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

[Anton Hunter]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials and back it up with Malwarebytes. But, I clicked on a link I should have known better than to have, and instantly I got over-run with Trojans, rootkits, browser hijackers, etc, etc. While my lines of defense got the vast majority of it, I wasn't able to completely destroy the culprits until I used a combination of Adware Cleaner v3.310, Junkware Removal Tool, Malwarebytes, and Hitman Pro_X64. So, now I'm back to my regular line of defense, but, I know where to get the others whenever I need them.

 

[spooky2th]

I see the deal every few weeks I'll let you know.

OK cool! Yup, let me know. I think I'll get it this time. I run the free one occasionally.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http/www.av-comparatives.org/

Best site for AV results ^

 

[M0B33R]

I use Norton 360 P.E.for my main PC security and for Malware, Trojans, and Hijackers I use a combo of Malwarebytes Antimalware , IObit Malware Fighter, and Spywareblaster. The last three are all free.

 

[Lannister in the North]

I use paid bitdefender, (3PC's). It seems to do the job very well, little performance impact, nice interface and nice features.
I have linked several to a bitdefender account, including my grandmothers laptop, so i can keep an eye on it remotely.
The search result link scanner shows a green tick or red cross next to search results, works well and is a nice feature. (I turn it off myself since i find it a little cluttering TBH, but for my grandmother it is ideal)

For a quick PC cleanup (i work in IT) of home PC's infected with adware and crapware i use malwarebytes and it does a very good job generally.
For more malicious infections (hidden infections/ infections that interfere with the system) i like to use VIPRE Rescue, easy to use and does an admirable job.

Combofix is the last resort before a clean install if nothing else works.

 

[spooky2th]

Many times I have fixed comps that were over loaded with malware and almost dead by installing Kaspersky Internet Security, updating it, maxing out it's search & destroy options and then running a full scan. You can always download a free one month free trial of the software that has all the options & features fully functional.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

For seriously infected computers Hitman Pro is great.

 

[Rapajez]

Also, you can look into AV tools that install to a USB Thumb Drive, which should let you run from the drive without needing to install anything (which could be blocked by a very badly infected PC). Check out PortableApps.com

There's also boot-able AV ISO's (Like Hiren's BootCD) which you can run from a USB, before the infected OS has a chance to even start up.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

FREE and portable here.

http/www.tomsguide.com/forum/242173-49-free-software-links-updated-2013

 

[Skylyne]

Also, you can look into AV tools that install to a USB Thumb Drive, which should let you run from the drive without needing to install anything (which could be blocked by a very badly infected PC). Check out PortableApps.com

There's also boot-able AV ISO's (Like Hiren's BootCD) which you can run from a USB, before the infected OS has a chance to even start up.

The only reason I wouldn't recommend using a flash drive for portable AV tools is because the onboard microcontroller for the flash memory can be exploited somewhat easily. If you have a high calibre infection, and it manages to infect the microcontroller, you will not be able to wipe the infection without knowing how to re-flash the microcontroller. I would only recommend burning to a CD/DVD. It's paranoid, but it's actually a vulnerability that was found and covered at 30C3, and has been used by the NSA over the years. I don't think anyone knows how to check for these infections, or if anyone has made a harmful bug out of this; but I don't think anyone should take a chance with something that is a known vulnerability and has not been properly addressed. Use your USB flash memory wisely!

Kind of makes using flash memory a bit of a scary idea now, doesn't it?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Hitman Pro has a nice removal tool that you launch from USB , works pretty good.

 

[thetechnoobguy]

I have been using AVG for some time now, before I had been using Norton, both great. In my opinion a paid anti virus is mandatory if you're someone who values the protection and security of your files and computer, or you visit more risky parts of the internet. Generally smart browsing practices will help prevent a lot of viruses but I've had dozens of instances where my anti virus has protected me against a virus in real time. If you can't afford payed anti virus software you could always pirate some to see if you like it and buy a license later (though this is risky and you have to know what you're doing).

