anti-virus software

[catlvr]

Thank you so much for the info malyden. I have been very lazy about backing it up. Now I will be doing that asap.

 

[tribalmasters]

If your going free, Avast is better than AVG.
AVG is no good in my opinion, I have seen way to many things get by it..

Norton and McAfee are bloated system hogging useless garbage.

I use NOD32 and Malwarebytes, Firefox w/ AdBlockPlus and NoScript.
I have not had a virus on this computer in over 2 years.

If you saw how many times NoScript blocks clearclick and other malicious things on facebook, you would never use IE again..

Its cool though, I make good money cleaning computers of all this malware crap that gets auto installed on all these newbs computers running IE...

I highly recommend:
NOD32 + Malwarebytes + Firefox + AdBlockPlus plugin + NoScript plugin = Very Safe.

Temporarily allow all this page!!!

 

[Lab]

I used to hack at least 100 ppl a day.. tested all anti virus programs with new virus's most that i played with would last a month before any of them picked up..

kaspersky, and avg would detect them first

avast would have them within a week after avg

norton was bad.. 3 months after kaspersky detected I sent them the virus and told them this is a virus put it in the definitions well 2 months later it detected it.

i would go for kaspersky if you want free go for avg.. kaspersky is better though

also get a few other programs to run with them.. like spy bot search and destroy, and ad aware, they will get all the things that get installed with toolbars that ppl like to put on their comp then find out that the comp is running slow..

 

[tribalmasters]

I used to hack at least 100 ppl a day.. tested all anti virus programs with new virus's most that i played with would last a month before any of them picked up..

kaspersky, and avg would detect them first

avast would have them within a week after avg

norton was bad.. 3 months after kaspersky detected I sent them the virus and told them this is a virus put it in the definitions well 2 months later it detected it.

i would go for kaspersky if you want free go for avg.. kaspersky is better though

also get a few other programs to run with them.. like spy bot search and destroy, and ad aware, they will get all the things that get installed with toolbars that ppl like to put on their comp then find out that the comp is running slow..

You hacked people!? I hope they agreed to be hacked hehe, that can ruin someones day big time!!!

 

[JSullivan]

I have to agree with the new norton security pack. I was a long time anti-norton man, and I am as computer savvy as they come. Makes me a good living anyway. I am very impressed with their new stuff, very resource friendly, and a rather nice user interface, also not bogged down with unnecessary junk. Combined with TuneUp Utilities, these two programs will keep your PC in tiptop shape.

 

[override]

My vote is Avast...Been using it for about 2 years now and it has never failed me! Even when I look at porn...hehehe

 

[ceo51378]

I use Avira on most of my machines because it still has the highest detection rate out of all the free AV's out there - even better rates than a lot of the paid ones. I hate to say it but Microsoft Security Essentials is also excellent. Both of these solutions are also the lowest on system resources. AVG is bloated crapware now with subpar detection/removal. Avast is nice but it failed to find a few trojans on my PC so I shied away from it.
The best thing you can do is go to OpenDNS | Internet Navigation And Security and sign up for a free account and point your router to it's IP addresses. OpenDNS will block most sites that are laden with Spyware and Viruses. You can also use it to keep your kids from getting on sites that they shouldn't be. I set up OpenDNS for my company and it has cut down our malware infections drastically (makes my life easier).
SuperAntiSpyware is my choice for spyware - much higher detection rate than Malwarebytes (though I still use that on a second sweep).
Comodo firewall - you won't find anything better. period.

Finally... once your sick of loading all this crap on your PC and watching it's performance go to hell in a hand basket, do yourself a favor and download Ubuntu. It has a 'wubi' installer so you can install it like you would any other windows application.It runs on a 'virtual partition'. If you like it, switch to it, and all of your security problems disappear like magic. If you don't like it, un-install it from your windows program manager.

 

[tribalmasters]

I use Avira on most of my machines because it still has the highest detection rate out of all the free AV's out there - even better rates than a lot of the paid ones. I hate to say it but Microsoft Security Essentials is also excellent. Both of these solutions are also the lowest on system resources. AVG is bloated crapware now with subpar detection/removal. Avast is nice but it failed to find a few trojans on my PC so I shied away from it.
The best thing you can do is go to OpenDNS | Internet Navigation And Security and sign up for a free account and point your router to it's IP addresses. OpenDNS will block most sites that are laden with Spyware and Viruses. You can also use it to keep your kids from getting on sites that they shouldn't be. I set up OpenDNS for my company and it has cut down our malware infections drastically (makes my life easier).
SuperAntiSpyware is my choice for spyware - much higher detection rate than Malwarebytes (though I still use that on a second sweep).
Comodo firewall - you won't find anything better. period.

Finally... once your sick of loading all this crap on your PC and watching it's performance go to hell in a hand basket, do yourself a favor and download Ubuntu. It has a 'wubi' installer so you can install it like you would any other windows application.It runs on a 'virtual partition'. If you like it, switch to it, and all of your security problems disappear like magic. If you don't like it, un-install it from your windows program manager.

Linux ROCKS!!! You can run it on almost anything these days!

 

[Darmeen]

For free....I suggest Avast or Avira.

 

[In_Fidel]

AVG for sure! It's free and it's the most reliable. Don't go with any other, IMO.

