Okay... I need antivirus software. Not too expensive, and not resource hog.

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zamardii

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My point of this thread is in the title. I have been using the free version of Ad-Aware for a long time, but I want to invest in some sort of reliable, non-resource hungry antivirus/malware/spyware software. Obviously not too expensive, and not a system hog because this is mostly a gaming machine. Also one that is reliable. Live protection, and good software.

Thanks for any suggestions. And maybe some pros and cons would help too. I used to use Norton but I haven't used any antivirus software (bought) in a long time so I am out of the use.
 
I traditionally recommend two programs for this... you need both ;)

(1) Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
(2) Avast! Antivirus

You do not need to pay for them, the free versions are fine as long as you're not running a formal business using this computer.

Run Malwarebytes every week or so, and Avast! approximately whenever you think you might have a virus. Works fine for me.

Again, though, YOU DO NOT NEED THE PAY-FOR VERSIONS. They offer additional features that you only need if you're at cyberwar with the entire computer-using population of Nigeria. (and then really only during the intense parts of the biggest battles...)

BTW, from what I can tell... Norton is coasting entirely on popularity -- it offers almost no useful function and makes every computer running it "fly like an eagle" (an eagle fulla moonshine, school paste, and birdshot, that is ;) ), while simultaneously demanding truly insane levels of funding from the user. McAfee is about the same, only it nags the crap out of you at the same time.
 
Microsoft Security Essentials. It works great, and is fairly light on resources.
 
there's only dozens of threads on this already
sure did need another one! :rolleyes:
 
Anything with the words "Microsoft" and "Security" make me shudder. Sorry, no. Windows defender = crap, at least while I was using it. Whatever the proper name is for the "windows live" security system, pretty well comes out at the BOTTOM of the performance pile, and consistently at that.

Also, Windows' "security updates" already make me want to C:\barf.exe ;)
 
zero2dash said:
+2 :D

http://www.av-comparatives.org/en/comparativesreviews/detection-test
I'd suggest looking at the On-Demand comparative from August especially if you're considering MSE. :cool:
AV-Comparatives isn't the end-all, be-all final answer on AV comparisons, but they're echoing what other sites are now showing...MSE's detection rate is not so hot.

I've quit using, installing, and recommending MSE; everything has been switched over to Avast.
Click to expand...

I just logged into my account over at Virus Bulletin and checked, MSE is doing fine.
 
don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but MSE. No nagware, etc, easy to install and litel.
 
Not a very big fan of MSE. It's let me down quite a few times.


Personally, my favorite has to be NOD32... I just hate having to pay for it. Well worth the price though
 
zamardii said:
My point of this thread is in the title. I have been using the free version of Ad-Aware for a long time, but I want to invest in some sort of reliable, non-resource hungry antivirus/malware/spyware software. Obviously not too expensive, and not a system hog because this is mostly a gaming machine. Also one that is reliable. Live protection, and good software.

Thanks for any suggestions. And maybe some pros and cons would help too. I used to use Norton but I haven't used any antivirus software (bought) in a long time so I am out of the use.
Click to expand...
Well it's a total myth that you have to pay for 'good' antivirus protection. The truth is the free AV market is more competitive than the paid for market. All of these vendors release free versions with hopes you will upgrade to their paid version, which includes more features you don't need. The paid for market is locked up by Norton and MCAfee. There are a few stragglers out there but those are the main two.

My personal recommendation is a custom installation of free Avast 6, including the File System Shield, Web Shield, and Script Shield. The memory usage at this is only about 6MB of memory used exclusively for Avast (private working set). If you absolutely feel you need to buy something, then I recommend Kaspersky.
 
munkle said:
Haters gonna hate.
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Spent a while typing up a rather well-constructed (to me, at least) response of why you are rather incorrect, but then realized that (a) this isn't really the best place for it, and (b) you probably wouldn't bother reading it anyways. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss it, though.
 
