What Is A Good Free Full Time Anti-Virus?

[Jimkirk363]

I Vote for Avast and Malwarebytes together.

[SPAS-ID]

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...

just dont pirate stuff, Avast

[Made In Canada]

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.

1.  why bitdefender?

2.  only free

3.  why no trial on malwarebytes???  isint it free?

4.  what do you mean "disable it on startup"?  disable what?

[Made In Canada]

just dont pirate stuff, Avast

I dont pirate...

im going with Bitdefender Or Avest i guess.

[SPAS-ID]

I dont pirate...

who knows :^)

[Made In Canada]

who knows :^)

I know...

[Made In Canada]

_{Soo  avast or bitdefender i guess.}

[Michael McAllister]

Windows Defender is a real-time antivirus.  You should be skeptical of any free third-party antivirus programs since they have a financial incentive to sell your data to unknown third parties.  Bitdefender was compromised a while back so I would not recommend that.

 

AV testing sites can also be misleading given that new viruses are discovered every day.  I used to use Kaspersky Internet Security, but there were a few flaws that could allow for remote access that were discovered by a Google security specialist.

 

One of the ultimate downsides of complex antivirus software is that it potentially can create more points of failure (and thus attack vulnerabilities) if the code is not immaculate.  Most antivirus programs work by installing their own security certificate onto your system in order to scan encrypted Internet traffic.  If the system for doing this is in any way flawed, the client PC will become a much more vulnerable target.

[Made In Canada]

 

Windows Defender is a real-time antivirus.  You should be skeptical of any free third-party antivirus programs since they have a financial incentive to sell your data to unknown third parties.  Bitdefender was compromised a while back so I would not recommend that.

 

AV testing sites can also be misleading given that new viruses are discovered every day.  I used to use Kaspersky Internet Security, but there were a few flaws that could allow for remote access that were discovered by a Google security specialist.

 

One of the ultimate downsides of complex antivirus software is that it potentially can create more points of failure (and thus attack vulnerabilities) if the code is not immaculate.  Most antivirus programs work by installing their own security certificate onto your system in order to scan encrypted Internet traffic.  If the system for doing this is in any way flawed, the client PC will become a much more vulnerable target.

 

Sooo just stick to windows defender and malwarebytes?

 

One more question,  According to what you said, wouldent malwarebytes also be bad or make you a "vulnerable" target.??

[JerkyMcDilerino]

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.

Avira = Good signature, bad zero day protection, and super duper outdated UI(UserInterface).

 

BitDefender = beastly signature, but their software is a big no no. I tested their software over the last 2 months and it have to force me to uninstall it after that due to many bugs and BSOD.

 

Kaspersky and ESET have my vote. But base on my testing i find Kaspersky does better than ESET especially they have a lot of settings to customize and balance between signature and zero day protection. In addition, FOR MOTHER RUSSIA! 

[JerkyMcDilerino]

Sooo just stick to windows defender and malwarebytes?

 

One more question,  According to what you said, wouldent malwarebytes also be bad or make you a "vulnerable" target.??

Have Windows up to date.

 

Have your browser up to date.

 

Have your antivirus and antimalware up to date.

 

Have your Java up to date.

 

And have adblock plus install on your browser. 

[JerkyMcDilerino]

Avira or Avast.

If Kaspersky make free antivirus version, i definitely doubt tons of people will switch over to them. 

[techguru]

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.

no such thing as good and free for av

buy kaspersky ..its like 30$ for 3 pcs

[Donut417]

Avast

I second Avast. Been using it for a long time. Its been good to me. 

[phoenix230197]

Avast has always been kind to me. I use it with malware bytes. Since probably 2010 I have been apparently virus free with this combo.

[Akolyte]

I personally advise getting a paid antivirus, or using Windows Defender/Microsoft Security essentials.  

 

Nowdays Antivirus software is becoming pretty obsolete and isn't as capable as it was 10 years ago, esspecially when you get above the middle portion of the threat pyramid so to speak, where corperate and government malware roam. 

 

Now, thats not to say you shouldn't use antivirus software.  At the user level you really should as its still important considering the lower portions of the threat pyramid (standard user level) affect much larger ranges of people.  Avast, AVG and Avira etc, probably aren't going to protect you as well as something that is designed for corperate such as Kaspersky, Trend Micro or Symantec.  

 

I use Norton personally, I quite frankly do not care what anyone says.  If you want to argue that the software that protects almost every fortune 500 company in the U.S is not fit for a standard user, be my guest.   But, Kaspersky and Trend are good as well.  Except they are more used in their countries such as Trend is more used in Japan and some of China, while Kasperksy is popular in Russia and around Europe as Bitdefender is more popular in Romania, and spreading like wild in India, although Quickheal still is king there. 

