Free Antivirus Software?

[TheRatPack]

I have Norton but it's a HUGE hog of computer resources. We bought it when we had to redo our whole computer due to a virus. It doesn't allow me on certain websites too, things like Hallmark, AT&T and Sears LOL it's odd.

 

[fadetoblack]

I was not using Antivirus software the past 6 months but I downloaded a good anvitirus software ZenOK Free Antivirus, my pc got a lot of malware sites that can infect your websites with a bunch of viruses.

 

[njmom47]

I have used Spybot for years.
I d/l AVG recently but uninstalled it shortly after due to the fact I felt it was
slowing down my computer. Now I have Microsoft Essentials, and I am very happy with it.

 

[rpbert1]

I used Kaspersky for 2 years , was very good , but did use resources when updating which was quite often.
Tried AVG but had probs with viruses getting through.
Have decided to try Microsoft Essentials which is free, and have had it on for about 4 weeks, and more than happy with it, have malawarebytes which i run occassionally.

 

[Gisele]

I have been using AVIRA as well. There is a program also that was pre-installed by Microsoft for security issues. How well it might work though, I don't know. So I use both. Not at the same time though.

 

[scard192]

IT guy at my office recommended Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.

 

[KCmike]

Anything "Free" is only so good. AVG is one of the best but the free version is not all inclusive. That is why they put a free version out there. This applies to all of them. Malware bytes is good for taking viruses off.

 

[ndfi78]

Anything "Free" is only so good. AVG is one of the best but the free version is not all inclusive. That is why they put a free version out there. This applies to all of them. Malware bytes is good for taking viruses off.

Incorrect, Microsoft Security Essentials is considered one of the best, if not the best AVs out now and it is free. There is no pay version so they have no incentive to hold back any features.

I highly recommend MSE.

 

[ndfi78]

Also, just as important as running AV is keeping your system up to date through automatic updates.

Here is a link to Microsoft's instructions on how to turn on Windows Updates. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

 

[Cindyrellablue]

I have Avast on mine. It was recommended by my DH's coworker...the coworker said it was the only free one that caught the keylogging programs that he wrote (no, he's not a hacker...he tests software security for bank trading).

 

[crazelion]

AVG has many "openings" that have recently been exposed. I do computer repair as a side gig and I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials for your "instant-on" protection. If you are having computer issues, there are a few steps you need to do before running a scan.

My "tool bag" includes:
Hi-Jack This
Malware-Bytes
Super Anti-Spyware
Spybot Search & Destroy

Always run your scans in safe mode. I also recommend using rkil.exe (google it) and run this before running your scan as it will kill any processes that may interrupt your scan. Hope this brief info helps some people out!

I would not let novice use Hi-Jack This without help. That is piece software can highly dangerous if don't know what during. The other three awesome and easy to use.

 

[crazelion]

Avast is good anti- virus software which is free.

 

[KCmike]

Incorrect, Microsoft Security Essentials is considered one of the best, if not the best AVs out now and it is free. There is no pay version so they have no incentive to hold back any features.

I highly recommend MSE.

Interesting that you brought that up. I have seen many that have had problems because of windows updates. Who's to really say though. If you have computers you have problems.

 

[SarahKate]

More happy Avast users here. And have not seen it slow down our computers at all. We have it loaded on two PCs and two laptops.

 

[Charade]

Check with your internet provider. Comcast customers can get Norton 360 for up to 7 computers for free.

 

[cglaura]

Check with your internet provider. Comcast customers can get Norton 360 for up to 7 computers for free.

I just installed this. I read it can be a resource hog, but it hasn't made any difference in performance here.

The first scan found 12 things AVG free had missed.

 

[dawson5]

I just installed this. I read it can be a resource hog, but it hasn't made any difference in performance here.

The first scan found 12 things AVG free had missed.

What did it miss? (seriously, not snarky, just curious of the names of what it missed). There are things like false-positives and other small things that aren't threats. Some things that AVG won't flag as a possible threat might be flagged by other AV programs and vice versa. We had this years ago when we used Trend Micro PC-cillin. I now tend to look at what it found and start googling to see what it is.

I really don't think any one program is perfect. It is a useful tool to help a user. The best thing that any one person can do is be a smart surfer and a smart user. We try our best not to visit questionable sites, click on links that just don't look right and by keeping our AV up-to-date and frequent scannings.

 

[cglaura]

What did it miss? (seriously, not snarky, just curious of the names of what it missed). There are things like false-positives and other small things that aren't threats. Some things that AVG won't flag as a possible threat might be flagged by other AV programs and vice versa. We had this years ago when we used Trend Micro PC-cillin. I now tend to look at what it found and start googling to see what it is.

I really don't think any one program is perfect. It is a useful tool to help a user. The best thing that any one person can do is be a smart surfer and a smart user. We try our best not to visit questionable sites, click on links that just don't look right and by keeping our AV up-to-date and frequent scannings.

trojan.downloader, w32soberX, w32mytob, w32sober@xx were some of them, I'd have to look at the log to find the rest

They were in files that needed to be opened and clicked to infect, so my computer was not harmed, but it seems that AVG didn't scan as deep as Norton did...even though I had AVG set to scan the deepest it could (that's un-technical wording).

So true nothing is 100%. You have to be careful.

 

[Noah]

I have a computer geek friend who repairs computers. I asked him what he likes and he recommended AVG.

Noah