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Computer Anti-Virus software

Pyre said:
I use AVG Free Home edition. I also use Avast! on my second PC. Both work great, are free, and have never let a virus enter my system.

I'd also recommend MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware. Its free and catches some of the web based junk that isn't really virus, but you don't want on your PC either. Like spyware, key loggers, adobe exploits, etc.
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Well, it seems there's a lot of love here for Avast. I've looked at its website, compared it to others, and it appears it will do the trick for me - and at the right price too. Is it recommended I use this MalwareBytes program in conjunction with Avast? Or are there other firewall or any other type of programs I should consider using in conjunction with it? Or are the rest of the Windows 7 security features good enough on their own once Avast is loaded up? Also, I've seen it mentioned to be sure to uninstall Norton "properly". Is there more to uninstalling it other than going to the control panel and uninstalling anything with the "Norton" name in the program list?

Thanks again. This is helping quite a bit.
 
badhangover said:
Well, it seems there's a lot of love here for Avast. I've looked at its website, compared it to others, and it appears it will do the trick for me - and at the right price too. Is it recommended I use this MalwareBytes program in conjunction with Avast? Or are there other firewall or any other type of programs I should consider using in conjunction with it? Or are the rest of the Windows 7 security features good enough on their own once Avast is loaded up? Also, I've seen it mentioned to be sure to uninstall Norton "properly". Is there more to uninstalling it other than going to the control panel and uninstalling anything with the "Norton" name in the program list?

Thanks again. This is helping quite a bit.
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I use just Avast and Win7 and it is fine for me. Some people like to be more cautious then others try it out and see if you need it or not.
 
badhangover said:
Pyre said:
I use AVG Free Home edition. I also use Avast! on my second PC. Both work great, are free, and have never let a virus enter my system.

I'd also recommend MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware. Its free and catches some of the web based junk that isn't really virus, but you don't want on your PC either. Like spyware, key loggers, adobe exploits, etc.
Click to expand...
Well, it seems there's a lot of love here for Avast. I've looked at its website, compared it to others, and it appears it will do the trick for me - and at the right price too. Is it recommended I use this MalwareBytes program in conjunction with Avast? Or are there other firewall or any other type of programs I should consider using in conjunction with it? Or are the rest of the Windows 7 security features good enough on their own once Avast is loaded up? Also, I've seen it mentioned to be sure to uninstall Norton "properly". Is there more to uninstalling it other than going to the control panel and uninstalling anything with the "Norton" name in the program list?

Thanks again. This is helping quite a bit.
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That's a good question. Maybe someone here knows more about it. You could also go to their website and see what they recommend or do a Google search.

A friend of mine had an issue with Norton that basically turning into a virus that wouldn't let here install another AV software. She had no backup OS and wound up replacing her laptop.
 
ESET vs. Competition
Missed-In-the-Wild-Viruses.jpg


Used ESET Nod32 for 5+ years! Never had a virus. :thumbs:
 
Well, talking about Norton and if the Control Panel completely removes it from the system. That's kind of a yes and a no.

To make sure that everything has been deleted check the program files in the C: drive. If there still is a Norton folder (which there probably will be ) go ahead and delete it. Another place where Norton leave items behind is in the Registry. BUT if you don't know what you are doing then I would suggest going in to the registry. You can do way more harm then good.

Good Luck!
 
CigarDins said:
Well, talking about Norton and if the Control Panel completely removes it from the system. That's kind of a yes and a no.

To make sure that everything has been deleted check the program files in the C: drive. If there still is a Norton folder (which there probably will be ) go ahead and delete it. Another place where Norton leave items behind is in the Registry. BUT if you don't know what you are doing then I would suggest going in to the registry. You can do way more harm then good.

Good Luck!
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I think he meant NOT going into the registry. :D
 
I use Anti-Malware in addition to AVG on my primary PC, Windows 7 Home 64 bit with all the included safeguards running as well.

I once got a virus on my work PC, and my work uses a paid commercial antivirus product. They had to install the free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to get rid of the thing, whatever it was. As for whether you want to install and use both is up to you. They are free, so I don't see the harm.

I have read that is hard to get rid of Norton once its on there. It doesn't take kindly to being removed. I've never used nor removed it.
 
I guess I'm in the minority here but we're using the McAfee "freebie" package that we get for being Comcast customers, and I'm very happy with it. I'd been a McAfee user for years so this was the icing on the cake. My empolyer uses it, too. Solid, fast, unobtrusive.....works well for me.

Other point is for most of us that are Windows users, keep your OS patched and up to date! Same with your virus definitions / signatures. This is important to keep the bad stuff out and at bay.

A lot of guys like Firefox or other browers. I did too, until about a year ago when Firefox let in a virus so bad I had to reformat the hard drive to get rid of it. Turns out I wasn't the only FF user to get bit. Also turns out that It had been patched in MS browers. I may get lit up for saying this, but I don't run FF anymore. Been using and enjoying IE8 / IE Pro add in and don't see myself changing.

Be careful out there, folks - B.B.S.
 
