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Which antivirus software?

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  • 27-04-2018 2:11pm
    #1
    tina1040
    Registered Users Posts: 478 ✭✭


    My Avast expires tomorrow after a 2 year subscription.

    It's €30 to renew for one year.

    What do people use? Is there a free one that's safe? Can a free one ever be as good as a paid one? I have virus problems with a previous laptop and It's just not worth the risk for a few €.


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    #2
    SOPHIE THE DOG
    Registered Users Posts: 159 ✭✭SOPHIE THE DOG


    Why not use the free version of Avast?

    Have a look at this review:
    http://uk.pcmag.com/antivirus-reviews/142/guide/the-best-free-antivirus-protection-of-2018


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    #3
    Cordell
    Registered Users Posts: 5,967 ✭✭✭Cordell


    https://chart.av-comparatives.org/awards.php?year=2018
    afaik Avast, Avira, AVG all have free versions.

    Personally, I'm happy enough with Microsoft one that's included in Windows 10. This, and keeping the system updated, and using dodgy sites with care.


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    #4
    Mister Gooey
    Registered Users Posts: 650 ✭✭✭Mister Gooey


    Cordell wrote:
    Personally, I'm happy enough with Microsoft one that's included in Windows 10. This, and keeping the system updated, and using dodgy sites with care.


    Microsoft works very well for me. Never had a problem and it's free!


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    #5
    Cordell
    Registered Users Posts: 5,967 ✭✭✭Cordell


    Well, it's not exactly free, you pay for it when you pay for Windows :)


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    #6
    Xterminator
    Registered Users Posts: 4,739 ✭✭✭Xterminator


    sophos home is my choice.

    very good, and you can manage all home pcs from one console. think its 5 or 10 home pcs completely free.


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    #7
    theyoungchap
    Closed Accounts Posts: 522 ✭✭✭theyoungchap


    AVG free, its grand. Antivirus is a waste of money


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    #8
    Harry Palmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40,061 ✭✭✭✭Harry Palmr


    360 Total Security is pretty good.


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    #9
    verycool
    Closed Accounts Posts: 965 ✭✭✭verycool


    Mister Gooey wrote: »
    Microsoft works very well for me. Never had a problem and it's free!

    +1. It's all you need.

    https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-10/december-2017/microsoft-windows-defender-4.12-174847/


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    #10
    tina1040
    Registered Users Posts: 478 ✭✭tina1040


    theyoungchap wrote: »
    AVG free, its grand. Antivirus is a waste of money

    What do you mean by a waste of money?
    Do you mean free versions are enough protection?


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    #11
    mcgucc22
    Registered Users Posts: 255 ✭✭mcgucc22


    Aren't all the free versions only 30 day or 60 trial versions though?


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    #12
    Cordell
    Registered Users Posts: 5,967 ✭✭✭Cordell


    No, the free version is free forever.
    The ones free for 30 days or so are trial versions of the paid versions.


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    #13
    mcgucc22
    Registered Users Posts: 255 ✭✭mcgucc22


    Cordell wrote:
    No, the free version is free forever. The ones free for 30 days or so are trial versions of the paid versions.


    Sound, the 5 year Panda Internet Security deal I was using finally expired a couple of months ago, I've just been using a few 30 day free trials to keep the laptop safe while I decided which paid version to go with. I must check out the free versions instead.


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    #14
    my3cents
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,764 ✭✭✭my3cents


    Microsofts built in AV plus a monthly (or more often if necessary) scan with Malwarebytes.


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    #15
    Cordell
    Registered Users Posts: 5,967 ✭✭✭Cordell


    mcgucc22 wrote: »
    Sound, the 5 year Panda Internet Security deal I was using finally expired a couple of months ago, I've just been using a few 30 day free trials to keep the laptop safe while I decided which paid version to go with. I must check out the free versions instead.

    Just to make sure: free version and paid version are not the same! The free version usually lack features like firewall and may have ads or some disabled options or some other kinks intended to convince you to get the paid one.


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    #16
    RobertFoster
    Registered Users Posts: 9,189 ✭✭✭RobertFoster


    I ditched the likes of AVG/avast! etc. for the inbuilt Windows antivirus/firewall (Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Defender) years ago and never had a problem.

    Steer clear of McAfee and the like that are often bundled with a new computer. They're often harder to remove than viruses themselves :pac: They're quite intrusive too, constantly begging for payment after short trials.


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    #17
    BailMeOut
    Registered Users Posts: 2,985 ✭✭✭BailMeOut


    if running Windows 10 just use native Defender will all features enabled.

    Also make sure your Windows firewall is always enabled.


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    #18
    chrismon
    Registered Users Posts: 1,115 ✭✭✭chrismon


    Windows Defender, let it update and do it's scans.
    A Malwarebytes scan every other week is no harm either


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    #19
    Darren 83
    Registered Users Posts: 1,685 ✭✭✭Darren 83


    I use Bitdefender never had a problem with it.


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    #20
    theyoungchap
    Closed Accounts Posts: 522 ✭✭✭theyoungchap


    tina1040 wrote: »
    What do you mean by a waste of money?
    Do you mean free versions are enough protection?

    Yeah exactly, they are good enough for the ordinary user, unless you have something serious you need to protect, paying for AV is a complete waste of money and still only offers limited protection.


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    #21
    tina1040
    Registered Users Posts: 478 ✭✭tina1040


    I have downloaded Avast Free. I have Windows 10....Can Defender be used along with that?


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    #22
    my3cents
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,764 ✭✭✭my3cents


    tina1040 wrote: »
    I have downloaded Avast Free. I have Windows 10....Can Defender be used along with that?

    No use one or the other. As soon as you install Avast Defender will automatically switch off.


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    #23
    Cordell
    Registered Users Posts: 5,967 ✭✭✭Cordell


    You can't have more than one antivirus, as said before, Microsoft antivirus will turn itself off when you install a 3rd party one.


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    #24
    Cordell
    Registered Users Posts: 5,967 ✭✭✭Cordell


    theyoungchap wrote: »
    Yeah exactly, they are good enough for the ordinary user, unless you have something serious you need to protect, paying for AV is a complete waste of money and still only offers limited protection.

    That is true, and even more true is that these days most malware actually require victim cooperation; being vigilant on what you click and/or download is the key.


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