 

What I'm saying is that it depends on what antivirus you should get, they are all pretty good.  But please...

 

If your going to use an antivirus, use one worthwhile using. 

 

Not some crappy software that will protect you against a few toolbars and a worm, get something that will actually defend you against a targetted attack, even if it might be from a script kiddie.  And most basic antivirus software like Avast, AVG and even Microsoft Security Essentials is going to most commonly fail against a targetted attack as they are well thought out to abuse whatever security you have on your system, if you have Python installed on your computer they might write a python program, if your using RDP they might try and hack it and gain remote access, or they might write an exploit to work against adobe reader and launch a python payload.

 

Who the hell knows, all I know is that most antivirus software doesn't do crap against zero day exploits that it has never seen before.  

 

 

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 

Kudos to you for actually defending the fact you think Norton is good, because it is.  People who say it isn't either haven't used it or don't really understand an attack.  I know people who don't like Norton, but its for the fact it costs money but they at least recognize Norton as being a good product. 

 

More protection is under the hood, features don't matter as much as they actual protection itself.  Norton, Kaspersky and Trend are probably the best out there, I would like to say Mcafee too, but Mcafee sucks balls.  It honestly does.  The only reason I would ever say that is because its got such good enterprise market share that it could be really good, but its not.  

 

Norton is used by pretty much every fortune 500 company in the U.S.  So, there.  That pretty much prooves Symantec is decent, But thats in the U.S.  And Symantec is a U.S company so it makes sense too. 

[NeatSquidYT]

malwarebytes antimalware is what I use

anti virus =/= anti malware

[NeatSquidYT]

Avast has always been kind to me. I use it with malware bytes. Since probably 2010 I have been apparently virus free with this combo.

anti virus =/= anti malware

[Michael McAllister]

Sooo just stick to windows defender and malwarebytes?

 

One more question,  According to what you said, wouldent malwarebytes also be bad or make you a "vulnerable" target.??

 

Malwarebytes Free is a standalone program.  It's not a realtime program.  The paid version is realtime.  On my system, Malwarebytes takes six minutes to scan.  Any program that is not updated regularly is vulnerable to attack.

[JerkyMcDilerino]

 

I personally advise getting a paid antivirus, or using Windows Defender/Microsoft Security essentials.  

 

Nowdays Antivirus software is becoming pretty obsolete and isn't as capable as it was 10 years ago, esspecially when you get above the middle portion of the threat pyramid so to speak, where corperate and government malware roam. 

 

Now, thats not to say you shouldn't use antivirus software.  At the user level you really should as its still important considering the lower portions of the threat pyramid (standard user level) affect much larger ranges of people.  Avast, AVG and Avira etc, probably aren't going to protect you as well as something that is designed for corperate such as Kaspersky, Trend Micro or Symantec.  

 

I use Norton personally, I quite frankly do not care what anyone says.  If you want to argue that the software that protects almost every fortune 500 company in the U.S is not fit for a standard user, be my guest.   But, Kaspersky and Trend are good as well.  Except they are more used in their countries such as Trend is more used in Japan and some of China, while Kasperksy is popular in Russia and around Europe as Bitdefender is more popular in Romania, and spreading like wild in India, although Quickheal still is king there. 

 

What I'm saying is that it depends on what antivirus you should get, they are all pretty good.  But please...

 

If your going to use an antivirus, use one worthwhile using. 

 

Not some crappy software that will protect you against a few toolbars and a worm, get something that will actually defend you against a targetted attack, even if it might be from a script kiddie.  And most basic antivirus software like Avast, AVG and even Microsoft Security Essentials is going to most commonly fail against a targetted attack as they are well thought out to abuse whatever security you have on your system, if you have Python installed on your computer they might write a python program, if your using RDP they might try and hack it and gain remote access, or they might write an exploit to work against adobe reader and launch a python payload.

 

Who the hell knows, all I know is that most antivirus software doesn't do crap against zero day exploits that it has never seen before.  

 

 

Kudos to you for actually defending the fact you think Norton is good, because it is.  People who say it isn't either haven't used it or don't really understand an attack.  I know people who don't like Norton, but its for the fact it costs money but they at least recognize Norton as being a good product. 

 

More protection is under the hood, features don't matter as much as they actual protection itself.  Norton, Kaspersky and Trend are probably the best out there, I would like to say Mcafee too, but Mcafee sucks balls.  It honestly does.  The only reason I would ever say that is because its got such good enterprise market share that it could be really good, but its not.  

 

Norton is used by pretty much every fortune 500 company in the U.S.  So, there.  That pretty much prooves Symantec is decent, But thats in the U.S.  And Symantec is a U.S company so it makes sense too. 

