Antivirus programs

robert41 · Jul 4, 2011

Looking for some help. What are currently the better antivirus programs out there? Free and payware.

Kiwikat · Jul 4, 2011

I am using Vipre right now. It is 30 or 40 bucks a year depending on which version you get. It beats out every other program in performance.

I won't be moving to a different software anytime soon. :jump:

Windows security essentials has been pretty highly regarded as of late. It's free too.

Ickie · Jul 4, 2011

I use AVG Pro and do spot checks here online
http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA-Labs/security-threats/tools/online-scanner

OBIO · Jul 4, 2011

I used to use Avast, but it got to be a resouce hog. So I switched to AVG...and it too got bloated and hoggy. Now I use Microsoft Security Essentials, in conjunction with Malwarebytes Antimalware. I set this combo up on every system in the family (over a dozen systems via in-laws and such) and have had no problems on any of them.

OBIO

robert41 · Jul 4, 2011

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have Microsoft Security Essentials on my machine, my sister has Trend Micro on her's. She picked up a nasty virus called vista internet security 2012. Looking for something better than Trend Micro for her computer.

Wulf190 · Jul 4, 2011

I have used NOD 32 for years. Its still ranked as one of the best payware AV out here. I have also read good things about Windows defender too, which is free.

capun · Jul 4, 2011

Go with OBIO's, that is the current combo that I recommend my customers. Just be sure to keep them up to date and run them often.

FYI the combo has some issues with WindowsXP, specially if you have MBAM resident.

You need to exclude the MBAM executable/processes in MSE, to play safe do the same in MBAM, exclude the MSE executable/processes.

I haven't seen those issues with Vista and Windows7

wombat666 · Jul 4, 2011

Webroot Internet Security Essentials.
Payware.
I've used their full package over several years and (so far) it's been rock solid.
FWIW, Windows Defender runs alongside without any interference.

:kilroy:

aeromed202 · Jul 4, 2011

I was recently hit by a cluster of malwares while using MSE. Basically I think all anti virus softwares have their weaknesses, they all work great-until they don't. But understanding that doesn't mean don't use them. I now run MSE and AVG, which slows things down but I figure each will catch 97% so together maybe they will catch 99.5%. I used extensive math and the occult to arrive at those absolutely accurate figures

I wish there were anything, payware or not, that would work 100% but there just is no such thing. Definitely have Spybot, Malwarebytes, AdAware and CCleaner and run them often. Also consider Revo Uninstaller which I've used many times to erradicate down to the registry pesky programs, mailicious or not.

TeaSea · Jul 4, 2011

Whatever you go with....and frankly there are many good products.....

You absolutely MUST keep signatures up to date and pay attention to product enhancements. I find that there are lots of good products that have out of date signatures. If they're out of date, you're wasting your time.

I would ensure that whatever I got had a means of checking web sites as you browse.

Finally, you significantly increase your risk if you:

1) go to any "adult" site, even by accident (yes, it happens -- they're designed to snag you that way).

2) visit any "Torrent" site for downloads.

3) Use or copy any pirate software (I notice in the debate over piracy thread that this risk was overlooked).

4) Use "Skype" or any commonly available freeware IP comm tool (that includes things like TeamSpeak, but there are ways to mitigate this).

5) Live on Facebook. I'm sorry, I know a lot of people like this, but there are simply too many holes for the average user to plug. However, if you insist, here's an interesting site that can help with mitigating that risk.

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[/FONT]Lastly, recognize that virus protection is not a science. There is risk in everything on line you do (including belonging to this Forum). The key is mitigating those risks. Do not assume because you don't have anything on your system that no one would be interested in it....simply the fact that it's on the web makes it a valuable resource for someone with malicious intent. BTW, being a BOTNET will really impact your system performance, unless of course you like buying RAM for someone else to use.....

robert41 · Jul 5, 2011

Thanks for all the help. I will look into these.

aeromed202 · Jul 6, 2011

Just an update relevant to this topic. I now feel this laptop is clean again thanks to the marshaled forces others have mentioned here. It really does take a coordinated and maintained effort to stay ahead.

On a more grateful note, my thanks go out to all the super people on SOH that do so much more than talk FS. It was here I picked up on Revo Uninstaller, Malwarebytes, CCleaner, F-secure and tips how to use them. Each of these, especially F-secure and Revo, just helped me clean away the debris of a thorough malware attack. My Google Chrome was hijacked and was redirecting things, all my restore points were removed, I didn't have sufficient privileges to update or reinstall AdAware, and so on. Now all seems to be back to as it was although without the restore points, but that's not a big issue as I can still create new ones. I had McAffe for a year and 3 months way back until I was hacked then too. It may not be conclusive but friends in the tech field generally agree that the confidence in freeware antivirus softwares is about the same as that for payware, at least for home use. Be choosy where you visit, keep your wares up to date, back-up files, and remember that you can always be hit.

ThinkingManNeil · Jul 6, 2011

I've got Norton 360 on my Dell Studio XPS Windows 7 machine along with a freeware Comodo firewall that I've always liked. The Dell originally came loaded with McAfee but I dumped it as it was always saying there was a conflict between their firewall and the Comodo and that if I only spent $49.95US on some of their other software that that would be resolved faster than you can say "pickpocket". Norton's has always worked well for me on both MaC and PC.

N.

Kofschip · Jul 6, 2011

According to PC World, Norton is still the best one of them all.

Odie · Jul 7, 2011

I've been using Trend for the past several years and not had any issues with it.

Montie · Jul 7, 2011

I have been using Avast since 2005, came from Norton then and haven't had any problems since.

Gdavis101 · Jul 8, 2011

I use the free version of AVAST.. I did use AVG, but when they upgraded to 2011 it really slowed my PC's down. I have been really happy with AVAST...

Antivirus programs

robert41

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Kiwikat

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Ickie

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OBIO

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robert41

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Wulf190

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