For paid solutions Nod32 (just the av with say commodo firewall (personal fav) and Kaspersky (suite) are top choices. Another top choice is Gdata (never used) that always is top rated.

For free solutions I am surprised that no one has mentioned Panda cloud free( very light on system resources and very good detection rate) Avira, MSE and Avast (not a fan of avast at all).
 
Guys
There are more than 4 antivirus programs out there. All you see people talk about are AVG, NOD32, Avast and one other I forget that starts with A.

SOLO antivirus is very light and works great. You can game with it on.
 
MSE, although not considered to have the best detection rates its interface is easy going and doesn't have any ads or try to make you update to a paid version. So MSE + Common sense are still my tools of choice.
 
zamardii said:
My point of this thread is in the title. I have been using the free version of Ad-Aware for a long time, but I want to invest in some sort of reliable, non-resource hungry antivirus/malware/spyware software. Obviously not too expensive, and not a system hog because this is mostly a gaming machine. Also one that is reliable. Live protection, and good software.

Thanks for any suggestions. And maybe some pros and cons would help too. I used to use Norton but I haven't used any antivirus software (bought) in a long time so I am out of the use.
Click to expand...

check the "ForSale/Trade" forum; one or two peope are selling 2012 Kaspersky anti-virus (with 3-pc license) for $5.00. If it's already sold out, it will be back. That's the best price (short of the free stuff) I've seen for Kaspersky. And it's pretty highly rated . I'm fairly sure there is NO "one best anti-virus program."

I'm running MalwareBytes ATM and right now you can find it on sale for $14.95 on one of the "Hot Deals" forum posts (check the "Hot Deals" TigerDirect post for the actual link) FWIW: the link says the $14.95 price is "good for a lifetime" but I'm not sure any program with daily updates like malwareBytes (which does offer updates on a daily basis - could sell for a one-time price of $14.95)

From TIGERDIRECT "Hot Deals" post
[PROMO]Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Lifetime[/PROMO]
Current Price: $29.99 - $15 Savings = $14.99
Expires on 11/19
------------------------

I own Kaspersky (both versions - I misordered) and I paid a lot more than $5.00 for it - long before I found the "ForSale/Trade" posts for Kaspersky AV 2012 here on [H]. I haven't installed it yet so I cannot address what Kaspersky AV's daily/weekly/whenever update policies are. I'm sure someone who knows can post them.

From people presently running it I am told Kaspersky offers subscriptions good for one-year, after which they start bugging you to renew/purchase a fresh license. After that first year the S/W you get with your renewal will be a download. Purchasing Kaspersky AV for the first time typically gets you a CD, a users guide, a nice clam-shell case, etc. (and 3 different codes - one for each PC - if you purchased the 3-PC licensed version)

(IMHO and FWIW: purchasing anything but the 3-pc license just doesn't make sense to me. However - YMMV)

If you download and register it, I believe Avast will automatically upgrade you to the full retail version for 1 year - for free! but I'm not sure if that offer has expired or not.

Here's my notes on the Avast free-upgrade-if-you-register deal
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05-03-11
http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php
Register for your free avast! 1 year license
avast! Free Antivirus works for 30 days after installation in trial mode (or 60 days for avast Home 4.8)
After this period you need to register to get your free license key and stay protected
Your free license key is sent by email within 24 hours after registration
If you do not receive your license within 24 hours, please check your junk or SPAM folder
You need to enter the license key in the program to continue to use it after the trial period

--------- end of the info on the offer ----------------------------------------------

good luck - let us know what you choose
 
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lilfiend said:
MSE+malwarebytes
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I stopped running the MSE program when I realized it was auto-deleting all my "keygens" (laughing) but it really did delete 'em! ;) didn't ask or nuffin...just *Poof* keygens gone...I had to re-download a bunch

I do have Auto-Updates turned ON btw...I'm one of those trusting souls (and I don't know a security update from pacman) maybe that's why IE8 has started crashing all the time even though I have a legit copy of MS Media Center Edition on this rather old toshiba laptop.

