Which Antivirus

[RobbieGong]

Hi, We've just bought a nice all in one pc after my trusty Dell packed up after 8/9 years service. I managed to blag some McAfee antivirus in the deal but to be honest I've never really liked the full antivirus ie: Norton etc as I found my old Dell literally would grind to a halt whenever these were installed. Could you guys offer some advise as I know I need some protection on my new purchase (and pretty quick in this day and age). Are there free ones that offer effective protection without taking over the pc ie: RAM hungry. What to do ?

[Techno Commander]

I use the free version of Avast (http://www.avast.com/en-gb/index). Been brilliant and unobtrusive.

[RobbieGong]

I use the free version of Avast (http://www.avast.com/en-gb/index). Been brilliant and unobtrusive.

Thanks for reply and link Andy.

[mr sneff]

+1 for Avast free version. The free version of Zone Alarm is good too if you need a firewall.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Try Xyvos - tiny program, works in a completely different way to most other av programmes and has served me well for some time now. Previous boot up times were glacially slow with AVG & the likes and as you say things used to grind to a stop when scans were being done. No more!

[YNWaN]

AVG - the free version is very good and the one you pay for is excellent.

[Eagle owl]

Another vote for Avast here. :)

[Stratmangler]

MSE.

[MikeMusic]

MS Essentials or Avast

[The Black Adder]

AVG here... been fine so far. - Well, since it came out to be honest.

I've had Norton and it's complete borgware.. hate it

[NickB]

Hi

If you run Win 8 or 8.1 MSE is built in so you don't need anti virus, if you use anything else MSE is very good for 2 reasons:-
1 It works
2 It doesn't try to sell you the paid for version (as there isn't one) every time you renew or update.

Nick

[Yomanze]

MSE is also quite non-obtrusive.

[The Black Adder]

so i don't need AVG on my Windows 8.1 machine? - Never seen any control panel or window for the built-in antivirus. Are there any settings etc?

[RobbieGong]

Hi

If you run Win 8 or 8.1 MSE is built in so you don't need anti virus, if you use anything else MSE is very good for 2 reasons:-
1 It works
2 It doesn't try to sell you the paid for version (as there isn't one) every time you renew or update.

Nick

Interesting Nick as my new pc is defo Windows 8. What you are saying is this built in MSE looks out for the bad stuf ? Just double checking as I know enough about pc's to get by but wouldnt say i understand all the aspects.

[twickers]

so i don't need AVG on my Windows 8.1 machine? - Never seen any control panel or window for the built-in antivirus. Are there any settings etc?

It's called Windows Defender on win 8. Here's a linky (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/using-defender#1TC=windows-8).

[MikeMusic]

so i don't need AVG on my Windows 8.1 machine? - Never seen any control panel or window for the built-in antivirus. Are there any settings etc?

We uninstalled AVG on our PCs as it really was a pain - and I'd paid for it !

[YNWaN]

Hmm.. Myself and friends use it on a number of desktops and netbooks - never had a problem.

[Reffc]

I use the paid for version of Avast. It has some useful features and has never let us down. I also run Superantispyware (free version) which is great for manual debugging of cookies and other malware plus has a very aggressive persistent file removal tool built in. I previously used AVG and a subscription version of Panda security. I found the latter woefully inadequate (it let through as many trojan viruses as it prevented!) and didn't renew it. AVG was ok but I much prefer Avast. At the end of the day, the extra features of the paid for version are worth spending the £20 or £30 a year they charge for it. What price to keep the PC healthy?

For critical commericial files and programs, I use a machine with NO internet connection. Its not worth the risk no-matter what protection software you run in my paranoid opinion!

[struth]

I use the free avast, the full premium malwarebytes along with mwb anti exploit free version and win patrol, along with hitman pro cloud scanning once a day just in case......lol... MWB and avast free are all you really need ....mostly.....I would say that as a final arbitor a regular scan with hitman is worth t and it does pick stuff up that the others miss, although I dont go anywhere bad, you just never know thee days.

[DanJennings]

I was never a fan of AVG. It was OK to start with, but it got worse and worse with every update, more and more intrusive and bloated.

Another vote for MSE here, never had any problems with it.

[walpurgis]

Try Xyvos - tiny program, works in a completely different way to most other av programmes and has served me well for some time now. Previous boot up times were glacially slow with AVG & the likes and as you say things used to grind to a stop when scans were being done. No more!

