The best free security software

Yeah, these are the most recommended antivirus software, but I think Immunet and McAfee are the best and light antivirus programs.

 

Right mcafee the best ? In what universe ? Funny post

 

no kidding. WTH was that he/she thinking?

 

Most of those analysis are partial to the AV companies that pay the biggest money anyway.

 

Really?
AV-Comparatives does testing with help of the Uni of Innsbruck. Sure, companies pay for testing, it's not done for free but these tests are not bought like some reviews.
They do single product test reviews also, like for Imen Internet Security, Kingsoft AV, Zeobit and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 for Linux Desktop. Not really the biggest AV-marketing companies.
On MRG Effitas, some of the main top scorers are Emsisoft EAM, Malwarebytes MBAM and SurfRight HitmanPro. Again, not the biggest AV-marketeers in the business.
What incentive would the free AV's, tested at WestCoastlabs, have for paying for such a continuous test?

 

Hi guys,

Probably my last post in this thread; I'm not going to maintain this thread anymore/the 'Best free security software' list on page 1.
As I've posted in a separate thread link, I'll be handing over the thread to the NBR mods.
They'll decide what happens next of course. Perhaps some/one of the other NBR members wants to take over or start a new similar thread but I'm signing off.
cheers.

 

Passing the torch i guess? Anyway, thanks for the posts and advice!

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

 

Hi Baserk,

I really appreciate all the Help, Advice that you provided to us all these years.

Baserk, Wish You A Great Happy New 2013 Year. I will miss your Advice and posts here!

G!

 

are these compatible with windows 8?

 

MSE not, it is replaced by the build in Windows Defender.

The others are:

Windows 8 approval

AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Windows 8

 

Well, looks like Baserk's Last Update of November 2012 will be the Last Update for this Great Thread! Oh well!

G!

 

Hi folks,

Since Baserk & NBR has always helped me and since Baserk is not around to add updates :cry: ... here is my attempt to provide some update while I was searching for some info ...

Real-World Protection-Test Factsheet March 2013

AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Jan/Feb 2013

G!

 

Has anyone tried the Avast firewall?

Is it good?

 

At the moment, i'm using an antivirus called common sense.

It works with neuroscience, and tells your brain if a link is dodgy before you click it.

(but i do use MSE/Windows defender just in case)

 

Avast is one of the best free AV programs out there. I like Sandboxie for links or programs that seem dodgy.

 

Ah, common sense I see. In my experience it's always free and compatible with pretty much any antivirus software on any operating system. Also, updates are applied instantaneously as long as your hardware has the capability of identifying mistakes, implementing a fix, and avoiding similar issues in the future. Unfortunately, many people lack this hardware. In this case, it can be like pissing on a forest fire.

 

Pretty much use common sense as well. Avoid sketchy sites, don't give out personal information, don't accept downloads I didn't initiate, blah blah blah.

I run Linux on my laptop, so security software really isn't required. But for my desktop, MSE and Malwarebyte's in combination make for a good back-up, just in case.

 

1. Common Sense
2. MSE
3. Free Malwarebytes (on-demand)
4. Windows Firewall (the one that comes with Windows 7).

No problems on my end.
I also use Ad-Block Plus, Do Not Track, and HTTPS Everywhere extensions for Google Chrome - seems to be able to avoid a majority of mishaps that many people apparently fall into, even those who are not well versed in the subject matter.

At any rate, this kind of combination works for me and the computers I used it on.

 

ANTI-MALWARE REPORTS PDF:

http://www.dennistechnologylabs.com/reports/s/a-m/2013/DTL_2013_Q3_Home.1.pdf

 

A very big thank you to you. I've been looking for an alternative to Avast when building PCs for friends and family. I think I'll try Bitdefender in a VM and see what I can throw at it.

 

2 also interesting reports:

AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test August-November 2013 : http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/avc_prot_2013b_en.pdf

AV-TEST comprehensive test results and awarded AV-TEST certificates on Windows XP : AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Sep/Oct 2013

 

Hi folks,

Gandalf Thanks for the AV Comparatives.

Seems like Panda is moving up in being a Nice Free AV. As far as MSE ... friend of mine uses it ... I think his OS is Win 7 ro Vista ... not sure ... and he is not a Techie at all (& I am not either, but I get around) ... and he got ton of problems ... and he never goes to any "Funny Sites" ...

I personally still stuck with Avira and Comodo as Firewall ... it is A-OK!

G!

