Anti-virus/anti-malware

[shert73]

just got my pc finished, what software should i get to protect my new build?

[Mao_Zedong]

Use Avast or AVG and malwarebytes. I heard Kaspersky is also good.

[Jacona]

I honestly just use Windows Defender for real time and have Malwarebytes for serious issues.

A lot of the big name antivirus programs can interfere with the Valve's VAC system, if you like playing their games that is.

[shert73]

I honestly just use Windows Defender for real time and have Malwarebytes for serious issues.

A lot of the big name antivirus programs can interfere with the Valve's VAC system, if you like playing their games that is.

i dont know what your talking about, whats the VAC system?

[MblaZe7run]

I wouldn't touch AVG, McAfee, or Norton. Norton isn't really that bad, but it can hog resources which is a big no no.

 

Malwarebytes is a wonderful tool to scan and detect viruses, it's the only scanner I fully trust (but I do run secondary scans from other utilities to be safe).

 

As much as I shouldn't advertise this on the internet, I don't use an antivirus on my main computer. For just about everyone, this is a horrible idea. I have other security measures in place, such as a strict firewall on my router. I, along with several of my closest technologically inclined friends, do not run antivirus programs because we are very cautions online. We are all trained on Internet security (through college and work), and we all have security certifications to back up our knowledge. We know what to NOT click on when browsing the web, and we never browse to sites we are unfamiliar with on our unprotected rigs. If we are unsure about a site, we wait until we are on a protected computer so we can navigate to it and test it out. Also, think about adding AdBlock Plus to every web browser (https://adblockplus.org/).

 

One thing to also note, no antivirus or internet security is 100%, and that having multiple security programs running at the same time can cause massive issues in some (or most) cases. You are the overall master of the program. I work in a retail store repairing and fixing broken or infected computers, and the first question we get when someone comes in with a virus is "But I have an antivirus, how can I get viruses?" Our answer every time is that if you click on a link and the antivirus doesn't block it, it doesn't mean the link is clean. You are ultimately in control of the software, if you override something (similar to the User Account Control window that comes up before opening some programs), you are allowing it access to your computer. Always proceed with caution, even with an antivirus program. (My favorite analogy is that condoms and birth control are still less than 100% effective).

[Compl3xity_]

I usually use Malwarebytes, it almost never lets anything through, and if it does. it'll tell you and you can delete it instantly.

[LongbowX404]

I use ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus for my AV and malwarebytes for malware.

[Delusional Phil]

Avast and Malwarebytes , love them both ... 

[Jacona]

i dont know what your talking about, whats the VAC system?

VAC is Valve's anti-cheat program that they use in their games with multiplayer. 

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7849-Radz-6869

 

And there's an official list of programs, including antivirus, that can interfere with it and Steam. 

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289

[Blade of Grass]

Moved to Operating Systems and Software.

[awildbrysen]

Avast is turning into a resource hogger too

 

atm I run Kaspersky and malwarebytes and had no problem since, Kaspersky saved me a couple of times from risky sites and files

also instead of using AdBlock Plus I would recommend µBlock it is more lightweight.

[Tim Drake]

Use Avast or AVG and malwarebytes. I heard Kaspersky is also good.

EWWWWWWWWWWWW AVG AND AVAST

 

I personally use Windows Defender and Malware Bytes (I use malware bytes because I don't go on stupid websites and I know what I am doing.)

[Kiyuubi]

I think we really need a sticky on this, or recommend software in general.  I feel like this question is asked too much.

 

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)