Anyone recommend any good free virus software?

I have avg free and ad aware. I got a really old virus a while back and both of these programs missed (we just googled the name of the anti-virus software that the virus was trying to sell and found an older program to remove it).

 

Try Avira.

I use it and it picked up a virus that AVG missed.

It is really much better than AVG.

 

Hi MoralHazard, it is good to see you promote the almightly Avira again.

@OP,
If you want high detection rate and high viruses/spyware datebased AV,
Avira is the best. Avira Antivir Personal 9 is an Anti-virus with low resources(won't slow down system) and superb detection rate! Moreover, it is FREE!

You can also try google around something like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware as well as SpywareBlaster. These little programs are FREEWARE as well and they're quite something. ^^!

AVG = Sucks
Why? High resources(slowdown system) and poor detection rate.
Why AVG so famous and have a lot of users?
Simple, because it is an old AV which has been around for ages. If a newbie wanna have an FREE AV, what come into his/her mind 1st? AVG FREE EDITION of course. But think twice, it sucks. I am not () it's true!

 

Avira has a very high detection rate.
Avast is also quite good and is the most full featured of free ones.

 

Used Avast, using Avast and will be using Avast

cheers ...

 

I use avast.

 

"Good free AV" = Avira Free!

 

Thanks alot guys! There's no harm in having multiple antivirus (is there?) so I will try em all.

 

Yes, there is (if you mean installed).
Never install two AV's with standard configuration.
First of all, when you've selected to scan read and write operations, AV#1 will check a (f.i.) downloaded file; read operation. AV#2 detects a downloaded file and a read operation.
AV#1 will also detect a read operation (the one by #2) etc.
If the downloaded file would be detected as malicious, both AV's will want to do their work but only one can succeed in deleting/quarantaining it; the other one fails by definition.
Having two AV's installed can make your notebook go crazy. Batsjit crazy.
Imagine having 3 installed...

'Batsjit crazy' is an old Dutch saying, mods

 

Two running anti virus packages are not recommended.
You can have 2 installed though, provided, and ONLY provided that ONLY one runs at any given time.

i.e. the second one is ONLY available for on demand scanning

 

(without opening a new post),Is it ok to have AVIRA and something like SPYBOT running at the same time?

 

yeah sure spybot is not an antivirus program like avira..

i myself am running avira with iobit security 360 works without conflict..(real-time protection)
Just make sure you dont do on demand scanning using both softwares at the same time

 

Throwing my vote in for Microsoft Security Essentials.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

 

avira or avast

 

Hi folks,

Nice Thread ...

1. On "IObit Security 360" ...

@ Eugene91 ...

Q1: So, you are running Avira as your real time AntiVirus and IObit as a On-Demand" Scanner ... or what!?!?

Q2: Are you running any Firewall?

Q3: Waht is your OS & 32-bit or 64-bit?

@ Baserk ...

Q: What are Your thoughts on IOBit ... and should it be added to your AntiVirus Sticky!?!?

2. On "Microsoft Security Essentials" ...

@ Storm Effect ...

Thanks for sharing this AV ... I had never heard of it.

Q1: is Microsoft SE the only thing that you are running!?!? If not what other Firewall, AV, and On-Demand scanners are you running?

Q2: What is your OS flavor?

3. For "AVAST" fans ...

Q1: What other stuff ... like Firewall, and On-Demand scanners, or other anti-virus stuff are you folks running on your PC ... and please tell us your OS ... 32-bit or 64-bit?

THANKS!

G!

 

I second this. Avast! is also another good recommendation. It does very well at preventing any virus threats.

 

As long as you install one of the top four or so, I wouldn't worry about it.

I use Avast on my notebook, Norton on my desktop (and have Linux on another desktop), and have McAfee at work. Only McAfee do I dislike.

 

Avast is the most user friendly, Avira has marginally better detection but awful updating. My suggestion is to install Avast & only install the modules you need.

 

Hi Loki, Spaceman & Richo,

Thanks ... I am hoping someone will sound off on IObit software ... if I should add it to my Arsenal of On-Demand Scanner.

I just did see Baserk thread Reviewing the IOBit Security 360.

Thanks,

G!

 

1. Avira is on real-time and so does IObit S360. Today i switched to Avast 5 Beta By the way IObit S360 is not an AV program like avira or avast.. So it wouldnt conflict..

2. Windows Firewall Only

3. Vista Home Premium 32-bit

 

+Concur

It's been great so far-- I just switched from Avira since I was getting tired of the ads.

 

If you know how to use a computer, and know what to download and what not to then you don't need to run an anti-virus.

Running Norton causes me more headaches and problems than running nothing.

 

dang...

If you truly believe that the only way you can revcieve a virus is via download then you are pretty far away from reality...

Malicious code could theoretically be placed in a forum post or in a hijacked add here on NBR.
Although on the code angle the moment a mod finds it it'll be gone

 

Chances are you don't know how to use a computer then.

 

I didn't say that did I? You must be reading invisible text then. All I'm saying is that if you don't do stupid stuff in the first place, then you won't have problems.... If you really believe that the anti-virus will prevent you from getting a virus, you are living in a fantasy world with computers. If somebody is going to set out to steal your information and wreak havoc on your computer, they are going to write a piece of code that doesn't exist in the databases yet.

 

I never said an anti virus is 100% secure.

However:
An anti virus should stop downloads of code that aren't started with good reason - or ask you what to do.
It also is able to analyze code - in fact with some installers, Kaspersky analyses them before it allows them to execute.
A good anti virus can find malware through its activity, not because it only know the code.

Of course you can catch a virus with anti virus software - but the chances are reduced.

Edit:
As an add on - you can get a virus from a trusted site such as NBR by the way.
And visiting NBR is not stupid stuff.

 

So let's say you need a driver for your mouse, a piece of sw from a reputable company, no worries right?
I know it's an exaggerated example to use because it doesn't happen often but how do you check downloaded files, by SHA1 or Jotti?

With 2009-2010 products also? Older versions were medium-to-atrocious hogs but current suites are as different as black and white.

 

Seeing as no one seemed to mention it to you, there is a sticky at the top of the page to answer your question.

So this thread is now closed.