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tonyc280

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Can you computer buff's out there recommend which is the best free anti virus software please. I'm using AVG at the moment and it seems to be working well so is there any point in changing ?. Cheers, Tony.
 
AVG seems to do well in the test various publications carry out. Microsoft security essentials is ok just sits there and does its job. Some want to take over your pc and your whole life and seriously slow down machines.
 
You've already got the best free anti-virus software - AVG :)
 
Microsoft security essentials for me AVG is not what it once was last time I checked.

Stay away from porn though and most AV are good enough.
 
Well thanks Chaps for your prompt answers. i was using security essentials before but it let quite a few threats through that AVG found. Cheers, tony.
 
Were you running SE and AVG at the same time? One will sometimes over-rule the other or cause other conflicts.
 
This is a good question.


Right now I struggle to recommend any free AV software. In fact the only thing that seems to be able to reliably catch and clean malware/viruses is Malwarebytes.

I haven't actually stumped up the cash yet for the full version of Malwarebytes with real time scanning so I cant comment on that particular aspect.

Most of the bigger 'paid for' AV software offerings seem to be almost entirely useless at stopping anything right now and are way behind the curve.
 
DSM10000 i wasn't running both at the same time. But security essentials let a few bits through so though i'd try something else. Cheers, Tony.
 
Why don't you install kaspersky pure 3.0 and you will never get another virus ever..




... because it cripples most PC's to the point you throw the damn thing in the bin :D
 
McAfee has the ability to stop my laptop completely for up to half an hour. Would not recommend it at all, just takes over and its always doing something.
 
Microsoft Security Essentials on all our PCs. Free, not a resource hog, and does the job.
 
I use Avira, seems good enough for a freebie but the old laptop still runs it fine, had only one problem when it found a root kit it couldn't get rid of. But the website is very good and it took about an hour to sort.

My only grip is the toolbar, didn't really like it but this can be removed.
 
Microsoft Security Essentials on all our PCs. Free, not a resource hog, and does the job.

I agree with two of your points. Essentials is free and its not a resource hog but it is pretty useless at catching any nasties.

I use it myself on my sons PC which he infects almost weekly without essentials even blinking. I have a scheduled malwarebytes scan which actually finds and clears stuff that essentials ignores.
 
I use Avira, seems good enough for a freebie but the old laptop still runs it fine, had only one problem when it found a root kit it couldn't get rid of. But the website is very good and it took about an hour to sort.

My only grip is the toolbar, didn't really like it but this can be removed.

I've used Avira for a long time now and I run it on my own machines and around 80 workstations (XP originally, now 7) and 7 servers (Server 2003 / Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2).

It's been excellent overall and has caught many nasties. One time fairly recently when it couldn't, Avira told me a different approach to scrape something off which worked.

Their firewall also stopped nasties moving on from hosts although they've had to drop this product due to Microsoft certification issues - shame.

I've yet to experience an AV that doesn't slow down a machine but McAffreys and Sigh-mantic are the worst - that's if they don't rse your machine up before they get a chance to slow it down.

Anti-nasty vendors or in a constant race to make their product the best and sometimes one will be ahead and sometimes it will be behind.

I run Avira free now with non-resident Malwarebytes and have no issues - nor have I for a long time.
 
Not a computer boff but an experienced mate suggested ESET, cost £60 for 3 years, and I'm impressed with it
 
Thanks chaps for all of your replies, certainly a good thread i started. will have to start a few more on the IT forum cos i can learn a lot. Cheers, Tony.
 
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I have a scheduled malwarebytes scan which actually finds and clears stuff that essentials ignores.

I periodically run a Malwarebytes scan on our machines but don't recall it ever picking up anything that MSE had missed.
 

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