The best free security software

Everytime my Avira updates it asks me if I want to upgrade to premium? Can I turn that off?

I have Comodo and Avira. My Windows Security Center is running in the taskbar and both firewall and antivirus are checked on. Should I disable the Windows firewall?

Thanks.

 

Sure you can. Just follow the steps posted here; link.

If you have Comodo Firewall Pro up and running, you can turn off the Windows Firewall. There is no need to run both.
Cheers.

 

Thanks. I have XP Home. Can't I just rename the notifiy exe to bak?

 

Like it has been posted in one of the replies on the webpage I linked to, if the program finds the notify.exe missing it will just reinstall it after an update.
Check this reply from that webpage; link.
That should do it.
Cheers.

 

Instructions for All OS's here:
http://www.elitekiller.com/files/disable_antivir_nag.htm

 

Any thoughts on Sophos?

 

out of curiousity why isnt other firewalls on the reccomended list?
I was using Comodo firewall but the shutdown was insane so I am looking to switch, anyone have any reccomendations for me?

 

No other firewalls are mentioned mainly because those are the only good free firewalls. Heck, Comodo and Online Armor are better than most paid for firewalls. Check out the results on matousec to get an idea about where various firewalls are ranked.

About Sophos, I don't think it's worth it. It's active protection is a little too active and gives off many false positives. The scanner built into Sophos isn't that great either when compared to the alternatives. Stick with Nod32 or Kasp. Those are your best bets for paid for anti virus programs.

 

A strong security application I've just added in the first post is;

SandboxIE.

It's a program that creates a temporary storage area, a sandbox, between the web and your HD.
I've posted earlier on this program in other threads but for reference I'll post about it in my sticky also.

SandboxIE is a very strong security tool. Whether it's suits you, depends on your security needs vs. surfing/net behaviour.
It's a 100% legit and valid application, download it and learn about it here; link
Check out web browsing with SandboxIE here; link.
Check how to test applications with SandboxIE here; link.
Make sure to make a backup of all personal data before installing SandboxIE, sometimes it can react a bit 'funny' (OJ funny, not funny funny) to other security applications when installing it.

For more extensive information and user comments on the program, check the SandboxIE forum or Wilders Security.
Cheers.

 

Latest version of Avira Personal is out now, AntiVir Personal 8.1.00.326

 

If you already have Avira, it should update automatically to the new version. I've tried it and it worked fine.

 

I looked at the recomended programs for antispyware on the first page.

superantispyware, antiwalware something and A2

whats the best one? I dont want anything dodgey, and all their websites look dodgey...

 

http://www.anti-malware-test.com/?q=taxonomy/term/5

 

" All their websites look dodgy..." You're kidding, right?
First of all, those 3 are completely legit programs from legit companies.
So they are all safe to download and use.

I might understand why you think SUPERAntispyware's website looks awkward but Emsisoft's website...?
What's dodgy about that website for ****'s sake?
SUPERAntispyware and Malwarebytes'sAntimalware are the best of those 3 by the way.
Cheers.

 

New notebook! yay! Thanks for this thread Baserk and every one that contributed.

Johnny T

P.S. Take it easy on the language. :wink:

 

I have a question about this topic.
Can anyone recommand me best ant-ivirus/antyspyware/anti-adware/parental control softwares among both free and non-free ones?

 

A good practice that not everyone always thinks about (not fool-proof or comprehensive) would be to set up and account with OpenDNS ( www.opendns.com). This enables you to prohibit the browsing of certain types of web pages at all.

As far as parental control goes though, if your kids are as dubious as some in this forum are, you'll be lucky to "control" the usage of your computer =P

If you have kids that love to play flash games online (A.K.A. spyware HAVEN), I would look into something like Sandboxie, or DeepFreeze to keep your system free of muck.

 

When I had teenagers in the house, I bought them their own computers, set them up on their own subnet, and gave them the OS install disks to get back up should they mess up completely.

 

Is it completely redundant to have both AVIRA AntiVir and Comodo Firewall Pro installed? I wanted a firewall and a solid virus scanner but I'm not sure just how much each of these programs does.

 

^Avira doesn't have a firewall. Those two should be fine together.

I tried AVG and Avira. AVG missed some viruses and caused problems. McAfee caught the viruses which is bad news to me because we all know what is generally thought of McAfee.. Avira wouldn't load into my system tray. I did a google search and found it was a common problem. Followed a guide that was supposed to fix it and it didn't. Ended up just buying ESET Smart Security and couldn't be happier.

Perhaps when it runs out I will try Avira again, or Avast!

 

Man, all you people talk about one program catching a virus for you when another did not...

What on earth are you doing to contract so many virii?

 

I have only seen one virus on my home machine in the past 5 years, and that was in an attached Word document sent in an email from a clueless source, and that virus was detected, quarantined, and susequently deleted.

 

I'm with you Mr. Doe...4 years ago I was in a hurry clicking through emails and I almost blindly opened an email containing a worm.

It sounds to me like the best Anti-Virus program out there is our own brains?

