Computer virus protection

[save$]

For a long time I ran Norton's virus protection. It became very expensive with multiple computers, so switched to kapensky. That one let me down, so I went to Mcafee. When that one expired, my computer kept loosing it's Internet connection. I kept getting warnings about being at risk asking for renewal. I had installed the free Microsoft protection. I cleared Mcafee right out of my computer and I no longer have Internet connection issues.
Does anyone else have the free Microsoft antivirus program and does it seem adequate?

 

[semipro]

I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials on multiple computers at home and its used on our computers at work, roughly 500 seats.
A few things have slipped through but the effects were minor. Overall, I'm happy with.it.

 

[firefighterjake]

I've run a few freebies in the past . . . currently running the free Microsoft anti-virus program. So far, so good.

 

[maple1]

I've only been using AVG Free for the past 5-7 years or so, with the odd Malwarebytes scan. Both free & no issues.

I did use Norton for a while before that, but it seemed to be a bit of a pig.

 

[Jags]

Norton is a resource pig. If installed on any marginal machine, it can bring it to its knees. I run AVG (business edition) on my network.

 

[Danno77]

AVG or Clamwin. those are the only two I have bothered with for several years now.

 

[Retired Guy]

For a long time I ran Norton's virus protection. It became very expensive with multiple computers, so switched to kapensky. That one let me down, so I went to Mcafee. When that one expired, my computer kept loosing it's Internet connection. I kept getting warnings about being at risk asking for renewal. I had installed the free Microsoft protection. I cleared Mcafee right out of my computer and I no longer have Internet connection issues.
Does anyone else have the free Microsoft antivirus program and does it seem adequate?

Two Win 7 machines and one XP. Have been using MS Security Essentials and MS firewall for years. Never an issue. My experience is that many third party AV and firewalls don't always play well with each other or windows in general.

 

[save$]

Thanks, I'll stay the free Microsoft program. It is working well for now and isn't causing conflicts with my internet connection.
Besides, free is good !

 

[vinny11950]

yeah, if hackers want to get into your computer and use it for shady stuff they can pretty much get around must virus protections and firewalls. and you will not even know about it.

that's why it is best to keep your most important info backup on a couple of external drives/thumb drives. you can encrypt them too, in case you lose them no one can see the info.

 

[gmule]

I've only been using AVG Free for the past 5-7 years or so, with the odd Malwarebytes scan. Both free & no issues.

Same here with no issues.

 

[Pallet Pete]

We switched to microsoft security essentials at work and it has actually let our computers run much faster. We where using Norton and it took over our computers and would not stop redirecting our home page to norton av. We tried Mcafee and it was even worse so then we used Kaspersky and it was nice however it did hog resources. Now our computers zip along and have no issues to speak of. Our server has a rather hefty firewall as well but I cant think of the name right now.

Pete

 

[begreen]

I try to stay off of porn and warez sites (well at least on a PC ). It's worked well for years with McAfee as a backup.

 

[gfreek]

Also been using Microsoft Security Essential along with Malawarebytes Anti-Malaware and Super Anti-Spyware, all free. Had a virus about a year ago and did the 'securitytango' and it took care of it. http://securitytango.com/windows.php

 

[raybonz]

Used AVG free anti-virus for years and switched to Avast free anti-virus on all my home PC's.. I have found that Avast runs reliably and integrates into everything such as e-mail, chat and filters web pages as they load preventing a rogue site from taking over your PC. I have read that the free Microsoft anti-virus is OK too but uses more resources.. Just opt out when installing Avast if you don't want the browser toolbar which I always do and you're good to go.. Here is a link to help you decide:

http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/security/fwvirus.html

Ray

 

[DuckDog]

I love avast! I have been running it for 5 or so yeras now. Had a letdown with the other most popular free one. Have not had a single issue since. I run it on my 4 home systems and have put it on 3 other family members machines. Not a single infection to report. I actually just did a reimage of a dozen Dell D630 laptops to be used a secondary/tertiary systems for myself and the rest of my department. it put avast! on all of them.

