What is your favorite free anti-virus software? (Poll)

I thought Malwarebytes just scanned for malware.

That's my thought as well, just malware. I do know it's a "tad" bloated, but I really can't complain on its effectiveness. It's caught quite a bit, especially lately.

I've seen a lot of folks talk up MSE, not just here on the vine, but elsewhere too, and the large majority all say what the Texan and Mister say above. Methinks it may warrant a closer look.

I also have Iobit along with malwarebytes, and have no complaints about it, at all. In fact, my last computer, a big box monster using XP, Mcafee and then Norton, the first time I used Iobit, it scrubbed 276 individual bugs that had been collecting for years from the system that had gotten past both of those useless crappers. Almost 4 gig of useless crap. One was even attached to a banner add from NatGeo's site! I still have that path written down around here somewhere.

And I do NOT frequent the more "popular" sites replete with garbage attached, gaming, music, gambling, porn sites and the like. Nada! I am overseas a lot tho, and have been told to be ever vigilant accordingly. I'm always on the hunt for better anti programs.

(*pinkgrins*!)

I just don't know if I want to push it...

I know what you mean! Laughing with you, not at you! *grin*!

Do tell tho, if you don't mind. I'd be interested to know what you have in mind!

(*pinkgrins*!)

Well, so far so good for me. But reading Texan's comment, if I ever have any problems with Symantec, I'll keep his suggestion in mind.

I'm using Symantec too and it's the only one that has worked well for me. I think I've tried them all, free and paid and have had nothing but problems. With Symantec I haven't had any problems at all since it's been installed almost a year now.

I too am using Norton Symantec - just install and you're good to go! No noticeable problems - I'd recommend it to anyone!!

Word of advice: before renewing installation - wait until it's completely expired if you don't wish to incurr any problems!

I had Norton in the past, and if there's anything one an say about Symantic is they are inconsistent in their product offerings. One year their product is decent, the next its terrible. I personally wouldn't recommend them, and if they require you to renew your subscription, I would ditch them for a free offering, but I didn't have any drastic issues with them. Also, always COMPLETELY remove an antivirus before installing another. You can have more than one antivirus, but many are incompatible, since so many now have resident scanners, its more likely to crash; in fact, many will include things like firewalls and other additional security features, its best to always know what all is being installed on your system. And, after uninstalling an antivirus, I recommend a good yet safe registry cleaner, such as CCleaner, before installing another.

My personal favorite free apps for system performance are Avast, CCleaner, Auslogics Disk Defrag (especially if you have Vista/7), and Malwarebytes for its on-demand scan. Beyond that, good computer ethics go a long way (know what you're visiting/opening, always have protection, etc).

Malwarebytes works really good for a once a week scan for me... I also use Spybot to scan.. my everyday (paid service) is Webroot anti-virus & spyware,,, with Windows Firewall ... love it... have used Zonealarm and Norton and McAfee they all seen to use to much system resources.....

That's the exact combination I use. I've always been fortunate with Malwarbytes.

that should work fine

you can also periodically go to www.trendmicro.com and run their on-line scan to catch anything that slips through

:)

what is greyware?

what is greyware?

um... somewhere between whitewear and blackwear right next to underwear ...
you really don't want it on your PC. ;-)

Isn't greyware a viner who isn't your friend?

Ok...I'm just joking!

D DeMilo

Avira is very effective on both and uses less system resources...

I've used the free version of Avira quite a while now. In the past, I've used the premium McAfee, the free and premium Avast (bought it this past July and found it was not what I wanted), and both the free and premium CA - but didn't like any of them as much as I like Avira. I tried Norton about 6 or 7 years ago, but it was a resource hog (then my PC had only 512 megs worth of RAM). Back then, it was hard to delete Norton once it extended its tentacles into a system. Microsoft used to add a one-year Norton subscription on at least their Compaq line & some people found it impossible to delete the hog. Most my friends were happy when someone finally wrote a 'delete Norton' program.

I've paired Avast with the free version of ThreatWare (from PC Tools). And I use Avast for a complete system scan every 3 or 4 days.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2347573,00.asp said this about the program:

ThreatFire offers supplemental protection against zero-day attacks that are too new to have a signature. It's a fine, free addition to your security arsenal

Spybot's TeaTimer always runs when my computer is on (unless I'm not on the internet). Every couple weeks or so I run Spybot, but it hasn't shown anything wrong in over a year - maybe because I run CCleaner every time I close my browser. I did also use the paid version of Ad-Aware, but deleted it because glitches started popping up (possibly because it had a problem with running alongside TeaTimer?) Some people say TeaTimer slows down a computer, but I haven't noticed it. I use XP sp2, now have 3 gigs of RAM, and use the free firewall, Online Armor.

When Ad-Aware was sent to the recycle bin, I bought SuperAntiSpyware. It has no problems getting along with the rest of my running programs, and it performs a complete scan at least once a week.

Also have the free version of Malwarebytes, and run a scan every week, or more often if people mention any bugs hopping around.

And I get a free scan online every so often with Trend Micro's HouseCall.

AVG

I would use MSE and ZoneAlarm and cover yourself totally

The upcoming version of MSE does this type of network protection.

I just like ZoneAlarm as Its always done a great job, was not aware of the new MSE, thanks, have to look into that for my Windows Machine

i have xp and 7.

Thanks for the link Pacific, but my Windows version is XP

Well it had a good run, Oct 25th, 2001. That's a long time as operating systems go. :)

At least Avast Professional and AVG will still work and like Tedd mentions above, ZoneAlarm can still provide that network filter.

Tedd - I just splurged on the 27 inch iMac. Holy @!$%#. It's huge. (Yes, I know...that's what she said.)

I just got the same. Very nice! I upgraded from a 4 year old 20". Soooooo big it's almost scary. My old 20" second monitor is now dwarfed.

If yours took 6 hours, then I wouldn't worry...that's plenty of time. I've done smaller systems in 3 hours.

And for future reference, you can do the migration over ethernet if you don't have the proper FireWire cable (or adapter).

ZoneAlarm caught using fake antivirus scare tactics

ZoneAlarm has been using marketing tactics very similar to the ones used by fake antimalware software.

I am using Intego's Internet Security which so far.....has been ok, not free however.

I should add to this, I don't solely rely on MSE. I have modified my HOSTS file, I use FlashBlock, NoScript, Better Privacy (to clear Flash cookies) have Javascript disabled, have exclusive filters set on my email accounts, never use the same email account and password on other sites and practice phishing free habits by using WoT (Web of Trust) which rates sites based on safety.

I also do something so many people neglect, I actually run and update my malware/virus protection on a daily basis. I also update my BIOS, drivers and update the operating system when new updates become available. <-- people need to update and actually use the software to make them effective.

blogger!

<-- people need to update and actually use the software to make them effective.

Yes, yes, and yes sir! Thank you! A most excellent point! I can't say I update my av programs daily, but I surely do update a lot, prolly four or five times a week, when I remember to, that is! *grin*!

Great links, thanks! You get my "helping their fellow viners award" for today!

Complete and utter bull@!$%#. Most of the paid solutions (McAffee, Norton, etc.) are bloated, slow, and don't offer any better protection than free alternatives like MSE or AVG. I will never again install Norton Anti-Virus on anybody's machine...it's practically a virus itself, and very difficult to completely remove.

Do not think I said anything about Norton..... I agree the home version is sucky.

McAffee is a hightone free ... your just paying extra for it.

But thanks for putting me in my place .... I will sit in the corner and let the adults chat.

Did you say N-O-R-T-O-N?? We had OneCare with my internet provider, and they switched to Norton this year. Never had so many problems. Finally got all their crap out of my system and use the little free ones now. Much better (AVG plus malwarebytes). I believe Norton fights with my Firefox browser.

storyartist please read the tag directly above yours...

