Anti-virus

NorthStar

NorthStar

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Which anti-virus software is good out there?

And, any which one that is free and for a full year? ...Or, that costs very little.

I ask because I'm now using Windows 8.1 and I just don't know.
And if I was using a MacPro laptop, I wouldn't be here and asking this. ;)

Rob? ...You're one of the experts. ...And I should have got a Dell or an Asus or a Mac. ...Next time.

_______________


Plus, today I've been told to stay away from Windows Defender, and any free anti-virus programs from the Internet!

I know absolutely nothing, and I hope to learn some.

...And you don't wanna know about Windows XP and my free anti-virus!!! I've seen RED with Warning Alarms more than I could wish for! ...Not every single day in the last several years but a lot! :disbelief:
...No wonder that it takes half hour to start my PC, and that I cannot watch youtube! ...Or access forums or pages of the Internet with many pictures! :(
I just don't want that now with my new laptop.
 
I think I can help here as well Bob.
Actually, who ever told you about staying away from Windows Defender and all Free Anti-virus programs from the internet is wrong. That said, you don't want to just download any old Anti-virus program you see on the Internet because some of them ARE viruses! You do however, want to download one of the reputable ones.
Now, first of all, Windows Defender is actually a good thing, so go grab it from MS and install. It's not the end all of Anti-virus, but you can actually run it as well as a more encompassing Anit-virus program without conflict. (I do that in Win 7).
Second, I suggest going with either Avast Anti-virus (free version) or AVG Anti-virus (Free version). Both are excellent free Anti-virus programs, free and for full years and when the year is up you simply uninstall and reinstall and your good for another year. I have and do run both (on different PCs of course as you can't run them both on the same PC. However, you can run either one with Windows Defender). Also when you google either of those Anti-virus programs, please download them from the official sites and not Cnet or other places because with those other places you don't know what your really getting and a bunch of junk toolbars and such will be autoloaded - you don't want that. Speaking of which, when you go to install the Anti-virus of your choice, please go slow and careful making sure to custom install if that is an option or just regular install so you can clear any check boxes next to tool bars and such or opt out of them.
Third, go to the Malware Bytes site and download their program for anti-malware.
Finally, (optional) get a good anti-spyware program (I forgot which ones were good as I need to do this part myself).
Also, for another source of advice for this try talking to tech support guys (no not the ones in India with Dell and the like), they are usually very up on this type of thing and can recommend good programs as well.
The windows item you want to stay away from is Internet Explorer! Go with either Firefox or Chrome, PLEASE. Do NOT use Internet Explorer! It's been severely compromised and no fix in sight yet. Even when and if they claim to fix it, I wouldn't use it.
I'd stay away from pay anti-virus programs such as Norton. It has a huge footprint, slows your system to a crawl and is not that great. Not as good as the two I suggested. (Yes, I have used Norton before at home and use it at work).

I hope others more in the know than I also respond.

~Eric
 
Very well said Eric!

ps Never install more than one Anti-virus program. They can conflict and not end up catching the real deal virus.
 
I have had great luck with the Free AVG AntiVirus. Just be sure to UNCHECK free 14 day trial or it will bug you to upgrade. Malwarebytes is a great antispyware program. It too has a checkbox to unclick for the free version. With the free version of Malwarebytes you have to update the definitions manually and run a scan manually. It does not autoprotect (pay version does autoprotect and update). I've noticed with Malwarebytes there may be several updates per day!! They are on top of the definitions.

Both programs also have root kit scanners that have to be run and be updated manually too.

If you're willing to pay Kaspersky antivirus is one of the best if not the best. Same goes for Malwarebytes.

Last like Joe had mentioned never I repeat never have 2 antivirus programs running.

edit Upgrade to the latest adobe flash player 13.0.0.206 too. That was an emergency update from adobe.
 
I had been using AVG Free on my XP machines until I got 2 new 8.1s

For several months I have only used Windows Defender and have had no issues, even when browsing questionable sites:snicker:
 
I used to use Norton all the time but realized how much resources it was using up. Bloated as it was labeled. Maybe the newer versions have gotten more lightweight recently. I never had any issues using Norton for years.
 
