Best Antivirus & Firewall For Our Toughbooks!

Okay guys... I've been around for a while and have always liked ZoneAlarm for it's good antivirus and firewall capabilities. What I REALLY liked it for was it didn't bog down the system!

However... They have just "upgraded" their software to make it more "Dummy Proof"... The fact that THEY did this means that I am getting bugs AND it is slowing down my Toughbooks!

So I have a favor to ask.... Can you all give me some recommendations as to what you guys use? I'd like to hear about paid as well as free if possible.

I want something that will work well on the CF-29 - CF-30 units. They must include at least antivirus but combo AV + Firewall is cool!

I hope you all had a good X-Mas and will have a very Happy New Year! (With all your Toughbooks!)

Thanks,

Rick

 

I have been using Microsoft security essentials and it doesn't seem to bog anything down. (On my CF-29 Mk3 and Mk1 to Mk5 CF-18's) AVG use to be OK, but I just put it on a dual core desktop and with out scanning it added 5 things running in task manger. I have heard good things about trend micro but haven't used it personally.

 

MSE + 1
It's the only Microsoft product I have that never makes me want to kill it.
edit: Wouldn't be surprised to learn MS bought it...

 

Ed Bott, the MS expert at ZDNet, did a comparison of a bunch of them. General conclusion was that the free MS software was as good as any of them - stronger in some areas, a bit weaker in parental controls. I use Norton but will be changing to MS when the subscription ends. Norton is ok if you're doing a new install - don't try to change to it from another vendor or even upgrade/renew from another Norton product. It has worked flawlessly in my Toughbooks but horribly on my Dell desktop.

 

MSE x2 or NOD 32/ eset security

 

Microsoft Security Essentials... Does it hit you with pop-ups for upgrades or weird crap? This may be the ticket all the way around... ZoneAlarm is a great free firewall... Though the free version has annoying pop-ups. Perhaps ZA + MSE might be the way to go...

I'll let more chime in.

 

MSE does nothing except its job; I've been using it exclusively for almost 2 years. Cap'n sez he had an install of MSE which let a rootkit get by; while it is of course possible with ANY active AntiVirus, I suspect he may have had a hiccup in his definitions updater.

It truly is one of the few cases where MS finally stepped up to the plate and produced something which was needed, which does its job, and doesn't annoy its users constantly. I suspect they did it to polish their rep for constantly getting exploited by every script-kiddie with a free afternoon; whatever the reason, I say it's about time they did something.

Windows Firewall works well as a standalone firewall. However, it doesn't always OPEN a needed port automatically for you; you may need to open one up from time to time yourself. I never felt it was a big deal; but then too, I don't use Internet Exploder, which has special permissions when dealing with Windoze Firewall, and therefore makes it exploitable.

mnem
Use ANY browser that is NOT IE and your computer will be 10 times more secure.

 

The Dwagon has spoken! Thanks Mnem!

 

MSE and ZA for all of my machines. Firefox completes the package.

 

I agree totally with all of the above, on Windows I've been very happy with FireFox with the one essential add-on = WOT (Web of Trust). MSE Plus FireFox is a real winner....when using Windows OS

 

No: if you have your computer on at the preset Virus Signature Upgrade time you won't even know it happens: it's automatic.

One thing though: while it "auto-updates"and "real-time protects," you have to manually set the Scan Date/Time and Type of Scam {Quick or Full) part of MSSE.

So does AVG Free antivirus.

While I also use MSSE on my Toughbooks, certain people here (you know who you are ) convinced me to use Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 retail version on my Dәll desktop.

 

You're welcome anytime.

I would recommend you try MSE on a machine yourself; get a feel for it before you deploy it to your end-users. It does NOT detect many of the "annoyance-level" bits of spyware out there; I guess MS feels it is your problem if you're one of those people who can't NOT "Punch the Monkey & WIN!".

If you're looking for an all-inclusive system for both virus and general malware/spyware, I'd suggest Malware Bytes Anti-Malware along with it. It's free for 30 days, but the subscription is only $24.95/One-time full retail price for consumer use. I'm sure you can get a volume deal as a system builder. The systray applet will nag you to upgrade to the paid version once the 30 days are up; it uninstalls painlessly and completely if you choose not to buy.

Good luck; I know that AntiVirus/AntiMalware software can be as traumatizing as that which it is meant to combat. I hope this helps.

mnem
mmmm. fresh definitions.

 

I use ClamWin on my TB's. Never had a problem but then again I never open up dodgy emails. 99.9 percent of time I can pick spam emails without opening/reading them and that probably prevents a lot of nasty stuff infecting the systems.

Craig.

 

MSE and Malwarebytes Antimalware no problems on my parents and nieces' PC's in 2 years!! throw in AdMuncher if you want to get fancy. I also install Opera Browser, but they still use IE most of the time.