Or it could be Malware Bytes even though I have turned the "protection module" OFF because it stopped me from going too many places. Now it just warns me with a little "beep" and offers me the "option" to procede. Funky...

I'd change browsers but dang-it, I happen to actually like the MS IE8 interface the best of the big three: IE, FireFox and Chrome. (with the MS Media Center edition of XP Pro w/sp3 I can't run IE9 since it's Windows7-centric - or so it seems to a no-nothing like myself)
 
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JHefile said:
Guys
There are more than 4 antivirus programs out there. All you see people talk about are AVG, NOD32, Avast and one other I forget that starts with A.

SOLO antivirus is very light and works great. You can game with it on.
Click to expand...

I installed this av on a test machine on the next reboot i had .exe errors like a virus. I certainly don`t trust it with actions like that. It just about crippled a fresh install of a machine.
 
There's already plenty of suggestions here, so all I'll add is for you to check with your ISP. Many of them supply Antivirus for free or discount for their customers. Personally, I have never paid for antivirus in the last 12 years - and that's not all the same provider.
 
R3ckless said:
I installed this av on a test machine on the next reboot i had .exe errors like a virus. I certainly don`t trust it with actions like that. It just about crippled a fresh install of a machine.
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That sucks..sorry to hear. It does do a scan before the pc goes to desktop although I'm not sure what it scans. maybe memory and strange start up files.

I never had an issue.
 
I have used free Avast for the past few years on my pc. I also have free MalwareBytes and Superantispyware installed just to be sure. I love Avast and it's been great.:)
Avast seems to have a little problem right now with my Battlelog program for the Battlefield 3 game but I use a work around. Other than that it does everything I need.
 
I've have a copy of windows xp and just use a modem and a software firewall. I use firefox and opera web browsers and don't download anything I shouldn't be.

I have used many different antivirus programs but I have never found a virus for about the 8 years I have been on the net.

From my experience viruses are reserved for people who dl files they shouldn't be.

ccleaner for the win also.
 
JHefile said:
I've have a copy of windows xp and just use a modem and a software firewall. I use firefox and opera web browsers and don't download anything I shouldn't be.

I have used many different antivirus programs but I have never found a virus for about the 8 years I have been on the net.

From my experience viruses are reserved for people who dl files they shouldn't be.

ccleaner for the win also.
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The only virus I ever got was right after I got my first computer online. There is some validity to inexperience being to cause of infection, but only to a point.

FYI......you can get virus' from a lot more than just DL'ing stuff. Just visiting a compromised site, clicking a link, OS and software security holes.....hell, there was even one that opened you to infection just by viewing an infected image.

And these are just a few.

Your still on XP? Go through this security Guide: Rampant Paranioa 101

It's a bit dated, but was made for XP, and still a good resource.

Also, just because your using an alternate browser than IE, doesn't mean your not open to infection. I don't know about Opera, but I use Firefox with Adblock Plus (for general surfing - not [H]) and no-script with everything blocked by default. Vanilla Fox means nothing.
 
JHefile said:
From my experience viruses are reserved for people who dl files they shouldn't be.
Click to expand...
Most of the time this is true. However, I've had infections come through advertisements on live.com (Microsoft site). So it's not fair to say all malware is by people going where they shouldn't. Also, I've noticed a lot of malware if you do google image serches, then go to the site to view more. My brother was doing this looking for hunting/trapping equipment. He simply viewed the image that was piping from the site to google images and the system was hit and infected.
 
JHefile said:
I have used many different antivirus programs but I have never found a virus for about the 8 years I have been on the net.
Click to expand...

Guessing you didn't visit [H] at all for the 2 weeks there were all those Javascript exploits earlier this year then? :eek:
Jscript and image-embedded malware is the rage with all the kiddos now. No clicking necessary.

As others have said - malware has long moved past the "download/click on a suspicious file" phase; that is "long time ago" territory type stuff. :rolleyes:
 
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