Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. Anti malware software you choose?

Anti malware software you choose?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
comsecurityquestion
40 Posts 33 Posters 0 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • J Joan M

    Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

    [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

    E Offline
    E Offline
    electroNik87
    wrote on last edited by
    #11

    Hm... Nobody mentioned Comodo. I've been using it for more than a year, and it great. And also free. See how it compares to other: Test results

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • J Joan M

      Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

      [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

      N Offline
      N Offline
      NDWolf
      wrote on last edited by
      #12

      Avira antivir and Spybot S&D it's a good combination

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • J Joan M

        Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

        [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

        M Offline
        M Offline
        MikeD 2
        wrote on last edited by
        #13

        My experience is that no one product can do it all even within one area and my votes go to AVG 9 for antivirus and firewall Malwarebytes and Spybot Search and Destroy for malware Plus keep your operating system and add-ons as up to date as possible

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • J Joan M

          Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

          [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

          K Offline
          K Offline
          kirankss
          wrote on last edited by
          #14

          For malware, per se I would suggest using: Threat Fire -> freeware

          A 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • K kirankss

            For malware, per se I would suggest using: Threat Fire -> freeware

            A Offline
            A Offline
            abaginskie
            wrote on last edited by
            #15

            Malware Bytes Free version is great for removing Malware once you get it. I haven't used the paid version so I'm not sure how good it is at catching the Malware before it takes over your computer. I would like to hear some comments on how good the paid version of Malware Bytes is since I have considered getting it for my company. Does it catch/pick up the Malware before it strikes? For a free solution Malware Bytes and AVG work nicely. The Free version of Avast isn't bad either and it allows you to do boot time scans, which some of the other Anti-Viruses I've used don't have that option. Surf Dog

            T 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • J Joan M

              Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

              [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

              I Offline
              I Offline
              IncredibleMouse
              wrote on last edited by
              #16

              I don't personally run A/V or MW cleaners, except for a scan once every 6 months to a year just to affirm my suspicions that my common sense practices haven't failed me. Unfortuntely, my clients consist of many individuals with varying degrees of common sense or knowledge of security practices. I highly recommend ESET AntiVirus (not free but works very well with low over-head and a low nag level). For malware MBAM (MalwareBytes) is free and decent. However, for better Malware proection you'll want to register MBAM because it will perform scheduled scanning. For those clients who click every link they see in front of their face, you'll want that, and the ESET firewall on high-guard. Then for the problem children, who can miraculously get infected as soon as they look at a computer, I would turn on some content protection like ContentWatch, add blacklists to the router, and then finally terminate their employment. rofl.

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • J Joan M

                Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

                [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

                B Offline
                B Offline
                BC3Tech
                wrote on last edited by
                #17

                i run Panda Cloud on my netbook because it's lightweight, and i run MSE on my desktop. so far i've had no issues on either, and i've seen MSE grab stuff. both are free

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • C chrissb

                  Don't run an Antivirus (AV) product all the time, it's pointless. If you can't figure out why, ask and I'll explain but you should be able to get it. Get a decent firewall, Commodo is ok, run that constantly. And make sure all your programs and OS are up to date. No point having an AV without a firewall and a secure system. Once a week, update and run Malwarebytes, it's an antimalware program and quite good. Then update and run Spybot Search and Destroy. PC = secure and happy. That's for a Windows based PC anyway.

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  JasonPSage
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #18

                  I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Don't run an antivirus app all the time" if you care to share! Thank You, Jason P Sage

                  Know way too many languages... master of none!

                  K C 2 Replies Last reply
                  0
                  • J Joan M

                    Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

                    [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

                    A Offline
                    A Offline
                    AshesMukherjee
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #19

                    Symantec - bar none

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • A abaginskie

                      Malware Bytes Free version is great for removing Malware once you get it. I haven't used the paid version so I'm not sure how good it is at catching the Malware before it takes over your computer. I would like to hear some comments on how good the paid version of Malware Bytes is since I have considered getting it for my company. Does it catch/pick up the Malware before it strikes? For a free solution Malware Bytes and AVG work nicely. The Free version of Avast isn't bad either and it allows you to do boot time scans, which some of the other Anti-Viruses I've used don't have that option. Surf Dog

                      T Offline
                      T Offline
                      Toto1107
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #20

                      I have been using the paid version of Malware Bytes for about 1 year, problem free for home computer. I have it running with Avira no problems. I've had McAfee, Norton, and Symantec in the past and have gotten hosed (kids). Malware support spent 4 days helping me clean up the mess - Friday thru Monday, answering emails within a 2 hour window. For a one time fee, I was impressed with the response & quality of the help. McAfee & Symantec had non-existant customer support, and impacted the performance. Don't notice performance issues either with Malware & Avira. http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php[^] http://www.avira.com/en/solutions/home_home_office.html[^]

