The best free security software

^Because it still lacks real-time scanning, has (slightly) lower detection rates and a slow scan speed.
Only usefull for most users as an extra on-demand scanner imao (and as they write themselves, for the average user).

 

Baserk,

Maybe you could add a few more app's.

Prevx 3.0 Free

Hitman Pro 3.5

Both are free scan only tools, based on cloud technology. Hitman Pro has a 30-day free trial license for removal. Good app's to have in your arsenal for new viri.

Also, think i have suggested this before, Outpost Firewall Free.

Cheers.

 

Hi Arjunned, thanks for the suggestions.
As not to clutter the list, I sometimes remove programs when adding others but I guess 1 extra (ultrafast) scanner won't hurt so I'll add Prevx again.
Hitman Pro is trialware and as I want to keep the list free versions only, it won't make it.
As soon as I've finished reviewing Outpost, it will be added.
Cheers

 

Are there any free Anti-Virus/Firewall applications that can be installed onto server operating systems? I've tried Avira and AVG, and both of them refused to install on a trial version of Windows Server 2008 that I'm trying out for a bit.

 

Guys what abt kaspersky internet security 2010? is it any good?

 

PCTools is offering a 64-bit beta version of their behavioural blocker ThreatFire
This version (for 32-bit also) is the long awaited beta which should also function on Windows7.
Besides the options to either allow or terminate a process, a new deny option has been added.
As it's a beta, it's not meant for production machines.

Check all the release details and download location here.
'4.6.0.4 beta 64-bit' is available for Vista and Win7.
Cheers.

 

are these free antivirus and firewall programs better than mcafee?

 

Pretty much anything is better than McAfee, especially the better free AVs like Avira or Avast.

 

So, I've got comodo firewall and malwarebytes installed. I'm pretty savvy about avoiding internet danger... Should I really have avast running 24/7 as well?

 

Well, it doesn't have to be Avast, but you should have an antivirus running whenever you have the computer on. Either Avast or Avira should give you the protection you need if you're looking for a free AV.

 

I personally love Avira... but the nag screens are obnoxious. I used Avast for years and am considering going back even though its a good bit slower and more resource-intensive than Avira. There is nothing worse than an Avira pop up coming up in the middle of a game and either a) crashing it or b) getting you killed (MMO).

 

You do realize that it takes a one time task of less than 20 seconds to kill the splash screen and update popup forever, right?

 

I do not believe he does or he wouldn't sound so frustrated.

 

lol

@Ethrem:
http://www.elitekiller.com/disable_antivir_nag.htm
Now you can play your MMOs in peace.

 

what about avg for a free virus program? I thought that was considered the best free one

 

AVG is the most people downloaded because a lot of people do not know the better AV = Avira and Avast!.
AVG has been in market for a long time and growth famous.
It is considered the BEST AV long time ago. Many people love it.
However, time will goes, human will growth, company and technologies will evolve. AVG is now a pathetic shell of its former self. Avira and Avast! are the better(a lot) compared to AVG. New generation always surpass the old generation. If not, the world won't growth. Just like the PC, is growing right?

 

No, AVG is no longer considered the best free AV. The general consensus now is that Avira and Avast are the two best free AVs available. I've used both and can vouch for their effectiveness, but I prefer Avira's user interface.

 

Avira is less resource intensive of the two, right? I'm currently using Spyware doctor which is very low resources-hogging, and a very thorough scanning ability.

 

I think so. I just downloaded Avira and it seems it is less resource intensive.
I actually like Avira a lot more than my previous anti-virus program.

 

Hello
I m suggesting you to use License version of Quick heal with Spy ware Doctor its the best way to protect your Computer. There are may Anti virus software available in market but don't choose free edition, that are not able to catch all Viruses.

 

Hi folks,

I just noticed that Baserk has rated " PC Tools Firewall Plus" over " Comodo Firewall Pro v3" ...

