[Closed] good antivirus software?

you can use avast or avira which are free, if you wanna buy one i would recommend norton(you have to buy a year license, i don't think that there is a good payed anti-virus which you just have to buy once). By the way AVG is one of the best if not the best free anti-virus, i don't think that there are free anti-virus that cover online shopping too, but that's not really necessary because shopping sites are already naturally safe(they count with a secure connection and encrypted data, so if someone can hack in their connection and intercept your data(what's really unlike to happen) they can't really use it because it's encrypted and they would still have a really hard time decrypting it)
So as you can see you don't have to worry that much because if someone is trying to hack he would probably use of a more simple and probably easier method like social engineering(the enemy might be closer than you think, don't underestimate social engineering some of the biggest hackers in history used social engineering).
A simple advise would be just stay smart and nobody is going to hack you.

hey thanks for the reply.. i'll give AVG a shot then.

if you are using windows you should try microsoft security essentials works fine for me, avast is also a good choice.

How about u back up everything u need on a reg basis, then when a virus hits reinstall your OS. Save a bit of money from these fear mongers ie Norton etc! Happened to me twice, didn't cost me a penny.

I use AVG full version for free.

I download the the trial version (30 days); after the trial version is over I uninstall AVG and then install it back Indeed ♦

I did this for about 4 or 5 months. Now there is a new AVG trial called 2012 and something. I'll tell you in about 20 days if I can do the same with this trial

I would suggest you sort out Avast! It is the best anti-virus out there. Been using it for something like 7 years now without any problems. All the paid ones are rip-offs.

What OS are you using? Avast! works on XP, Vista and 7 without any probs.

Definitely avoid Norton, it slows down your computer very noticeably and I am not able to get rid of their FREE version on my girlfriends comp. It is impossible to delete in any way! It does not uninstall, etc.

Seriously?

This is to the OP and everyone else. Just as a background, i am a IT graduate and i work with tech for about 8 years now.

There is only one good anti-virus imho, the name is Kaspersky. The only issue is: "not free". However, it is something you can even but with 1800 fpp on stars vip store.

There is no need to save money in something that is made to protect your most important files, and nowadays your computer has basically your life (or it is). I think it cost about 40 bucks a year or 60 if you buy to save 3 computers for a year. It is the best one around BY FAR.

Every other single one sucks. Norton is slow, AVG Free doesnt actually get major updates so often, Avast! is kinda cool if you dont want to buy anyone but is still not the best. Any of these softwares, when its free you can only expect basic coverage.

My final position? Buy for 40 bucks Kaspersky for a year. You know you spent more money on way more useless stuff around your life.

Originally posted by nathanrenard
Seriously?

This is to the OP and everyone else. Just as a background, i am a IT graduate and i work with tech for about 8 years now.

There is only one good anti-virus imho, the name is Kaspersky. The only issue is: "not free". However, it is something you can even but with 1800 fpp on stars vip store.

There is no need to save money in something that is made to protect your most important files, and nowadays your computer has basically your life (or it is). I think it cost about 40 bucks a year or 60 if you buy to save 3 computers for a year. It is the best one around BY FAR.

Every other single one sucks. Norton is slow, AVG Free doesnt actually get major updates so often, Avast! is kinda cool if you dont want to buy anyone but is still not the best. Any of these softwares, when its free you can only expect basic coverage.

My final position? Buy for 40 bucks Kaspersky for a year. You know you spent more money on way more useless stuff around your life.

There are a lot of good antivirus(not only Kaspersky )

but for sure Norton is so invasive and so hungry for resources that I really don't like it. AVG free does let a lot of things through (basically it's crap imo obv).

Kaspersky is a good one if you want to go through the payment option and I do like Eset Nod32 personally. As for the free options I like Avira Free but I have heard good things about Avast as well although did not try it.

Regards

Thazar

Originally posted by nathanrenard
Seriously?

This is to the OP and everyone else. Just as a background, i am a IT graduate and i work with tech for about 8 years now.

There is only one good anti-virus imho, the name is Kaspersky. The only issue is: "not free". However, it is something you can even but with 1800 fpp on stars vip store.

There is no need to save money in something that is made to protect your most important files, and nowadays your computer has basically your life (or it is). I think it cost about 40 bucks a year or 60 if you buy to save 3 computers for a year. It is the best one around BY FAR.

Every other single one sucks. Norton is slow, AVG Free doesnt actually get major updates so often, Avast! is kinda cool if you dont want to buy anyone but is still not the best. Any of these softwares, when its free you can only expect basic coverage.

My final position? Buy for 40 bucks Kaspersky for a year. You know you spent more money on way more useless stuff around your life.

