Good Free/Cheap Firewall?

[Bob Jim]

I am about to build a new PC, and I have just remembered I need some sort of virus protector. What is a good one that is relatively cheap/free, and doesn't impact performance too much? Thanks.

[Xaring]

Avast free antivirus + Malwarebytes Anti-spyware

[Smooth Bunz]

Avast free antivirus + Malwarebytes Anti-spyware

Go to combo right here!

[comefightme]

Don't get an antivirus/malware, it always impacts your performance somehow and dosent do much. Just practise safe internet surfing and the such

[Enderman]

Don't get an antivirus/malware, it always impacts your performance somehow and dosent do much. Just practise safe internet surfing and the such

this does NOT keep you safe

common sense does not protect your PC from anything

there are many other ways that your PC can get infected, not just by downloading a file from a sketchy website

 

everyone should be using an antivirus even if you "practice safe surfing"

[lubblig]

Avast free antivirus + Malwarebytes Anti-spyware

A nice addition is Malwarebytes anti exploit. It does impact starting performance of your web browser and similar. But to me, it's worth it for the extra security if you want to run Java, flash etc. in your browser but still feel it's somewhat safe.

[Bob Jim]

Avast free antivirus + Malwarebytes Anti-spyware

this does NOT keep you safe

common sense does not protect your PC from anything

there are many other ways that your PC can get infected, not just by downloading a file from a sketchy website

 

everyone should be using an antivirus even if you "practice safe surfing"

Just realised that Bitdefender 2016 Total Security is on a half-price sale, making it fairly cheap. What would be the difference of like Avast and MalwareBytes vs this program?

http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/solutions/antivirus-comparison.html

[PetiteBob]

Malwarebytes is the only one that is free and works well

[Bl00dgod]

Avast free antivirus + Malwarebytes Anti-spyware

yup this combo should work fine             AND avast got an option for "pirate" language, so if they have updates the voice says "ARRR  blablabla "         which is nice

bitdefender is ok too

keep your pc safe ;P dont plug every usb in and "safe search" the internet

[Enderman]

Just realised that Bitdefender 2016 Total Security is on a half-price sale, making it fairly cheap. What would be the difference of like Avast and MalwareBytes vs this program?

http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/solutions/antivirus-comparison.html

use an antivirus + malwarebytes

malwarebytes is free, you should always have that

 

for antivirus i use AVG but avast is good too

you dont need to pay for either of them

the free version works just as well

[Xaring]

use an antivirus + malwarebytes

malwarebytes is free, you should always have that

 

for antivirus i use AVG but avast is good too

you dont need to pay for either of them

the free version works just as well

AVG used to give trouble with networks when you tried to uninstall it - they used to trick you like that I did use it too for a long time. DOnt know if it still does it though.

But what sells me on Avast is the scan on bootup option, it scans the PC before the OS boots, so it scans for any kernel injection crap that may be unnoticed during OS operation.

[Bob Jim]

AVG used to give trouble with networks when you tried to uninstall it - they used to trick you like that I did use it too for a long time. DOnt know if it still does it though.

But what sells me on Avast is the scan on bootup option, it scans the PC before the OS boots, so it scans for any kernel injection crap that may be unnoticed during OS operation.

How much would the scan on bootup impact booting times, if I will be using a 120gb samsung 850 evo as a boot drive?

[Enderman]

AVG used to give trouble with networks when you tried to uninstall it - they used to trick you like that I did use it too for a long time. DOnt know if it still does it though.

But what sells me on Avast is the scan on bootup option, it scans the PC before the OS boots, so it scans for any kernel injection crap that may be unnoticed during OS operation.

ive had no problem installing or uninstalling it for the past 6 years...

its nice because i dont need to have intensive schedules scans, i can just have active scanning on which uses 0% CPU and catches anything new that tries to get it

I also like how it looks

but avast is just as good

[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)

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.

[Bob Jim]

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)

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.

This post is why I asked about Bitdefender higher up on the thread, I found it on another thread of the same topic Thanks anyways.

[Xaring]

How much would the scan on bootup impact booting times, if I will be using a 120gb samsung 850 evo as a boot drive?

It takes a long while, it scans every single file up to windows boot files, I use it only every many months, but it goes really in depth. The passive scanner on avast is quite lightweight (not the most, but i dont even notice a performance difference on my 4690k). Once the active scan boots in (1 a week around 5AM), then you do notice a performance drop, but you can always reschedule it or cancel it if you need the performance.