24 replies to this topic

[Chilli Red]

So what do you all used? My laptop is nearly a year old now and came with Norton on it. It is now due to expire and I wondered what everyone is using these days. Paid for or free, which one is now considered the best.

Thank you

Sarah

[Badger]

AVG Free for me, however, I know someone who has the full AVG and cannot fault it!

It's small but powerful and it doesn't become resource hogging when scanning

Both the free and paid for also come with the toolbar which scans sites and gives you warnings if they are dodgy too.

[paul_k]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials (free to download from Microsoft) was recommended by my brother who is in IT security.
It picked up a load of viruses that Mcafee did not.

[andy.j]

Any mac users might be interested to know that Sophos have a solid free AV for mac now. I've been running it for 2 months and it's picked up 2 viruses. Both of which affected windows PCs only

For a PC I'd go with AVG free too.

[andy.j]

paul_k, on 20 November 2011 - 09:40 AM, said:

I use Microsoft Security Essentials (free to download from Microsoft) was recommended by my brother who is in IT security.
It picked up a load of viruses that Mcafee did not.

Microsoft claims they are in the best position to know how to protect windows because they wrote it. Kinda makes sense, but I'm not convinced.

[Dunkey]

comodo internet security. its free, lightweight, unintrusive and I've never had a single problem in 4 years. Norton etc are a pile if crap. also put regcure and malware bytes on there, with that trio you will be sorted.

[andymc]

There are gallons of free 'security' products out there. From my point of view the 2 most popular ones are AVG and MS's own. But these are not necessarily complete packages. VIrus protection as a minimum but do lack many of the additional features you get from the main-stream products (Norton and Mcafee): VIrus, firewall, webpage plugin, technical support, auto downloads/updates.

I have used Norton for most of my PC owning life and never had an issue with it. Most recently, I got Mcafee free with my latest laptop and its just fine.

If you do not consider yourself competent at computers then I'd recommend paying for this level of protection - if for no other reason than for proven, accredited and supported software.

Have a look at Kaspersky - the company is going from strength to strength...

[Chilli Red]

Thanks everyone, I will install AVG for now and probably add another later when I have chance to look properly. Is there a specific I should look for considering I do internet banking.

[Paul_S]

I use McAfee because I can get it free. It's heavy and resource hungry and I don't like it. I should probably try something lighter really.

[WoREoD]

Whatever AV you use, also add MalwareBytes free version. It will find Trojans that no-one else does (and fix them) BUT it doesnt run automatically. I try and run mine once a week but its more like once a month - or when I suspect things arent quite right.....

[Paul_S]

I wonder if you can run the malware bytes scan from the command line. If so, you could set up a scheduled task to run at a set interval.

[theshrekster]

Sar, You need to run multiple layers of security products. The logic is that if something gets through 1 layer it won't get through the next. I use Zone Alarm ( the full Internet security version ), PC Tools Spyware Doctor, both are paid for and then I run Spybot as well which is a freeware product for personal use.

Some may say this is overkill, but you know you can never have too much protection

[Greg Warnes]

Dunkey, on 20 November 2011 - 10:12 AM, said:

comodo internet security. its free, lightweight, unintrusive and I've never had a single problem in 4 years. Norton etc are a pile if crap. also put regcure and malware bytes on there, with that trio you will be sorted.

WoREoD, on 20 November 2011 - 01:49 PM, said:

Whatever AV you use, also add MalwareBytes free version. It will find Trojans that no-one else does (and fix them) BUT it doesnt run automatically. I try and run mine once a week but its more like once a month - or when I suspect things arent quite right.....

My PC has been behaving weirdly, so i thought i would try malwarebytes

RESULT found some trojans, only time will tell if its worked.

Also using avast for antivirus

[Chilli Red]

malwarebytes will only allow me a free download if I subscribe for something else and pay for it. AVG has let me download it and now says there are more problems than they can fix and I need to buy it. How did you all get it free ?? Shrekie, have you any links - Ta muchly

[theshrekster]

Chilli Red, on 20 November 2011 - 05:05 PM, said:

malwarebytes will only allow me a free download if I subscribe for something else and pay for it. AVG has let me download it and now says there are more problems than they can fix and I need to buy it. How did you all get it free ?? Shrekie, have you any links - Ta muchly

Ah! All the trial versions tell you that Sar just google Spybot freeware and you will get the link for the download, the other 2 are proper corporate versions, so again just google them, but you will have to pay for them!

[Chilli Red]

Fank u kind sir

[Dunkey]

How odd, I never had anything asking me to pay with malware bytes

[MaDMaXX]

OK, serious answer here, if you're not *that* into computers, then you should use a good protection system, however, i wouldn't recommend running a malware scan very often unless you suspect issues. (as for your paid download, it's the way the website is setup, so the obvious download link is the "pro" pay for version, look for another link)

Norton is crap, i replaced it nearly 10 years ago because it became bloated and poorly protected.

AVG is not that good, it's often hailed as good because it is if you're not paying for it.

I would personally replace the AVG you just installed with MS system security, that *is* good for what it is.

But i would seriously consider purchasing (don't worry it's cheap) ESET Antivirus, or if you're on a laptop and take it outside of your firewall, ESET Smart Security (includes firewall as well, get this if you're not sure about the firewall question)


Let me know if you have any further questions on any of this.

[Paul_S]

I've just rebuilt my netbook so I'm going to give Comodo a try as I've not used that before...

[Chilli Red]

I read that as comando!