I used Xyvos for many years. I stopped using it because each time I installed it on an XP computer, it disabled 'autoplay', very annoying. It took me a while to figure out that Xyvos was the cause. I've not used it on Windows 7, but I've no reason to suppose it won't do the same there.

There is another free behaviour based antivirus that works very well and does not conflict with 'autoplay'. Threatfire A/V. It also features an updating bug scan, which Xyvos lacks. Threatfire downloads can be tricky to find. Download.com no longer list it.

I currently use MSE, which presumably you have already. It's OK. but does miss some problems. I don't use Windows Defender, which I assume is also already incorprated in your setup. In addition to the Microsoft MSE protection, I run the AVG 'LinkScanner' (not the whole A/V suite), which definitely catches bugs MSE misses. I'd suggest trying it, it won't hurt. Also I use Spyware Expert as it digs deep and finds nasties all the other spyware catchers seem to miss. AVG 'LinkScanner and Spyware Expert are free downloads. They are both very effective and you will find reviews of these at download.com, where you can also get the downloads if you want them.

[spendorman]

Avast Free, used to use AVG Free, but found it slowed my machine too much.

[Pete The Cat]

Bought Norton from a well known High Street shop a while ago and it froze on me.

Have used AVG, Avast and Panda in recent years, all free and all recommended.

Pete

[walpurgis]

I've had Norton on PCs in the past and it's a bugger to get rid of. There's an uninstalling tool online, but why should you have such bother getting rid of all the application components? I've not used Norton for years, but I imagine a comprehensive unistaller like 'Wise Program' would deal with removing it. I believe Norton are not the only A/V app that leaves unwanted clutter behind when uninstalled.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

I see post after post with band aid solutions, and now problems with the band aids themselves:stalks:.

The wisest thing to do is to download an .iso image of linux mint 17, http://www.linuxmint.com relax and choose from 4 desktop versions, Cinnamon is excellent for modern computers, Mate works on everything KDE is pretty flash and XFCE suits older computers. You straight away get all the help you need from the Linux community. You can even keep your existing operating system to reflect on just how bad it was.

So no more antivirus issues, no expensive software to update and buy. Heaven for computers on a plate handed to you..... your choice.

[MikeMusic]

I see post after post with band aid solutions, and now problems with the band aids themselves:stalks:.

The wisest thing to do is to download an .iso image of linux mint 17, http://www.linuxmint.com relax and choose from 4 desktop versions, Cinnamon is excellent for modern computers, Mate works on everything KDE is pretty flash and XFCE suits older computers. You straight away get all the help you need from the Linux community. You can even keep your existing operating system to reflect on just how bad it was.

So no more antivirus issues, no expensive software to update and buy. Heaven for computers on a plate handed to you..... your choice.

This may work well except most people, me included know pcs ans software go wrong, sometimes horribly.
I would only risk this on a spare pc and be very cautious.
After a few months of perfection I'd be prepared to roll out to all our pcs at work, one at a time.
We're trapped by our timidity

[StanleyB]

I just installed the free Microsoft Security Essentials from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download on two computers. It's not a bad anti-virus software at all. I tested it with a couple of known infected files that I keep in a Quarantine safe. It detected both virus and trojan attacks. My Zonealarm virus checker didn't pick up those same files as infected. So the MS software is worth trying out.

[MikeMusic]

I see post after post with band aid solutions, and now problems with the band aids themselves:stalks:.

The wisest thing to do is to download an .iso image of linux mint 17, http://www.linuxmint.com relax and choose from 4 desktop versions, Cinnamon is excellent for modern computers, Mate works on everything KDE is pretty flash and XFCE suits older computers. You straight away get all the help you need from the Linux community. You can even keep your existing operating system to reflect on just how bad it was.

So no more antivirus issues, no expensive software to update and buy. Heaven for computers on a plate handed to you..... your choice.

Thought I read somewhere that you can run an XP window inside Linux
Am I right ?

[NRG]

I just installed the free Microsoft Security Essentials from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download on two computers. It's not a bad anti-virus software at all. I tested it with a couple of known infected files that I keep in a Quarantine safe. It detected both virus and trojan attacks. My Zonealarm virus checker didn't pick up those same files as infected. So the MS software is worth trying out.

MSE with MS Safety Scanner (Malious removal tool run every 9 days) should keep your Windows PC clean for 99% of the the attacks out there. Still not found Linux ready for prime time yet, 99% of home users will struggle with it IMHO, great as a server OS though...

[NRG]

Thought I read somewhere that you can run an XP window inside Linux
Am I right ?

