Best Free Anti-Virus Software?

[Connor_Graham]

With my household budget currently very tight due to the costs of several back surgeries I've had recently I'm needing to find a free version of a good anti-virus program to use until things loosen up. What are the best ones out now? I've heard of Avast, but don't know how good it is, and really don't know of any others out there that would be dependable and work well. What's your opinion of what's available now? Thanks for the assistance!

 

[Llewen]

I use Avast. It is dependable, updated regularly, and isn't resource intensive.

 

[Kiminality]

The only ones that come to mind are Avast and AVG.

I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of time before every free option gets a vocal detractor in this thread. It usually happens.

 

[Mapper]

I use AVG on all my computers with no issues. Easy to install and I have them setup to do a virus scan at 3am, Always done and not even noticed by myself at 7am when I use the PC.

 

[UOKaiser]

I don't leave any antivirus constantly running in the background. I like to squeeze every bit of power out my machine. I do regular weekly checks with super anti spyware, anti malawarebytes, and trend micro free housecall online.The combination works well.

 

[Ezekiel Zane]

I used AVG for many years but it kept getting more and more resource hungry each update. I then switched to Avira AntiVir nearly two years ago. I've been happy with it. It's currently the recommended anti-virus by Maximum PC.

 

[Connor_Graham]

I don't leave any antivirus constantly running in the background. I like to squeeze every bit of power out my machine. I do regular weekly checks with super anti spyware, anti malawarebytes, and trend micro free housecall online.The combination works well.

I replaced my previous spyware software with Spybot S&D as I've used it before and had a good experience with it. I wasn't aware Trend Micro had a free version of it's anti-virus software. Trend Micro is what I have now, but of course it stopped updating when my subscription ran out. How is it rated against Avast or AVG (what does AVG stand for btw, if anything?)?

 

[Megadeth76]

Microsoft's free AV

http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

 

[obeeee]

Use MS Security Essentials and download Malware Bytes
Update and run MB once a month

 

[Ezekiel Zane]

I use SUPERAntiSpyware for spyware protection. It runs in the background. The free version is good enough. It must be manually updated though.

 

[Connor_Graham]

Use MS Security Essentials and download Malware Bytes
Update and run MB once a month

What does MB do?

 

[UOKaiser]

I replaced my previous spyware software with Spybot S&D as I've used it before and had a good experience with it. I wasn't aware Trend Micro had a free version of it's anti-virus software. Trend Micro is what I have now, but of course it stopped updating when my subscription ran out. How is it rated against Avast or AVG (what does AVG stand for btw, if anything?)?

What I hear trend micro is better than Avast not sure with AVG. There has being a virus going around that being making havoc of pc's this month. I had to fix quite a few with the same virus in completely unrelated locations. It pretty much disables your antivirus you have running on your pc. It's a nasty one which must be manually removed piece by piece untill you can get a scan in. Just watch out even though you might have a antivirus running all the time it doesn't mean your safe. So whichever anti virus you go with always manually check to see.

 

[Schuyler Bain]

Microsoft's free AV

http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

I left AVG for this and so far (knock wood) it works very well.

 

[AEowynSP]

I have run AVG and spybot SD in the past but my neighbor turned me onto Avast and I am quite happy with it but you will get false positives, better false+ then missing one. malwearbites is a malwer scanner and remover that comes highly recomended.

 

[Wahnfried]

I use Avira AntiVir Personal and Ad-Aware.

 

[Zalan]

Like you my budget is tight right now. Atm I use Avira. It got Cnet Editor choice award. & seems to work pretty good considering it is free.

http://www.free-av.com/en/news/49/avira_wins_cnet_editors_choice_award.html

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/273784/avira-antivir-personal-9-0

http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/a/freeav.htm

I use it in combination with Zone Alarm firewall, Spybot Search & Destroy, Malawarbytes, Isobits, & Crap Cleaner. I might be a bit overboard with all these programs, but their all free

 

[Connor_Graham]

Ok, so it looks like the prevalent programs are Avast, Avira, and the Microsoft Security Essentials. How do these compare with each other? Pretty much the same or does one stand out from the rest?

Zalan- What are Isobits and Crap Cleaner, and what does Malawarebytes do?

