Looking For Anti-Virus Software

Okay, I'm looking for some AV software. I don't need any firewall software, just something that can scan my computer when I tell it to.

I have no spending limit, I'll buy the most expensive one out there. But I want your guys' (and gals') opinions. I'm tired of review sites, they all seem fake and bribed.

I've tried NOD (and thought it was too complicated), AVG, Norton, McAfee and Kaspersky. Now, I don't have any big issues with them, if you guys recommend it I'll probably get it (aside from Norton and McAfee, too intrusive).

I should note that I use uTorrent and game often, so I rather not have anything that gets in my way.

I currently have a copy of Bitdefender and heard that is the best out there. Is that so?

Thanks for all your help

 

Hey...that's simple
Get Avira AV..It's free..works great..and it's a FTW

Linky


Cin...

 

Agreed.
Alien_M4v3r1kk, do not hesitate of using it.
I can say it is better than AVG very very much.
Low resources consumption and superb detection rate!

 

I use Avast AV which is free, haven't had a virus in years.

 

Well to tell you the truth, I'd be 100% confident in going commando (meaning, without AV software) but because I do torrent, I have to watch out. And what not with a recent driver site being hacked, I guess a little protection never hurt.

I'll look into Avast and Avira, maybe those are the ones for me.

 

best av would probably be threatfire + avira (both free). they have low impact on your gaming beast

 

Alright, well I'll try this double punch combo of Avira and ThreatFire.

Kind of freaked at Avira's site. I don't like it when I'm asked my full name and email for a "free" download.

Got a link to Avira off of cnet though

ThreatFire went smoothly without any problems, the downloading at least.

Yet to test either.

 

Wait a sec, so I just did a quick run through with Avira and ThreatFire. And while Avira seems to please me for now, ThreatFire makes me feel like I'm doubling up (like running Norton and McAfee at once).

Does it do anything that Avira doesn't?

 

do NOT get avira. it can't remove a stupid virus in one of my pc in my internet cafe. you get what you pay for. kaspersky FTW

 

Avira's free version doesn't have the (paid version) webguard component.
ThreatFire can fill this blank.
Both products provide on-access protection and for some part they do double up.
Avira is very strong in heuristic analysis and doesn't rely as much on virus signatures as other AV's, ThreatFire might seem redundant because of this but as not one security program will protect against every threat, a second program like TF might save the day (emphasis on might as TF also won't catch everything).
If you don't mind paying for very good programs, check out the paid-for versions of Malwarebytes'Antimalware and SUPERAntispyware.
Both offer real-time protection and cost about $20-25 once for a lifetime of updates.

So when Kaspersky fails you'll toss it out and buy something new again?
What rights do users/consumers have in your internet cafe if I may ask?
Was it actually a virus or a (drive-by) trojan or something?

 

If you already have Avira for your AV and decide to get the paid versions of SAS and MBAM for active protection (as well as on-demand scanners), then I don't think you need to keep ThreatFire. I would also get SpywareBlaster for passive protection.

 

My combination of free security:

Avira AntiVir Personal 9 + MBAM(Free-Portable in USB)+SAS(Free-Installed on PC) + SpywareBlaster(Passive Protection-No resources used) + Windows Defender + Windows Firewall

I use MBAM and SAS for on-demand scanners

 

if you want real sound security (and keep that premium lappy running fast), get the 64bit versions of Windows. Even without UAC, its fine (thats my humble opinion, so don't bash me).

i use Vista Home Premium 64bit SP2 with only a hardware firewall and windows firewall. no AV, no Defender, no UAC. Surf with IE8, haven't got any infections.

 

I'm not questioning your setup but how do you know?
Do you use an on-demand scanner or online scanner to check?

 

Jeeze, what is that? Quadruple layered protection?

I have to agree with melthd, somewhat. On my previous laptop I was running completely naked on the 32bit version of Windows Vista and haven't gotten a scratch (I think).

I'll check out MBAM and SAS, but I may just keep two on-demand scanners and not worry about protection (Avira is already popping off on any sort of tool from torrenting).

 

Havent noticed slowdowns compared to the trial NIS2010 i tried.. really made my laptop boot-up slow.. Although NIS2010 has a nice UI

 

check every month with MBAM. just dl it, scan, then uninstall it again =p

not to mention looking at my task manager processes.

 

Alien_M4v3r1kk

I use ClamWin: http://www.clamwin.com/

It is super easy on system resources and is used frequently in server environments. You or programs can call it via command line and scan any folder or file. It can scan active memory as well.

Slightly Off-Topic:
My security setup includes:
Filseclab firewall: http://www.filseclab.com/eng/products/firewall.htm
ClamWin: (Mentioned above)
Super Anti-Spyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/
SpyBot Search and Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html
A very robust security setup: http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/SecureXP.html

 

clamwin doesn't have on access scanning..

 

question about avira. i see it gets a lot of recommendations but i thought i saw that the freeware version does not check e-mail for viruses. if this is true why it is recommended so much?

 

Avira will still scan every file you download/want to open.
If f.i. an email has a Word-file attachment, Avira will scan it when downloading and when opening the document.
If you like a more configurable free AV, I recommend Avast, almost as strong as Avira in detection rate but with more options/dedicated scanners, (it uses a bit more RAM).

 

And you shouldn't expect a free product to do everything. Not even the paid versions cover all aspects of protection at 100%. So in some ways, they are all a compromise.

The best protection is a combination of free and paid software where you can choose the product that suit you best. Norton is my primary anti virus software, with Avira running interference. I've also got McAfee installed (free, but haven't use it yet) but that was an unintentional download that came bundled with my Quicktime player.

 

malware bytes

super anti spyware

 

cause most people use online email services such as Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo Mail. these have AV scanners that check emails before you open them. i don't think that many people use Outlook (imo)

Avira is recommended coz its pretty effective, has high detection rates, fast and light. and it catches both spyware and viruses. and the tray icon doesn't irritate you (unlike avast ) nor does it scare you with human voices.

oh and i think most people are tickled at the name of the scanner (fyi, its Luke Filewalker)

 

I use AVG, whats the difference from Avira

 

I really like Kaspersky - but it dropped in the las comparison.

And I'm so far getting free licenses from Barclays (Internet Banking) - only bought the first one.

 

Did you notice that too? Time to update? As far as I'm concerned, this is not a commodity you can afford to become loyal with or locked into. With something like virus protection, the company that lags behind becomes useless if it fails at it's most basic task.

 

I am pretty sure they will catch up again.

I stick with KIS thank you.

 

Avira has a much higher detection rate than AVG and is lighter on system resources.

 

Avira = Way Better and Stronger than AVG
Can be said as the strongest and best FREE AV around currently.
AVG = Lame
I wonder why AVG is that weak? Even AVG paid verson is weak as well.
Avast! FREE also good as well. It is better than AVG definitely and on par with Avira.
KIS 2010 really have a bad time now(checked comparison august 2009). But I do wish it will be powerful again.

 

what about AVG 9.0 ??

 

NO! If you're going the free route go Avira or Avast.

 

Do they work under Windows XP pro 64 bits ??

 

Yes, both Avast and Avira work on XP 64-bit.
Avira requires XP SP2 though.

 

This is the second thread in which you've suggested ZA with no other comments. Are you being paid by them or something?!