You can but why? I run Win XP, 7 and 8 inside Virtual Box on a Mac because I had to support these OS for some applications but the average user does not need to, it gobbles disk space and cripples performance.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Thought I read somewhere that you can run an XP window inside Linux
Am I right ?

Yes it works well, the program is called virtual box, and memory and drive space can be allocated as required, perhaps the post above has never tried it and is unaware of these initial settings, or has set them wrongly.
https://www.virtualbox.org/ You will need the original operating system disk

Also nice options are to partition your drive when installing linux so your former operating system remains

[MikeMusic]

You can but why? I run Win XP, 7 and 8 inside Virtual Box on a Mac because I had to support these OS for some applications but the average user does not need to, it gobbles disk space and cripples performance.

We are caught in the middle with older kit and a need to run FoxPro for DOS, can you believe.
Can do that in a virtual window on W7 - if we chuck out the old PCs as I doubt they will cope with W7
I'm trying to keep the old kit where I can

[MikeMusic]

Yes it works well, the program is called virtual box, and memory and drive space can be allocated as required, perhaps the post above has never tried it and is unaware of these initial settings, or has set them wrongly.
https://www.virtualbox.org/ You will need the original operating system disk

Also nice options are to partition your drive when installing linux so your former operating system remains
Is there a complete Muppet/novice guide to installing Linux and Virtualbox ? -
Beginning with "First turn on your computer"
:)

[RobbieGong]

Btw guys, Just to update and say that I kept things as simple as possible in the end for the sake of my tired brain and went with the Avast Free. This was due to a lot of recommendations from members here so thanks a lot. Having then checked on line, I found all the reviews to be nothing less than very favourable indeed. Here's one: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/software/387166/avast-free-antivirus-2014.
If you remember and to give some context, my brand new Lenovo All in One PC with Intel i5 processor was literally grinding to a halt as a result of the dreaded Full McAfee AntiVirus which was sucking the life out of it. I'd had this problem before with the full Norton on my old and trusty Dell some years ago and vowed I'd never use full anti v again. Having chatted with other people and friends etc, I'm not the only one who has had this problem. The Full Anti v's can be very intrusive, slowing the pc's performance right down to literally a snails pace in my experience. I worked with a colleague who is very much into computers and she called the McAfee / Norton full anti v's evil !. She pre warned me not to install the McAfee which came as part of the computer package but the 1 month free full version was already on so I left it. Initially all was well but before the month was up the pc started to display the usual horrible mega slow responsive behaviours I was fearing. So I removed it faster than Bolt !!

Anyway, The McAfee has been off and the Avast Free on for over two weeks now and the pc is working a treat, fast and smooth as it should. I can highly recommend the Avast Free, like others have here too. My ex colleague friend also told me to install and use the CCleaner Free which I also had on my old Dell and can highly recommended that too. So for anyone experiencing the same problems and who just wants to keep things very simple, then Avast Free and CCleaner get a big thumbs up from me - Very pleased !! (and so are the kids and wife). :)

[spendorman]

Avast, ccleaner very good, just put them on an old Netbook that I just bought. Glary Utilities is good too, free version available. It helps sort out a sluggish machine.

http://www.glarysoft.com/

[destroysall]

AvastAvast and AVG I feel are great systems! The plus about Avast is that it will remove the virus without the virus detecting it is being removed (some virus can do this). For Spyware: I utilize AntiMalwarebytes, but Superantispyware is also good. Those are the only programs I'd ever use and the only ones that don't bug my system like some of the other ones have.

Cheers,
Chris.

[spendorman]

Avast and AVG I feel are great systems! The plus about Avast is that it will remove the virus without the virus detecting it is being removed (some virus can do this). For Spyware: I utilize AntiMalwarebytes, but Superantispyware is also good. Those are the only programs I'd ever use and the only ones that don't bug my system like some of the other ones have.

Cheers,
Chris.

Yes, I forgot Superantispyware, VG

[NRG]

Yes it works well, the program is called virtual box, and memory and drive space can be allocated as required, perhaps the post above has never tried it and is unaware of these initial settings, or has set them wrongly.
https://www.virtualbox.org/ You will need the original operating system disk

Also nice options are to partition your drive when installing linux so your former operating system remains

The post above has tried it and uses it as a support tool for server L3 support for years so is well aware of what its capabilities are.

[walpurgis]

Avast, ccleaner very good, just put them on an old Netbook that I just bought. Glary Utilities is good too, free version available. It helps sort out a sluggish machine.

http://www.glarysoft.com/

You don't need CCleaner and Glary Utilties together. They do largely the same things and you'd just be duplicating many functions.

