Free virus protection programs: worth the risk versus the ones you pay for?

Does AVG include an uninstaller? So I guess I'll get that and an anti-malware program. But, um, shouldn't a decent AV program also protect you from malware? Thanks for all the advice though. Now all I have to do is uninstall or deactivate the Norton first. Any suggestions as to how go about doing that and installing AVG so there aren't any fuckups from running two such programs doing the same thing.

Download your choosen antivirus program, then turn off your modem, uninstall norton, it might require reboot (keep modem off)... now install the downloaded anti virus program, reboot, turn on your modem.

A good anti virus also protects for some kind of malware, but 100% only goes in theory, so its always good to back it up with an anti malware program. but do not keep more than 1 anti virus program installed at the same time, as they will fight each other, and make things worse instead of better, tho anti malware you can have more of at the same time.

Hope this helps you out a bit

I'm going to go against the majority here and say that if you're looking for the best possible protection against infections, you're not going to find it in "free" 3rd party software. Although it's unnecessarily heavy, Norton/Symantec has ALWAYS been among the highest rated in any comprehensive antivirus test for preventing infections.

Antivirus-AVG Free
Firewall-ZA Free
Malware-Malwarebytes

Been running these for years and have never had any problems. I tend not to visit the dicey porn/wares sites which seem to be choked full of nastys your pc can pick up.

http://www.my-security-software.com/best-antivirus/ <-- here is a test of several AV programs

Kaspersky wins, followed by BitDefender, Norton gets rank 7.
I know the Kaspersky there is the 2009 but if you go to http://www.my-security-software.com/kaspersky-antivirus-2010 they still choose kaspersky.


Check their main site for an overview of different types of security software

http://www.my-security-software.com/

been using avast for years and have never had an issue with it.

my standard arsenal consists of:

avast - antivirus
malwarebytes - antimalware
superantispyware- antispyware
ccleaner - system cleaner
decrapafier - to be used for new oem pc's

i know a lot of people that use avg as well and say its just as good. never had an issue w/ avast as long as ive been using it so i have no need to switch for another.

Quote:

Originally posted by wantnakedwomen

Yes AVG 100% but also install other stuff to help cover your computer like Ad-Ware and Spybot Search & Destroy and are all free downloads

now i know loads of people that use these and i did my self but i stopped using ad-ware and spybot 3 months ago.

what happened was i brought a new pc and every one was telling me these 2 programmes were just making viruses etc up so just as a thought i took my new pc straight out of the box conected it to the internet and with out doing any thing else i installed the 2 programmes and ran a scan with them both.

spy bot told me it had found 3 trojans and 5 viruses
and there was a whole load of crap found by ad-ware.

3 weeks ago i did the same with my wifes new laptop straight out the box and again they both found loads of crap so i now for 1 believe people when they say that most of theses programmes lie about what they have found after all no company does anything for free and in the end they are just trying to convince you there programme is great so you upgrade and buy full protection

just my 2 cents worth

You know, I've always figured, if you drive a Chevrolet, use genuine Chevrolet parts when needed. Same thing with computers. If you are using a Windows based PC, why not then use a free Antivirus/antispyware made by Microsoft for Microsoft computers. I mean that seems the most logical?

As long as your windows is genuine and not a stolen product, the Microsoft security essentials download from Microsoft is second to none. Updates in the background, never slows the PC down, simple interface, and its combined spyware and virus detection is constantly picking things up that neither Norton, Nod32 (my second choice), or AVG ever found for me.

Take a look for yourself!

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

by the way, Security Essentials used to be a pay for use program, that because of popular demand Microsoft has now made freeware.

Thanks. I think AVG has tso far been a good thing since I downloaded and started using it. I also have to stress some common-sense net cruising habits and settings as well as being familiar with Microsoft's included security settings and programs.

