Do you use : No Antivirus , FREE Antivirus , or PAID Antivirus and why?

[Lannister in the North]

Have been using bitdefender AVP on 3 systems for 3 years;
I can remember the odd stability issue now and then, but nothing too jarring.
Haven't had any issues with the 2017 version so far.

Other than that I use malwarebytes free now and then.
I don't find the 3.0 UI to be an improvement, but that is purely cosmetic so meh.
I find it slightly annoying that they seem to be pushing their premium version harder in 3.0;
The option to install the free version directly instead of the trial is gone from the installer, the only way is to "downgrade" version after installation.
It is a great free service still, so I don't really have a right to complain though.

edit: grammar

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I agree , I don't like how they want everyone to buy into the 3.0 , it slows my system down.

 

[James_397]

The entire thread has been silly from the get-go. There is no one better solution than another. At any time AV-Test and AV Comparatives and Virus Bulletin and CNET and PC Mag (et al) will post different AV makers and quote all sorts of statistics to prove their case. Most people don't concern themselves with this nonsensical search. It's more about obsessive-compulsive disorder than actual knowledge of the dangers posed by exposing oneself online. For people simply surfing, writing emails, communicating on Facebook and paying bills and shopping, Windows Defender is perfectly adequate IN SPITE of what these labs tell you. Use your common sense. Stop all the silly nonsense of first downloading one AV program and then jumping to another and then another and then another. And stop asking a myriad of people: what do you use? why? what do you use? why? The thread has gone on for two years for the simple reason that there is no definitive answer to such a ridiculous question in the first place. The author should have done his homework and then settled on one program and gotten on with his life. Instead he has played at this silly task demonstrating an inherent psychological disorder. Give it up. Use Windows Defender and get on with your life. BTW... Paul from NZ (2nd poster) was one of the few to actually show any sense whatsoever. Re-read his response and close the thread.

 

[noyaus]

I use a paid version. it has more features. I use trendmicro

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I use a paid version. it has more features. I use trendmicro

Good choice Trend Micro is excellent.

 

[Apolos]

I used to have Paid bitdefender on my laptop, but after my sub ended I start using malwarebytes premium is much lighter.
IDK if I should get another antivirus with malewarebytes for extra protection.

 

[memztoospicy]

I use Sophos Home on my macbook as the real-time protection with Malwarebytes as my quick daily-scan tool.
No issues or impact on performance

 

[Apolos]

I use Sophos Home on my macbook as the real-time protection with Malwarebytes as my quick daily-scan tool.
No issues or impact on performance

That was my only concern so if there is no impact on performance then I will try to get bitdefender on my Laptop.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

The latest release of MBAM is very good , it's a FULL suite now.

 

[boxfreind]

I use AV because I have worked in various computer repair shops and on my own (Braden's PC's of Northern Colorado) for about 6 years now and have seen what viruses can do. If you have a decent PC, the good ones will not slow you down much at all, so why not? It's like saying I am driving slowly so I won't wear my seatbelt. It's just stupid, and IMO it is unethical for IT experts to say they don't use AV around clients because it creates an assumption in their minds that it's OK for them to not use AV as well, and it most certainly IS NOT. In pretty much every professional IT environment, if you use the internet w/out the officially sanctioned protection (in most cases these days, it is Endpoint protection) it is grounds for immediate termination.
Now for my AV of choice: Kaspersky hand down, for a full internet security suite, although IMO, the UI and the more professional features have dropped in quality a bit in the last year.
Avira is the best free AV suite IMO....I keep saying my opinion, but no, it is FACT. I don't use opinions, I use facts, and the facts are that Kaspersky and Avira are the top two rated AV's, no question about it.
It is known.
P.S. In regards to AV testing, the only one I have ever trusted is AV Comparatives (https/www.av-comparatives.org/).
I don't like any reviews from Magazines and mainstream sites, Tom's included, because they rarely go into the details of how they reach their conclusions, so how the hell am I supposed to trust that they thoroughly tested the product? Plus, based on the reviews of known lemons (no let's use the term GARBAGE) like MSE and WebRoot, from sites like PC Magazine, there's no way they aren't somehow being bought off by the big companies like Norton and McAfee.
AV Comparatives uses very in depth testing and makes everything available for you to look at and dig into if you want. They do SIX comprehensive tests: Real-World Protection, File Detection, Heuristic Detection, Malware Removal, Performance Impact, and False Alarms.
They only test AV software that is submitted for full and complete testing and analysis by the publisher. Due to this, you won't find Norton on any of their tests because Symantec does not release that information. Some say it's because they want to protect their software, but I KNOW from experience with it, that it is because they know it would fail miserably due to it being utter garbage and I suspect they have certain back doors they have put in for marketing purposes.
In regards to why I use the paid Kaspersky over the free Avira it is because the Internet Security Suite approach provides expanded protection (Firewall, Anti-Rootkit, Anti-Ransomware, etc). But for many users, the free Avira is more than enough and it is rated just as highly as Kaspersky these days.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I agree the only site that is worthy is AV Comparatives.