 

'gonwk', if your friend uses MSE and has 'tons of problems' as you say... just what are his practices on the internet?
A lot of people get infections from clicking on all sorts of ads, etc. and just behaving in a less than educated capacity (regardless of the type of AV they use).
Also, define 'funny sites'.
I download torrents, go to websites, etc., and I don't have any problems (I use MSE).

So, you will have to be more specific than that I'm afraid.

 

I'd tell him to lay off of the sketchy p0rn sites. And the sketchy torrents as well, if he does that.

An anti-virus software, no matter which one you use, isn't going to help a user without some common sense about safety o. The internet.

 

AV-Comparatives Summary-Report » AV-Comparatives

Product of the year: Kaspersky

Top rated products: Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, BullGuard, ESET, Fortinet and F-Secure

AV-TEST: Products tested on Windows 8.1: http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-8/novdec-2013/

 

Hi Gandalf,

Q1: What OS do you use?
Q2: And what is your AV Protrection set-up?

Thanks,

G!

 

Hi gwonk,

My OS is Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit

My AV is Qihoo 360 Internet Security (this is an av only) and I use Windows own firewall.

I'm also running HitmanPro.Alert 2.5 beta with CryptoGuard and Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit BETA 0.09.5.100.

My goal is to have the best free protection that is foolproof , light and hassle free, but were not there yet

As a member of the Wilders Security Forums I tend to switch av's a lot.

An insightful post by Kees aka Windows_Security about preventing exploits: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=358736

A great list of free av's: http://bcic.comze.com/security/antivirus/antivirus.html

 

Hi Gandalf,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Wow ... I had never heard of "Qihoo" ... going to check it out.

Q: Does MBAM Anti-Exploit crash or cause any problems for you!?!?

Thanks for the links, I am going to check those.

BTW, my current setup is Vista Home Prem., X64, SP2 with Avira, Comodo Firewall (sometimes with HIPS), WinPatrol and SpywareBlaster.

But, after reading AV Ratings from your Post # 1366 ... I am thinking may be Switch from Avira to Avast ...

Thanks,

G!

 

Hi gwonk,

I have absolutely no problems with MBAE.

Another nice addition to your security arsenal is HitmanPro.Alert 2.5 beta with CryptoGuard because it protects your files from the CryptoLocker ransomware:
HitmanPro.Alert CryptoGuard - SurfRight

If Avira is working for you there is no need to replace it with Avast, because different test show different results and in the latest AV TEST Avast didn't score that great:
AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Nov/Dec 2013

The most important is to keep your OS, browser and plug ins like flash, Java, adobe reader up to date because most exploits don't work on an up to date system.

You can use for example Secunia PSI for that: https://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/
If you're interested in Secunia PSI I would get version 2, because I find version 3 very slow on my system.
https://secunia.com/products/consumer/PSI/sys_req/

 

Hi Gandalf,

Sorry I haven't responded back any sooner, was a little under the weather ...

Gandalf, Thanks for the Tip on HitmanPro.Alert ...

Q1: I wonder though would adding this to my AV setup cause a Conflict?

BTW, I do use Secunia PSI, but I have stayed with version 1.5.0.2 ... I like the GUI, how it looks and easier to manuver and more control ... the sad part is you can NOT find that version anywhere anymore. I do the Scan but I never download and install from their Links ...

Q2: Have You ever Downloaded and Installed from thier Suggested Link!?!? Does it work OK?

Thanks again!

G!

 

Hi gwonk,

No worries, hope all is well now.

Q1: until the latest update I would say no, but there are some problems now.
See the last page of the forum thread at Wilders:
HitmanPro.Alert Support and Discussion Thread - Page 45 - Wilders Security Forums
An alternative could be Bitdefenders Cryptolocker-blocking tool available here: Cryptolocker Ransomware Makes a Bitcoin Wallet per Victim | Bitdefender Labs

Q2: I had no problems using Secunia's suggested links.

Have you switched av yet?

Bitdefender AV Free or Panda Cloud AV Free protect your files from encryption.
Free Antivirus Software - Download Bitdefender Antivirus Free (not available in The Netherlands, France and Iran )
Bitdefender Antivirus Free - English GUI - Wilders Security Forums
Panda Cloud Antivirus
Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.2 Released [2.3 released] - Wilders Security Forums

 

A1: I have Windows 7x64 Ult Sp1
A2: MSE and it's free and integrates into Windows and sets your Windows update to auto update without you having to turn it on. That is a bigger plus for those forgetting to allow auto Windows update should they forget or don't know how to. Also it isn't bloatware that another bigger plus and it scans zip and email downloads besides being a malware scanner and A/V scanner all in one package. Something M$ did good at making for its Windows users and no monthly paid subscription to get the updates small memory impact usage. To me this makes this a good value for having a free M$ programs that they don't give out for free usually.