 

[Darmeen]

Looking over anti-virus software on Cnet...Avast is ranked 4.8 by the editors and 4.5 by users...here is part of the editors review of the Avast 5 (the newest free edition)

Avast Free 5, formerly known as the Home Edition, protects you with multiple guards. The antivirus, antispyware, and heuristics engines form a security core that also includes multiple real-time shields. The adjustable mail and file system shields join the pre-existing behavior, network, instant messaging, peer-to-peer, and Web shields. The behavioral shield is a common-sense feature, as security software publishers leverage their large user bases to detect threats early and warn others. Other new features include a silent-gaming mode and an "intelligent scanner" that only looks at changed files after establishing a baseline. The biggest change in Avast 5, though, is the interface. Gone is the music player default look, which was skinnable but confusing. In its place is a sleek UI that new users should find far more manageable. It's also Aero-friendly, with Explorer-style navigation buttons in case you can't remember where you tweaked a particular setting.

Avast's recent independent third-party testing has been notably solid, able to hold its own against better-known programs from Symantec and Microsoft. Avast 5 Free lacks features in the paid upgrade including antispam measures, a testing sandbox, a Script shield, and a firewall. Even without those, Avast Free 5 is probably the strongest, free antivirus currently available.

and here is what they said (in part) about AVG

The LinkScanner feature protects you from third-party code exploits before they load in your browser and for ranking search results. Annoyingly, when you install its optional toolbar, it commandeers your new-tab page, decidedly inappropriate behavior. The program doesn't obviously tax your system when scanning or when running in the background, although CNET Labs determined that it will significantly slow down your system's boot time, and slightly delay shutting down. AVG also detected some image files as threats, when two other scans decided they weren't--we decided these were false positives. AVG might not be the fastest or the most effective free security option, but it still gets the job done and you're better off with it.

 

[callofthevapor]

Right now I'm using avast. While not an antivirus program a no script for firefox is a great add on. It blocks all scripts on web sites unless you unblock it for that site. I also use add blocker plus, again you can turn it off for sites you trust. It blocks adds which helps your load time for pages but also hackers hide nasties in those adds.

 

[halopunker]

Both avast and avg are okay, but the Antivirus application that I put on my system is Avira:

Avira AntiVir Personal

Another one of my favorites for clients that get infected and still able to access the interwebs is HouseCall - Free Antivirus Scan

But in the end the Best Antivirus is you! Actually being aware of what's going on, not running facebook .exe password reset application, and not opening every attachment that comes through your email. Literally I only open attachments if I know they're coming otherwise, they get deleted...I don't care how cute that puppy was, or how funny the people at walmart are. If you want me to see it, put it up on photobucket and send me the link ;P

Oh and make sure links that are linked are actually linked to the link <-- lol.

 

[tribalmasters]

Bah, don't listen to my mom. She's a lowly Help Desk Support person!!

Avast is okay and AVG is okay. The one that I actually put on my System is:

Avira AntiVir Personal <---http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html

Barely notice it's even there, have it setup to run once a day.

Another Alternative if you have internet connection: HouseCall - Free Antivirus Scan

The Best Antivirus is you and actually being able to identify spoofing, not opening emails that have a .exe for your facebook password (It's amusing how many people fell for that), and not just running every application that pops up and says you have a virus on your computer. ;P

Avira is really the best IMO.

How the does house call work? What if the virus isn't on the net and comes delivered via USB stick?

 

[halopunker]

How the does house call work? What if the virus isn't on the net and comes delivered via USB stick?

I actually rewrote my previous reply, as the original was wrote in haste.

Housecall is an online application that you can download, and runs a scan on your computer. Regardless of how the virus was ported into your computer, it should still be able to scan your hard drive, USB, drives, etc.

Give it a try, the nice thing about it is it gives you the lastest virus definitions while scanning. The only draw back is it only scans when you're connected to the interweb But with it I've been able to remove some trickier viruses that have been found on clients PCs. You'd be amazed at how many people double clicked the 'Facebook Password Reset'.exe -.-

 

[Cancer]

Its by Sunbelt Software. Its called the Vipre. It has a very small footprint(file size) and has been top notch. Updates seamlessly and scans do not even slow my 6 yearold Pentium 4 laptop abit.I download lots of illegal torrents and haven't had ONE infection on all 4 of my PC's. I get free McAfee from Comcast...yet use and pay for the Vipre. Cannot say enough good about it.

Antivirus Software - VIPRE Antivirus Download a Free Trial

 

[tribalmasters]

It sounds great!! I guess having the definitions at the 'other end' saves disk space too!!


Illegal torrents? Please buy it and support your favourite software company!!

 

[beebopnjazz]

I use ESET/NOD 32 and Malwarebytes. Had a problem with a windows vista update and Microsoft was certain it was a virus in my computer versus their update - Malwarebytes can be run in safemode (computer was clean)- of course it was Microsoft's Windows Defender update that caused the network/internet connection issue and all was fixed.

 

[TheMetal]

Norton, and Symantec both suck. I am an IT guy and my reccomendation if for kaspersky.

 

[tribalmasters]

I got one machine that would not boot with Vista! It freezed with a black screen and pointer and sometimes with the green loading bars going by all day! When Vista finally realised the machine has restarted a few times in frustration it will do a system restore and boot until it does its windows updates and many failed then it will do the same once more! There was no software on the machine that could break it and no hardware faults!!! After running some tools in an attempt to fix Windows update rolling it back to the very earliest time available has fixed it...for now!!

Its getting formatted! I wonder if it was the anti virus that screwed Vista!