Discussions center around various antivirus software options, including Norton, McAfee, Panda, Norman, Bullguard, PCCillin, and AVG, with a focus on their effectiveness and user experiences. Some users express skepticism about the value of antivirus software, citing high costs and the notion that viruses often outpace detection capabilities. Backup strategies are mentioned as a personal alternative to antivirus protection, although it's pointed out that backing up infected systems can perpetuate issues. The conversation highlights the limited number of Linux viruses and the perceived superiority of McAfee among the options discussed. Users also emphasize the importance of understanding viruses and trojans, noting that a comprehensive approach to security is necessary, as simply backing up data does not provide adequate protection against infections.