Here's all that I use:
AVG Internet Security 2014
TDSSKiller (Anti-rootkit tool, free)
https/www.virustotal.com/ (free browser file scanner)
OpenDNSCrypt (free encryption software)

Not to mention recommending that someone pirate stuff on this forum is against the rules... but I think we understand your point. I won't recommend pirating anything on here, even though I have many ties to it outside of this forum. Just FYI, mate.

I'm starting to wonder if it's either luck, technique, or some random other factor that has prevented me from being one of those people who's seen an AV software do something beneficial. I've never seen anything beyond false positives (usually for custom rootkits), and I've not once seen an AV software block something that couldn't have easily been prevented without an AV software. Either I'm not visiting shady enough websites (can't be that, given what my internet activities consist of), I'm using other tools that most people aren't using, or something else peculiar about my usage prevents it... but I can't figure out why. I've only seen AV software on other people's computers flag 'infections' or potential 'threats' when my own customised browser would have blocked all that nonsense before an AV software would know about it; and that's because it never had a chance to run itself. The only stuff that can infect my computer is the stuff that would fly under the radar with the vast majority of security software; and I kind of have to be okay with that.

But... that isn't why I came back here *facepalm*. Does anyone know if the TrendMicro and Kaspersky trials perform identical to their paid versions? I don't care if they run out after a month (I will likely use them for two weeks at most), but I want to see if they are worth their weight in... currency? I just would like to see if they are worth what you would pay for, and if their UI is going to be of a good quality. I won't test them if their trials are restricted in any way... that defeats the whole test.

Sorry, I modified my post, thanks.

I've also stopped caring about clicking on strange links, which is a habit I should probably stop doing. But yeah, looking at my logs I get around 1-4 virus protections per month, all of them classed as high risk. The last one was last month it wasn't even a remotely shady website, it blocked the virus and I got out of there.

It's just so useful and gives me huge ease of mind to have antivirus software.

 

[Skylyne]

Sorry, I modified my post, thanks.

I've also stopped caring about clicking on strange links, which is a habit I should probably stop doing. But yeah, looking at my logs I get around 1-4 virus protections per month, all of them classed as high risk. The last one was last month it wasn't even a remotely shady website, it blocked the virus and I got out of there.

It's just so useful and gives me huge ease of mind to have antivirus software.

All good, mate. Glad to hear the security software does its job for you. I keep running different software on my personal computer, wondering if I have something that some random security software will find that everything else has missed... still squeaky clean with known threats. Ran Hitman Pro today, and nothing malicious was found. That's on top of Bitdefender, Comodo, and a couple others I've ran over the past couple years (can't remember, but I've not reformatted since). I've only been running an AV software about half the time I've had this Win7 install running. I guess I'm just that good with my browsing habits, to the point I don't need the software? Haha. I'm sure there's some crap on my computer that's flying under the radar; there has to be. I do a lot of browsing on sites most people would avoid without security software, and no genuine threats yet. Strange.

 

[Alpha3031]

On my Windows systems, Panda Cloud (Good detection rate), Baidu Cloud (Extremely light), and Malwarebytes (Once a week), all free. That and a free Firewall. Also a bunch of utilities from Piriform and Sysinternals, and iObit Uninstaller (it's good enough for me, and I can't be bothered trying new ones)

For my old WinXP system, now installed with Ubuntu+LXDE it's just ClamAV and a browser with some extensions with anti-malware capabilities.

And I don't currently use any other OS.

 

[thetechnoobguy]

Sorry, I modified my post, thanks.

I've also stopped caring about clicking on strange links, which is a habit I should probably stop doing. But yeah, looking at my logs I get around 1-4 virus protections per month, all of them classed as high risk. The last one was last month it wasn't even a remotely shady website, it blocked the virus and I got out of there.