 

Spot on, Meetloaf13. I regard any anti-virus software secondary to good common sense and safe computing habits. However, that doesn't mean antivirus software isn't important or useful

 

I have OutLook 2007 set up to only accept emails from those I manually place in my Safe Senders list an those in my Contacts; all others go to the Junk mail to be determined. Further, Outlook 2007 is set to not automatically download pictures or other content.

 

Congrats on the new notebook!
Hmmmm, delicious feeling, everything new and shiny, going for a new ultimate setup?!

Will try to be more gentle though.
I just couldn't believe someone thinks Emsisoft.com looks dodgy, it's the home of Mamutu for pete's sake.
Meh, whatever.

Have fun with your new "precious".

 

lol
how about Trojans ?
any ideas on how to prevent the M

 

rs1985, was that directed at me?
I don't really understand the question...

 

any antivirus can be free..... if you are willing to be illegal... (i am not condoning downloading/torrenting files. it is illegal and should never be done. this was a joke and should be taken as such.)

 

I've had CFP for awhile now and just installed Avira (NOD32 subscription ran out). CFP is a firewall and it's D+ a behaviour blocker. Avira is a AV. I also added free SUPERAntiSpyware and got pop up when configuring for a $20 lifetime license for real time scanning.


No conflicts everything runs fine together.

 

I'm currently using Avast, and it works great, but do I really need the Virus Recovery Database (VRDB) option enabled? I mean, it's taking up a whole separate icon in the bottom right tray... does this usually slow down system performance? Should I just disable it?

 

The VRDB does take some time to build when you install Avast, the performance hit is a bit subjective and also depends on your hardware of course.
The two icons can be merged into one, just right-click the VRDB icon and select the option 'merge with the main avast! icon'.
Cheers.

 

This is a question about the paid anti virus softwares and firewalls : Will a combination of Avira AntiVir Premium and Outpost Firewall slow down my laptop ? I mean, will these slow down games or take up a high amount of resources ?

 

Still trying to defeat the Aviva notify screen, it seems to keep outsmarting me. I tried blocking the securities method by rebooting in safe mode, put the url in my hosts file, and blocking it in Comodo. I am running XP Home. Though when I tried the properties method not all permissions would stick.


Any alternative suggestions?

Thanks.

 

Try this:

Source: http://www.iceteks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5057&st=0&#entry38883

 

That does not work in XP Home, only Pro.

XP Home does not have a local security policy.

 

Sorry, I didn't notice you mentioned XP Home. How about this...

1. Boot into Safe Mode.
2. Log into an account with administrator privileges.
3. Open [driveinstalledon]:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic.
4. Right click on avnotify.exe and go to Properties > Security > Advanced.
5. Click on Edit-> Traverse Folder / Execute File-> deny-> OK.
6. Repeat for all users.
7. Reboot your computer normally.

 

Tried this. It wont stick for everything, I have 3 on top that the properties apply to and the 3 parent objects on the bottom I cant change (even as admin). And then it doesnt work.

 

I also get a msg that Avira Updater has updated my config and I need to restart my pc.

 

i have a question about avast. i have had it for a while now and lately ive been getting messages that my subscription will expire soon. i have the free edition installed. i remember reading that the program will re-register on its own. is that true? what do i do?

 

I believe it automatically renews your subscription once it "expires".

 

Just visit this page link, choose the third option and enter your details for subscription renewal, it's easy.
Cheers.

 

Amazing post!!

I downloaded Avast! and Comodo, and quickly got rid of my Mcafee, because they work amazing.

Thanks SO much for this, been searching ages for a good, free, Anti-virus and Firewall!

 

Make sure you use the McAfee Removal Tool to completely get rid of McAfee: http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=107083&lc=1033

 

Thanks! I totally forgot about that removal tool, and how just un-installing it won't get rid of it completely.

 

I have recently uninstalled AVG and have Avira Antivir Premium to my laptop, it has managed to catch a trojan TR.Vundo.Gen. It has been quarantined and I have deleted it.
however since then, I find that it takes a long time for internet explorer to load and goes to my homepage. does anyone know what is wrong? and how can i resolve this. has the trojan corrupted something?
At this moments I have Antivir & Threatfire, is this sufficient?

 

Are you using a firewall? XP or Vista?

 

I don't think I have any firewall, Should i have one? will it further slow down my internet explorer when loading and my pc?
I'm using Windows XP Pro

 

If you have a Windows OS like XP Pro, you have a firewall and yes you need it.
First of all, it's important to find the reason for your slow internet connection.
Have you tried reinstalling IE7? (Or installing Firefox )
Also, it might be wise to run either SAS or MBAM for an extra malware check, check my signature for download links.
I doubt they will find anything if Avira declares the notebook clean but it sure can't hurt.
You can also find a couple of sites through my sig link to check whether your firewall makes you 'invisible'.
You might want to take a look at 'Online Armor' firewall when you have solved the slow internet connection.
Avira and ThreatFire is an excellent combination btw.
Cheers.

 

Hi Baserk
Thank you for your advice, I have uninstalled IE7 and installed Firefox3, it definitely loads faster than IE7!! i think I'm sticking to FF3.
I have also installed SAS and ran a check,nothing came out as predicted.
Can I ask what do you mean by "invisible"? this is what its suppose to be or not with my firewall ON? I'll take a look at Online Armor, thanks again.