Re: Password vault software

Vanguard wrote:
I mentioned Avira's AntiVir in my prior post. I tried it for awhile but got rid of it. Although it might have higher coverage than AVG, I couldn't take the constant banner crap. They'd spew out a large window telling you the free version doesn't include anti-spyware protection. A window appears during the daily update that will push you out of any game and be on top of all other windows (i.e., it forces their banner window in your face).

When you install, you get a 3-month trial period. They say the license will extend itself for another 4 weeks but it then goes into "demo" mode (you'll see "Key expired [DEMO Mode]" in the update report). That means it will detect but not disinfect (i.e., it becomes worthless). After expiration, you don't get any more signature updates (i.e., the product goes dead and can detect only the old malware). Then you have to buy the Personal Premium version ($27). You could save a partition image before installing AntiVir and then restore it after the expiration to again install AntiVir but then you lose any other changes made to that partition over that 3-month interval. AntiVir was a good product until Avira got their hands on it and fucked it up.

I knew there were reasons why I dumped Avira's demoware. Not interested in popup windows (i.e., banners), especially when they interfere with other programs. Not interested in trialing an AV product for just 3 months whereupon it becomes crippled for another month and then it stops accepting sig updates. Freeware it is not. Demoware it be. Not interested in self-destruct software.

Note:
AVG also has a banner but also an option to turn it off.

The free versions don't have all the features testing in the av-comparatives report. For example, the free version of Avast does not include script blocking. If you just look at the average of Windows and macro viruses (what Avast can handle), Avast is 97.01% versus 94.46% for AVG. I can't tell if AVG includes script blocking (no option to configure it). Avast is much more configurable than AVG. I can run AVG using a command line so I can use the far superior options in Task Scheduler rather than the scheduler included in AVG. Alwil says their Avast doesn't have a CLI (command-line interface). Either AVG or Avast will do you well. I can't tell how well Panda's AV works.

You might decide not to stick with Panda and use one of the freebie AV alternatives which means you definitely don't need to stick with what firewall is included in Panda's suite.

Hi Vanguard,

I have Avira Antivir PersonalEdition Classic loaded onto one of my lab machines. It is bannerware but it is _NOT_ crippleware. It has been running succesfully for well over a year with full updates and no license timeout. I don't know if this is something that has changed since you last used it. Yes, the banner is annoying but I have found detection rates to be excellent, better than a lot of the commercial A/V. It is the product I have recommended to home users within my family and friends. I have no experience of it in it's commercial clothes - they would not provide the commercial version for my lab - I may ask again. :)

I was put off AVG some time ago when they used to have updates only once a fortnight for the home version - I am reliably informed that they have changed the policy on this and now provide daily updates but it's difficult to forgive and forget - the same as you with Avira, I guess!

IMHO, the detection rates with Panda are dismal. (comparitively speaking)

Do you have any experience of submitting virus reports to any of the AV companies? I have had mixed success from AV companies but the response from Avira has been excellent, only surpassed by Sophos and don't get me started about McAfee!

Bogwitch.
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