Q1: Has anybody changed over from Comodo to PC Tools? If so, are you happy with your choice?

Q2: Does anyone have any Pros and Cons of the 2 above mentioned Firewalls?

I have been using Comodo Firewall since last year when I got my laptop, Gateway with Vista Home Prem., SP1, 64-bit ... per this Thread's recommendation ... since Comodo was the most Highly rated and Only one at the time that would work with 64-Bit OS.

Thanks,

G!

 

is anyone having random problems with threatfire ???

 

Yes, some folks unfortunately do.
Apparantly sometimes it's a bit of a hit or miss situation.
Where the large majority can use the program without a hitch or a hiccup ever, some folks experience regular issues which simply seem irresolvable.
May I ask which other security programs you use?
Not meant critical; even veterans at Wilderssecurity sometimes have to battle with the program and are, let's say, not fond of it.
If you want to configure TF to your liking and use it to the fullest of it's capabilities check this and this thread on ThreatFire by Kees1958 on that forum.
Cheers.

 

I've been using Comodo's firewall for a long time now (1-2 years - don't remember exactly when I switched), but I'm kind of getting sick of it. I think it's a great piece of software, but it might be a little OD for my needs. I want something that runs more in the background and asks me less questions, less often. I just uninstalled it and am downloading PC Tools Firewall Plus right now. Once I've tried it out for a bit, I'll make sure to post my thoughts.

 

In that case you'll maybe also like Outpost Firewall, it's not as extensive as Comodo but can be configured to offer strong protection with a less talkative HIPS component.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll make sure to check it out after my test run with PC Tool's firewall.

 

Microsoft Security Essentials added to the list on page 1.

While there has been a lot of fuss over it's strength, the test done by AVTest.org gave a 98,4% detection score on the sample set used, earning a 'very good' verdict ( link).
(This score, based on a Wildlist sample set (which is point of criticism itself tbh) can't be compared to the ones I use from AV-Comparatives on page 1).

Norton, which ordered a test of a beta version of MSE, called it muckware or something but that's not deserved imho.
Live OneCare, on which it's partially based, had a 90% percent score in the latest AV-Comparatives test ( PDF link).
With added cloud-based signatures/tech it will likely outperform Live OneCare, placing it somewhere between the free AV's, i.e. the usual suspects AAA.

The limited options may not be for everyone but other users will probably be delighted because of this.
Is there a compelling need to switch if you use free Avira or Avast? I don't think so.
Both have a higher detection rate, use about the same amount of resources (Avast a tad more though) and offer (much) more configuration options.

I use MSE myself with Comodo/D+ on Windows 7 and I like it sofar.
Not as a sole security solution but certainly as a viable part of a security package.
Cheers.

 

Hi jtan189,

Looking forward to your Review ...

THANKS!

G!

 

Hi folks,

Q: Is there any difference between the version "PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition" and the one that it says is for "Registered Users"?

Thanks!

G!

 

No, according to PC Tools;

" There is no difference in the free registered version and the free unregistered version of PCTFW. Both versions have full functionality."
...( link)

 

I have used AVG, Avast and just installed Avira. I used Avast before Avira and I say that Avast is better than AVG. I'm currently using Avira and it is working very good for me as well. This is one of the best anti virus software I've seen.

 

Hi folks,

For everyone's info ...

I installed "PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition" and DID NOT like it's look or feel and it's use was kind of wild for me ... may be I have been used to Comodo ...

But for 2% performance difference I am Staying with Comodo.

G!

 

Hi folks,

Q1: Can someone tell me if "Geswall" is different from Comodo Firewall?

Q2: If so, How? What does it do in addition to being like a Firewall?

Q3: Would Geswall co-exist with Comodo Firewall without any conflict?

Q4: Does Geswall work better than WinPatrol?

Thanks,

G!

