PC Malware/Antivirus suggestions

[ThunderAeroI]

I have a computer at my house which the kids use to play Minecraft; however, it seems that that computer gets infected with virus or malware quite often and usually a variety of Enormous Sales arrives.

What is the best anti virus or malware software on the free market today?

or for premium sales

 

[Marc]

That's a bit of a religious question

Malware bytes is probably the best of anti-malware stand alones. It's available in free and premium versions (and I gather it's now an ongoing subscription, it used to be one off licence).

For av software, Sophos and Kasperky are pretty good but come with a cost, You can either just get the standalone or as part of a suite.

Avira is a okay as far the free a/v programs go. I used it for a while and didn't have any problems.

Have you also looked at tightening up the computer so the kids can't install software on it?

 

[Crazy Eddie]

What is the best anti virus or malware software on the free market today?

Any operating system that isn't Windows.

 

[Amaris]

I usually lean on Tom's Hardware Guide for recommendations, and right now, they feel that Avira Antivirus is the best free AV available, with MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free Edition as a good backup.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I've been using ESET anti-virus, then ESET Smart Security for years.

It catches everything as far as I know

It's a subscription based thing (virus definitions), but worth it.

 

[137th Gebirg]

I have a computer at my house which the kids use to play Minecraft; however, it seems that that computer gets infected with virus or malware quite often and usually a variety of Enormous Sales arrives.

What is the best anti virus or malware software on the free market today?

or for premium sales

That's a bit of a religious question

I'm a bit of a Unitarian when it comes to such things...

Agreed that MalwareBytes is the top anti-malware solution out there. Has been for years, IMO. I supplement it with SpywareBlaster and PeerBlock, plus a comprehensive battery of FireFox plug-ins, some of which I am not allowed to discuss on this forum due to revenue-generation concerns (despite being a Premium member). Regardless, they offer excellent protection on other sites with potentially malicious adverts and pop-ups.

If you're looking for free antivirus that does the job and with minimal annoying ads, I use AVG Free. It's a bit tedious to set up, but pretty good when it gets rolling. Instant detect and quarantine if it sees something it doesn't like.

 

[Saturn0660]

Free Antivirus are worth what you paid for them.
Kasperky and Webfoot seem to do okay.
I also enjoy Malwarebytes..

 

[intrinsical]

Here's the latest test of antivirus and malware protection software. I guess you can use it to determine which is the best software to use.

https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-7/april-2015/

 

[Mage]

I usually lean on Tom's Hardware Guide for recommendations, and right now, they feel that Avira Antivirus is the best free AV available, with MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free Edition as a good backup.

I've been using Avira and MalwareBytes for years now, and the combo is perfect. Also, ADWCleaner for a quick sweep every now and then.

 

[Dukhat]

Free Antivirus are worth what you paid for them.

Studies have shown that there's minimal to no difference between a paid antivirus program and a free one.

 

[Random_Spock]

I usually lean on Tom's Hardware Guide for recommendations, and right now, they feel that Avira Antivirus is the best free AV available, with MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free Edition as a good backup.

Unless you have Windows 8! I had a heck of a time removing it. And it screwed my mom's laptop up royally. Had to start from scratch due to the local computer guys installing it.

Made sure to reinstall Avast! on it since it doesn't clash with Windows 8.

It's far from perfect, but it works ok.

Love Malwarebytes though. Not too happy with them right now though. I haven't been able to update it for some reason... I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling it to no avail.

 

[Amaris]

I usually lean on Tom's Hardware Guide for recommendations, and right now, they feel that Avira Antivirus is the best free AV available, with MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free Edition as a good backup.

I've been using Avira and MalwareBytes for years now, and the combo is perfect. Also, ADWCleaner for a quick sweep every now and then.

I used to use ADWCleaner, but it may be a little too good. It likes to napalm the heck out of everything.

Free Antivirus are worth what you paid for them.

Studies have shown that there's minimal to no difference between a paid antivirus program and a free one.

This. There is little to no difference between paid versions and their free counterparts.

I usually lean on Tom's Hardware Guide for recommendations, and right now, they feel that Avira Antivirus is the best free AV available, with MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free Edition as a good backup.

Unless you have Windows 8! I had a heck of a time removing it. And it screwed my mom's laptop up royally. Had to start from scratch due to the local computer guys installing it.

Made sure to reinstall Avast! on it since it doesn't clash with Windows 8.

It's far from perfect, but it works ok.

Love Malwarebytes though. Not too happy with them right now though. I haven't been able to update it for some reason... I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling it to no avail.

Are you running it as an Administrator?

 

[John Clark]

Avira has been working find for me on my laptop (Windows 8.1) but it does whinge a bit about going to a pay version.

I use AVG on my desktop (Win7)

I also have Malwarebytes and ADWCleaner on both as back up. I've also got Superantispyware on too just in case.

(I've got Avast on my phone and it seems to work ok)

 

[Marc]

Love Malwarebytes though. Not too happy with them right now though. I haven't been able to update it for some reason... I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling it to no avail.

yeah I've had that problem in the past. think I ended up having to do a re-install of Windows which lead to another problem.