 

Hi Gandalf,

Q1: So, are you suggesting that I should Switch my AV to either Bitdefender or Panda Cloud?

Q2: If so, which one the 2 AV you like Better?

@ StormJumper ... Thanks for Sharing your Setup. I hear a lot of good things about MSE ... especially when used with Windows 7 and on ... and as long as you don't Visit the Sites that I do ...

Thanks again guys!

G!

 

Well to each their own protection but remember those sites are making your computer a botnet or zombie computer and you may never know it.

 

Hi gwonk,

Q1: I don't suggest that you should switch, I just wondered if you did.

Q2: I liked them both, but are not using one of them, I'm using Qihoo 360 Internet Security.

Bitdefender Free used the least resources of the 2, but due to a conflict with my navigation software I don't use it anymore.

Panda Cloud AV is very good, protects the system very well, found a rootkit that no other software has found, but slowed my system down to much for my liking.

That's why I'm now using Qihoo 360 Internet Security it also uses the Bitdefender engine and gives me no problems on my system.
If you look at the latest AV Test on Windows 8.1 and sort the results on performance you see that Qihoo 360 Internet Security performs well in all 3 categories.
AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Nov/Dec 2013

 

Nice List and thanks for your information, Avast, Avira, Mcfe, Optimo Defender, Panda are very good av i think

 

For those looking for another independent organization that puts AV suites through their paces, check out AV-comparatives.org

AV-Comparatives Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software » AV-Comparatives

The latest roundup is from December 2013. Full summary report can be read HERE.

 

Bit Defender is the best,,the rest are less

Cheers
3Fees

 

Hey guys, I have an old computer at work that still runs on Win XP, and Microsoft will discontinue support for it soon. There's also some issues regarding MSE with XP too, so I need a new AV program. Aside from upgrading the OS (don't think that's possible on this machine) and buying a new computer, what are some good free AV programs that still work with XP?

 

Hi Architectz,

You probably Better off getting a New computer ... they are really cheap. But, you can use Avast, Avira, Panda Cloud, Comodo Internet Security 2014 v6 ... pick one and try out if you like you keep, if no go to the next one ...

Hope this Helps!

G!

 

So is it best to go with Avast + Malwarebytes?

What would you guys recommend for protecting my computer?

 

MSE + Free Malwarebytes will suffice just fine.

While certain tests may make MSE seem less than capable, in actual practical situations I saw it being better than Avast (which incidentally let through a lot of stuff) - though I would surmise that Avast + Free Malwarebytes WOULD also be ok.

Coupled with AdBlock Plus, HTTPS Everywhere and Do not Track me, I think you can easily protect yourself to the point where potential threats will be severely minimized.

 

Which is the combination that I've been using for years now, and has never let me down.

Obviously, YMMV.

Agreed.

 

Thanks guys! Running Avast and Malwarebytes now.

 

I have MSE for my Windows 7x64 and no I didn't need such things as ad plus or Avast or Malwarebytes. I done fine with the standard Windows firewall in combination with MSE and it was free for my O/S and a bigger plus for those forgetting to turn on Windows Update MSE will make that a auto functional so one can set and forget it. I edit my hosts file and blocked sites from the hosts file and that is way better then any adplus program can ever do and I can change it on the fly and it doesn't affect my browsing. This is how I do it to speed up my internet browsing and no secondary software like adplus when I block the sites ahead of time. I used Avira but since last year went to MSE because it better integrates my protection with MSE since if you have Windows/Firewall getting MSE just helps with the protection more since it is a malware/virus scanner/detector all in one already.

 

Anyone using the latest Comodo Internet Security? Looking for pointers on what settings to use to make browsing speed unaffected. I have real-time scanning turned off since there was a noticeable lag with the browser opening pages/images with it on. I have it for the firewall which is what I originally wanted it for, just curious if there's any use to using the antivirus as well.

 

Here are my personal favorites:

Immunet
AVG
Kaspersky
Bitdefender
Panda Cloud

 

Fyi: MaximumPC magazine just did a review of 10 anti-virus software platforms including 3 free versions in their July 2014 issue. If your cheap, you can wait 3-4 months for the July issue to be a free PDF download on their website.

 

so what was their findings?

 

You'd have to read the article for all the pro's / con's, but for the free versions they rated them:

Spoiler

Avast 8/10
Avira 8/10
AVG 6/10