For anybody wanting a free one click solution to Windows PC/laptop maintenance I'd suggest trying ToolWiz Care: http://download.cnet.com/Toolwiz-Care/3000-2086_4-75610754.html

It works very well, is very comprehensive, with all sorts of bells and whistles and because it's completely free, it does not continually offer or show paid for upgrade options like Glary Utilities. I keep mine on a memory stick, as I don't need it often.


(actually this reminded me to use it for a 'fast defrag', which I'm doing right now.)

[spendorman]

You don't need CCleaner and Glary Utilties together. They do largely the same things and you'd just be duplicating many functions.

Perhaps, but one finds things the other doesn't sometimes.

[pjdowns]

I cannot quite believe I am saying this but if you have a PC I would stump for the Microsoft Security Essentials…. it comes with built in virus and malware detection and I have to say it is the first Anti Virus software I have found for a PC which doesn't seem to impact the performance significantly and it's free…

If you have a Mac then I use Intego VirusBarrier and it sits nicely in the background doing it's thing :)… oh and get Ghostery (someone on here recommended it) and it is great… has really sped up my internet performance :)

Paul.

[walpurgis]

I cannot quite believe I am saying this but if you have a PC I would stump for the Microsoft Security Essentials…. it comes with built in virus and malware detection and I have to say it is the first Anti Virus software I have found for a PC which doesn't seem to impact the performance significantly and it's free…Paul.

I agree. I now use MSE and as essential extra protection the AVG 'LinkScanner' (not the whole A/V suite). The LinkScanner is free and traps bugs trying to get on your computer from malicious sites. It works and notifies you if it blocks anything (and tells you what it is), which it does now and then. It saved my PC on more than one occasion after I'd had to reinstall Windows 7 due to bugs MSE missed.

As pointed out MSE does not seem to impact on system speed due to low resource demands.

I use an additional spyware scanner too. Spyware Expert. It's quite an old application, but works fine on my W7 and finds nasties the others seem to miss. It digs deep!

[spendorman]

Possibly a bit off topic, but related:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/tweaking_com_windows_repair.html

This sorted out some stuff on my machines that would have been difficult, if not impossible for me to do manually.

[RobbieGong]

Yes, I forgot Superantispyware, VG

I've used Superantispyware in the past and was just about to download it on my new pc to work along side the Avast Free Anti V and CCleaner I've already got onboard, currently doing good things. It is also said to be designed to complement your AntiVirus and described as lightweight in the positive sense. It's always been recommended but this review I came across isnt the best really :scratch:http://uk.pcmag.com/superantispyware-free-5/5616/review/superantispyware-free-5

[spendorman]

I've used Superantispyware in the past and was just about to download it on my new pc to work along side the Avast Free Anti V and CCleaner I've already got onboard, currently doing good things. It is also said to be designed to complement your AntiVirus and described as lightweight in the positive sense. It's always been recommended but this review I came across isnt the best really :scratch:http://uk.pcmag.com/superantispyware-free-5/5616/review/superantispyware-free-5

Well, It's worked for me, but as the review said "no real-time protection", well people that use it probably know that and use it along with other products.

I use a selection of things, all free versions.

[NRG]

I cannot quite believe I am saying this but if you have a PC I would stump for the Microsoft Security Essentials…. it comes with built in virus and malware detection and I have to say it is the first Anti Virus software I have found for a PC which doesn't seem to impact the performance significantly and it's free…



Hallelujah! :)

[Ninanina]

Thankfully I no longer use anything Microsoft, even though I made a very good living out of programming the things, I would NEVER go back... however I quite think that any anti virus is best from Microsoft

If you are using a Mac, as I am now, then I would recommend Sophos... it's free for the Mac ... we used to use Sophos when I worked in the IT department and it's very good indeed... and FREE for Macs

[MikeMusic]

Thankfully I no longer use anything Microsoft, even though I made a very good living out of programming the things, I would NEVER go back... however I quite think that any anti virus is best from Microsoft

If you are using a Mac, as I am now, then I would recommend Sophos... it's free for the Mac ... we used to use Sophos when I worked in the IT department and it's very good indeed... and FREE for Macs
Some years ago I grew to hate Sophos. Horrid on our server and workstations. Support was poor for what I thought was a faulty product.
AVG, which was very good at the time replaced it for half the price

[RobbieGong]

Avast Free has just brought up a message saying it has blocked an infection / virus - Now that is pretty reassuring ! :thumbsup: