What Is A Good Free Full Time Anti-Virus?

[Made In Canada]

What is a good anti-virus that is free?

 

One i was advised to get was "Panda Security" or something like that.

 

What do you think i should get?

 

This does not inclued malwarebytes because it is not full time (from what i know) and is already my backup.

Edited October 12, 2015 by Made In Canada

[8enjicraf2]

malwarebytes antimalware is what I use

[Iron couch]

Didnt Panda security have that broken update that deleted all your files some time ago?

[zyntaxable]

Avast

[zzenigmaxzz]

malware bytes + windows defender should be all you need 

[ThinkWithPortals]

I quite like Norton Antivirus, it's never failed me.

[Made In Canada]

malwarebytes antimalware is what I use

I edited the main post.

[Made In Canada]

Didnt Panda security have that broken update that deleted all your files some time ago?

I dont know.

[RyanMacRocks]

If you are using Windows 8/10 then you already have Windows Defender, if you are on Windows 7 then just use MS Security Essentials (basically Windows Defender).

[zyntaxable]

Lol Norton.. Avoid that crap at all costs.

[ThinkWithPortals]

Lol Norton.. Avoid that crap at all costs.

I seem to be the only one who likes it...

[Made In Canada]

I quite like Norton Antivirus, it's never failed me.

I dont think ive heard of it.

[Michael McAllister]

malwarebytes antimalware is what I use

 

Malwarebytes is not antivirus.  For free antivirus, I would recommend using the built-in Windows Defender in conjunction with periodic manual scans with Malwarebytes.

[zyntaxable]

I seem to be the only one who likes it...

Hehe. Norton made my mother's laptop so slow Norton reported bad pc performance because of itself

[Made In Canada]

If you are using Windows 8/10 then you already have Windows Defender, if you are on Windows 7 then just use MS Security Essentials (basically Windows Defender).

Still would not mind a full time anti-virus.

[SIGSEGV]

Linux

[xAcid9]

Window Defender or Avast imo.

[Made In Canada]

Malwarebytes is not antivirus.  For free antivirus, I would recommend using the built-in Windows Defender in conjunction with periodic manual scans with Malwarebytes.

Is windows defender actually that good???

 

If you are using Windows 8/10 then you already have Windows Defender, if you are on Windows 7 then just use MS Security Essentials (basically Windows Defender).

^^^

malware bytes + windows defender should be all you need 

^^^

[4960X]

haven't used an antivirus for 2 yrs now. Never gotten a single virus. Common sense > antivirus.

[ThinkWithPortals]

Hehe. Norton made my mother's laptop so slow Norton reported bad pc performance because of itself

Lel.

It used to be pretty bad, I agree, but now I find it really intuitive and effective. Haven't had a virus in years, and it's only using about 5MB of RAM at any given time

[Made In Canada]

haven't used an antivirus for 2 yrs now. Never gotten a single virus. Common sense > antivirus.

Im aware, but a antivirus would still be good to have...

 

Commom sence is to get a antivirus.

[SPAS-ID]

Windows Defender, just stay away from untrusted website or downloading from that

[Made In Canada]

Windows Defender, just stay away from untrusted website or downloading from that

This is why i want a full time antivirus, in case i go on the wrong download or i go on a website that auto downloads...

[Kiyuubi]

I think we really need a sticky on this, or recommend software in general. This question is asked too much. This thread should be a sticky, but of course, should be audited for errors and such beforehand..

That aside:

For free AV you should either get Avira or Bitdefender. Bitdefender is more lightweight, but it doesn't give you many options in terms of control or how it works.

If you want a paid one then either Bitdefender or Kaspersky. I would probably go with Kaspersky just for the fact that their team has found a lot of security issues in the past. You can also check out AVTEST, a third-party company that rates AVs. (Bitdefender and Kaspersky are the top 2)

Do not get Avast!, as it is complete shit. Go to this link to find out why.

You will also want to scan your computer weekly, or whatever amount of time you are comfortable with, with Malwarebytes. Just to be clear, Malwarebytes is NOT an AV, nor should it be used like one. So do not run it along side your AV, only use it is a scanner. Make sure to not accept the trial it offers, and to disable it on startup.

[Michael McAllister]

Antivirus programs are designed to look for well-known attacks.  In theory, antivirus can be useful but antivirus does not focus on newer threats.  Anti-malware programs such as Malwarebytes are designed to look for zero-day attacks.  Zero-days are far more threatening to your system.