1. This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.
    For information on cookies and how you can disable them visit our Cookie Usage page.
    Dismiss Notice

Software Anti-virus

Discussion in 'General' started by korvayne, Feb 22, 2011.

  1. korvayne

    korvayne New Member

    just wondering if anyone knows if free anti-virus software like AVG is as comprehesive as say Mc afee?im currently running Mc afee because it came free with my laptop but intend to change to AVG free edition once it expires.
     
  2. CovertPea

    CovertPea Moderator Staff Member Verified Member

    Go for AVAST free version. Beats avg hands down!
     
  3. seeotter

    seeotter New Member

    Second that for free ones, if you want the best then get VIPRE Antivirus for a small price.
     
  4. Recidivist

    Recidivist VIP Member


    Indeed it does, but if you want one that beats Avast get Avira :p Check out virus.gr and look at their tests, I had another good site too but I can't find it anymore -.-' You'll find that a lot of 'AV comparison' sites havn't actually tested the AV much, if at all, and just make stuff up. AVG is probably the most popular free AV, but if you look at sites like virus.gr you'll see actually how far behind AVG is. Avira seems to be the most consistently high ranked free AV, beating the likes of BitDefender (Paid) Norton (Paid) McAfee (Paid) BullGuard (Paid). The premuim (Paid) version of Avira is then ranked even higher, whereas, amusingly, some paid version of AV's actually rank lower than their free counterpart.


    The 2011 version of AVG actually uses their 'paid for' version's AV engine, and I'm not sure if this version is used in these tests yet. It may start ranking higher, but at the minute it's usually below half way in a proper, comprehensive test.

    G-DATA (Paid), BitDefender(Paid), Panda and Avira seem to be the best right now. I personaly use Avria as my main anti-virus and I havn't had a single problem. There are very few minor hicups in the grammar in the English version, but the creators are German, so I forgive them (I know English people that have muuuuch worse English). I also have SUPER Anti Spyware, Malwarebytes Anti Malware and SpyBot Search and Destroy with their Real-Time protection disabled which I use purely for scanning.
     
  5. korvayne

    korvayne New Member

    thanks for the info guys,im going to go check out your recommendations now!
     
  6. Peterpoose

    Peterpoose New Member

  7. cyberquest

    cyberquest New Member

    Can I ask your findings, if you've made a decision and what led you to that conclusion?

    I've always question free versions. They're demo's to me and demo's have preset limits. I've used some in the past w/disappointment although malware bytes recently did the job it claims on the free version. AVG was once an alternative but again everything I look at or tried are demo's.

    Edit:

    Many free versions don't come with a firewall. The firewall is something you'll and have to find that is compatible with your choice. There's a few listed here I haven't used. Long story short, I went ahead and paid a years worth for what I'm currently using.

    Not a wise choice but I used malware bytes with out an uninstall of my current anti program because it couldn't find or repair the problem. Messages before malware bytes was downloaded and used popped up about a conflict with another antivirus program install which wasn't there.

    Turned out Antimalware Go slipped through somehow. Malwarebytes took care of it and allowed my paid program to update itself which promptly gave message about conflict with malware bytes.
     
  8. navyfalcon

    navyfalcon Well-Known Member Verified Member

    1st. All antivirus programs have limitations.
    2nd. Use several to compensate for the limitations.
    3rd. There are automatic scans and manual scans. Use only one automatic
    scan (so they don't conflict).
    4th. You may use several manual scans. Usually once a week or once a
    month (depending on your best judgment).
    5th. Use a good firewall
    6th. Antiviruses, antiadware, antimalware are different (with overlap).
    They are different because the problems are different.
    7th. Free ones are good with a good selection. Check the reviews. They
    change each year because changes in the software. Last years best
    may not be for this year (the problems change so does the correction).
    8th. Free ones may be good enough, depending on what you use your
    computer for.
    -
    My computer is over 10 years old. It starts to pick up on hardware problems, like the CPU thermal paste begins to break down and has hot spots giving intermittent problems. The solder joints also break down. Electrolytic capacitors have a shelf life. The CMOS battery should be checked. Sometimes these appear as viruses, but usually on older computers.
    Why do I use an older computer, because it still works for my application, and repairing it is cheaper than an upgraded computer.
    Also I use free antiviruses, because they work for my application. They may not work for yours.
    I use:
    A2 square
    Avira
    Malwarebytes
    Advanced System Care.
    -
    hope this helps
    falcon
     
