Antivirus Program Choices
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
what is an anti-virus application, just another virus. Years ago a man that had a business supporting different companies said that anti-virus programs are more trouble than they are worth. The one advantage that defender has over any other software is that it can have better hooks into the OS, so should have less harmful side effects. Personally I have only used defender for years, and it seems to do a good job. Occasionally have hit a virus that will disable defender, but nothing recently.
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
Check this web page: AV-TEST | Antivirus & Security Software & AntiMalware Reviews[^] :)
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
A modern Windows doesn't need a security suite tucked onto. I'm using the Defender (and then the usual shizz like SmartScreen) with an active brain.exe running on top of all of it. Not a single security incident since '96 (mIRC worm on Windows 98 back then).
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
As had been echoed by many in the replies, I simply use the built-in Windows Defender and have been since circa the Windows 7 days. It just works, stays out of the way, and has no (or very very little) noticeable impact on performance. I have been recommending it to users for many years, and have had zero complaints from those that took my advice. I wish I could say the same for the variety of paid for AV software on the market :-(
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
Like many here I had given up on other AV solutions when reviewers started saying that Windows Defender/Security was just as good as other products. However in recent months I have seen various nasties getting round Defender (notably browser home page and search re-directions) for some of my club of users (generally the most hopeless ones). In parallel I have noted a rising wave of "extra goodies" being offered or installed by many AV products (Avast I'm looking at you!) that once combined can bring a slower computer to its knees. In reply I have started installing the SEP stand-alone client (without network protection) which served me & my "club" so well in past years. The client appears to be free, requiring no serial number or central server - however it is not directly available for download (COUGH).
So old that I did my first coding in octal via switches on a DEC PDP 8
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
+1. I have never used a background antivirus since Windows98, as they slowed the slow machine and interfered with my work. I have never had a serious virus, except recently when I had to use Malwarebytes to get rid of a suspected one. Then I uninstalled Malware bytes as it kept pestering me. I'm just very careful what I click on. Last week when trying to access streetmap.co.uk I got a popup claiming to be from BT saying I had won a big prize. I had disabled Adblock and Ghostery on the streetmap site, but when I re-enabled them the popup didn't reappear.
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Check this web page: AV-TEST | Antivirus & Security Software & AntiMalware Reviews[^] :)
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
I’m curious how many people clicked the above link without thinking about it because it was posted as part of a thread about virus protection. :)
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I’m curious how many people clicked the above link without thinking about it because it was posted as part of a thread about virus protection. :)
You have been a CP member for 3 years and 9 months... I'm curious why you decided to be curious about that... Given it's your first CP message ever... :) Anyway, the link is not hidden, shortened... so it's everybody decision...
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
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When it was time to renew McAfee, I just dropped it and now use Windows Defender. I read various reviews which said that it had improved to the point where paying for anti-virus software no longer made sense. However, I also run the premium version of Malwarebytes.
Robust Services Core | Software Techniques for Lemmings | Articles
My employer uses McAfee, and my group takes turns having it screw up, badly enough desktop support has to uninstall/reinstall. While it could be (and probably is) our configuration, McAfee has a been a problem in other locales as well. Like Greg, I'm using Windows Defender and Malwarebytes. My only issue with Malwarebytes is that if they have a feud with another company, that company's software gets flagged as PUP. The biggest help I see from MalwareBytes is that it flags iffy web sites. Like others, I'm careful about what sites I hit; that said, mistakes can (and are) made so the warnings help. Another thought is to read the "best anti-virus of the year" articles that pop up. Before settling on my current configuration, I would read several of the current articles when my current anti-virus license is running out. I read the pros and cons, and switched (or not) to what appears to be the best choice.
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You have been a CP member for 3 years and 9 months... I'm curious why you decided to be curious about that... Given it's your first CP message ever... :) Anyway, the link is not hidden, shortened... so it's everybody decision...
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
It was nothing personal. If that is the way it came across, I sincerely apologize. Earlier posts were talking about being careful about what they click, verifying email links, etc. I was so wrapped up in what I was reading, I almost clicked it without thinking. That made me wonder how many other people did that too.
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
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Like many here I had given up on other AV solutions when reviewers started saying that Windows Defender/Security was just as good as other products. However in recent months I have seen various nasties getting round Defender (notably browser home page and search re-directions) for some of my club of users (generally the most hopeless ones). In parallel I have noted a rising wave of "extra goodies" being offered or installed by many AV products (Avast I'm looking at you!) that once combined can bring a slower computer to its knees. In reply I have started installing the SEP stand-alone client (without network protection) which served me & my "club" so well in past years. The client appears to be free, requiring no serial number or central server - however it is not directly available for download (COUGH).