 

[Zalan]

Malawarebytes is a free malware scanner & removal tool. Isobits is a scanner, not so impressed with it as of yet. It primarly just removes tracking cookings etc. Crap Cleaner erases cookies, history, cleans out the recycling bend, & has some registry fixing tools.

One thing about Avira once in a blue moon it causes an ad to pop-up for a premium product. The last link in my other post compared AVG, Avasti, & Avira. However the microsoft anti-virus program was not included. Not sure how much I would trust a Microsoft antivirus program.

 

[canary]

This has nothing to do with UO itself, and the entire thread should be moved to OT.

 

[altarego]

This has nothing to do with UO itself, and the entire thread should be moved to OT.

But it has everything to do with all UO players. As long as this doesn't turn into a fanboi war, I don't see the problem with this topic coming up once in a while.

I use Miocrosoft Security Essentials (MSE). It:

1. is free

2. has a small footprint (even smaller than AVG)

3. has built in Windows Defender (anti-malware)

4. is guaranteed to run in windows XP and above as long as it's patched/updated

5. is updated with virus sigs automatically every day; client is updated automatically with Windows Update (which should be turned on, regardless)

5. No advertisements whatsoever


But, as others suggested, you may want to run a 3rd party malware scanner once every few months or so, for placebo effect.

 

[canary]

But it has everything to do with all UO players. As long as this doesn't turn into a fanboi war, I don't see the problem with this topic coming up once in a while.

I use Miocrosoft Security Essentials (MSE). It:

1. is free

2. has a small footprint (even smaller than AVG)

3. has built in Windows Defender (anti-malware)

4. is guaranteed to run in windows XP and above as long as it's patched/updated

5. is updated with virus sigs automatically every day; client is updated automatically with Windows Update (which should be turned on, regardless)

5. No advertisements whatsoever


But, as others suggested, you may want to run a 3rd party malware scanner once every few months or so, for placebo effect.

It is still OT to actual UO threads, and to move it to the correct forum does not diminish its importance, only serves it to be where it should.

 

[Connor_Graham]

This has nothing to do with UO itself, and the entire thread should be moved to OT.

Security is the concern of every UO player, and helping each other in this way is part of the UO community spirit. If you don't like the thread, then don't read it.

 

[Connor_Graham]

But it has everything to do with all UO players. As long as this doesn't turn into a fanboi war, I don't see the problem with this topic coming up once in a while.

I use Miocrosoft Security Essentials (MSE). It:

1. is free

2. has a small footprint (even smaller than AVG)

3. has built in Windows Defender (anti-malware)

4. is guaranteed to run in windows XP and above as long as it's patched/updated

5. is updated with virus sigs automatically every day; client is updated automatically with Windows Update (which should be turned on, regardless)

5. No advertisements whatsoever


But, as others suggested, you may want to run a 3rd party malware scanner once every few months or so, for placebo effect.

Number 5 is a big seller for me. Pop up ads are the one thing I hate the most about anti virus programs.

 

[Connor_Graham]

It is still OT to actual UO threads, and to move it to the correct forum does not diminish its importance, only serves it to be where it should.

Fine, just for you....


My current program, since it's out of date, keeps giving me pop up ads telling me to renew my subscription. This causes UO to lag on me, so I need a replacement to eliminate this source of lag so I can play UO without interference from outside programs.

There ya go.

 

[jfkeach]

Microsoft Essentials and Defender. I really like AVG, but they charge now.

 

[kulder]

I would have to agree on the Microsoft essentials it works and its updated

 

[Tazar]

Thread cleaned of trash - please keep it on topic and free of trolls.

 

[TheBlackCobra]

I'd be extremely wary of using the microsoft one. Not for the "OMG M$ IS EVIL!!!!" reasons that were trendy a half decade back, but because I got the joy of testing it along with their safe-surfing package when my company was doing Home Access (laptops for pupils) a while back.

There's a tendency for Microsoft products to ignore non Microsoft products. Their safe search function can be made totally useless by installing Firefox or Chrome, for example.

I use AVG, and have rarely (if ever) had problems with it.

 

[Experimental]

Avast!, Avira and AVG has Microsoft Security Essentials beat sixteen ways from Sunday in comparison testing and between Avast!, Avira and AVG, Avast! has the highest virus catch percentage.
For malware and spyware, you still can't beat Spybot and AdAware.

