The best free security software

I have been running multiple full scans of my system using MSSE for the past few days and I have not gotten the exploits again. When I do get it I will take screenshots of the report and proceed with your recommendation.

 

Out of the free editions of Avast, AntiVir, and MSE, which one is the lightest?

 

Avira Antivir.

 

I've used CIS4 for over 5 weeks.
Very good, light and free.

 

Here is the screenshot I promised. Along with the Microsoft page.
Encyclopedia entry: Exploit:Java/CVE-2009-3867.GM - Learn more about malware - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

 

question, is it recommended to download one of each? Anti Virus, Firewall + HIPS, Anti Spyware/Malware, etc.? also is the first post up to date?

 

Usually, you only need just 1 good solution running with an active protection in the background.

Avira, Avast or MSE (all 3 of which are free) fall within that category.
I do use MBAM as well, but it's an on-demand scanner I update/use once per month.
Rarely anything goes through MSE, so I don't really experience problems.

 

It's a file in the java cache, which suggests it might just come from a website you visited.
If you clear the cache in the java control panel, does MSE still find a nasty?

 

I've cleared my Java cache, so I'll wait and see if the exploit turns up again.

 

I use Microsoft Security Essentials. It's lightweight, has good detection rates, and doesn't do weird things with the operating system. Combined with the Windows Firewall and common sense, you should be A-OK.

My second recommendation would be Avast! for real-time protection along with MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware as an on-demand scanner, especially on older machines that are running Windows XP where Microsoft Security Essentials seems to struggle.

I used to like AVG and used it almost exclusively on all of my computers up until version 8 when it started to become bloated and not as effective - it seems to have gotten worse with every new release.

 

Sorry I haven't gone through every page but you should add :

hijackthis
avenger.exe
autoruns (by sysinternals)

all very powerful but NOT for novice.

 

Like you mentioned, powerful but not for novices.
As I like to keep the list concise and newbie friendly, I've tried to keep the list as simple as possible.
That's why I don't list programs like these, even though they are very useful for more advanced users.
Also, for those who (want to) run Hijackthis, there are other fora where users can get better help and step-by-step advice.

 

I use AVG(free edition)for years now and I thought I was relatively protected.I also ocassionaly scan with Malwarebytes...Is AVG that bad???Should I switch to something else?I got use to it and I don't want to change unless I have to.

 

AVG isn't bad at all.

I've only removed it from the list because similar programs are a tad better in detection and/or resource usage and I like to keep the list concise.
That's also why I haven't listed Panda's AV.
If you're happy with AVG, keep using it.

 

Ok, I'll ask here. Does anyone know of free Security software that will block the newest strain of "Security Suite" malware?

My friend learned the hard way that free AntiVir does not. I have heard that the "paid for" MalwareBytes will, but not confirmed.

 

1) Avast!
2) Microsoft Security Essentials
3) Avira AntiVir

which one out of these 3 would you recommend? would you also recommend getting spybot search and destroy along with one of the above?

 

It depends...
Ease of use ==> MSE (see how to create an update task at first page of this thread).
More options and setting aka more control ==> Avast
I personally don't like AntiVir with the nag screen, but haven't tested the latest version.

No need for Spybot there are better programs now like Malwarebytes AntiMalware and SuperAntiSpyware.

 

The nag screen can be easily disabled.

 

I uninstalled AVG and installed Avast.

AVG installed their AVG toolbar into firefox even though I unchecked the box and chose not to install it.

Ever since I got the tool bar, my computer slowed to a crawl. Worst of all is that AVG decided to make the add-on uninstall button unclickable. Switched to Avast and seems like a much lightweight AV.

 

I know, but why bother with other fine alternatives out there?

 

I like Avira because, it updates faster than MSE, less CPU usage during updating, and has right click options in the taskbar icon.

 

So does Avast! (my personal favourite)...

 

I would hardly call a couple of clicks that you do once a "bother". It's like saying you wouldn't accept a great sports car for free because the driver's seat was not initially set for your height and leg length and you would have to adjust it in order to enjoy it more!

 

Tried threatfire, caused skipping in my blu-ray drive, so stopped using that one.

 

Hi folks,

Does anybody have Comodo Firewall 3.14.147648.588 version!?!?

If so, could you kindly Upload it for me somewhere and send me the link via PM.

THANKS!

G!