Well, even though AVG is supposed to be free, it's not showing me a nag screen saying I have a mere 16 days to pay fo rmy cooy or it'll expire. I think I am using the free advanced version whcih will downgrade to the normal, free version, but it also keeps threatening to no longer offer virus protection. Since even the free version offers virus protection, I dunno what gives. So what gives?

Thanks.

Jeff

Quote:

Originally posted by sigmer

...

I really have to disagree here...


a lot of the free AV programs, if not all, are lacking rootkit detection
([ Link ] ) . I am a big fan of free software my self, but if there are 1 kind of software i suggest buying it is Antivirus / internet security, what you spend on expensive hardware dosnt matter if you are infected and cant use the hardware at its optimal preformance or the infection destroys your hardware (and yes it can).. [/b]

Listen to Sigmer, the guy knows his stuff.

At home on my windows partition I use "Zone Alarm Extreme Sucurity Suite" without any problems.

You can get rootkit software for free also. To me, the decision point between free/paid is based on "Do you want multiple programs from different companies or just one suite that does everything?" If you want a suite from one company that does it all then pay for it. If you are fine with getting the best free program for each thing then do that. In my experience, there is no suite that is great at everything so I have no issue getting 5-6 different security programs from different companies and running them.

Quote:

Originally posted by BoobCrew

You know, I've always figured, if you drive a Chevrolet, use genuine Chevrolet parts when needed. Same thing with computers. If you are using a Windows based PC, why not then use a free Antivirus/antispyware made by Microsoft for Microsoft computers. I mean that seems the most logical?

As long as your windows is genuine and not a stolen product, the Microsoft security essentials download from Microsoft is second to none. Updates in the background, never slows the PC down, simple interface, and its combined spyware and virus detection is constantly picking things up that neither Norton, Nod32 (my second choice), or AVG ever found for me.

Take a look for yourself!

[ Link ]

by the way, Security Essentials used to be a pay for use program, that because of popular demand Microsoft has now made freeware.

Been using this for a while now with windows 7, runs smoothly with no upgrade bullshit or expiry dates, it does everything and it's free. By far the best one I've used yet (beer)

Just PMSL @ AVG, I wouldn't use that if it were free ......You may as well just flag everything as a virus and then market yourself as an AV producer, works for Grisoft !!

I'd never pay for AV software, AVAST is the best at the moment, I also use AdvancedSystemCare (FREE) to clean and optimize my system.
Malwarebytes is good if not a little annoying due to it's lack of user configuration.

guys this is great info i am currently in malware spyware trojan hell and can't get out. have used spybot search and destroy but something nasty is still in there. any suggestions? I have downloaded avast but it sounds like i need more? pretty clueless on these matters and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks

help

Once you are infected it can be very difficult to uninfect yourself. Start with the stuff at http://www.techsupportalert.com/pc/security-tools.html and hit their forums also. They have a lot of good info and tools. Hope one of them helps you.


EDIT: Start at http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/someones-removal-guide.htm with their malware removal guide. Then go to the rest fo the stuff above.

thanks will give this a try

GUYS GUYS GUYS....okay, my last post was asking why AVG is suddenly, though it sis supposed ot be free, saying it's going to expire. How about we get that answered first before we get into what flavors of edible panties you prefer, okay? Thanks.

Quote:

Originally posted by nightowl613

GUYS GUYS GUYS....okay, my last post was asking why AVG is suddenly, though it sis supposed ot be free, saying it's going to expire. How about we get that answered first before we get into what flavors of edible panties you prefer, okay? Thanks.

Two possibilities


1) If you are on Version 9, if you installed the Pro Trial version instead of the Free version it will say that. When you are installing the Free version it still asks you (and defaults to) the Pro Trial version at one critical juncture in the process. My suggestion would be to uninstall AVG and reinstall the Free version correctly. Just pay careful attention when installing to ensure you have the FREE install and not the trial.

2) If you are not on AVG 9, then it could be that your version will no longer be receiving updates as it is too old. In that case, upgrade to 9 Free version.


If neither of those help, try http://free.avg.com/us-en/support-free which is the support page for AVG free.