Antivirus Software?

[dmanschramm]

Hey LTT,

 

I was thinking of getting some sort of security software for my computer. I have been running it without an antivirus for 4 months now and nothing (I think) bad has happened.

 

Do you have any recommendations, or perhaps if you even think an antivirus is something you should have. I'm aware many use up a ton of CPU load so something that can just effectively scan every week or month would be great!

 

I'm prepared to pay or take it free whatever the cost may be.

 

Thanks!

Dmanschramm

[JefferyD90]

Windows has some really good built in options.

[LongbowX404]

I use ESET NOD32 for my AV and malwarebytes for malware. Run great together.

[manikyath]

i personally REALLY like the later versions of bullguard, their 2011-era versions REALLY just rekt their reputation, but newer versions are pretty good, especially when comparing to norton (sadly, what my entire family uses...)

 

ps: my hate for norton is because it takes 30% of your gaming performance, and applies magic to make it disappear.

[Castdeath97]

I usually would recommend a combination of malewarebytes, CCleaner, AVG and lastly adwcleaner to get rid of the pesky toolbars

[dmanschramm]

I usually would recommend a combination of malewarebytes, CCleaner, AVG and lastly adwcleaner to get rid of the pesky toolbars

 

I've been using CCleaner for a while now. I'll check them out!

[manikyath]

I usually would recommend a combination of malewarebytes, CCleaner, AVG and lastly adwcleaner to get rid of the pesky toolbars

i cant remember what exactly happened, but a while back AVG did something that made me retroactively go trough the 5 systems i had it installed on to remove it.

(i'm usually lazy, so it was something important.)

[dmanschramm]

i cant remember what exactly happened, but a while back AVG did something that made me retroactively go trough the 5 systems i had it installed on to remove it.

(i'm usually lazy, so it was something important.)

 

oh okay thanks!

[dfsdfgfkjsefoiqzemnd]

Something that can scan every week or month ...

 

Automatically or do you want to run it when you choose?  In the latter case, I'd suggest ClamWin.  I have ClamWin Portable on a stick and it's picked up loads of stuff that Avast, Antivir and Norton missed on friends' PCs. 

 

@manikyath : Could be one of these.  I was rather annoyed by both, and that was the end of AVG for me really.

 

2008 : http://www.maximumpc.com/avg-update-inadvertently-cripples-windows-xp/

2010 : http://news.softpedia.com/news/Bad-AVG-Update-Crashes-Windows-7-Computers-170264.shtml

[manikyath]

@manikyath : Could be one of these.  I was rather annoyed by both, and that was the end of AVG for me really.

i think it was something adware related, but may be remembering wrong.

[EpicAdom]

Avast and MalwareBytes works well.

[dmanschramm]

Thanks for all the replies!

[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)

 

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.

[Kick]

I used to be quite a vocal advocate of Avast, but they've begun to be a bit more pushy with their pop-ups urging you to purchase their premium subscriptions. This is irritating. But it seems a necessary evil if you're not willing to pay. Works well, doesn't bog down my system, and I'm used to it.

 

When it comes down to it, any of the big names will provide a good product, and none offer 100% protection. 

[FizzyFantom]

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

I think their shouldn't be a sticky of this for exactly the reasons seen above. Most people have formed their own opinions of various AV software, with their favorites and the ones they don't want to touch. Topics like these only serve to start arguments and leave the OP more confused and conflicted on the subject.

That being said there is nothing wrong with your answer, those are all valid recommendations in my eyes (that unfortunately being part of the problem).

 

Most people agree with the common disinfection scanners, maily Malwrebytes, AdwCleaner, Spybot S&D, TDSSKiller (basically anything on Hirens BootCD). When it comes to active antivirus I have two bits of advice: pay for something and stick to what you know. Some people might fight me over the first one, but in my experience paid AV is better than unpaid. As for "stick to what you know", peoples opinions differ and some may slander your favorite product that you've used for years, this is normal. I know several Norton and Trend Micro customers with very clean PCs, do what makes you confortable

 

Yes, I know people will fight me or hate me other this answer...

[Vuubi]

!avast Free Antivirus for realtime protection and

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free for manual scanning with a better database.

 

These two works the best in my opinion.

Both for free and they are very effective together.

[d3sl91]

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

I think their shouldn't be a sticky of this for exactly the reasons seen above. Most people have formed their own opinions of various AV software, with their favorites and the ones they don't want to touch. Topics like these only serve to start arguments and leave the OP more confused and conflicted on the subject.

 

I tried to do that here: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/360072-guide-getting-started-with-viruses-antivirus-and-best-practices/based on a much longer guide elsewhere on the internet, and my own personal experience as a repair tech (aka, 75% of my job was virus removals...).

 

We all know there is no such thing as a perfect AV. If you don't like how one looks, how it has popups, etc - others will work just as good. 

 

@Kiyuubi - that avast link you post never works. I've seen you post it before, and it doesn't load. I'd remove Avast! from my list if I could be conviced it doesnt work well, but according to other studies, it works on par with most other softwares. In fact, I'm trying out Avast! right now, but will be moving on to another soon (just trying them out). 

[Nena Trinity]

If you got the money use Kaspersky!

[Crosseyed Sniper]

Be careful with the "free" antivirus offerings. http://www.howtogeek.com/218675/beware-free-antivirus-isnt-really-free-anymore/ 

[Blake mcBlake]

Avira and malware bytes.