                      Toto1107

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • J Joan M

                        Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

                        [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

                        V Offline
                        V Offline
                        vbjay net
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #21

                        AV-avast pro High praises the free edition is great but I like the added script stuff. I have used AVG but hated the way it updated and slowed the machine down. (Find update-install-reboot-look another update.) Malware-MBAM, spybot s&d system tools to handle the stuff those can't-sysinternals Love autoruns

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • J Joan M

                          Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

                          [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

                          S Offline
                          S Offline
                          Steve Naidamast
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #22

                          I have been using "AVG Anti-Virus" for years and have recently added "Super Anti-Virus". I do alternating scans with both tools and have had no problems in years... I also have PC-Tools "Spyware Doctor" and "Trojan Hunter" but don't seem to need them...

                          Steve Naidamast Black Falcon Software, Inc. blackfalconsoftware@ix.netcom.com

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • J JasonPSage

                            I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Don't run an antivirus app all the time" if you care to share! Thank You, Jason P Sage

                            Know way too many languages... master of none!

                            K Offline
                            K Offline
                            kinar
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #23

                            I don't know his/her thoughts but here is mine... I am not an ignorant user of my PC. I've been on the internet for as long as I've been using a PC (~15 years). I've seen and dealt with almost every malware or virus to come along during that time. In college, I frequently cleaned up other people's PCs and after college I worked tech support for one of the largest internet providers in the world for a few years where I helped other people over the phone clean up thier PC. On my PC, I know what is running and when it is running. I almost always have task manager running for other purposes so keeping an eye on the processes list is second nature. My computers all sit behind a firewall and I leave windows firewall enabled as well. I don't use browser plugins and don't allow autoupdate apps to run in the background on my PC (once again, I keep task manager open and I notice when a newly installed app starts one up). While I am browsing the web, when I come across a site that pops up a window that I didn't ask for, I close IE (yes, I primarily use IE) with task manager (task manager to the rescue again)... essentially, I am my own anti-virus/anti-malware....and in the rare occasions when someone else uses my computer and gets it infected, there are a plethora of excellent free tools available to remove it.

                            J 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • J Joan M

                              Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

                              [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

                              T Offline
                              T Offline
                              T800G
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #24

                              FYI I wont advertise Avast, I'll just post my experience so far: At first I used Avast4, then switched to AVG because i couldn't install it 'offline' after Windows reinstall. AVG was very good until they developed 'update failure' 2 yrs ago. Now I'm back to Avast Home and just love it.:thumbsup: Do you know how Vista/7 user actually runs in a separate, non-system session and elevation dialog is shown when system actually switches to 'SYSTEM' session? Avast5 has the same 'feature' when you try to uninstall it (well, I wasn't stupid yet to try to infect-test that). Also, Avast now uses html-renderer GUI, so any malware that is smart enough to simulate user click on the "yes I want to uninstall my antivirus" button won't be successful much (for now), because there isn't any HWND to find except the top window. It's free for home users, and you register through it's own dialog, no need for web browser, just enter your email and name, you have 60 days for that. If you buy pro license it unlocks pro features. Last time I checked, it's still cheaper than NOD32. Free edition has mail scanner, real-time scanner/shield, and it actively monitors all web traffic so it blocked 'drive-by' sites more than once for me. It also has silent 'gamer' mode. In the end, the interface is very much not-ugly. But that's just me. When you actually encounter smart malware, nothing will save you after you double click it, believe me - my golden rule: When in doubt, don't! I hope I helped. :)

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • J Joan M

                                Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

                                [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

                                D Offline
                                D Offline
                                djdanlib 0
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #25

                                Other posters have already mentioned MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (free) and SpyBot Search & Destroy (free) and Panda Cloud (free). I feel TeaTimer, part of SpyBot, is rather useless nowadays so I leave it off. Panda Cloud seems to catch things other AV vendors don't, but it comes at a performance penalty vs. no A/V at all. That's to be expected, but you can usually fine-tune McAfee or Norton to not totally hog your CPU and disk I/O when you need it. When I use my normal software (Propellerhead Reason) Panda locks up the program for a long time when I click Save. Sometimes I just shut it off while I save my work. Not the best, IMO, but better than nothing and you can't beat free. Webroot Spy Sweeper 2010 was worth every cent at $30 from the store. It cleaned up an awful mess that MBAM + SpyBot + Panda + ComboFix + all my other tricks just couldn't. It appears that some malware will actually try to alter your computer and router's DNS settings, in addition to setting up proxies in your browser. Reset those and flush the DNS resolver cache if you're getting awful redirects. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say, but it sounds like you might need the pound of cure at this point. To prevent further malware, uninstall Java completely (it's a tough bugger... Add/Remove Programs doesn't completely get rid of it) and keep your patches up to date. Enable the PID column in your Task Manager so you can kill things by the number via the Start-Run command if you must, such as when something disables starting new programs, disables cmd, disables regedit + sys info + msconfig, and autokills taskman after half a second (hope you can read fast)... I've seen stuff do all that and then some.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • J Joan M