 

Rick, If you install MSE and Malwarebytes you will have a very strong, robust set of protection. I have used these 2 together ever since MSE was in the BETA stage and have never, ever have been caught with one thing.

If you want to try or use the full Malwarebytes just give me a shout out.

 

We also throw SuperAntiSpyware Pro at keeping things at bay, and since we signed up to be a reseller, they cost us a whopping $8 a license....

 

MSE +1 works nice afaik.

 

Firewalls? Antivirus's?????? Whatz that?

Seriously though! I don't use any of that crap! I have a VERY HIGH END hardware firewall (Obviously) so I'm covered there. And ANY anti-virus slows my machine down...

So every now and then I will just do a manual scan with Malwarebytes

 

Rob, I do the same on my portable workstations but found eset.com's free online scanner and REMOVER works great for a manual scan ...... and cleaning crap from friends machines

 

That's pretty much what I do with my work laptop that I built. But all my personal stuff and deskstops around the family need something. I was going with ZoneAlarm but as I said... They made a change a few months ago to dumb things down for consumers that don't have a clue. As a result it has a lot of stuff running it seems. Plus I get errors when going to webpages because it wants to check everything.

I'll give MSE a shot and let you guys know! Thanks!

 

I use ESET's NOD32. Leo LaPorte recomends it.

 

You said "free" online scanner. I looked and found only the free "trial". What is the lnk to the free scanner? I have been using MSE and the built in firewall after having used Norton for years, Zone Alarm for even longer, trying AVG, and recently Kaspersky. If, IF, you keep MSE up to date by doing regular update checks on MSofts WS, you should avoid almost all risks!!! Nothing is for sure in the AV attack world!!! Hackers, Crackers, Serialz and Warez dudes and dudettes are ever so smart and attempting anything and everything to get into any system they can. Vigilance in monitoring your VS and FW s paramount in preventing the attacks.

 

Kaspersky Anti-virus , internet security is by far the best I have ever used, even removed a virus that Norton 360 did not detect... that and Iolo System Mechanic have saved my butt a few times !

Happy New Year all !

 

ESET :: Get a FREE Online Virus Scan

right side of the home page just under free trial. best part is it removes crap too and doesnt force you buy it for the " privlidge " if removing crap it finds

 

Antivirus? Whats that? Don't use it at all on any of my Toughbooks (lost count) myself. Acronis 2011 allows me to periodically image any program changes. Plus I keep all my personal data on an external. If it's not there they cant get it.
Usually a system restore through dos will fix any "sudden" virus.
It's like the flu shot with antivirus. If your not protected against the latest and greatest you can get it even with the shot. Plus my machines don't like it. (they told me so) Travis

 

Another vote for Microsoft Security Essentials. Put it on the family and friends computers. No problems or virus in about a year. Also put it on computers sold on Ebay.

Read MSE was developed by an Israeli company.

 

I feel like ya'll are setting me up to be flamed. why has no one said norton?
I've always been a big fan on Norton, which used to be big and slow. But they changed their api a few years ago, and now it's a lighter faster suit that does it's job without bogging the system, IMHO.
As added protection I use the mvps hosts file, ccleaner, glary, malwarebytes antimalware, adblock plus (in firefox) and flashblock (in firefox).

It's on all the (windows) family computers that I touch now.

 

"why has no one said xxxxxx?"

Well, for myself...
I don't want to tempt fate now that I've finally evacuated every last vestige of the despicable piece of xxxx.

There are viruses I'd rather have.

 

After reading several reviews, the most recommended firewall seemed to be Comod's, so I installed it and have had no trouble for the last year. It's run alongside AVG Free and MS Security essentials okay...

 

I swapped back to Norton in 2009 when they did there big revamp and had the 2009 gaming edition. It ran a lot better than previous Nortons did, and I could cut off just small parts or all of it when I wanted too. But when 2010 came out and it auto updated they took away all of the extra gaming controls because they didn't offer the gaming edition anymore.

I had 2010 on my CF-29 Mk3 and it it didn't grind the system down, but I could tell it slowed it down. After the subscription ran out I swapped it to MSE and left it as I have on all my toughbooks. As of right now my x2/x3 desktops and x2 laptops have Norton and all of my older single cores have MSE.

 

they are true jewels aren't they... we've really been blessed by them...Driller

 

I use no antivirus,they are not so useful and they are heavy weight too (but you can use an antivirus without a running scanner module in the ram,like clamantivirus maybe),I use only process explorer and tcpviewer to see that's going on the system,and look n' stop as software firewall,it uses only few mb of ram.
I enabled the router's firewall too.

 

MSE uses alot less resources than some of my other programs. It uses less than Outlook as well.