I'm missing your point. I read everything before I responded, now re-read, and I'm clueless to what you mean.

story i had norton and will never ever again, or mc afee hate them both waste of money. IMO.

Your telling everybody again how bad norton is.....I had said I was not talking about norton, gecko85 had told everybody how wrong and bad I was, for what I am not sure.... again I did not say anything about norton..... then you tag my post again telling me how bad norton is.... hmmmmm I should have stayed in my corner while the adults talk.....

Maybe another way to say the same thing is I am not sure why norton is being bashed because of what I said. not once but 3 times....

My mistake is saying to pay for protection ..... that is my opinion. Not one time did I endorse any company or service.

I believe people that use free protection, do not use it properly.... or they install several of the free ones at the same time. I understand most people posting here know more than I will ever know or care to know. I have been trained by my mate for the last 25 years, and still lock up the very powerful computers he uses for his work...

And you are correct steven. There is no reason to pay for anti-virus software.

And, I don't feel like reading up, but if you said Norton sucks...then you are correct also. It takes over a PC. Try removing Norton from a network sometime...it's a pain in the ass that almost seems to be deliberate in it's intention.

Steven, just for the record, this is what you originally said:

Face it if your not paying for it your getting exactly what you have paid for..... take a deep breath, pay the money and un-install all of the free ones.

I responded, perhaps a bit strongly, that I think that's total bunk. Several of the free offerings are excellent and there's no reason whatsoever to uninstall them or pay for an alternative. I then mentioned the two most popular paid alternatives: McCaffee and Norton, and used a personal anecdote about Norton. True, you didn't mention Norton, but you *did* say "pay the money" and essentially said that in order to be safe you need to use one of the paid alternatives not a free one. Norton is one of the top selling paid alternatives, so the mentions of it make perfect sense in this context.

gecko85 thanks for the clarification.... we will disagree, works for me. I checked again with my geek, we do and will continue to pay.... we have our machines plus the 9 network servers and the several hundred users, at 3 plants, he uses a vpn to connect directly. @!$%#load of stuff to protect.

That being said he still puts friends on paid protection..... mostly after having to spend few hours cleaning up their machines or reloading them. I still think it boils down to the knowledge of the user, most users cannot keep up .....whatever.

I do not know what we use at home... it is not norton, and he is asleep, thankfully I do not have to deal with it except to notice the scams, and read the results when it catches something..... Avast is what we use, he woke up....:) I see that is one of the choices.... so that is my vote, except we pay for it.....and it works dandy. He uses Symantec on his work equipment, and pays thousands of dollars for the privilege ...and they own norton.... seems I have come full circle.

Someday I will learn to not spill my ignorance on these geek seeds.....the way it is suppose to work is he will out live me...:)

So does that mean I'm free to comment again without being scolded? I only commented on this thread because of the Norton/paid interaction -- and offered my own observation that Norton fights with Firefox. If that's not welcome on your thread, I'll apologize now and bow out.

Thank you rottlady. I guess that's where you got the "lady" portion of your name! I was just clarifying with steven. I don't know what button got pushed about Norton, but that was really all I had to say -- that I believed it fights with Firefox, if that is helpful to anyone else, or if anyone else has verification. Happy holiday weekend to you!

storyartist..... please accept my apology for any offense I have caused in any way.

Looking back I should have stayed off this seed entirely, I do not use nor endorse any free ware.... so by default do not have a vote. Again sorry for your troubles.

rottlady, I think we have chatted before.... I believe your from my hometown, you have has a hot hot summer. Please accept my apology for any trouble caused.

Another subject entirely, we recently rescued a pit mix, by the time I restore her health, she will be a $800 stray. I am learning to love this class of doggy, she is the sweetest baby. How anybody could mistreat a dog is beyond anything I can understand.

