Please leave any feedback about the Free AntiVirus Software article in this thread.
Free AntiVirus Software - Discussion
- Thread starter Ian
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Looks good to me, you got all the main 4 covered 
Just of note, AV Comparatives have released their Malware Removal Test (24th Oct) which involves all 4 of the free AV's named in the article. Just bear in mind that this is an anti-malware report as opposed to an AV report. MSE scored good in both sections, not bad for a first time test. Will be interesting when they give it a full AV test. I do know that it stops a few known nasty variants in its tracks including the TDSS rootkit infection which is missed by many AV's due to the hidden rootkit. Lets just hope Microsoft get it right and that it proves to be as reliable as it sounds.
AV Comparatives Report:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/removal/avc_removal_2009.pdf
Just of note, AV Comparatives have released their Malware Removal Test (24th Oct) which involves all 4 of the free AV's named in the article. Just bear in mind that this is an anti-malware report as opposed to an AV report. MSE scored good in both sections, not bad for a first time test. Will be interesting when they give it a full AV test. I do know that it stops a few known nasty variants in its tracks including the TDSS rootkit infection which is missed by many AV's due to the hidden rootkit. Lets just hope Microsoft get it right and that it proves to be as reliable as it sounds.
AV Comparatives Report:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/removal/avc_removal_2009.pdf
Veedaz
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Good article Ian, Note to torrent fans Avast live scans your downloads... very handy when your downloading Christmas Card Templates (legal of course ) as you don't want to be picking up some nasty software on the way, Avast will inform you if you start downloading some thing you don't want.
Thanks Ian :top:
) as you don't want to be picking up some nasty software on the way, Avast will inform you if you start downloading some thing you don't want.Thanks Ian :top:
catilley1092
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Free AntiVirus Software
For years, I have not paid for anti-virus software. Why should I? Avast has protected me well with XP Pro, so I made it my choice (with some advice on this forum). Norton was preinstalled on this new PC, but it survived only two days. Slowed the PC. However, on my laptops with XP Pro, I installed MSE to give it a try. There is nothing wrong with free anti-virus, as long as it's good, and most importantly, realtime protection. That's where AVG fails on their free version. They want you to pay for it, and I respect that. There are also some good anti-spyware software as well. Ad Aware is good for a solid backup to catch tracking cookies,adware and spyware. So do your research, and most of you (except commercial users) should never have to pay for solid protection. The anti-virus industry has never received a cent from me, and they shouldn't from you, either.
For years, I have not paid for anti-virus software. Why should I? Avast has protected me well with XP Pro, so I made it my choice (with some advice on this forum). Norton was preinstalled on this new PC, but it survived only two days. Slowed the PC. However, on my laptops with XP Pro, I installed MSE to give it a try. There is nothing wrong with free anti-virus, as long as it's good, and most importantly, realtime protection. That's where AVG fails on their free version. They want you to pay for it, and I respect that. There are also some good anti-spyware software as well. Ad Aware is good for a solid backup to catch tracking cookies,adware and spyware. So do your research, and most of you (except commercial users) should never have to pay for solid protection. The anti-virus industry has never received a cent from me, and they shouldn't from you, either.
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Being a responsible user is the best AV there is. My PC has been clean for 18 straight years, even with monthly "confidence scans" to assure that I haven't been careless.
That said, Avira AntiVir is consistently rated as the #1 AV solution by av-comparatives, and nobody's testing methodology is more thorough than theirs. It baffles me why anyone would use something else in the face of concrete evidence.
That said, Avira AntiVir is consistently rated as the #1 AV solution by av-comparatives, and nobody's testing methodology is more thorough than theirs. It baffles me why anyone would use something else in the face of concrete evidence.
catilley1092
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I agree with all of your posts on this article, especially the ones that hold the user responsible for the sites they click on. If you're a porn freak, buy a cheap laptop for these kind of sites. That way, you're main system won't become infected by them.
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I used to be a fan of Avast until recently. I installed Avast, made sure it was up-to-date and the AV didn't find anything. I accidentally installed an older version of SuperAntiSpyware which helped the system a lot. Avast also made the computer feel heavy (slowed the system down, etc).
The two that we use at my office (both free/paid version) are SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes. If you'd like I can write an article up for both of them.
The two that we use at my office (both free/paid version) are SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes. If you'd like I can write an article up for both of them.
catilley1092
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Goober, Avast has never slowed my system noticeably. They all probably do slightly. That's surprising to hear. As long as you found one that you're happy with and that you'll use properly, good luck.
draceena
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The funny thing is I can install to test/try out may different Anti-Virus programs and some will run with each other without issue and others will get in each other way and horribly slow down my system so I always take that into consideration while testing.
catilley1092
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That's true, sometimes having too many programs are sometimes worse than having just one. Avast & Ad Aware seems to be the perfect combo for me, giving me maximum protection with a small footprint. At first, I thought that one of my programs were slowing me, but I discovered that Windows Defender was on, so I turned it off. I never was a fan of that program, as it slowed my XP Pro laptops badly. And always asking me if I was sure of installing a program. True, programs should be scanned, but it can be nerve wracking if a program all the time is asking you if you want to install one. I would say that it's better than nothing, but I most certainly would not rely on it as a lone protection program. It's mostly a pain in the butt.
catilley1092
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After much testing and evaluation on XP Pro, I've decided to install MSE on my main PC. It is a great antivirus, doesn't always give you verbal reminders that you're being updated (although that's good, quiet is better), and is a lightweight, efficent and superior free antivirus. It doesn't get in your way at all. Don't let that Windows Defender look deter you, it had me wondering if it would slow my system, but it didn't. This year, Microsoft has released two excellent products, Windows 7 & MSE. Now if only they could do the same with IE, we would have the total package.