 

ESET's NOD32 AV5 but going to migrate to SS5 version when this on expires.

Also running full license SAS.

 

Reviving this old thread for new opinions about the current situation. MSSE is no longer acceptable because it gives an ugly warning and says the computer is not protected (because XP no longer gets updates). I still have a bunch of Toughbooks with XP headed to the auction site, and cannot with good conscience sell a computer without AV installed. So looking for recent experience and advice on what's the best free AV now? AVG and Avast come to mind, what are other recommendations?

TIA

 

My Vast Comode seems to work well for me..Win7 on all.

I've been running Avast free and Comodo free. Microsoft Essentials has gone downhill in the past year.

 

Bitdefender also has a free A/V program. I install a lot of AVAST! Free and Bitdefender Free. I recommend MBAM Pro (the pay version $25.00 lifetime license) along with one or the other. $25.00 for lifetime coverage is not too bad. AVAST! has popups once every day telling me it updated virus dats. It occasionally offers sales on upgrades to pay version on the same popup. Bitdefender Free has fewer popups. You can't really blame them for trying to steer you toward their pay products. I just tell clients to ignore upgrade offers unless they really want to pay for them.

 

I am currently using AVG for my CF-18 with win xp, until I can upgrae to Win 7, but like you I find the pop-ups annoying. That was the one thing I really liked about MS essentials plus it was free.....However the 25.00 lifetime license for MBAM does not sound too bad...I just don't have any experience with it.

 

Kaspersky Internet Security. Around $20 for 3 machines per year on the Flea. No noticeable drag on system with newer versions. Look up the ratings.
CAP

 

I got to get home to one of my XP machines to make sure but the nag screen can be turned off, I had to turn it off on a friends before I left the house. It was a extra 2 processes starting up when the pc started up just to nag you. On the Antivirus update for MSE I plan on doing a force install of the x32 definition package that is a offline update to see if the system will take it. It may not automatically update, but I think I can get it to manually update. Have to test it out and see.

 

I use Avast because it loads Chrome if you let it. So I never have to use I.E....talking new factory installs here. Then I shut off the sounds in Avast.

 

what program are you speaking of? turn 2 processes off for nags?

 

I was just using CCleaner to edit the start up menu on his pc. He was complaining about the pop up every time he turned his desktop on. Don't remember the names of the processes though.


Edit this update added the nag. KB2949787 for MSE. ( I think the one I cut out was the one that pops up at start up not the MSE one, but I will be looking at what to do to kill it, if I can find the exact file delete it, and replace it with a empty file of the same name so it thinks it has that update but it wont' work)


Microsoft Security Essentials will not be available for download on Windows XP after April 8, 2014. If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue to receive anti-malware signature updates through July 14, 2015.

So it looks good for another year for now.


I do see some work arounds to the nag screen have to read though them when I get a chance. It just about time for me to head out the door to work. The MSE nag screen makes MSE show red even when it's up to date. I call that scare tactics. I HATE POP UPS AND I WILL SLAY YOU POP UPS!

 

On my MK1 CF-19 running XP, things started acting up with MSE & Chrome, so I switched to this browser:
Home - Avant Browser - The full-featured tri-core rendering Avant Browser which supports IE/Firefox/Chrome engines is fast, stable and memory leak free.
And then started using (suggested from above) Avast found here:
AVAST 2014 | Download Free Antivirus Software for Virus Protection
Things improved greatly from that point on. Of course, running Mint on the additional hard drive/caddy eliminates all the bologna also.
Best regards, Cleve

 

Just installed eset smart security. I started with Kaspersky internet security but there was a compatibility issue with my system, and Chrome had problems as a result. Eset is a lot lighter (I never notice it) than Kaspersky and issue free on my system. I started with the free trial so no harm done, but Kaspersky seems to get higher protection ratings than eset and they give it away for the first year at Fry's with a rebate. Might be the better option if it works for you.

 

I'm curious. When you say KIS caused compatibility issues with your system what kind of issues?
CAP

 

FREE: McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2014 1-User for PC downloads

McAfee offers downloads of its McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2014 1-Year 1-User for Windows for $24.99. Coupon code "2Y3DD584AY6C4F0C" gets it for free.

Last time they offered something like this you could "buy" as many free copies as you wanted, but they all expired from one year of the "buy" date. Just FYI.

From Cnet.

McAfee Promotion

 

Well that bites , no good in Canada.

 

I was going to see if I could get you one since I won't use it personally and it says now my code is invalid, so either time is up, OR it is detecting me in Saudi. See if a USA proxy will let you do it.

 

That is what happened to me too "code is invalid" . I even tried it when I was in Calais, Maine yesterday when I was at McD's . Still no go