Which antivirus software?

tina1040 · 27-04-2018 01:11PM #1

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 €.

SOPHIE THE DOG · 27-04-2018 01:13PM

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

Cordell · 27-04-2018 01:25PM

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.

Mister Gooey · 27-04-2018 01:34PM

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!

Cordell · 27-04-2018 02:02PM

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

Xterminator · 27-04-2018 02:22PM

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.

theyoungchap · 27-04-2018 02:24PM

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

Harry Palmr · 27-04-2018 02:27PM

360 Total Security is pretty good.

verycool · 27-04-2018 02:29PM

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/

tina1040 · 27-04-2018 03:55PM

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?

mcgucc22 · 27-04-2018 04:07PM

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

Cordell · 27-04-2018 04:12PM

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

mcgucc22 · 27-04-2018 04:16PM

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.

my3cents · 27-04-2018 04:20PM

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

Cordell · 27-04-2018 04:43PM

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.

RobertFoster · 27-04-2018 05:03PM

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.

BailMeOut · 29-04-2018 03:56PM

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

Also make sure your Windows firewall is always enabled.

chrismon · 29-04-2018 07:42PM

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

Darren 83 · 29-04-2018 07:45PM

I use Bitdefender never had a problem with it.

theyoungchap · 30-04-2018 02:18PM

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.

tina1040 · 30-04-2018 04:36PM

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

my3cents · 30-04-2018 05:45PM

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.

Cordell · 30-04-2018 09:07PM

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

Cordell · 30-04-2018 09:11PM

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.

Which antivirus software?

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