 

But Y?
CIS v4.1 has the same if not better protection and performance capabilities. And also, v5 is close to its release, and has many more features and better performance.
Any particular reason u want that particular version?

Ned.

 

Hi arjunned,

Well I tried v4.1 when it first came out ... and lot of my Apps were not being launched ... and heck I could NOT even log off the Stupid Firewall was so Protective & good I guess it would not even Recognize me as the Admin person ... so I got tired of screwing around with it and uninstalled it and went back to 3.xx version ...

And since then I could only upgrade it from 3.xx something that i had to the version that I am asking for .... that is the last version, but I can NOT find it anywhere that is "SAFE" ... so!

So, I wanted to have thatto fall back on if the darn 4.1xxx version proves to be still screwey ... to me anyway ...

May be I should give it a "Try" again! But still would appreciate if someone has the old version ... so at least I have it on hand.

Thanks,

G!

 

Hi gonwk,

I have the files, but it seems that I can't send a pm? Or rather, how can I send you a pm?

Sorry, but I can't find the "e-mail" button (per the FAQ) anywhere.
Or maybe I'm not allowed to?

 

Filehippo does have the older versions. But not the EXACT version you're looking for.

 

Thank you Baserk. i just want to try avast.

 

Hi mxyzptlk,

Thanks for the help ...

I believe if you click on my Name in the post it will give you Options to PM, E-Mail & other stuff ... then choose one and go with it ... I usually PM ... it is a lot easier ...

See below the link to NBR's FAQ ...

FAQ on E-Mails & PMs

@ Arjunned ... yeah I love FileHippo ... but I am surprised they don't have the last version ... it might be that it is Only available thru Upgrading to it.

EDIT: After my earlier post ... stuff that I wrote above the Edit line ... I decided to give COMODO Firewall 4.1.150349.920 a Try ... well it works much better than the 4.0 version that I had tried and it gave me a ton of problems ... I installed the Firewall 4.1.150349.920 with Max Protection and this time I even OPTED to join the Comodo "Threat Community" just to TRY it out ... so far so good.

Q: Do you folks run even the Third Party Apps that you Trust in Comodo SandieBox ... or outside of the SandieBox!?!?

Thanks again for the Help folks!

G!

 

Gonwk,

When I clicked your name, it only gave me 3 options: view public profile, find more posts by gonwk, add gonwk to your buddy list.

I even tried to open this page in IE (my main browser is Firefox), and got the same result.

As I mentioned before, I have read the FAQ (i.e. your link). Probably there's something wrong with my account configuration.

Btw, my files are version 3.14.130099.587, both x32 & x64. It's the last version 3 that's available for direct download at that time (even before version 4 came out). You can only get 3.14.147648.588 by updating.

I haven't check FileHippo, but maybe it's the same version as mine?

Anyway, since you're installing version 4 again, maybe this isn't so important anymore

 

Hey NBR. It's been a while since I've been active in these forums...

Anyway, I just wanted to ask if there really is still a need to install another Firewall, over the default Windows Firewall? Is it really necessary? For example, in my new netbook, do I really need it? Is a Firewall going to slow it down? Do I need a Firewall in my netbook more because I use it on public networks whenever and wherever I bring it around? (as opposed to my laptop which is practically a desktop replacement)

 

No extra firewall is necessary.
You'd only install software that would likely be resource intensive and does the same thing like Windows firewall anyway (which is customizable).

 

Even if your using it on public networks, the Windows firewall would be more than enough. Like Deks said, no need to consume extra resources using third-party software.
But you could check out this link, for customizing firewall rules.

 

Thanks for the responses. :] I was thinking the same thing, I just wasn't sure. Glad to know Windows has it covered. Microsoft has gone a long way from the really bad old XP days. I can still remember that RPC-force-restart virus on my newly-bought desktop way back in 2003. [Wait... Yeah, the Blaster worm. Thank you, Google.] It was a nightmare! Now, I'm using MSSE and Windows Firewall.

 

Comodo vs. Online Armour

Which is better. Which is lighter on resources? Win 7 64 Bit

Based on the System Requirements it seems Comodo uses needs a lot less RAM, but more hard drive (i have plenty of hard drive space). Does this information indicate which will use more resources? Common sense tells me it does.