Shadowfax said:
I used to use Norton all the time but realized how much resources it was using up. Bloated as it was labeled. Maybe the newer versions have gotten more lightweight recently. I never had any issues using Norton for years.
Click to expand...
We use the latest Norton at work....nope, still a resource hog. In my own use of it back a few years I not only found it was a hog, but when I switched to AVG I found Norton was not as good, it missed two viruses! It's also expensive and does not perform as well as AVG or Avast.
 
octadyndude said:
I have had great luck with the Free AVG AntiVirus. Just be sure to UNCHECK free 14 day trial or it will bug you to upgrade. Malwarebytes is a great antispyware program. It too has a checkbox to unclick for the free version. With the free version of Malwarebytes you have to update the definitions manually and run a scan manually. It does not autoprotect (pay version does autoprotect and update). I've noticed with Malwarebytes there may be several updates per day!! They are on top of the definitions.

Both programs also have root kit scanners that have to be run and be updated manually too.

If you're willing to pay Kaspersky antivirus is one of the best if not the best. Same goes for Malwarebytes.

Last like Joe had mentioned never I repeat never have 2 antivirus programs running.

edit Upgrade to the latest adobe flash player 13.0.0.206 too. That was an emergency update from adobe.
Click to expand...

Malware Bytes is not an Anti-Spyware program, but an anti-Malware program, two different things. Although, a spying program can be considered Malware.
You can run Windows Defender and Avast or AVG at the same time. I don't know why you can do it, it should not work, but it does. On the flip side, do you need to run both? Answer: No.

Yes, Adobe Flash is a notorious vehicle for viruses and malware.
 
I forgot to add that Bloatware can bring your system to a crawl. If it's a new PC bought off the shelf at a retail store, it's loaded with Bloatware. First thing to do is get rid of the Bloatware before going on the Internet and installing any Antivirus or Anti-malware programs.
What is Bloatware? Examples: The 430 Internet gateways wanting you to try them out, the trial versions of programs installed already, the stuff that looks like Ads, the 120 backup programs (You should be backing up your system regularly with one decent backup program). That's just some of the bloatware. A lot of bloatware is what is called TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident). That means once it's run, it will always run and can be harder to get rid of. That's not saying all TSRs are bad, no some are vital, but not the junk that creates pop-ups or just slows the systems down by loading crap you don't need.
 
i use AVG and i havent had a virus or even a popup in years. i also havent renewed it in years and dont think it even cost me anything. a computer friend put it on there for me. and it has worked beautifully.
 
MusicDirector said:
We use the latest Norton at work....nope, still a resource hog. In my own use of it back a few years I not only found it was a hog, but when I switched to AVG I found Norton was not as good, it missed two viruses! It's also expensive and does not perform as well as AVG or Avast.
Click to expand...

I'm using the latest Norton as well, but I have not noticed any resource hogging, looking at the usage as I type this notes, my CPU it is 2% using firefox as my browser and ccsvchst.exe is at 1% that's it.
 
I'm using McAfee on both my desktop and laptop because it's bundled with my AT&T U-Verse Internet fee. Comcast also bundled anti-virus software when I was with them. I've always kept my Windows & anti-virus updates current and so far haven't experienced any issues.

I use my laptop almost exclusively as a music server accessing the music files from my desktop via my router with JRiver. I've kept the McAfee active in case I ever do use it to access the Internet, but I've disabled real-time scanning while using it as a music server.
 
First; thx for the replies.

Two; I miss Rob.

_____________

Now, remember, I'm talking about Windows 8.1 here, and not Windows XP, or Vista, or 7, or even 8.

On my old PC with Windows XP I'm using Free Avast (one year, that I renew every year) in tandem with Windows Defender.
But I know that it doesn't have full protection; way far from it. It's just a basic software with minimal protection.

Yes, generally people are recommending Avast and AVG. ...But there are several versions of them; from basic minimum free to medium reasonable (cost involved) to high pro security level (more $).

When I bought my laptop very recently (Windows 8.1 was upgraded from Windows 8 version), and Kaspersky (free 30-day trial) was already inside.
But I asked to put Avast (free 30-day trial) and Kaspersky was eradicated. ...I know nothing about Kaspersky, only that after the 30-day free trial you have to pay. And I just don't know how effective it is; and the reason why I asked for Avast to replace it.

This is tough to determine which anti-virus software is good, and at which level (from free to roughly $100 or so).
And! Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 react differently to those various versions of anti-virus. Just for example; Avast Pro doesn't work with Windows 8.1 and it's a Microsoft issue.