So old that I did my first coding in octal via switches on a DEC PDP 8
Clumpco wrote:
notably browser home page and search re-directions
Switch over to the new Chromium based Edge and set your browsing to "strict". It's amazing the number of things this blocks - to the tune of no popup blockers are needed. I bet this would also block the browser attacks because those are almost always delivered via third party cookies. Top three third party cookie sites I've seen getting blocked since I switched in mid-May: google.com fb.com amazon.com
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It was nothing personal. If that is the way it came across, I sincerely apologize. Earlier posts were talking about being careful about what they click, verifying email links, etc. I was so wrapped up in what I was reading, I almost clicked it without thinking. That made me wonder how many other people did that too.
See the icon top left... I'm joking, nothing serious and no need to apologize for anything. :)
Member 12719897 wrote:
That made me wonder how many other people did that too.
No idea... maybe others have... but that is a safe link, so nothing to worry about. Well, in behalf of :bob:, I hope you've given your journey here at CP as started.
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
Just Windows Defender - I've seen enough bad things (mostly horrendous performance impact, with a hint of 'doesn't uninstall completely by itself') with other AV technologies, like F-Secure, McAfee, Sophos and Cisco AMP, that I won't touch them. And even with Defender, I have a Powershell script that I use to turn off real-time scanning when it bugs me...
Java, Basic, who cares - it's all a bunch of tree-hugging hippy cr*p
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See the icon top left... I'm joking, nothing serious and no need to apologize for anything. :)
Member 12719897 wrote:
That made me wonder how many other people did that too.
No idea... maybe others have... but that is a safe link, so nothing to worry about. Well, in behalf of :bob:, I hope you've given your journey here at CP as started.
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
I've been reading articles here for years. I've just never felt the desire to reply to anything until now. :)
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Every single antivirus program today is little more that a placebo. I run a tech shop where people bring their wonky machines to be rehabbed from stints on the internet. It matters not whether it's got on it or not. There is malware on the machine and it gets cleaned using tech tools. In the face of this, I run NO antivirus on my windows 7 pet machine, and watch my S%^t. I never have a bit of malware even though I wish it were that easy when my pc starts to get fussy. It's always something else. One thing I've learned. You can take say, and attorney's office with with say 10 people in it "working" away on computers. The same two yahoos will be the consistent problem children, while the other 8 run for years and years without complaint. To that end use the windows defender that came with windows 10 and just do your work. Go outside to play, there are sharks on the web around every corner and you and John McAfee are powerless to stem the tide.
Ron Anders wrote:
I run NO antivirus on my windows 7 pet machine, and watch my S%^t. I never have a bit of malware even though I wish it were that easy when my pc starts to get fussy. It's always something else.
Well - if you never look for them you won't find them. An excellent system. Do you apply the same fine logic to fixing bugs in code? These gentlemen seem like minded[^].
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
Ok, you can laugh, but I use PC Matic. :laugh: Have used all of the others over the years, but it is hard to beat this one.
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When it was time to renew McAfee, I just dropped it and now use Windows Defender. I read various reviews which said that it had improved to the point where paying for anti-virus software no longer made sense. However, I also run the premium version of Malwarebytes.
Robust Services Core | Software Techniques for Lemmings | Articles
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
I use BitDefender. Supports multiple device types I need (Windows, OSX, Android, IOS). Lightweight enough to not get in the way of my audio recording projects, which was a problem with some others I've used in the past (long enough ago I forget which ones).
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What (paid for, but preferably not enterprise level) antivirus suite do people recommend? I used and recommended AVG for many years until I ran into a major interaction between it and Thunderbird which resulted in recurrent scrambling of my in-box. I went round in circles with their support people for quite a while before giving up on it. I currently use McAfee's Total Protection, which would be fine (my wife has no problems with it on her systems) if it did not increasingly frequently flag utility programs I have written (mostly in VB.Net) as viruses! Initially this was just a problem with its 'real-time scanning' component, which had to be disabled when I was actively developing and debugging the programs, and the 'in use' version excluded from these scans. However, it has now taken to quarantining one of my utilities (which has been unchanged for months) on every 'scheduled scan'. I have, of course followed McAfee's guidance for reporting false positives, but I have received no response whatsoever, and, as I have noted, the problem is getting worse. Is there a more reliable product in the same general price range?
Thanks to all for your input. The broad consensus seems to be that (for current Windows systems) a combination of Windows Defender and reasonable care about where you go on the web and what you click on is more than adequate protection. I will shake the metaphorical dust of McAfee off my computer's feet.