 

[deathcall666]

When I just started using the PC I used antivirus
-2004 had bitdefender , worked good I quess but it was annoying because of its issues with Nero (not compatible when working together)
-kaspersky (cracked ) worked fine but crack expired
-nod32 eset (cracked ) worked fine but I was too lazy to crack it again , new PC with antivirus license
-2008 Norton & Norton Symantec's : the most annoying antivirus I cam e across. It had to update or scan right when I was in the midlle of the game (oblivion) and blocked/freezes my computer several times. I even had to reinstall windows because it couldn't uninstall it otherwise (or close the process , it would start again).
After this I said no more antivirus. Since 2009 I'm not using any antivirus and quess what? I'm not having issues. So no , no more antivirus , I'd rather reinstall windows than cracking/buying another antivirus that slows general performance and has moods.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I only use Malwarebytes 3.0 Premium now , no issues. First few releases were unstable , but very good now.

 

[jadinolf]

The latest release of MBAM is very good , it's a FULL suite now.

Yes, it FINALLY works BUT it is NO antivirus program.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

No need for another layer of protection.

MALWAREBYTES 3.0: Now stronger and smarter Makes
Antivirus
Obsolete

Four layers of malware-crushing tech. Smarter detection. Specialized ransomware protection. It's the security you've been looking for.​

 

[Avast-Team]

Thanks for the support everybody, we appreciate it.

Popping in to say "hello" first and foremost Also, an update!

If you are using Avast currently, Free or a premium version, make sure to update to our new 2017 release. Goes way beyond "standard" AV or built-in protection, and adds our new Behavior Shield. Lots of information on our website and AV-comparatives for the curious, happy to answer any questions as I'm able to!

Moderator: if it's not OK to post links, let me know, but I did add one above to the article that explains our 2017 release.

 

[Jason_247]

I use Avast Paid version and i feel it is very good. Simple, easy and very light to use it. . Safe browsing option, VPN connection and quick virus scan.

 

[zthomas]

I use Avast Paid version and i feel it is very good. Simple, easy and very light to use it. . Safe browsing option, VPN connection and quick virus scan.

I changed myself to Kaspersky, Norton had let me down.. causing me a ton of grief..

 

[Avast-Team]

I use Avast Paid version and i feel it is very good. Simple, easy and very light to use it. . Safe browsing option, VPN connection and quick virus scan.

Awesome, love to hear it. I do like how SecureLine is integrated and glad you're enjoying it. Being light on your system is one of our top priorities (see AV-comparatives results, if you don't want to take my word for it, ha!)

 

[prinsb]

I use Avira Free Antivirus without Real Time protection for years now, only to scan files.
In the 25 years I own PC's I never been infected by a virus or malware. So I don't have any need for Real-Time protection. It only works at the expense of performance.