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Yes amaltom, this is a Windows 7 forum. Everyone is aware that there are other OSes out there but please keep your posts Windows based.
We are trying to help people to continue to use their Windows OS effectively, not make them switch and learn a whole new OS.
We are trying to help people to continue to use their Windows OS effectively, not make them switch and learn a whole new OS.
Shintaro
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amaltom61,
I understand that you like Linux and I have used Linux (Slackware 1994) / Unix
(HP) since 1989.
But mate, this is a Windows world and there are many reasons for that.
Linux is just as vulnerable as any other OS (Operating System). As Mac user are now finding out as Mac OS is running a BSD Variant under the GUI.
Getting back on topic here, I find that MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) to be quite good. People can bash MS as much as they like, but I have had no problems with MSE. But I have had endless problems with other vendors.
Additionally, there is not "Magic Bullet" that one piece of software will do everything. There are many layers to protecting your computer, AV (Anti-virus) is just one.
I understand that you like Linux and I have used Linux (Slackware 1994) / Unix
(HP) since 1989.
But mate, this is a Windows world and there are many reasons for that.
Linux is just as vulnerable as any other OS (Operating System). As Mac user are now finding out as Mac OS is running a BSD Variant under the GUI.
Getting back on topic here, I find that MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) to be quite good. People can bash MS as much as they like, but I have had no problems with MSE. But I have had endless problems with other vendors.
Additionally, there is not "Magic Bullet" that one piece of software will do everything. There are many layers to protecting your computer, AV (Anti-virus) is just one.
Nibiru2012
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Not using any security software is just plain stupid IMHO!
Apple users used to believe the same thing 'till their systems started getting attacked. Just because you use Linux DOES NOT mean you're safe. So don't be so smug please.
Apple users used to believe the same thing 'till their systems started getting attacked. Just because you use Linux DOES NOT mean you're safe. So don't be so smug please.
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One thing that I recently got involved with was how a particular anti-virus software affects your unit's boot up.
Let's see, I started that about three years ago, but had a necessary break from being able to do and save research notes, but was able to get back to it late last year.
And the Avast software is almost funny the way it affects a boot up. I mean, it is so different so often that ... well, almost funny.
Bitdefender is the most steady / consistent that I have found so far, but I have also stuck to testing the free versions. Might be the other ones I haven't checked so far will show better consistency than Bitdefender, I don't know.
But Bitdefender does cause a unit to slow down if it isn't one of those super things with terabytes or something to mess about with.
Oh yes, one more thing; you can load the Bitdefender free version on a unit that is a bit below what that company requires as minimum for a unit.
And one thing I like about Avast is they do allow me to update the version myself/manually. I don't go much for any kind of auto this or that on most of my units, unless it might be one strictly for testing, or a family member that isn't so good at keeping up with manual updates of whatever.
Avast help site is a bit of a problem, by the way. They follow that very common Google-style of we'll answer you if we bloody well feel like it because we don't mind your question. And I can prove that, too. That's another area of research I have been involved in and that has been for many years. You folks can go over to Gmail and see the battle I went through to try and get their helping folks to think of us humans as customers and not users. Well, since that forum over there changed last year it is harder to find the archives.
Let's see, I started that about three years ago, but had a necessary break from being able to do and save research notes, but was able to get back to it late last year.
And the Avast software is almost funny the way it affects a boot up. I mean, it is so different so often that ... well, almost funny.
Bitdefender is the most steady / consistent that I have found so far, but I have also stuck to testing the free versions. Might be the other ones I haven't checked so far will show better consistency than Bitdefender, I don't know.
But Bitdefender does cause a unit to slow down if it isn't one of those super things with terabytes or something to mess about with.
Oh yes, one more thing; you can load the Bitdefender free version on a unit that is a bit below what that company requires as minimum for a unit.
And one thing I like about Avast is they do allow me to update the version myself/manually. I don't go much for any kind of auto this or that on most of my units, unless it might be one strictly for testing, or a family member that isn't so good at keeping up with manual updates of whatever.
Avast help site is a bit of a problem, by the way. They follow that very common Google-style of we'll answer you if we bloody well feel like it because we don't mind your question. And I can prove that, too. That's another area of research I have been involved in and that has been for many years. You folks can go over to Gmail and see the battle I went through to try and get their helping folks to think of us humans as customers and not users. Well, since that forum over there changed last year it is harder to find the archives.