Best Anti-Virus

[Axomite]

I want to build my first computer, and I've been planning it for months, but I'm not sure what Anti-Virus to get because I (as well as many others) do not want to end up destroying my computer with virus'.

[helping]

Malwarebytes, Spybot (if it's still relevant?), MSE, and Windows defender. 

 

don't be a twit on the internet and active protection is not necessary, just keep a scanner around just in case. 

[Bluejay0]

MalwareBytes. Love the damn thing

[Dragonzeanse]

When you first install your OS, install Spybot - Search and Destroy, run the immunizer, then uninstall it. Re-immunize every few months or so. Then, install Malwarebytes or Microsoft Security Essentials if you want a general-use antivirus application. I don't necessarily recommend them for removing viruses, but they should be perfectly fine for detecting when you're infected.

[DudeWazap]

I use Malwarebytes with nod32 and they have worked great for me. Very light on resources as well as staying up to date.

[gastew15]

Well I hardly ever use mine, since "virus'" really don't happen all that often as it's usually just tool bars, some crappy petty malicious stuff, and ad ware.. I use Avast on my PC though.

[Vindola]

I want to build my first computer, and I've been planning it for months, but I'm not sure what Anti-Virus to get because I (as well as many others) do not want to end up destroying my computer with virus'.

 

Personally I use Norton 360 and I like it's features and powers.

 

There's a lot of fanboyism against it but it's actually all BS. They say it uses lots of RAM, but in reality it uses less than 15MB when it's idle, around 50MB when it is doing a background quick scan, and about 300MB when you do a manual full scan + other operations. These number might be huge a decade ago, but today when most people are getting computers with 6GB+ RAM, these number become irrelevant.

 

The only credible downside to it is that it's paid. To me however, $40 a year for 3 PCs is nothing.

 

If you still don't want to pay, get the free version of BitDefender, it's pretty good as well.

[legend8887]

MalwareBytes. Love the damn thing

Love it.

[flibberdipper]

Malwarebytes full scan and Avast 2014 Free are perfect. And Avast is rather light on resources.

 

Whatever you do, do NOT get Trend Micro. It is effective, but man does it soak up resources.

[Bluejay0]

Love it.

 

It really is one of the best ones I've tried. Years of MSE and CA and I fell in love with MB!

[JLCitadel]

I use a combination of Avast and CCleaner to maintain my pc. Does me fine. I've had this laptop I'm using, going on my 3rd year, hasn't slowed down one bit. I run a fullscan/bootscan once a month, in addition to deleting files i don't use, then ccleaner to clean up the registry extensions that nolonger exist and deleting cookies on all browers etc..

[Akolyte]

Firstly, don't pay for antivirus software.  Theres no need to, secondly you should have more than antivirus software, you should look at firewall, scanner, zero day components and antivirus.  Windows Firewall works fine, just make sure to have a hardware firewall protecting you.  Like a Router or VPN Firewall.  For the firewall, as I said Windows firewall is fine, for the zero day components you really don't need any unless you want the most protection, for the antivirus...  

 

Really any antivirus thats not complete crap is fine, Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Microsoft Security Essentials, Comodo and Malwarebytes pro are all good antivirus software to use, a scanner is also good to have.  Which is a second opinions that you can manually scan with.  Malwarebytes is the way to go with that.  No exceptions.   You can pay for Internet Security Software which includes a Firewall that is normally better than the Windows one, but for antivirus software.  Theres really no need. 

[Latislapaloie]

Malwarebytes, Spybot (if it's still relevant?), MSE, and Windows defender. 

 

don't be a twit on the internet and active protection is not necessary, just keep a scanner around just in case. 

i thought MSE IS windows defender? :[] 

[smokincola]

Avast for Anti-Virus, and comodo for firewall. Just my personal recommendations, though with comodo you have to uninstall a bunch of stuff once it's installed. They install their own modded version of the Chrome browser and this Geekbuddy online help app, but both can be removed easily.

[helping]

i thought MSE IS windows defender? :[] 

idk it might be. I don't use any of that stuff anyway, I just know what's decent. 

[NInety]

Avast! Well that's what I use and I've never had a virus... the free version of coarse... no reason to pay for something you don't HAVE to.

[Tigerbomb8]

Malwarebytes is not an anti-virus.. It is anti-malware.. You will still need active anti-virus protection like avast.. 

[Dragonzeanse]

Malwarebytes is not an anti-virus.. It is anti-malware.. You will still need active anti-virus protection like avast.. 

It's a good supplement. The developers have said in the past that it's not optimal for overall protection.

[Bob]

MSE, win 8 comes with it by default too. 

[NJM1112]

all anti-virus sucks. except one. "Common sense"

 

seriously all you need is a couple of browser extensions to stop trackers and other cookies and then the common sense to not click on bad things.

[chingyg]

all anti-virus sucks. except one. "Common sense"

 

seriously all you need is a couple of browser extensions to stop trackers and other cookies and then the common sense to not click on bad things.

I agree, common sense is great but, it got me thinking. Unless people personally have experience or have been told not to click on virus/malware triggers, they tend to lack common sense. I know for me, my computer took countless virus bombs hits and I had to reformat many times over again before I fully developed my "common sense." Anyway, the above posts are great suggestions. I use Avira myself, haven't had a nasty virus since my early teen years.

[flibberdipper]

i thought MSE IS windows defender? :[] 

Defender is rebadged, slightly slower, different interface, but still the same under the hood.

[NJM1112]

I agree, common sense is great but, it got me thinking. Unless people personally have experience or have been told not to click on virus/malware triggers, they tend to lack common sense. I know for me, my computer took countless virus bombs hits and I had to reformat many times over again before I fully developed my "common sense." Anyway, the above posts are great suggestions. I use Avira myself, haven't had a nasty virus since my early teen years.

I've been running virus free for 3years now while using common sense

GET COMMON SENSE NOW! FOR OUR LOW PRICE OF 19.95!

[Latislapaloie]

Defender is rebadged, slightly slower, different interfece, but still the same under the hood.

should i use windows defender and malwarebyes? or get something like avast

[flibberdipper]

should i use windows defender and malwarebyes? or get something like avast

Get Avast, then do a full scan once a month with Avast, then another with Malwarebytes. It's time consuming, but totally worth it. And make sure you update them as soon as something comes out for it.