[MaxCast]

Which do you use?  Is one really better than the other?

[davejcb]

How about neither? I work for an ISP and we use www.antivirus.com's free online antivirus, usually picks up 2-3 viruses every other AV doesn't.

[MaxCast]

That's interesting, Dave.  Does it get updates regularly?

The reason I ask this is because I have my finger on the trigger for a Dell.  I've been visiting www.gotapex.com for extra deals/coupons that come up from time to time and they recommend switching to McAfee from Norton.

[mdconnelly]

I have experience with both and, truthfully, they're both good products.   The real question must focus on which can get you the updates most quickly -- that is, how quickly can you get the updates before the viruses they are intended to block.  

My experience is that the weakness is far more often with the user than with the product.    Any of the products is better than none, but only if they're properly configured to get you the updates asap.  Otherwise, they just give you a false sense of security.

[TheeeChosenOne]

There is antivirus software that is markedly better.  Read the following thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=33&threadid=1248485&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=

Essentially the thread concludes:

BitDefender or Panda > PC-Cillin or  AVG (free) or  Kaspersky > Norton > Mcafee

Since AVG is free and is better than Norton, it is your best option.  If you want to spend money on a slighty better product, then Bitdefender is the best value at $29 (can be had for even less with promos and coupons online).

[Thump553]

I haven't used McAfee for a couple of years, but I did try out several versions.  I disliked McAfee enormously-it was difficult to update (busy servers, obtuse interface), awkward to install and screwed up (to the point of reformat and reinstall all) one of my computers.  These comments are outdated and may not be relevant to their current product-but I'm not trying it again.

Between these two, I voted for Norton, but I now prefer AVG.  AVG is free, scans a bit faster than Norton and seems as good.  Norton is going to the registration system where you will have to buy a seperate copy for every computer.

[TheeeChosenOne]

Btw, if anyone is absolutely insistent on Norton, the best deal out there is the following ($9--2003 Norton Systemworks Pro):

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=1256903

[davejcb]

That's interesting, Dave.  Does it get updates regularly?

Not sure, actually. We basically use it as a backup for when people call in with FUBAR'ed PCs, after running Norton or other and not picking up worms that cause us shitloads of spam, we suspend their accounts, then they call in and we run that AV, usually does the job.

[Rob Babcock]

I reluctantly bought Norton a while ago- I tried the free AVG software, but it just plain didn't work on my PC.  It totally screwed everything up.  Too bad, as the interface was good and the price was right!  I'm really not a fan of Norton at all, and by the time it expires next year I hopefully will have found something better.  Maybe the BitDefender AV?

[Redbone]

I have tried Norton, Mcafee and PCcillin.  Norton used to be better, but Mcafee is good now.  PCcillin gave me problems with networking.  They are all licensed now for one user/one machine, although I think that PCcillin gives you two licenses (desktop and laptop).

The only one that I could get to work concurrently with my VPN connection is Mcafee, so that's what I am currently using.

[pjchappy]

NEITHER!

Get AVG anti-virus. . .it's free and BETTER.  Also, I've had 0 problems w/ it or it effecting my PC.  A few years ago, it cleaned a virus that Norton nor McCaffee couldn't catch.

www.GRISoft.com

p