The best free security software

I've heard about that one, but i'm not sure if it's any good. I don't think i've used it.

 

Me too heard about it today....Its added in this sticky

It detected some 20 adware items left alone by spybot and asquared but took around an hour to do so......Thanks Baserk !!

 

Baserk, what do you think of Antivir and Avast? Can you tell me which one is your favorite and why?

 

I see, i'm more of a light resource, catch them all kind of guy so i prefer Antivir.

 

Me too 10char

 

That makes three of us.

 

Hey Baserk, you listed many programs under antispyware and I was wondering which one you preferred? I am currently running nod32, commodo, and threatfire. Or is my current protection enough against spyware?

 

@newskin... i run the same applications as u..and trust me wen i say ur well protected!!... you can scan with afree once in a while..

 

Thank you baserk and arjunned.

 

you missed Spyware Blaster(available along with a bunch of others at www.filehippo.com) in the free anti-spyware programs. It basically sets IE/FF to block websites with known spyware...I've had this program for over 2 years, and not a single spyware problem. only thing is you gotta manually update every once a month or so.

 

Have you guys heard about AVG 8? I'm looking forward to testing it out when the free version comes out.

 

Yeah it came out on the 28th. The newer version has some plus features like web shield. They are also offering a 1 yr free AVG internet security 7.5 with trial pay.

This can be found here
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/special-get-avg-tpay/us/frt/0

 

I've been virus free for a couple of years now(not much spyware either)
and I'm often on the hunt for things that involve bad websites.

I use Advanced System Optimizer(not free, but rarely used nor does it have any guards), Spybot S&D, and Avira.
You don't need much and those programs do the job quite well.

 

How have you forgotten Sygate Personal Firewall? It's like... the best.

 

Sygate was acquired by symantec long back. Did you know that?

 

Hi, been lurking in this thread for a while lol. I just started using Online Armor and I must say it's really great! It didn't crash my system when it tried blocking Warcraft III from accessing the internet lol [that happened with Comodo, unfortunately]!

Anyway, just wanted to ask if I should replace Avast, which has sadly failed protecting my laptop once [stupid campus PC infected my USB drive and my USB drive infected my laptop. Yep, virus went through Avast... ] with Avira Antivir? Is it really that good? What I really liked about Avast was its functionality -- even though it's a free program, it automatically updates and has that awesome boot scanner. On the other hand, what I wasn't quite fond of was, aside from that one virus incident I mentioned, Avast is a bit of a resource hog. My boot time is painfully lengthened by it because it scans ALL my startup programs and services [but I use Hibernate anyway so doesn't matter that much]. So yeah, is Avira Antivir that good and should I replace Avast?

Also wanted to ask if these "Free versions" [Online Armor, Avira Antivir] are really 'strong' enough for personal use? I would gladly pay for good software, but, unfortunately I can't.

Thanks!

 

Many many thanks for the response

So now I'm on Avira Antivir and Online Armor, in addition to ThreatFire [been using this one before, too] or maybe it should be the other way around -- ThreatFire in addition to Avira and OA. Blah. My experience has been pretty much good...

except I just don't understand why this folder is very infected -- both avast and avira have multiple virus/trojan detections in this folder:
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{202550A8-7A33-4BCA-9586-051D24DDBF8F}\

Is that System Restore? Anyway maybe I should just create a new topic on this instead...

Yeah OA lacking automatic update is really a bummer but I think AV updates are very very very much more urgent than FW updates, so I guess it's alright.

On avira, I'm also not sure what that "License valid until [insert date]" means. I thought it was free?

Aside from those mentioned, I'm happy with my new security arsenal. lol

Again, thanks!

 

I see. I'll try that. Thanks again

That's good to know.

Ack. Stupid rep limit. lol. Really appreciate the help! You're one of the most helpful and polite members here in NBR. I love getting help without feeling like a total loser n00b!

 

Thanks for the information Baserk. It's nice to know who's the best.

 

Are all, or at least most, of the programs listed in this thread x64 compatible?

 

Any idea when Online Armour will support Vista?

 

Do you recco using Comodo in the mean time? I use Online Armour for my XP loaded laptop. Just uninstalled Norton's on my Vista (ran out of the 3 month free period and don't want to pay for the service). Have installed Avast and Superspyware. Just no firewall yet.