                                  Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

                                  [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

                                  M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  Mark J Miller
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #26

                                  Been using Avast! since 2006 and I love it. The free "home" version is great. I love the ability to run boot time scans and it has picked up drive by attacks many times on my wife's machine. As for performance I have to double check from time to time that it is even running because it just stays out of my way.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • C chrissb

                                    Don't run an Antivirus (AV) product all the time, it's pointless. If you can't figure out why, ask and I'll explain but you should be able to get it. Get a decent firewall, Commodo is ok, run that constantly. And make sure all your programs and OS are up to date. No point having an AV without a firewall and a secure system. Once a week, update and run Malwarebytes, it's an antimalware program and quite good. Then update and run Spybot Search and Destroy. PC = secure and happy. That's for a Windows based PC anyway.

                                    F Offline
                                    F Offline
                                    fred_
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #27

                                    chrissb wrote:

                                    Don't run an Antivirus (AV) product all the time, it's pointless. If you can't figure out why, ask and I'll explain but you should be able to get it.

                                    I'd like to hear a credible explanation. Personally I think that's insane.

                                    C 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • K kinar

                                      I don't know his/her thoughts but here is mine... I am not an ignorant user of my PC. I've been on the internet for as long as I've been using a PC (~15 years). I've seen and dealt with almost every malware or virus to come along during that time. In college, I frequently cleaned up other people's PCs and after college I worked tech support for one of the largest internet providers in the world for a few years where I helped other people over the phone clean up thier PC. On my PC, I know what is running and when it is running. I almost always have task manager running for other purposes so keeping an eye on the processes list is second nature. My computers all sit behind a firewall and I leave windows firewall enabled as well. I don't use browser plugins and don't allow autoupdate apps to run in the background on my PC (once again, I keep task manager open and I notice when a newly installed app starts one up). While I am browsing the web, when I come across a site that pops up a window that I didn't ask for, I close IE (yes, I primarily use IE) with task manager (task manager to the rescue again)... essentially, I am my own anti-virus/anti-malware....and in the rare occasions when someone else uses my computer and gets it infected, there are a plethora of excellent free tools available to remove it.

                                      J Offline
                                      J Offline
                                      JasonPSage
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #28

                                      Thanx - got it... Lightweight - and you Micro-Manage your Pc to reduce exposure - Nice! Takes a very savvy user - which you evidently are.

                                      Know way too many languages... master of none!

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • J Joan M

                                        Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|

                                        [www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.

                                        S Offline
                                        S Offline
                                        Snowman58
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #29

                                        Not free but the best tradeoff between low overhead and effective protection IMHO: Nod32[^]

                                        Melting Away www.deals-house.com www.innovative--concepts.com

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • J JasonPSage

                                          I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Don't run an antivirus app all the time" if you care to share! Thank You, Jason P Sage

                                          Know way too many languages... master of none!

                                          C Offline
                                          C Offline
                                          chrissb
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #30

                                          Think of it like this. Imagine a party, you've got your old mum wandering around the area with a notepad which contains descriptions and photo's of people she considers unhealthy for you, if she sees any of those people, they're outa here. Anyone else though, is perfectly fine. If one of your guests popped a few pills beforehand and starts raging and stabbing people, mum's going to look at him, look at her notepad, and move on. The firewall is your bouncer who's at the gate. If anyone looks suspicious, he confirms with you to make sure they're allowed. Some people are just too seedy, they don't get a second glance. Instantly barred. Your AntiVirus will only detect and remove items it has in it's libary, making it useless against any new threat. This is why updating it is essential, and it's also why running it permantly is a waste of resources. If a brand new virus is out, and you don't have the fingerprint/description with photo, then your AV is useless. Your firewall on the otherhand, stops malware BEFORE it hits your computer. Watching task manager like the other person suggested won't work for any virus even slightly sophisiticated. I collect virii/viruses as a hobby, and there's quite a few which are practically invisible. Quite intriguing little programs. But if you run a firewall 24/7, practice safe browsing (anything that says FREE CODEX HERE!! is to be avoided at all times for example), and update and run an AV and an antispyware program once a week, then you'll be more secure than the majority of people. Including the one above me. EDIT: 'ed to change "wondering" to "wandering". Cause hitting Preview to check for any error so obvious seemed a waste of time. -.-

                                          modified on Monday, June 28, 2010 5:39 PM

                                          J 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups