best free anti virus

[MontyVeda]

Any update on this thread/views on best free AV?

And whether free is good enough?

I'm thinking there may be something better than Avast free and wondering whether it is really up to it.

Somehow I don't find it entirely convincing.

I'm currently running Microsoft Security Essentials. I've always used free AV... and the only one i've tried that I wouldn't recommend is the combined Zone Alarm AV & FW.

 

[JoeyB]

I don't use anything on my own stuff but if I have to install something for others I just stick with Microsoft Security Essentials

 

[swee'pea99]

I use Avast, backed up by Spybot. Once or twice a year if I suspect something might be amiss, I install and run Malwarebytes. Then uninstall again, on the basis that it's best not to have two anti-malware programs installed simultaneously as a matter of course. Touch wood, seems to be doing the bidniss (and this on my PC, which is also used willy-nilly by other members of the family, who do God knows what on it.)

 

[MontyVeda]

[QUOTE 3349132, member: 9609"]I have been using Avast for many years now, but am becoming a little of the increasing amount of pop up windows wanting me to sign up and pay for premium services. Have been considering Microsoft security essentials - does it run quite silently in the background ?[/QUOTE]
yes... so much so i'm wondering if it's actually doing anything.

I ditched avast due it pestering me with pop-ups

 

[PaulSB]

yes... so much so i'm wondering if it's actually doing anything.

I ditched avast due it pestering me with pop-ups

Microsoft Essentials is definetly the one. I've used a variety of "commercial" programmes, Norton, McCafee etc. paid for and free. Ultimately they all cause a problem.

MSE just runs quietly in the background and gets on with the job. Don't forget Microsoft have a lot riding on this as its their programme to protect users of their software.

 

[John the Canuck]

first job of the day - every day- is to make a System Restore Point

installed SuperAntiSpyware Professsional [paid edition] and Avast! Free Antivirus 2014

run Malware Bytes AntiMalware weekly

dont browse/visit any 'dodgy' sites and you'll be 99.99% OK

 

[Blue Hills]

I use Avast, backed up by Spybot. Once or twice a year if I suspect something might be amiss, I install and run Malwarebytes. Then uninstall again, on the basis that it's best not to have two anti-malware programs installed simultaneously as a matter of course.)

I thought malwarebytes was run on-demand on an as-needed basis and so wouldn't be running in the background.

 

[JoeyB]

first job of the day - every day- is to make a System Restore Point

installed SuperAntiSpyware Professsional [paid edition] and Avast! Free Antivirus 2014

run Malware Bytes AntiMalware weekly

dont browse/visit any 'dodgy' sites and you'll be 99.99% OK

I assume you just let Task Scheduler do that? I think its configured by default to create a recovery point daily at system startup. You might be getting two a day if you do this manually?

 

[JoeyB]

I thought malwarebytes was run on-demand on an as-needed basis and so wouldn't be running in the background.

My reasoning for only having MWB installed as and when required is that if the PC gets compromised in any way whilst MWB is already installed, the chances are it will also be compromised in the attack and will probably be useless.

 

[Blue Hills]

Microsoft Essentials is definetly the one. I've used a variety of "commercial" programmes, Norton, McCafee etc. paid for and free. Ultimately they all cause a problem.

MSE just runs quietly in the background and gets on with the job. Don't forget Microsoft have a lot riding on this as its their programme to protect users of their software.

I used it for a while and it was very "quiet".

But then I got to thinking, a la the old films:

"Something's not right, Hank mi dear, it's too quiet"

so worried that it wasn't really doing much.

Then I read some worrying reviews of it along the same lines.

Can anyone reassure me?

note: I must admit to visiting some dodgy (though legal I stress) sites now and again so maybe need something good.

I do use noscript as well.

 

[John the Canuck]

I thought malwarebytes was run on-demand on an as-needed basis and so wouldn't be running in the background.

correct

install --- and run ''as needed''

 

[John the Canuck]

I assume you just let Task Scheduler do that? I think its configured by default to create a recovery point daily at system startup. You might be getting two a day if you do this manually?

nope only 1 a day but i will look into this -- thanks

 

[John the Canuck]

My reasoning for only having MWB installed as and when required is that if the PC gets compromised in any way whilst MWB is already installed, the chances are it will also be compromised in the attack and will probably be useless.

if it is compromised -- usually a popup saying the database is corrupt/missing and you cannt update the database -- then there is a folder buried somewhere in MalwareBytes called ''Chameleon'' which reinstalls the program in-spite of the attack

 

[Rezillo]

I ditched avast due it pestering me with pop-ups

Settings/General/ - Silent/gaming mode. If set, no messages or pop-up alerts will be displayed.

 

[John the Canuck]

[QUOTE 3350326, member: 259"]And please remind me, why did I move to Linux and Mac at home? [/QUOTE]

so intimating yours are 'better'..?
I'll stay with the installed Windows 7 thank you