 

[phantus]

Avast!, Avira and AVG has Microsoft Security Essentials beat sixteen ways from Sunday in comparison testing and between Avast!, Avira and AVG, Avast! has the highest virus catch percentage.
For malware and spyware, you still can't beat Spybot and AdAware.

Malwarebytes beats them both actually. It's the best spyware/malware progs out there IMNSHO.

Avira is my free AV of choice with Avast! and AVG in that order.

Don't forget Kaspersky Rescue Disk. If the above can't get you in order a google search and a blank CD could make the difference.

 

[Jesara]

Just a note that my PC had to go in for servicing this week and the technician removed my paid-for Norton Anti-virus and installed AVG. I'm glad to read so many good comments about it here.

 

[georgemarvin2001]

I use AVG for antivirus, and I also have Spybot S&D and ad-aware.

I also have PeerGuardian. However, I have to disable PeerGuardian every time I patch UO and occasionally when patching WoW. Evidently, some of the patch servers have gotten blacklisted.

You really have to look to find the link to the free edition of AVG, they don't advertise that you can still get it free, but it's worth the trouble finding the page with the free version on it.

Another great free utility that I use is WhatsRunning. Just go to the startup section and remove all the stuff that you don't want to run at startup. You would be surprised how much better your computer will run UO after you get rid of all the startup programs that you don't use over once every couple of months. Practically every piece of software known to man thinks it's important enough to take up memory waiting for you to use it. Also, some spyware and adware programs will stick themselves into your startup. It's a good idea to check it every few weeks. WhatsRunning can do a LOT more, too, if you happen to be technically minded.

If you're running XP, you can get a 30-use free trial of Tweak-XP. It's a great optimization program; you will probably never use it 30 times; once you have used it to optimize your system, you will probably not use it more than once every 3 months or so. Just make sure that you don't have the "start with Windows" box checked, and that free trial will last as long as your computer does. I can't stand Vista; when I bought my new computer, I immediately erased it and installed XP, so I don't know if there is a Vista or Windows 7 version.

I've never used Avast, so I have no opinion about it. But all that I've heard about it is good; everybody who tries it evidently likes it.

On the other hand, I don't trust Microsoft's ability to keep my computer virus-free; the MS programming team is both as fast and successful at fixing bugs and exploits as the UO Dev team. Also, it doesn't like Firefox.

One last bit of security info: I use Firefox with AdBlock Plus, BetterPrivacy and the AVG security toolbar.

 

[altarego]

Avast!, Avira and AVG has Microsoft Security Essentials beat sixteen ways from Sunday in comparison testing and between Avast!, Avira and AVG, Avast! has the highest virus catch percentage.
For malware and spyware, you still can't beat Spybot and AdAware.

Since most folks insist on just plastering their opinions as if they were fact, I did a search on basic comparisons between programs. Some of the google results are listed below:

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/first-look-microsoft-security-essentials-impresses.ars

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-security/articles/50054.aspx

http://windows7review.com/avg-anti-virus-vs-microsoft-security-essentials/

http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch/2009/12/av-comparatives_rates_anti-mal.php

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=190538


Basically, they're all equivalent in protection and services. Some have slightly more options, but often have a less than intuitive interface or have popup ads for the freeware versions.

MSE isn't supposed to be corporate level protection. But if you practice safe surfing, and keep your OS and antivirus software up to date, then it's a moot point. Raw catch percentage is another meaningless buzzword, because it includes false positives and precludes non-heuristic scanning.

MSE provides all of the features 99% of the home Windows PC market needs at zero cost, low memory usage, with a simple, intuitive interface. And best of all, it's designed by the people who make your operating system for your operating system. That's enough for me, right there.

 

[Connor_Graham]

I've got another question.

The pop up I've been getting is from Windows telling me that I have no firewall. I'd originally thought it was caused by my anti-virus program being out of date, but I've got the MSE software installed and it shows as working, yet I just got that pop up again just a little while ago. What can I do to get this to stop? It lags UO every time it pops up, and has caused me no end of grief in game. I reset it to on, which it showed as on last night after I installed the new MSE software, but this morning showed as off. So what gives and what can I do about it?

 

[Viquire]

Very glad to see this thread. I use AVG and AdAware, but see some options in here that were not on my radar. I will have to do a little proactive testing.

I've got another question.