It's just so useful and gives me huge ease of mind to have antivirus software.

All good, mate. Glad to hear the security software does its job for you. I keep running different software on my personal computer, wondering if I have something that some random security software will find that everything else has missed... still squeaky clean with known threats. Ran Hitman Pro today, and nothing malicious was found. That's on top of Bitdefender, Comodo, and a couple others I've ran over the past couple years (can't remember, but I've not reformatted since). I've only been running an AV software about half the time I've had this Win7 install running. I guess I'm just that good with my browsing habits, to the point I don't need the software? Haha. I'm sure there's some crap on my computer that's flying under the radar; there has to be. I do a lot of browsing on sites most people would avoid without security software, and no genuine threats yet. Strange.

Aren't rootkits generally undetectable? I'm sure you've ran anti-rootkit scans though.

Are there any programs that don't conflict with AVG that you would recommend me? Paid or free? Hitman Pro sounds interesting.

 

[Ayan Saxena]

I use Avast Anti Virus. I know it is not the best but it is good.

 

[Skylyne]

Aren't rootkits generally undetectable? I'm sure you've ran anti-rootkit scans though.

Are there any programs that don't conflict with AVG that you would recommend me? Paid or free? Hitman Pro sounds interesting.

Depending on which rootkit, and how it behaves, they can be relatively difficult to detect. HitmanPro is designed to look for that kind of stuff. Take it from me, and from the Hitman webpage... do not run two AV wares in parallel. It's a bad idea, for many different reasons. Run one and use the other for random scans, or stick with only one. Running more than one security software at a time is asking for trouble. You'll compromise speed, the two will likely fight each other, and they will also have to sift through twice as many processes, leaving the margin for error much wider. It's a recipe for disaster. I know people who insist on doing that, as they don't realise each software is designed to work alone, and without another security software running; but they don't listen. Some get viruses, some don't.

If you want something to scan your system with on occasion, use AVG for that, and run Bitdefender's free version for the live scanner; much lighter, and a much better accuracy rate. You shouldn't need AVG as a backup, but it's worth having if you aren't sure. Hitman and Bitdefender (or Kaspersky) would be my combination. I've heard more about Webroot than seen quality results, but they're worth looking into as well. Common household names like Norton and McAfee I wouldn't touch.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Bitdefender FREE + Malwarebytes FREE is probably the best FREE combo out there.

 

[spooky2th]

Sorry, I modified my post, thanks.

I've also stopped caring about clicking on strange links, which is a habit I should probably stop doing. But yeah, looking at my logs I get around 1-4 virus protections per month, all of them classed as high risk. The last one was last month it wasn't even a remotely shady website, it blocked the virus and I got out of there.

It's just so useful and gives me huge ease of mind to have antivirus software.

All good, mate. Glad to hear the security software does its job for you. I keep running different software on my personal computer, wondering if I have something that some random security software will find that everything else has missed... still squeaky clean with known threats. Ran Hitman Pro today, and nothing malicious was found. That's on top of Bitdefender, Comodo, and a couple others I've ran over the past couple years (can't remember, but I've not reformatted since). I've only been running an AV software about half the time I've had this Win7 install running. I guess I'm just that good with my browsing habits, to the point I don't need the software? Haha. I'm sure there's some crap on my computer that's flying under the radar; there has to be. I do a lot of browsing on sites most people would avoid without security software, and no genuine threats yet. Strange.

Aren't rootkits generally undetectable? I'm sure you've ran anti-rootkit scans though.

Are there any programs that don't conflict with AVG that you would recommend me? Paid or free? Hitman Pro sounds interesting.

Check out Malwarebytes. It is good to have with another protection program. Download the free version and check it out. The free version is really decent. You can purchase the full version if you like it.

 

[Huang Ray]

So, Avast free + Malwarebytes free vs
Bitdefender FREE + Malwarebytes free??

Many said Bitdfender free has a lot of problems...

Which combo should I go with?