 

Free antivirus = paid antivirus. Bitdefender Free have same protection as their Internet Security except the free version just a simple antivirus without candy features. Also, Norton is really bad if you haven't realize that yet. Here i got a proof on real live testing for you to look at.

 

 

 

Even Bitdefender perform ways better than Kaspersky, and Norton zero day blocking is a trash.

[Made In Canada]

Have Windows up to date.

 

Have your browser up to date.

 

Have your antivirus and antimalware up to date.

 

Have your Java up to date.

 

And have adblock plus install on your browser. 

I understand the first 3, but why java?  And whats a legit and safe adblock? (unless adblock plus was the name which i think it was). 

[Made In Canada]

 

I personally advise getting a paid antivirus, or using Windows Defender/Microsoft Security essentials.  

 

Nowdays Antivirus software is becoming pretty obsolete and isn't as capable as it was 10 years ago, esspecially when you get above the middle portion of the threat pyramid so to speak, where corperate and government malware roam. 

 

Now, thats not to say you shouldn't use antivirus software.  At the user level you really should as its still important considering the lower portions of the threat pyramid (standard user level) affect much larger ranges of people.  Avast, AVG and Avira etc, probably aren't going to protect you as well as something that is designed for corperate such as Kaspersky, Trend Micro or Symantec.  

 

I use Norton personally, I quite frankly do not care what anyone says.  If you want to argue that the software that protects almost every fortune 500 company in the U.S is not fit for a standard user, be my guest.   But, Kaspersky and Trend are good as well.  Except they are more used in their countries such as Trend is more used in Japan and some of China, while Kasperksy is popular in Russia and around Europe as Bitdefender is more popular in Romania, and spreading like wild in India, although Quickheal still is king there. 

 

What I'm saying is that it depends on what antivirus you should get, they are all pretty good.  But please...

 

If your going to use an antivirus, use one worthwhile using. 

 

Not some crappy software that will protect you against a few toolbars and a worm, get something that will actually defend you against a targetted attack, even if it might be from a script kiddie.  And most basic antivirus software like Avast, AVG and even Microsoft Security Essentials is going to most commonly fail against a targetted attack as they are well thought out to abuse whatever security you have on your system, if you have Python installed on your computer they might write a python program, if your using RDP they might try and hack it and gain remote access, or they might write an exploit to work against adobe reader and launch a python payload.

 

Who the hell knows, all I know is that most antivirus software doesn't do crap against zero day exploits that it has never seen before.  

 

 

Kudos to you for actually defending the fact you think Norton is good, because it is.  People who say it isn't either haven't used it or don't really understand an attack.  I know people who don't like Norton, but its for the fact it costs money but they at least recognize Norton as being a good product. 

 

More protection is under the hood, features don't matter as much as they actual protection itself.  Norton, Kaspersky and Trend are probably the best out there, I would like to say Mcafee too, but Mcafee sucks balls.  It honestly does.  The only reason I would ever say that is because its got such good enterprise market share that it could be really good, but its not.  

 

Norton is used by pretty much every fortune 500 company in the U.S.  So, there.  That pretty much prooves Symantec is decent, But thats in the U.S.  And Symantec is a U.S company so it makes sense too. 

 

So most likely get a paid version, but is there a one time pay antivirus you can recommend?  (or are they all monthly?)

[Made In Canada]

Free antivirus = paid antivirus. Bitdefender Free have same protection as their Internet Security except the free version just a simple antivirus without candy features. Also, Norton is really bad if you haven't realize that yet. Here i got a proof on real live testing for you to look at.

 

 

 

Even Bitdefender perform ways better than Kaspersky, and Norton zero day blocking is a trash.

Im just trying to get either a one time pay or free antivirus for full time.

[JerkyMcDilerino]

I understand the first 3, but why java?  And whats a legit and safe adblock? (unless adblock plus was the name which i think it was). 

Some applications require you to install Java in order for that application functions correctly, and i personally use adblock plus because it is the really common adblock tool that i use on all on my browsers. 

 

Im just trying to get either a one time pay or free antivirus for full time.

As a home users, i recommend free av version that will do a job fine. However, if you want to go with the paid av solutions then i highly recommends Kaspersky, BitDefender, and ESET. Just do a free 30 days trial to see if you like it or not because make your decision of purchase it. 

[Made In Canada]

 

As a home users, i recommend free av version that will do a job fine. However, if you want to go with the paid av solutions then i highly recommends Kaspersky, BitDefender, and ESET. Just do a free 30 days trial to see if you like it or not because make your decision of purchase it. 

I thought bitdefender was free.  And would they be one time pay methods, or do i need to pay monthly?

 

If you had to recommend a free antivirus, what would you recommend?

Edited October 15, 2015 by Made In Canada