The pop up I've been getting is from Windows telling me that I have no firewall. I'd originally thought it was caused by my anti-virus program being out of date, but I've got the MSE software installed and it shows as working, yet I just got that pop up again just a little while ago. What can I do to get this to stop? It lags UO every time it pops up, and has caused me no end of grief in game. I reset it to on, which it showed as on last night after I installed the new MSE software, but this morning showed as off. So what gives and what can I do about it?

Connor: what's the OS?

 

[hawkeye_pike]

I'm using Clamwin. Small, easy, efficient and reliable.

 

[Connor_Graham]

Connor: what's the OS?

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

 

[Cetric]

for the first time in my life i bought antivirus recently

Norton Antivirus Gaming Edition

It has a gaming mode and different things you can setup to make it not use any resources when you are gaming

Works great so far

 

[Llewen]

for the first time in my life i bought antivirus recently

Norton Antivirus Gaming Edition

It has a gaming mode and different things you can setup to make it not use any resources when you are gaming

Works great so far

This isn't a comment against you. If it is working for you, great, but my experiences with Norton anything have almost universally been negative for about the past ten years. Maybe they are getting their act together but up until I stopped paying attention a year or two ago their products have been invasive, resource pigs that don't work all that particularly well.

The only computer virus I have ever gotten I got after I opened a file that I had just scanned with a fully up to date Norton AV.

 

[Lore Master]

If you can ever afford or are willing to pay for anti Spyware, Anti Virus and Anti Spam protection I highly suggest trying Spyware Doctor with anti Virus. Spyware Doctor with Anti Virus from PC Tools also has anti spam and a gamer mode as well.

• Spyware Doctor with Anti virus found more things on my computer then Windows Defender, Ad Aware, Spybot S&D, SUPERAntiSpyware, and Ca anti Virus and Anti spyware combined.

• Only once in a blue moon did one of those other programs I mentioned pick up something that Spyware Doctor with anti virus did not pick up and usually it was a very minor thing like a tracking cookie.

• You can also get PC Tools Internet Security it is the same thing as Spyware doctor with anti virus with a bonus it has a fire wall. anyway it is not free but worth it. you can down load it free and do a free scan only problem you have to pay to remove anything it may find.

Spyware Doctor with anti virus easily uninstalls and disables too without causing you any computer problems and its safe. and no I don't work for PC tools nor do I know anyone who does but it is the best anti virus and anti spyware program I ever used so far and I tried a lot.

 

[Connor_Graham]

I've got another question.

The pop up I've been getting is from Windows telling me that I have no firewall. I'd originally thought it was caused by my anti-virus program being out of date, but I've got the MSE software installed and it shows as working, yet I just got that pop up again just a little while ago. What can I do to get this to stop? It lags UO every time it pops up, and has caused me no end of grief in game. I reset it to on, which it showed as on last night after I installed the new MSE software, but this morning showed as off. So what gives and what can I do about it?

Does anyone have any idea about this?

 

[Llewen]

Does anyone have any idea about this?

What version of Windows? And this sounds suspiciously like the kind of behaviour that could be caused by a virus.

 

[Connor_Graham]

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

I don't believe I've got a virus. My machine has been scanned 3 times weekly by Trend Micro, and was even scanned again last night after I installed the new AV software.

 

[sdk]

I don't leave any antivirus constantly running in the background.

Not very bright.

 

[Schuyler Bain]

Does anyone have any idea about this?

I use WSE on a machine with win 7 Pro and one with XP pro and I have not had any issues with this. Has the application patched up (windows update)?

 

[Zooithion]

Microsoft Essentials and Defender. I really like AVG, but they charge now.

Still free for personal use.
http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage

 

[Connor_Graham]

I use WSE on a machine with win 7 Pro and one with XP pro and I have not had any issues with this. Has the application patched up (windows update)?

Yes. It updated itself after it was installed. I just ran a manual update and there was nothing to download.

 

[Zalan]

Shame! Your trusting microsoft

 

[AdamD]

Independant tests of anti virus softwares is done by this company

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Symantec comes first in their 2009 testing.

2009 report here - http://www.av-comparatives.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=164

 

[phantus]

Independant tests of anti virus softwares is done by this company

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Symantec comes first in their 2009 testing.

2009 report here - http://www.av-comparatives.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=164

Symantec is not a free av however.