Since I found avast 5 years ago that's all I've used, it's free and catches most things so I'm happy with it.
Poll: Best Antivirus
- Thread starter Professor James
- Start date
Used AVG for quite some time and was fairly happy with it. After a point though it started to become bloated and unnecessarily convoluted, so I dropped it and picked up Avast and I've been pleased with it since switching.
I also have MalwareBytes and SpyBot just for active scans.
I also have MalwareBytes and SpyBot just for active scans.
The best one I've tried is Nod32 to be honest, but as I don't wanna pay I just started using MS security essentials.
I haven't had a virus/malware warning or problem in years though, and I've also gone months at a time after reinstalling my OS without any kind of protection at all, nothing popped up after I did get protective software and did full scans, but I am generally very cautious on the internet, and have apparently been lucky enough to avoid situations where caution wouldn't matter anyway.
I haven't had a virus/malware warning or problem in years though, and I've also gone months at a time after reinstalling my OS without any kind of protection at all, nothing popped up after I did get protective software and did full scans, but I am generally very cautious on the internet, and have apparently been lucky enough to avoid situations where caution wouldn't matter anyway.
Hmm, maybe it's gotten better - I've seen it slow down normal desktop PCs before and a friend of mine finally had to switch to a different AV because of it. I know a couple of other people also had issues with slowdowns but were fine with them, so they didn't move over to anything else.MorganL4 said:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/avc_sum_201212_en.pdf
Bitdefender is by objective scientific metrics; measuring: file detection abilities, anti-phishing, heuristics, computer performance, ect.
Bitdefender is by objective scientific metrics; measuring: file detection abilities, anti-phishing, heuristics, computer performance, ect.
I always use the free version of Avast and I've never had an issue, granted I'm an IT professional so maybe it's not as good as I think but the only other AV I rate is kaspersky but when I used that it was a lot more resource intensive.
As for Norton and Mcafee I wouldn't touch them with a barge poll.
As for Norton and Mcafee I wouldn't touch them with a barge poll.
I run a cocktail of COMODO, Malwarebytes and Spybot on top of adblock (not here, I PubClub here) alongside NoScript. I refuse to use anything that requires payment as I can do a little more legwork and get the same performance or better for free.
Same, even if they're getting better about the resources that they use up they've still got a shitton of catch-up to play before I'll ever consider them for my machines. Like having a decent free version.devotedsniper said:
During my 4 years in IT I've worked for companies that have used NOD32, Sophos, and Kaspersky as business solutions. Sophos in my experience was pretty terrible with prevention, NOD32 was good with resource efficiency, and Kaspersky which I'm using in my current job has the most advanced features in terms of computer management, but is resource heavy.
At home I've always stuck to AVAST for many years, never had a single infection with it installed. The silent option and resource efficiency is also great for gaming.
At home I've always stuck to AVAST for many years, never had a single infection with it installed. The silent option and resource efficiency is also great for gaming.
I'm using AVG right now as it's free. My preference however is ESET Nod32. Lightweight, fast and pretty darn thorough. I'm too cash strapped to renew the license each year right now though. It's big selling point for me was that it did it's job without constantly feeling this needy need to tell it was and it stayed the fuck out of my way.
the best antivirus though is not being a blithering idiot in your web habits though. First defense is always user diligence.
the best antivirus though is not being a blithering idiot in your web habits though. First defense is always user diligence.
I answered "Other" because you didn't list 'Prevention'.
The best antivirus is not to get a virus. Be careful out there folks.
The best antivirus is not to get a virus. Be careful out there folks.
I've had AVG for several years and it hasn't found a single virus yet.
I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
Anti-virus?
In all seriousness I've found most anti-virus software that isn't Norton or McAfee usually does the job. I been using Kaspersky on my windows install for 3 years running with little issue, although it does like to occasionally flag game launchers as malicious software. Before that I used Bit Defender which was serviceable if a bit system intensive.
In all seriousness I've found most anti-virus software that isn't Norton or McAfee usually does the job. I been using Kaspersky on my windows install for 3 years running with little issue, although it does like to occasionally flag game launchers as malicious software. Before that I used Bit Defender which was serviceable if a bit system intensive.
You sneaky ninja you. Diving out of the trees and swiping the wind from my sails.Esotera said:
My PC is about 7 years old (GPU is 4 or 5..) and a dual core so... Yeah kaspersky isn't THAT hungry a beast when it's only idling and noscoping malware scripts as it does. A full scan is a surefire way to make everything run like arse though!MorganL4 said:
OT: I use kaspersky for my windows time and on Linux I just don't bother because nobody makes viruses for Linux because very few people use Linux.
Norton and McAfee are bloated pieces of crap these days. And that's before I get into their business models.
IT Managers I've spoken to in the past couple of years have recommended Nod32 or TrendMicro.
In the free stakes for Windows home users, you've got three main players: AVG lopped off a lot of core functionality from its free product some years back. Avast! is still complete as far as I know, but has become really resource intensive and comes with a buggy, bloated client. MSE is lightweight and complete when bundled with Windows Defender, and probably my pick of the bunch.
Back in the pay category, dishonourable mention to AhnLab V3 for being the worst piece of shit rogueware I've ever encountered, yet sadly clocking huge sales globally.
* * *
Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Nothing will ever beat the potent combo of:
a) Not accepting USB drives from deadbeat friends.
b) NoScript.
IT Managers I've spoken to in the past couple of years have recommended Nod32 or TrendMicro.
In the free stakes for Windows home users, you've got three main players: AVG lopped off a lot of core functionality from its free product some years back. Avast! is still complete as far as I know, but has become really resource intensive and comes with a buggy, bloated client. MSE is lightweight and complete when bundled with Windows Defender, and probably my pick of the bunch.
Back in the pay category, dishonourable mention to AhnLab V3 for being the worst piece of shit rogueware I've ever encountered, yet sadly clocking huge sales globally.
* * *
Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Nothing will ever beat the potent combo of:
a) Not accepting USB drives from deadbeat friends.
b) NoScript.
So, Linux is indeed nice for avoiding viruses. For now, because it isn't a mainstream OS.
I spend most of my time logged into Windows because most games are for Windows, however. Well, games that make it to the PC.
I don't honestly know what is the best, but I use Avast like pretty much everyone.
I spend most of my time logged into Windows because most games are for Windows, however. Well, games that make it to the PC.
I don't honestly know what is the best, but I use Avast like pretty much everyone.