If have malwarebytes running it screws up Firefox so I can't brower the web (yet Chrome and IE work).

Also Windows 10 seems to crapped malwarebytes atm cos I can't even run it.

 

[Random_Spock]

I usually lean on Tom's Hardware Guide for recommendations, and right now, they feel that Avira Antivirus is the best free AV available, with MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free Edition as a good backup.

I've been using Avira and MalwareBytes for years now, and the combo is perfect. Also, ADWCleaner for a quick sweep every now and then.

I used to use ADWCleaner, but it may be a little too good. It likes to napalm the heck out of everything.



This. There is little to no difference between paid versions and their free counterparts.

I usually lean on Tom's Hardware Guide for recommendations, and right now, they feel that Avira Antivirus is the best free AV available, with MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free Edition as a good backup.

Unless you have Windows 8! I had a heck of a time removing it. And it screwed my mom's laptop up royally. Had to start from scratch due to the local computer guys installing it.

Made sure to reinstall Avast! on it since it doesn't clash with Windows 8.

It's far from perfect, but it works ok.

Love Malwarebytes though. Not too happy with them right now though. I haven't been able to update it for some reason... I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling it to no avail.

Are you running it as an Administrator?

Generally didn't have to in order to update. I could try to see if it might make any difference though. Well I'll be damned. That's what it was. Guess they made it that way now. Thanks J. Allen!

 

[Amaris]

You're welcome, Random Spock. I'm always glad to help.

 

[Sector 7]

Free Antivirus are worth what you paid for them.

Studies have shown that there's minimal to no difference between a paid antivirus program and a free one.

I used AVG and then Avast... still got more than one virus they could not get rid of. Installed trial of Norton Security and it removed them on the first scan. I paid the annual fee... happily!

Avira has been working find for me on my laptop (Windows 8.1) but it does whinge a bit about going to a pay version.

I use AVG on my desktop (Win7)

I also have Malwarebytes and ADWCleaner on both as back up. I've also got Superantispyware on too just in case.

(I've got Avast on my phone and it seems to work ok)

I have Avast on my phone, as well. It picked up a virus, but could not remove it... until it updated. Once that happened, the virus was gone.

 

[Saturn0660]

Free Antivirus are worth what you paid for them.

Studies have shown that there's minimal to no difference between a paid antivirus program and a free one.

I used AVG and then Avast... still got more than one virus they could not get rid of. Installed trial of Norton Security and it removed them on the first scan. I paid the annual fee... happily!

Avira has been working find for me on my laptop (Windows 8.1) but it does whinge a bit about going to a pay version.

I use AVG on my desktop (Win7)

I also have Malwarebytes and ADWCleaner on both as back up. I've also got Superantispyware on too just in case.

(I've got Avast on my phone and it seems to work ok)

I have Avast on my phone, as well. It picked up a virus, but could not remove it... until it updated. Once that happened, the virus was gone.

Its a sad day indeed when someone would rather pay for Norton then use the free AVG. Just goes to show how crappy Free AVG really is. Now the pay one on the other hand.

 

[Dukhat]

Studies have shown that there's minimal to no difference between a paid antivirus program and a free one.

I used AVG and then Avast... still got more than one virus they could not get rid of. Installed trial of Norton Security and it removed them on the first scan. I paid the annual fee... happily!

Avira has been working find for me on my laptop (Windows 8.1) but it does whinge a bit about going to a pay version.

I use AVG on my desktop (Win7)

I also have Malwarebytes and ADWCleaner on both as back up. I've also got Superantispyware on too just in case.

(I've got Avast on my phone and it seems to work ok)

I have Avast on my phone, as well. It picked up a virus, but could not remove it... until it updated. Once that happened, the virus was gone.

Its a sad day indeed when someone would rather pay for Norton then use the free AVG. Just goes to show how crappy Free AVG really is. Now the pay one on the other hand.

Between using things like Combofix and Malwarebytes, and any free AV program, your computer will be just fine.

 

[Marc]

Studies have shown that there's minimal to no difference between a paid antivirus program and a free one.

I used AVG and then Avast... still got more than one virus they could not get rid of. Installed trial of Norton Security and it removed them on the first scan. I paid the annual fee... happily!

Avira has been working find for me on my laptop (Windows 8.1) but it does whinge a bit about going to a pay version.

I use AVG on my desktop (Win7)

I also have Malwarebytes and ADWCleaner on both as back up. I've also got Superantispyware on too just in case.

(I've got Avast on my phone and it seems to work ok)

I have Avast on my phone, as well. It picked up a virus, but could not remove it... until it updated. Once that happened, the virus was gone.

Its a sad day indeed when someone would rather pay for Norton then use the free AVG. Just goes to show how crappy Free AVG really is. Now the pay one on the other hand.

not at all.

There have been many years when norton has been a steaming pile of bloatware that's been harder to get rid of than some viruses but people buy it because a)name recognition and b) it's frequently included as part of OEM bundles.

So people will simply purchase a Norton license than go anywhere else.

Same as more people using Internet explorer than chrome or Firefox. The former is there already so people won't look any further even though they are better options.