Pyre said:
As for whether you want to install and use both is up to you. They are free, so I don't see the harm.
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I get the free part. Nice price by the way - although I don't mind paying for software that was a clear cut winner. My question is if Avast (which it appears so far I will go with) and Malwarebytes will play well with each other. Or whether they will conflict with each other and create OS performance issues. I assume they complement each other without problems, as you are using it in conjunction with AVG without any stated problems, but in my extreme ignorance on this topic I don't know if all security software programs work seamlessly with all other security software programs. Avast + Malwarebytes = a good performance fit offering reasonable computer security?

Oh, and my thoughts are to call my laptop manufacturer's helpline (it's a Sony) and ask them for their guidance in removing this Norton free trial software they preloaded onto their system. Tell them something along the lines of, "Thanks, but no thanks. "How do I remove it?" Does that sound reasonable or would that likely elicit one big laugh from them?

And another question, out of sheer curiosity.... What makes these programs free? Where are these software companies making their dough? Do their programs bog up my system with pop up ads? And if that is the case, I wonder if a paid software program might be better instead.

I gotta say again: Thanks a bunch to all on this thread. Very helpful.
 
Malwarebytes seems to play well with all others. You shouldn't have any issues.

Art
 
I used "Your Uninstaller 2009" to remove Norton from my system. It does a great job of removing EVERYTHING including registry keys. It's free to try for a month. If you like it, I can email you a key for it to save you a few $$.

Linky



Derek
 
jnknzz said:
I used "Your Uninstaller 2009" to remove Norton from my system. It does a great job of removing EVERYTHING including registry keys. It's free to try for a month. If you like it, I can email you a key for it to save you a few $$.

Linky



Derek
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Thank you for your offer. I'd appreciate it.

I'm going to use Your Uninstaller to delete the Norton programs and then load up Avast and Malwarbytes. If for some odd reason I'm later unhappy with that setup, I'll then use Your Uninstaller to delete Avast and will load up ESET (my runner up choice) in its place.
 
I have had to rebuild several systems for people that were using AVG because they were too infected to fix.

I used to use it myself until I happened upon some suspicious files on my system.

Checking on several review sites, they recommended ESET (Nod32) and Kapersky as usually the best anti-virus programs with the least amount or resources used.

I have ESET on all my systems.

I have picked it up in OEM version for as low as $10 a copy.
 
sophos is good but not used that much. I worked for a college where it was on everything, and the great part is that they release an CD update for the SW. Not just patching or updates like microsoft does with their os. It's more like apple SW upgrades for their OS.
 
I've been using NOD32 for a number of years, after getting hugely infected with Norton running and up to date. Since then, I have had nothing happen virus-wise. Not for lack of trying... you know how all those 'seedy side of the internet' sites are...

But I cannot highly recommend them enough.
 
I have used AVG Free and AVG network at work. I used to love AVG but have had some real problems since version 8 came out. The biggest deal is version 8 both at work and free version at home started taking up WAY more resources then it ever had before. It slowed PC's way down both at work and home. Second, version 8 free at home had a nasty reaction to the combination of firefox and eBay for some reason. It made eBay totally unusable in firefox. Gave me a good excuse to start trying Opera, but still left me very cold on AVG for the first time since I started using it years ago. I would absolutely stay away from it as it is now and am myself looking to decide on what AV to move to.

I've been looking very closely at free Bitdefender. The question I have for everyone is what about active protection vs simple scan software? I've been reading a bunch and the question of active defense seems to come up a lot. What software out there is active vs the others. I have read some people claiming the active AV packages are the slow ones these days? Anyone have any input on this question? That was claimed to be one of the contributing factors for my AVG clashing so badly with eBay and firefox but I have no idea.

I also should mention I use XP home and Pro and really like Zone Alarm free firewall. Seems to work pretty well most of the time for a free firewall.
 
Swissy said:
I've been using NOD32 for a number of years, after getting hugely infected with Norton running and up to date. Since then, I have had nothing happen virus-wise. Not for lack of trying... you know how all those 'seedy side of the internet' sites are...

But I cannot highly recommend them enough.
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Dear Community, what free Anti-Virus software will best protect me when traveling deep into the vortex of porn?

Jim, you're the man.
 
If you're using windows, microsoft has their own antivirus software now. I'll be trying it out once I switch to windows 7: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx It's only been out a short while, but I'm hoping that it will work better since Microsoft has a very strong vested interest in curbing the stigma of windows being the "virus" operating system.
 
I have used a bunch of different ones on different puters that I have built, but I tend to like Avira AntiVir over Avast. I like AVG but found it too lenient IMHO. Not so sure with pay for programs as I am a free user fan, but I have had a few experiences with Trend Micro and they seemed to have a pretty good setup. I still use the online client at times, along with bitdefenders online client along with Malwarebytes and Spybot. I just think there is too much out there to pay. These programs are all pretty solid and together are pretty unstoppable IMHO. I have Avira set to every morning at 3am, and maybe every week or so I run Spybot and Malwarebytes. Maybe once I month I check in with the Bitdefender and Trend Micro online clients. So far in 2-3+ years I have not found anything by running the online clients. Tis a good thing and shows that Avira does the trick in my instances!!

Don
 
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