 

I've been using PC Tools Firewall Plus for about a week now and I think I'll be sticking with it. It seems to fit what I've been looking for. Much simpler and less obtrusive than Comodo. Also my computer boots up faster with it than when using Comodo.

 

Yes. GeSWall is completely different from COMODO Firewall. Oh, as well as WinPatrol (in my opinion, better than winpatrol). It works very well along side COMODO. My home PC runs GeSWall, Sandboxie, CFP (w/o D+), and Avira as on-demand only.

GeSWall - Check out their website and read through everything. Pretty much everything is explained there.

Also check out this youtube video. A very nice review/howto on what GeSWall does.

Feel free to ask if you need anything else.

Cheers.

 

If anyone wants to know of good registry cleaners and system programs. Here are some:

Glary Utilities
AutoMz Ultimate Tweaker v 4.3 (make sure you choose right options here)
Auslogics Registry Defrag and disk defrag

Yes all of these are free and I have used them on both vista and xp, I'm sure they are also compatible with windows 7.

If these have been mentioned already sorry but I didn't want to read 80 pages of posts to find out.

 

Hi Arjunned,

Sorry that I have not posted any sooner ... I have been unplugged for a while. Appreciate your Great Explanation.

I just happen to look over the Baserk's 1st page to see what has changed in A/V world ... and I was totally Surprised to see that Baserk has dropped "WinPatrol" off of his Recommended list ... I suppose in favor of GeSWall Freeware.

I did read thru some of the GeSWall docs and the FAQs on their Forum Site and it seems that ...

1) This Application is NOT as dummy-proof as WinPatrol.
2) It can mess up your PC if you don't know what you are doing, or make a mistake.

Q1: Arjunned ... BTW, so with the combo that you listed above ... are you NOT running an AntiVirus in Active mode!?!?

Q2: So, are you running everything from SandBoxie!?!?

BTW, the SandBoxie ... I have heard a lot about it, but it is a Promo for only 30 days ... so then you have to buy it ... right!?!?

Thanks again!

G!

 

Hi Baserk,

I didn't realize KEXP was located in Amsterdam!
Nice site ... thanks for Sharing!

G!

 

Just for the record, I decided to try out Outpost Firewall and I really like it. A lot like PC Tools Firewall but even easier to use. I love how automated things are in "Rules Wizard" mode. Just kept it running for most of the week in that mode and then switched it to "Block Most". It also is similar to PC Tools Firewall in that the boot time is decreased, in comparison to the same PC running Comodo's Firewall instead. Haven't had any problems with it yet.

 

Hi Gonwk,

KEXP is a great radio station, those guys ROCK! I love their eclectic choice of music.
Nice to read you find the sticky still usefull.
WinPatrol is still on the list though, I haven't removed it.

SandboxIE will continue to work after 30 days but only registering/paying will disable the nag screen in the free version and only with the paid version, you can force programs to always start sandboxed.
With the free version you will have to manually (right-click, run sandboxed) start programs sandboxed.

 

Yes. I'm NOT running any active AV. Avira runs only as on-demand (no real-time). I have all my threat gates (USB's, browsers, image viewers, etc... even VLC) either sandboxed or running untrusted under GeSWall. I've tested what application runs better under what (ex: i tested vlc as either sandboxed or untrusted by geswall. Found that vlc starts faster with sandboxie. so now any movie file opened, runs sandboxed, in a seperate sandbox.)

Another ex: All my USB drives (ext. hard drives or pen drives) are 'forced' sandboxed. ie. if any app. (exe) tries to run on my system without my knowledge, it'll run sanboxed and cannot harm the system. Once the USB is removed the USB sandbox is automatically deleted and if there were any trace of a virus, its now gone. [These functions of sandboxie are only in the paid version, as Baserk said]

I run scans once a month atleast with MBAM. And always run scans of usb drives before running anything from them on my system.

Cheers.

This is how i setup sandboxie and geswall (a little more thorough description) - link

 

Does Avira run as a 32 bit program under W7?