I use AVG and MalwareBytes. Norton and McAfee are definitely bloatware. My mother and I have the same computer configuration, With AVG my computer runs smoothly and quickly. With Norton her computer crawls.

Yes, for home editions and personal computers, I strongly recommend one of the free editions: Avast, AVG, or Avira (or MSE). The paid editions often don't offer much in addition; many are full-blown "security suites", that I really haven't found to be necessary, unless you're doing some really really sketchy stuff (and even still probably aren't warranted). Windows Firewall works perfectly fine as a software firewall in most cases; issues often arise with those who install Norton or McAfee suites and do not disable Windows Firewall, right off the bat that can cause system instability. Not to mention all the additional items: backup software, website phishing protection, network monitoring programs, etc. Most are redundant and unnecessary, and you're probably better off with Microsoft's offerings (many are already built-into your OS and browser). They can also cause instability if using more than one product to do the same service.

So, at best bet, if anyone's unsure, write down all the security software you have installed on your system, see what looks necessary or not. I recommend always have the bare-minimum of the following: Firewall (Windows XP and up have built-in), a real-time Anti-Virus (not offered as part of the OS), and an updated browser.

With Norton her computer crawls.

Norton is bloated, but it also doesn't clean up its tracks. Make sure her disk is defragged and use a reg cleaner like CCleaner, it might help (my dad had McAfee on his since it was offered for free by Comcast, made a mess of his computer).

now with articles like this you do get smarter here.

me too.....

FDBryant3, I pretty much agree with what you said. One of the largest errors I see users make is the lack of updating; as you stated, most exploits are for older versions of software, and if you haven't updated, you are at significant risk. The other major issue is just downloading anything willy-nilly. There are plenty of sites that look legit; many of the times people look for "free" software (which is something I often do for a living), but many of those are not reputable, and many contain malware (if not a virus, often spyware/adware). For starters, look for "open source" when looking for free stuff, use something like http://sourceforge.net/, they have less chance of being malware, or CNet http://download.cnet.com/, both sites have user reviews, and can help before you even download something.

And, after downloading something that you're unsure about, always run a virus scan on them; many anti-virus software install a right-click shortcut, if you right-click the object then "scan".

Love CNET. Great source for information, reviews and free downloads of all kinds.

It gets worse, Rottlady (LOVE rotties, btw)..since the download tool worked, I was stupid enough to renew (writhing in shame), then lo and behold, it wouldn't load on my computer again. I contacted them immediately and am still waiting for our credit card to be credited. That was months ago.

Did you try uninstalling the software, reboot, running a reg cleaner like CCleaner, reboot, then reinstalling? Sometimes they leave a lot of residual junk; just tryin to help out, that sucks when you pay for something and it doesn't work!

Also, make sure that any other av software/firewalls are turned off BEFORE you attempt the installation procedures .

One AV will attempt to stop parts of the other AV from installing because it thinks it's 'being attacked.' It may not flash any warnings, but it'll definitely fight you kicking and screaming the whole way.

rottlady, comment #21.1:

By all means give it a try. The program is so vigilant it’ll pick up all the tracking cookies left behind by the other programs because they’re considered ‘safe’. And when I say all, I mean ALL, regardless of type (regular or ‘flash’) or site of origin.

A nice feature to have when you want to completely erase all traces of your browsing history and/or start the day ‘clean’.

LOL!

No problem.

I wasn't mad....just perplexed, LOL

In rottlady's defense, when I first saw the post I also thought it was spam...I had to look closer to realize it wasn't. It's just that posting a long list of links is what the spam commenters do. If it had been one or two links, it wouldn't have triggered a red flag. So, it just *looked* like spam at first glance.

Sorry, I did the same thing. I hit the advertising link with out even bothering to check it out.

Yep, same here.

Just like email - if it says "Fwd:Fwd:.... 99% of the time it's spam.

@!$%#

Posing

As

Mail