 

[raybonz]

I love avast! I have been running it for 5 or so yeras now. Had a letdown with the other most popular free one. Have not had a single issue since. I run it on my 4 home systems and have put it on 3 other family members machines. Not a single infection to report. I actually just did a reimage of a dozen Dell D630 laptops to be used a secondary/tertiary systems for myself and the rest of my department. it put avast! on all of them.

Probably been running it that long here and before that AVG but they went downhill so I switched. I run the free version at home which is legal however at work we are required to use a paid version and it must be Symantec Endpoint as the cyber security is huge there and piracy is a major no-no too.. My PLC laptop at work is an old Dell D600 too and my desktop laptop is a modern laptop.. Personally I feel Symantec is a resource hog!

Ray

 

[Huntindog1]

I switched to Avast a few years ago, I have 5 people in my family all with computers and my fix my computer demands have went way down to almost no existent.

Best one I have ever used.

 

[Highbeam]

I've been using avast for awhile no on my W7 home machine but just this weekend I got the FBI ransomware virus that slipped right past Avast. Malwarebyte got it cleared after restoring to a previous store point.

Must we all use separate virus and malware programs or does one service such as the MS version do it all?

 

[raybonz]

There is no perfect solution HB.. Check your settings in Avast to ensure your set up tight enough..

Ray

 

[WES999]

I have one of my computers running Ubuntu 12.04 ( free OS based on Linux).
From what I have read it is pretty much immune to viruses. No anti virus protection needed.
Works fine internet surfing.

 

[denjohn]

I have one of my computers running Ubuntu 12.04 ( free OS based on Linux).
From what I have read it is pretty much immune to viruses. No anti virus protection needed.
Works fine internet surfing.

I've been using Ubuntu for a years now after getting fed up with microsoft. Am very pleased w it.

 

[Sprinter]

Lots of good replies here. The best approach IMO is a combination of things. MSE is highly regarded by experts. So is Avast. Both get good reviews by testers. I used to use AVG but it's reputation has slipped. Note that both of these and any other full-time program running in the background don't co-exist well so you have to choose one. In addition, you should get a good "on demand" scanner like Malwarebytes for example and run it maybe once a week or so. Any scanner will ask if you want a "quick scan" or "full scan". Quick scans only look in areas that typically harbor malware. They will catch most problems, but it's a good idea to do a full scan now and then to be thorough. They can take a loooong time depending on your system, but many programs allow you limit the CPU use so you can keep using the computer.

I use linux a lot, too, for sensitive uses like financial. There is malware that can read your keystrokes or otherwise compromise your internet use. Linux is usually considered virus free. Not because it's impossible to write malware for it, but because it's too small a market to bother with. Windows is "where it's at" for malware. Mac's are pretty good in that regard, although every once in a while you read about malware written for mac's. Linux is great for internet use because there are good browsers like Firefox and Seamonkey with the necessary plugins like Flash, pdf readers, etc, available. Some people use it almost exclusively, but it still has too many limitations for most people as an everyday OS. Most Linux distro's (versions) make it pretty easy to install these days. If you don't like the idea of installing a Linux OS on your computer, there is a great distro called "Puppy" that doesn't need to install at all. You can just boot it off of a CD or thumb drive and it runs entirely in RAM. Very simple It's my personal favorite distro. Ubuntu is probably still the most popular.

 

[tony58]

I also use the free avast and never had a problem...
Tony

 

[begreen]

I've been using McAfee + a hard firewall for years with zero virus attacks. But the best virus protection is a careful user. I never open suspicious email links, especially those that are sent from my brother or his family. Their systems are always infected because he can't stay off porn sites and is always looking for software for free (cracked or hacked). If you treat your email like it could be toxic and avoid wandering down the sleezier corridors of the internet, you will likely be fine. If you do get infected, stop what you are doing and close all apps immediately. Don't resume until the problem is fixed. If you have gotten infected, know what the infection is. And consider nuking the drive (low level formating). There are a lot of insidious root kit viruses out there that can circumvent most protection schemes. If your system is infected with one of these it could go months undetected.

And this is just for the current generation of attacks. The next wave will be much more sophisticated. Back up important data frequently to an offline source.

 

[bluedogz]

Someone has to say it....

I have a Mac. Never had a malware problem. <<flame suit on....