And Eric, you are right; Internet Explorer is exposed to several problems now, with Windows XP. ...So better not using it or else ...
I feel sad about how Microsoft is handling stuff regarding XP. ...Millions of people like me are now obligated to buy a new computer, as there is no use to spend money in upgrading your old PC (that's what I was told and that's what I did - around April 8, 2014). ...Unless of course you already have a good one (read expensive enough), and don't mind paying few hundred dollars to go from XP to 8.1 and perhaps adding more RAM while at it. ...And patient enough and talented enough to do it yourself; or pay more money for someone else to do it for you. I am not, plus my old PC is almost 15 years old, and with only 512mb of Ram! ...The HDD is only 40GB! :weird: ...Nowadays any smartphone is 100 times more powerful than my old PC! :disbelief:

Ok, Windows 8.1 from my new VAIO laptop, and I need an anti-virus (I prefer free), and so far I'm leaning towards the same goddamn thing that is inside my old PC; free Avast (which you simply renew every year), and in tandem with Windows Defender.
Is that truly enough?

And! Will it work with Windows 8.1 or do I have to go back to Windows 8?

Why is this all so complicated??? ...People using Macs and Apple products; are they facing all those complicated challenges, or some other issues?

Me I just want a simple goddamn machine to surf peacefully and without a bunch of bad things happening inside out!
Is there such a machine? ...Something that won't eat your desert (& dessert), and won't crash your life around so that you have no choice but to throw a rope around a tree branch!

Or is it simply better to get rid of any electronic devices with chips inside, and just go for a very long walk in the jungle, completely nude and with nothing else than a bow and few arrows?
 
NorthStar said:
First; thx for the replies.

Two; I miss Rob.

_____________

Why is this all so complicated??? ...People using Macs and Apple products; are they facing all those complicated challenges, or some other issues?

Me I just want a simple goddamn machine to surf peacefully and without a bunch of bad things happening inside out!
Is there such a machine? ...Something that won't eat your desert, and won't crash your life around so that you have no choice but to throw a rope around a tree branch!

Or is it simply better to get rid of any electronic devices with chips inside, and just go for a very long walk in the jungle, completely nude and with nothing else than a bow and few arrows?
Click to expand...

I have 2 laptops and 2 desktops using Norton forever and had good experience with it. No brainer to install from the internet. :rolleyes:

Now my music server has no anti-virus installed at all because it's dedicated to serve as a music sever period.
 
Bob, what are your major concerns? Do you plan to browse malicious sites? (porn)

If all you do is stream from known good sites and post on a few forums, windows defender is good enough along with creating a good restore point after you make any changes like install new programs.

If you get something that defender or Malwarebites cannot handle easily, you just restore the OS back to a known good spot and all the registry changes that the virus did are removed.

It appears that you may be way over complicating things.
 
I do not want to sidetrack this discussion but I have a question. Is it safe to use XP with Mozilla Firefox? That might be a way around the IE issue on XP. I have a desktop and laptop with XP and I do not want to replace them because they get limited use. Basically, the laptop is the control for my music server and the desktop has some software that I use infrequently and do not want to purchase again.

Back to the OP's question. I have used Norton since 1998 and it has worked well for me. I pay virtually nothing for it because I always get the upgrade rebate. The rebate processors for Norton have always issued my rebate with no problems. Local office stores sometimes offer good deals with rebates but I find Fry's to be the most helpful in offering rebates.

My main computer is a W7 desktop and the only complaint with Norton 360 is it periodically cleans my machine and deletes all the cookies that I want saved. When I open my computer after cleaning it is a stranger to me and I have to reenter all of my passwords etc. On Firefox it deletes all of the "new tab" saves. Firefox does a very poor job with that anyway. I can get 6 Audioshark tabs and miss several that I want. High repetition is not useful at all. IE does a much better job in that respect.
 
Dizzie, YES

I always run Firefox and my trusty old XP machines will never use IE unless I have to access my companies software. Some say Firefox is bloated so you can use Opera which is lighter weight.

Im sure you can configure 360 to not delete your cookies. There are also settings on exit that delete things that can be changed.
 
George, how much is that Norton stuff and for how long is it good for and why some people are saying that it slows things down?

* A smartphone; do you need an anti-virus?

___________________

Why are most people recommending free anti-virus software programs? ...Is it because it's free?
 
NorthStar said:
George, how much is that Norton stuff and for how long is it good for and why some people are saying that it slows things down?

* A smartphone; do you need an anti-virus?

___________________

Why are most people recommending free anti-virus software programs? ...Is it because it's free?
Click to expand...

Basically $30 per year
Antivirus 2014 Symantec Antivirus 2014

But AVG is FREE
Windows Defender is FREE
Restore Points are FREE
 
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