Anti malware software you choose?
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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.
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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.
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!
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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.
Not free but the best tradeoff between low overhead and effective protection IMHO: Nod32[^]
Melting Away www.deals-house.com www.innovative--concepts.com
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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!
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
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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.
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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 use Kapersky Security and would highly recommend that. I've had problems with Norton in the past and would stay away from it. If you want free, I would say either AVG or Avast. I'd suggest paying for Kapersky though, even if just for the Anti-Virus/Spyware program rather than the full security suite. Hope this helps.
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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
I agree with most of your comments here sir. I'm well versed with what what a firewall does... and I agree they are important; however one thing I'm particularly fond of with my AVG Protection and Firewall (And certainly others are capable of the same thing) is that I'm notified when an application (MalWare .. or otherwise) attempts to use the network. Generally a FireWall is a one way defense.. but I certainly... Love systems that let you control what can come in.. and what (and from who/what) can go out.
Know way too many languages... master of none!
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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.
For general anti virus duties Avira Antivirus is excellent. It consistently has the best or very close to the best detection rates in the industry and an excellent reputation. There is a free 'nagware' version (apparently the startup nag can be disabled with relative ease) and several paid for versions. Generally it is much cheaper than the big names. I use the paid version because I think they deserve my money. It also does not suck away your computers performance like some of the competitors products, so I don't mind leaving it running constantly. For anti malware i have used use malwarebytes anti-malware. I haven't needed it since switching to avira anti virus, but have used it several times for cleaning up friends machines. I believe the free version only does on-demand scans rather than constant protection, but you shouldn't need an anti malware program on constantly, if you have a good AV program. Regardles, check out the security section in Gizmo's Freeware Reviews and form your own opinion on what is best for you and also to get an overview of various security technology options available outside of anti virus/malware programs (Incidentally, an excellent site for finding reviews on all all sorts of freeware). http://www.techsupportalert.com/ For the people who say you don't need to run AV constantly, I fully agree - if you are aware of what potential virus and malware entry points there are, then you can either lock them down (firewalls, sand boxed browsers etc) or apply a little common sense. Personally, I don't trust myself to resist the lure of Nigerian benefactors...
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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.
Personally, I would choose ESET NOD32/SmartSecurity. I have been using it for 10+ years and NEVER had a nasty get through on systems ranging from DOS6.22 through to Win7. There are versions available for a number of Linux distros (with more in beta) and even a Mac version in Beta. There is support for Mobile smartphones too with WinMobile 5 --> 6.5 support now with Symbian due iminently (in public beta now). In fact, I like the software and trust it so much that I have even become a reseller and partner. More info can be found at http://www.mrt502.co.uk/eset.aspx Yours, MRT502
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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'll add another vote for Avira Antivir. -low system resource usage -normally does well in tests. -free I use Comodo for firewall but have stuck with Avira for antivirus.
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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 like Microsoft Security Essential.Reason! I think that, Microsoft knows its 'friend' and 'foe' better than others.
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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.
Sunbelt Software? Vipre? I've used Avast, McAfee and Norton in the past. Avast and Norton have missed a couple of viruses in my environment (business, teens, etc.). I surprised no one has mentioned Vipre yet. Vipre along with MalwareBytes (when needed, e.g. my neighbor's teen) seems pretty solid.
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I'd say quite the opposite. I'd also venture a guess you have no real back ground in computer security :) :D
Two years in a uni course I dropped out of because of financial issues. Currently helping out third years in a variety of I.T. courses. They get A's. :P Uni equivalent anyway. AV is a blacklist thus ineffective and too inefficient to be constantly running as patches for your OS/programs/etc will block out avenues of infection and even the specific exploit for older viruses. Yes, they're still floating around, no, they're not going to infect you unless you really try. A properly configured firewall will be much more useful, and is the program generally skipped over by "professionals" and the public in general. You know that thing in your head called a brain? Use it. :) :-D