Now you have pissed me off! :f_biggrin: Obviously your education sucks! Or you work for Kaspersky? How is Kaspersky better than Avast! ???? Can you explain that to OP and everyone else? I know Avast! does not let viruses through. So why would I pay even a penny for something that does the same thing? Or maybe by suggesting that Kaspersky works better you are saying that it somehow cheats with results and shows more viruses than there actually are!?

To me its simple - if virus count in comp equals 0 (zero), then there is no way of improving that result. Period. Improving that result BY FAR (your words) is impossible!

An average person DOES NOT NEED ANYTHING MORE THAN BASIC PROTECTION!!! And even above-average person will do just fine by backuping data on external drive every week. Period.

For 7 years I have been using Avast! with no problems whatsoever. And I am not careful - I surf porn sites daily, I download torrents, cracked software and movies, I regularly visit questionable sites to find cracks and cheats for illegal software.

Only thing I do right - I erase all my junk mail without even looking at it and never touch anything that looks like .exe file in my e-mail. Even if it comes from a friend, i prefer to call them first, to make sure they did intend to send it.

With all that I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS! My desktop has Windows XP on it for 8 or more years now, it has never been reinstalled and it still runs fast, even though most mobile phones now have more powerfull processors.

Anyone who spends a penny on antiviral software is either filthy rich or just plain stupid. I dont mind paying for software, but paying for something you dont need is waste of money.

p.s. I am talking about everyday user here and I don't consider HEM database or pics of naked girlfriend a sensitive info.

p.s.s. And yes, I do not lock my car either because any anti-theft device can be broken into in less than 1 minute and by not locking the car I save money for broken windows and cut ragtops. And I do have degree in IT as well, btw.

Originally posted by ninuu
I use AVG full version for free.

I download the the trial version (30 days); after the trial version is over I uninstall AVG and then install it back Indeed ♦

I did this for about 4 or 5 months. Now there is a new AVG trial called 2012 and something. I'll tell you in about 20 days if I can do the same with this trial

Are you sure you are not using, just using AVG Free version? I'm pretty sure they are smart enough to not allow reinstalling reset the trial period.

I am using Nod32 = East smart security. best out there (i would say). you will have to "buy" it.

Check out some reviews

http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/eset-nod32-review.html

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews52145.html

www.avast.com
very good free anti-virus

Originally posted by SilverSag

Originally posted by nathanrenard
Seriously?

This is to the OP and everyone else. Just as a background, i am a IT graduate and i work with tech for about 8 years now.

There is only one good anti-virus imho, the name is Kaspersky. The only issue is: "not free". However, it is something you can even but with 1800 fpp on stars vip store.

There is no need to save money in something that is made to protect your most important files, and nowadays your computer has basically your life (or it is). I think it cost about 40 bucks a year or 60 if you buy to save 3 computers for a year. It is the best one around BY FAR.

Every other single one sucks. Norton is slow, AVG Free doesnt actually get major updates so often, Avast! is kinda cool if you dont want to buy anyone but is still not the best. Any of these softwares, when its free you can only expect basic coverage.

My final position? Buy for 40 bucks Kaspersky for a year. You know you spent more money on way more useless stuff around your life.

Now you have pissed me off! :f_biggrin: Obviously your education sucks! Or you work for Kaspersky? How is Kaspersky better than Avast! ???? Can you explain that to OP and everyone else? I know Avast! does not let viruses through. So why would I pay even a penny for something that does the same thing? Or maybe by suggesting that Kaspersky works better you are saying that it somehow cheats with results and shows more viruses than there actually are!?

Hi

You can disagree without getting enraged :). everyone is entitled to their opinion. And both are valid IMO.

To me its simple - if virus count in comp equals 0 (zero), then there is no way of improving that result. Period. Improving that result BY FAR (your words) is impossible!

Now tell me how can you be sure that your virus comp is 0? Is it what your antivirus tells you? I do like my antivirus to find viruses and annihilate them at least I know it is working. I use different one on my work machine and fun pc (one paid and one free) because of the different acceptable level losing data and the confidentiality of the data as well. here also other free programs that I use from time to time (good antivirus can sometimes detect a virus but be unable to remove it so they need help)

Anyone who spends a penny on antiviral software is either filthy rich or just plain stupid. I dont mind paying for software, but paying for something you dont need is waste of money.

Again I respect your opinion but I disagree. IMO there is no doubt that some of the paid antivirus are better that most of the free ones (or at least the one I have tried), then it all depends to the value you put on the data on your PC and the sensitivity of it. for example some of us might want to protect ourselves from someone getting the login to your favourite online poker room (just as an example)

Best regards

Thazar

I use AVG, and I have never had a problem. I wouldn't use it if I thought I was much less safe than paid software. I admit I haven't bothered to look at many reviews, its so hard to find truly independent ones. I agree Norton is a nightmare. Try uninstalling all those files before breakfast.

lol @ Kaspersky being the only decent anti-virus software. A shameless plug, the guy must have a vested interest! Funny though.

Funnily enough I got a license for Kaspersky from Stars when they had an offer on in their store but I've never got around to trying it out.

If you get full of malware, the Malwarebytes anti-malware is a good way to get going again imo.

to Thazaar (just for the sake of argument :f_p:):

1. I am not enraged, I am pissed off. There is a major difference.

2. How can I know? Because my computer runs smooth, fast and I am not experiencing any problems. Some time ago I tested Avast! now and then by installing different other antivirus software (Norton, Kaspersky, etc.). They did found nothing! Except for free versions of course - they always find something, just so you buy the product. I have long stopped doing that, because it is just a waste of time. Avast! is good enough for me.

And, if I did not make it clear - Avast! catches viruses now and then, so I know it is working.

3. Your disagreeing just means that marketing departments of anti-virus companies are doing excellent job. You are paying for something you don't really need. Or, if you like it better, you are paying for the sense of security. Bad thing is - that it is mostly false sense of security.

Why false? If someone really wants to hack into your computer, they WILL DO IT and nothing will stop them. I used to work for a company which had hundreds of thousands credit card data on their servers. They had a team of 12 IT guys, whose sole job was to protect that data. Someone still broke into it!

Thats leaves with protecting from viruses suddenly erasing your hard drive and such. Avast! works fine against those. And if you back up your data regularly, you are perfectly safe FOR FREE.

All my jobs had been office positions with a computer, so I have tried and used full, professional versions of all big name anti-virus software. None of them is worth paying a single cent over free Avast!

All antiviral software business is one big hype. One of the most succesful brainwashing campaigns there is. And if you are in any doubt what marketing can really do answer me one question:

WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE PRECIOUS STONE?

Diamond, right? Well, if you check the pictures of crown jewellry of all kinds of kings from past centuries you will notice the curious absence of diamonds. There will be sappfires, emeralds, rubies but no diamonds. Why? Because diamond was not valuable until small company named De Beers showed up. They MADE diamonds valuable with clever marketing and market manipulations! Now all world thinks that diamond is the most valuable precious stone. Thats what you can do with proper marketing.

So for now, lets say you have been... milked. If I would be a betting type I could bet you quite large amount - if you uninstall whatever you have on your comp now and install Avast! you will not notice any difference. (notice, I am not even saying that Avast! is better. it's just that it does same thing for free)

Btw, I have skipped all conspiracy theory stuff like antivirus software companies making their own viruses to boost sales and legal software (like Google, Microsoft) accessing your private data, because it is another topic on its own.

Originally posted by SilverSag
Btw, I have skipped all conspiracy theory stuff like antivirus software companies making their own viruses to boost sales and legal software (like Google, Microsoft) accessing your private data, because it is another topic on its own.
Good one

No, i do not work for Kaspersky Industries, but if your going to pay any of those, it is the choice.

I think for free protection the best one you can get is Avast!, but when it comes to paying them, theres no way id reccomend anything other than Kaspersky. Why? Not because it find your more viruses. Theres way more when we talk about security than virus invading your pc. It focuses on improving your performance as always.

I for an instance have the Full Package... but as for OP asked for Free, id go with avast! When your looking for extra resources and support. Kaspersky.

My younger brother is doing a IT technician course or something at Uni and he says that the lecturers say Kaspersky is the best one too so maybe there might be something in it.

When I first got a computer of my own I had McAfee or something and paid for it then after a year when it ended they popped up with a message saying that I had 27 infected files but they could not do anything because my subscription was over, it all seemed a con to me as my computer was running fine.

For the past 3-4 years I have used SpyBot Search & Destroy which is free and updates quite regularly and Avast! like a few others have mentioned.

Between them I think that is enough as long as you aren't going on any dodgy Swedish dungeon porn sites and downloading stuff.

And like I say, I have used these for about 3-4 years and have not had any problems with viruses so far.

Originally posted by Krishjanis

Originally posted by ninuu
I use AVG full version for free.

I download the the trial version (30 days); after the trial version is over I uninstall AVG and then install it back Indeed ♦

I did this for about 4 or 5 months. Now there is a new AVG trial called 2012 and something. I'll tell you in about 20 days if I can do the same with this trial

Are you sure you are not using, just using AVG Free version? I'm pretty sure they are smart enough to not allow reinstalling reset the trial period.

100% sure. I don't know with their AVG 2012 release cuz I haven't installed it only for about 10 days. But I did that with their AVG trial version of 2011 from may until now in the beginning of september.