  9. boxedart

    boxedart New Member

    After a few years of paying for mcafee, I realized my cable provider provides it for free. You should call yours, as it turns out to be a pretty common thing.
     
  10. teper

    teper New Member

    thx for the info
     
  11. navyfalcon

    navyfalcon Well-Known Member Verified Member

  12. navyfalcon

    navyfalcon Well-Known Member Verified Member

  13. navyfalcon

    navyfalcon Well-Known Member Verified Member

    More information on bad and free anti-virus
    It is very important to know some if not more information in this area.
    -
    falcon

    Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products
    "Rogue/Suspect" means that these products are of unknown, questionable, or dubious value as anti-spyware protection.
    List of Rouge/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products:
    Spyware Warrior: Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites

    Virus Info and Anti Virus Info
    Virus Info and Anti Virus Info: List of Virus and Best Anti Virus of 2009 | CURRENT REPORTS

    Top Free Antivirus Solutions
    Where Can I Get the Best Free Antivirus Software for My Computer?

    Free Anti-Virus Programs
    Category: Security , Software
    Free Anti-Virus Programs
    -
    hope this helps
    falcon
     
  14. EddieRaines

    EddieRaines New Member

    Nice posts Navy Falcon. Very informative. Thanks.:)
     
  15. wakullafutbol

    wakullafutbol Member

    I agree with cp I have been using Avast for many years now, even on family members pc's when they ask for help and on my own kids computers. I would recommend a "boot up scan" at least every month and install Spybot Search and Destroy and run weekly to insure nothing was left behind.

    NF pretty much covers everything out there with his links, nicely done!
     
  16. almedajohnson

    almedajohnson New Member

    AVG is worst. You can say it is a virus itself. I had faced too many problems because of it. My laptop used to get stuck because of it and i can't do anything rather than restating it again and again. Don't make a mistake of using AVG
     
  17. navyfalcon

    navyfalcon Well-Known Member Verified Member

    More antivirus info



    How we test: Antivirus software (CNet)
    How we test: Antivirus software - CNET Reviews

    How to check if your Anti Virus is working
    How to check if your Anti Virus is working [ Antivirus ]

    How to test your antivirus software
    How to test your antivirus software

    Free and Paid Antivirus Programs Compared
    Free vs. Fee: Free and Paid Antivirus Programs Compared | PCWorld

    Free Anti-Virus Software
    Free anti-virus software; Freebyte's Guide to

    3 Tools to Test Run your AntiVirus/Spyware Program
    3 Tools to Test Run your AntiVirus/Spyware Program

    On this site you will find independent comparatives of Anti-Virus software.
    AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Welcome to AV-Comparatives.org

    -
    hope this helps
    falcon
     
  18. Recidivist

    Recidivist VIP Member

    AVG used to be one of the best, but Avira, Avast, Panda etc. have pretty much surpassed it now. Not to mention that AVG seems to keep screwing up, deleting core Windows files because of false positives and requiring a full re-install.

    Check out these three (I prefer Avira);

    1. Avira anti-virus for home and for business
    2. avast! - Download Free Antivirus software or Internet Security
    3. ANTIVIRUS - Software - Buy - DOWNLOAD - Antivirus 2011 - CLOUD - Store - PANDA SECURITY UK

    (Also consider MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials)
     
  19. cluzees

    cluzees Banned

    It’s all depends on your experience using them...ok, based on my experience is avast! Because it has the best scanning speed with lesser false positive.
     
  20. navyfalcon

    navyfalcon Well-Known Member Verified Member