Commodo
64-bit Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2
64 MB RAM
175 MB hard disk space

Online Armour:

Windows XP & Windows Vista & Windows 7
512 MB RAM
20 MB hard disk space
Internet access
Download Size: 10 mb

How is the antivirus that comes with Comodo?

I am using Avast av right now. It seems tempting to use a combination firewall antivirus.

 

Comodo's AV isn't near Avast so I'd stick to Avast for sure.
About the firewall+hips, Online Armor has my preference.
I'm not saying, it's better but I've found it easier to use.
Comodo also offers sandboxing, Online Armor offers a 'run safer'/LUA way of running (internet-facing) programs.
So both are more than just firewall+hips but to me Online Armor is developed more steadily and imo it's more user-friendly.

 

Avira
Microsoft Security Essentials
AVG
Avast

Currently I have Trend Micro, but that'll expire soon so I am looking for other anti-virus programs. Here's some of the free options that I found. Are these reliable? And which one of these is most preferred? If there's any other good Anti-virus programs, please note them down here.

What I want is an AV (antivirus) program which doesn't use much CPU, and that the program itself is a good AV-program.

Thanks.

 

I would recommend any of those except AVG (bloated). My personal favorite out of those you listed is Avira (effective yet very light on system resources).

 

I just bought a new computer and decided to give Comodo firewall a go.

Here are the specs of my machine:



i5-650

4 MB RAM

Win 7 64 Bit

I am wireless connected to a DIR-655 router. There are two other computers on our network. 1 is hardwired. The other wireless.

I found this tutorial about how to set up the firewall.

Is the advice on this page good? Should I ignore any of those suggestions?

COMODO Firewall tutorial

Specifically:

> Will checking "Monitor other NDIS protocols than TCP\IP" slow down my connection like it says it will? Do I need it?

> I don't see "Do packet checksum verification". Is that necessary?

I don't want my firewall to slow down my internet connection unnecessarily.

 

>Are you using a program that needs something else than TCP/IP (nmap)?
As Comodo state themselves, trojans can use another protocol than TCP/IP. Better is not to install such trojan.

>It's been removed since 4.0 beta, I think.
No. Packet checksum verification can drastically lower f.i. torrent download speeds.

 

AV-Comparatives have issued their August 2010 On-demand test results.
20 of the most well-known AV's have been tested against about 900.000 malware samples in an on-demand test.
As this is one of the few independent testing organizations performing regular tests, I use their scores on page 1.

The detection percentages and number of FP's are;

- Avira Antivir Premium: 99.8% - 10
- Avast Free Antivirus: 99.3% - 9
- MSE: 97.6% - 3

Avast wins regarding scan speed (17,2 MB/s), Avira is a tad slower (15,1 MB/s) but MSE is considerably slower (5,9 MB/s).

Please read the full report yourself for scores from Norton, Eset, Kaspersky etc, details on the this specific test, the test methods, malware sample set and FP sample set, specifics on the scan speed test and more.
Note that this is not a dynamic/real-world test, it's an on-demand detection test.
The Test report PDF can be found on this page.

note that the %-score for the paid version of Avira's AV will differ slightly from the free version detection rate

 

Any idea when MSE 2.0 will be released out of beta?

 

^ Your guess is as good as mine, unfortunately I haven't got any conclusive info.
I can still download the beta (2.0.375.0), so I guess it won't be this or next week.

 

ESET has been loosing a lot of ground this year while Avira and Avast continue to be top notch. Recently you can't seem to buy a NOD32 Antivirus license for 1 pc, you must buy either a license for 5 computers ($215) or the whole security suite for 1 comp ($60). Shame on you ESET. Avira is $26 for a 1 comp 1 year license, lighter on resources AND consistently scores better.

 

Oops, ok so you can buy Eset for 1 comp still ($40/yr), they just prefer you do it x5. My bad on that.

 

didn't read 100 pages to see if it's here already

trend micro system cleaner - free
|MG| Trend Micro System Cleaner 1.2 Download

virus pattern files for it - free
Trend Micro Download Center

 

The Online Backup part requires a monthly fee, right?
Do you know what version of the BitDefender engine it's using?

Back in August, some of the 'WildersSecurity.com regulars' were confronted with an abysmal detection rate regarding fresh MDL samples.
As in no detection at all.

 

I'm recommending SpyShelter Free to be added to this list.
The free version has:
- System protection (HIPS)
- Anti keylogger
- AntiScreenCapture
- AntiClipboardCapture