 

Yes.

Also, Avast! 5, i think, has plans of native 64bit.

 

Hi folks,

Couple of Q's for the Experts here ...

Q1: Is anybody using "Returnil Virtual System" which is listed on the 1st page under " Miscellaneous free security programs"!?!?
If you are using it ... What are you using it as ... an A/V or On-Demand or as Virtual thingy?

Q2: Can "Returnil Virtual System" be useful to install on a laptop if I already have Avira antivirus, Comodo Firewall, and SpywareBlaster running?

Thanks,

G!

 

Returnil is a virtualization app that virtualizes your entire system and prevents any changes made to it. These changes will include your AV updates, what ever u download from the internet, etc. Your system will change back to the state it was in before virtualization, upon restart.
It also has a built in AV which isn't great. I disabled it when i was using it.
You need to create a virtual disk through Returnil, to which you can save all your downloaded or newly introduced content.

Here's a video of how and what Returnil 2010 does. Very informative video on basic purpose of running Returnil. - link
.
The thing about Returnil is that you cant exclude folders from virtualization. Everything written to your real system is removed. Saving of file can only be done via the Returnil Virtual Disk. So if, say, you update Avira definitions today (when your virtualized in Returnil), and you last updated say yesterday... upon restart, you'll find that your definitions will be the previous one. This is only drawback i guess. But you could, for instance, update to the latest definitions in Avira and then run virtualized in Returnil to do all your internet activity. If by chance you download something malicious (knowingly or otherwise), a simple restart would be enough. It would as if you downloaded nothing.

Off-course you need a clean system for it to be effective.

Also, Shadow Defender is another virtualization app which alows you to exclude folders from virtualization. But its a PAID app though. No free version. It is my personal fav., mainly coz it has 64bit support.

Did i ramble on too much?
The video explains Returnil very well. Just chk it out and post back for any further clarification.

Cheers.

 

Hey Baserk,

Panda Cloud Anti-Virus is outta beta now. Version 1.0 just released. So maybe you could add it to the list. Its looking to be a pretty good free AV.

Panda Cloud AV

 

Hi Arjunned, thanks for the heads up.
Had some issue with one of the beta's but (also reading Wilders), everything seems solved.

The very simple and, a bit MSE like, user-friendly interface and most of all, the initial very good test results (for known malware) from AV-Test.org, the comments from some WildersSecurity 'veterans' and the CPU/RAM usage after settling down, make it a hard not to list it (although I'm not a huge fan of cloud-based security apps myself but that's just personal preference).
I'm just a bit wary about giving it a certain score/mark as I think AV-Comparatives won't be able to test it like they do with other AV's.

Btw, have you seen the free 1-year McAfee AV offer on Wilders?
I'm getting license keys for all my enemies j/k
Cheers.

 

Sean-Paul from Panda Security here... glad to see you are taking interest in Panda Cloud AV. If you have any questions, feel free to post them on the blog: http://blog.cloudantivirus.com/ or ask them here and I can answer them on the forum.

Thanks!

 

Online Armor v4, has been released.
This much appraised software firewall (I use the Premium version myself) has been updated to work on Windows 7.
It's still 32-bit only, a 64-bit version is being worked upon but don't expect it before Q1 2010.
Version 4.0.0.10 is available in the Free, Premium and OA++ versions.

As Tall Emu writes, it's " an incremental update to Online Armor; We've added Win7 support of course (32-bit only for now), but we've also fixed bugs, made performance enhancements and improved history logging to help you help yourself if something goes wrong."

Download page link.

 

Hi arjunned,

Sorry I have not post back any sooner ... caught the darn Flu ... just laying around and taking Meds. Anyway, No you did not ramble ... VERY INFORMATIVE ... I was reading their website ... and I wanted to see how everyone else likes it ... Also THANKS for the Video Link ... good info.

Arjunned Appreciate Your Continuous Help & Support!

G!