fairly cheap - at least for how well it works.

Bender · 12-11-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBN-Rob

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmpolis

Alot of online and free virus scans actually contain spyware or adware. I suggest going out and buying a cheap antivirus. Stick with the main companies like Norton or Symantec.

-C

Norton is Symantec by the way

We only use and recomend Norton in store, it works the best from our experience... and it's fairly cheap - at least for how well it works.

I have to disagree with you there

Norton is horrible - slow, unreliable and plays havoc with everything else on your computer.
I would go so far as to say its the single worst piece of software I have ever tried.

Tristabelle · 12-13-2005, 09:09 PM

I have to agree with AVG. My husband is a computer programmer/networker and he trusts AVG 100%. It's a great, easy to use program, free program. Take advantage!

bear · 12-13-2005, 10:32 PM

All i know is that when I used AVG then uninstalled it and ran mcafee or norton straight away, it picked up viruses that AVG missed.

pyowomaniac · 12-14-2005, 07:18 PM

I don't trust them. It seems as though those programs always want you to purchase something before the scan works.

Fry · 12-15-2005, 02:57 AM

I know, they usually pop up continually asking you to donate or buy - thats the trade off of "free software".. very annoying.
I would rather just buy something instead

pyowomaniac · 12-15-2005, 07:18 PM

Right. at least then you could trust the virus scan, that's if you buy the software directly from a store. That's what I do anyway.

bear · 12-15-2005, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyowomaniac

Right. at least then you could trust the virus scan, that's if you buy the software directly from a store. That's what I do anyway.

That is very true

Because they can afford to employ people to keep the software up to date.
As soon as a virus is found, the big AV vendors have a fix, whereas things like AVG etc will lag days behind.

compnut · 12-16-2005, 12:06 AM

There are only two online virus scanners that I trust, and those are called AVG by Grisoft and the PC Pitstop virus scanner. They are both very trusted sites and are extremely helpful in detecting viruses. I'm not a big fan or Norton or McAfee, so these are the ones I prefer, and I've been using them for several years and have had great success. Good luck!

kelp · 12-16-2005, 10:22 AM

The best rated free virus scans like Panda Activescan, AVG, and Avast aren't as "naggy" as people make them out to be. They're pretty decent, though. If you had no choice, you might as well pick one.

kbelloise · 12-16-2005, 01:07 PM

I love Avast. It seems to update itself daily and it has stopped quite a few viruses on my pc. No nag screens or spyware. It works seamlessly and is completely free.

The other thing I like about Avast and AVG for that matter is that the programs are small and simple. Mcafees and Panda seem to use up alot of resources on your computer and interfere with alot of programs.

zemus · 03-23-2006, 08:15 PM

I find Trend Micro to be pretty decent, although I am not sure how up to date it is.

imported_chris · 03-30-2006, 02:02 AM

Yeah, Trend Micro's HouseCall anti-virus scanner is convenient when you want to scan your PC for viruses.