Will I be pretty safe with Avast, Superspyware, and Comodo or would you recco anything else?

Thanks!

 

Okay, ended up installing Comodo and set the Defense+ as on. Is it recco'd to turn it off and instead use Threatfire? If so, to turn it off, do you simply go into the settings for Defense+ and put the slider to "Disabled" and that is it? Or do you also have to uncheck all the Monitor settings?

Tx

 

Sorry, we cross posted. What did you mean by "Finally make sure you have Vista FW active while surfing the web being in between Norton and Comodo."

Does this just mean to leave the Firewall on?

Sorry for all the Qs!

Cheers,

Steve

 

Thank you.

 

Update for Comodo Pro Firewall:

* FIXED! Bugs in D+ affecting CFP's ability to handle some events properly
* FIXED! CFP freezes the computer in certain cases of network traffic
* FIXED! CFP GUI slows down when some other software is installed
* FIXED! CFP GUI fails to start when resource extraction fails
* IMPROVED! The default configuration has been updated to protect more resources

Download Release Notes

 

Had to dump the newest versions of adaware, AVG, and Spyware terminator2 because of glitches, slowdowns, and freeze-ups. I am now using Avira, Jetico, and Google Spyware doctor.

 

Comodo Firewall 3.0.20.320

FIXED! Slow network performance under certain circumstances

Download Release Notes

 

Awesome!
Hmm, we need a best websites thread......

 

Thanks for the info. I'm really impressed with the development of this software.

 

I've had no problems with Defense+, but I guess other have, I just wonder how? It's really simple to use. Maybe it's not for the less technical types.

 

nice thread you got going here!

and why don't you try "for security enthusiasts"

 

Comodo Firewall 3.0.21.329

* FIXED! CFP.exe could be terminated using EndTask API
* FIXED! When the firewall alerts were disabled, all the traffic was blocked.

Download Release Notes

 

I still thing the best anti-virus is experience and internet smarts, I've been running my system completely free of anti-virus for over six months now, I've had no problems.

 

Agreed, common sense is worth a lot.

 

Common sense is nice and all, but if you use Windows, or use a computer that comes in contact with Windows, that's not a good idea at all.

 

Do I need to turn off Windows Firewall before installing Comodo Pro Firewall?

Plan to use Avira AntiVir + Threatfire + Superantispyware + Comodo Pro Firewall after a clean install, is it good enough?

Thanks Baserk, a very helpful thread

 

I think that's a great set up. Defense+ has been really messing up on me lately, so I think I may give Threatfire a try instead. Defense+ is not remembering my choices anymore.

 

Yes, turning off Windows firewall would be a good idea. That's also a good setup.

 

Yes, you don't want to be running two software firewalls at the same time. If you are concerned about an attack taking place during your Comodo install, just disconnect your network, or you can just leave Windows firewall on while you install Comodo, and then turn it off after rebooting.

 

Do you guys suggest turning off Windows Firewall completely? I had it turned off but then went to services.msg (orwhatever its called) and put it on disable and stopped it. Is that a good idea?

 

Like I said, you do not want to run any two software firewalls at the same time on your system, so pick the one you want to use, and use only it.

 

Thanks for the replies.. I really am a security rookie

Just to ask, is it important to have a antispyware with real-time protection? i would like to use SUPERAntiSpyware, but only the Pro version comes with it. Couldn't afford the Pro..

 

Thanks, Baserk

So will you suggest turning off Windows Defender?

 

I just read a little about Malwarebytes and am wondering if anyone here has firsthand experience? See link
http://www.msfn.org/comments.php?shownews=22244

 

It doesn't seem very good to me. Never tried it though.

 

After much trial and error I have (just about) settled on a combo of Online Armor, Threatfire, AVG and Superantispyware. Does this sound like a decent setup? I ran Avast for a while, but 4.7 really slowed down the system and 4.8 won't install without problems. BTW I have never had a virus on this laptop in 18 months. I want the absolute lightest drain on system resources possible, but I want/need(?) a scanner for the occasional file download and for Outlook. I use Firefox for all browsing except for that rare site where it fails. All comments would be appreciated. TIA.

 

I hear that Antivir is supposed to be pretty good, but I haven't used it myself.

 

I had issues with Avira, but unfortunately I can't remember what they were

 

You should try Avira 8 which will be released in a day or two.