Any Decent (and FREE) AV Software for Windows 7?
- Thread starter PKTrekGirl
- Start date
A
Amaris
Guest
I'm trying MSE right now, just on the recommendations of this thread to see if it's any good. So far, the footprint is lighter and my system seems a touch sprightlier. On top of that, it's completely inobtrusive. I've done several scans, and it hasn't found anything yet, and the quick scans really are quick.
Yes.
A couple of months back one of the computer mags did an article on the free A/v programs (was linked from Slashdot at the time). AVG didn't fair very well in the tests.
A
Amaris
Guest
^ I hate that they're declining so fast. It's like Ad-Aware, which used to be my most recommended piece of freeware when I ran my computer business, and then they bloated the hell out of it and slowed down everyone's machines worse than any adware.
They just followed Symantec's lead with Norton A/V becoming big and bloated though I gather recent editions have reversed that trend.
Norton to my recollection cleaned up their act with 2009 and especially with 2010 versions, so their Internet Security suite is very light and effective.
However, you can't really beat open source (free) ... especially since it's detection rates are on par (if not better) compared to paid programs and extremely light on the OS.
AVG on the other hand (in paid or free forms) is plain and simple ... 'lousy'.
It's resource hungry either way, and detection rates are low.
To those of you using AVG, I recommend switching to Avast 5, MSE or Avira.
If a program becomes bloated at some point in it's life-span, I usually start looking for something else.
From my perspective, if a program is resource light and does multiple things (effectively), then I will use it, but if it's resource hungry and does multiple things, then I will can it and find a different solution (which likely exists).
However, you can't really beat open source (free) ... especially since it's detection rates are on par (if not better) compared to paid programs and extremely light on the OS.
AVG on the other hand (in paid or free forms) is plain and simple ... 'lousy'.
It's resource hungry either way, and detection rates are low.
To those of you using AVG, I recommend switching to Avast 5, MSE or Avira.
If a program becomes bloated at some point in it's life-span, I usually start looking for something else.
From my perspective, if a program is resource light and does multiple things (effectively), then I will use it, but if it's resource hungry and does multiple things, then I will can it and find a different solution (which likely exists).
AVG really stopped being good somewhere around version 6.5 (maybe 7.0)--whenever they changed to the fancy interface.
Then the free stuff started to get bad because, ironically, they all established a name for themselves and could get away with it.
Of course, Microsoft could pull some of that same shit with MSE. However, I'll be really surprised if it isn't part of the first Win7 service pack or even a default component to Windows 8.
Which only further legitimizes my point about MSE. Once people get wise, the other AV people will be hurting. I also think that is one reason Norton cleaned up their act. For a long time they were surviving on name only. Well said name was getting really tarnished and people where bailing left and right for the free stuff.
Then the free stuff started to get bad because, ironically, they all established a name for themselves and could get away with it.
Of course, Microsoft could pull some of that same shit with MSE. However, I'll be really surprised if it isn't part of the first Win7 service pack or even a default component to Windows 8.
At which point MS would find themselves on the recieveing end of another anti-trust lawsuit
One that would have little grounds. Providing an OS and then providing all the tools to secure said OS shouldn't be a legal issue. In fact, I think it's been backwards all these years. Protecting a platform shouldn't be a process delegated to a third party.
Based on what I've seen in this thread I've started trying out the Windows Security Essentials, and so far so good.
Just so I don't have to open another thread and since it kind of goes hand in hand with antivirus software... Has anyone been running into issues with ZoneAlarm and Windows 7? I've started getting a Windows Tenodo (think that is what it is) Tunneling Adapter issue, researching on the web I've found it might be an issue with ZoneAlarm. Well I took off ZoneAlarm and now my computer works fine. Any other free firewalls to try out that won't have this same issue, or is Windows Firewall finally good enough?
Just so I don't have to open another thread and since it kind of goes hand in hand with antivirus software... Has anyone been running into issues with ZoneAlarm and Windows 7? I've started getting a Windows Tenodo (think that is what it is) Tunneling Adapter issue, researching on the web I've found it might be an issue with ZoneAlarm. Well I took off ZoneAlarm and now my computer works fine. Any other free firewalls to try out that won't have this same issue, or is Windows Firewall finally good enough?
A
Amaris
Guest
Windows firewall is more than good enough to handle the average user's security concerns.
It's Microsoft Security Essentials.
Make sure it's called THAT because there has been a report from MS that a scareware was made by Redmond under the name 'Security essentials 2010'.
It's in fact a bogus program.
Download MSE ONLY from Microsoft Website.
As for a firewall ...
The one that comes with Windows is more than enough for people actually.
If you are behind a router, then all the better because that's a hardware firewall that keeps you protected for the most part.
Software firewalls are not really all that too good.
And besides, if you have Vista or Win7, it's in-built firewall can manipulate both inbound and outbound connections.
Lol...
Just to keep it up to date:
Best free AV's to choose from (pick only 1 for install) in no particular order that are light and highly effective:
Avast
Avira
MSE
Panda
I still recommend avoid using AVG or McAfee - even though they 'supposedly' improved their detection rates (real-life testing showed better results for AVG than McAfee), both are still pretty much resource hungry and I maintain that they should be avoided like a plague (at least until they get better- if they do).
I also recommend Windows Firewall to be enabled and use AdBlock when surfing the net.
Just to keep it up to date:
Best free AV's to choose from (pick only 1 for install) in no particular order that are light and highly effective:
Avast
Avira
MSE
Panda
I still recommend avoid using AVG or McAfee - even though they 'supposedly' improved their detection rates (real-life testing showed better results for AVG than McAfee), both are still pretty much resource hungry and I maintain that they should be avoided like a plague (at least until they get better- if they do).
I also recommend Windows Firewall to be enabled and use AdBlock when surfing the net.
I've been using Microsoft Essentials and it works great. I did use AVG, but for some reason it blocked my Ipod activity to Itunes and decided to find a new virus software. Maybe I was doing something wrong, but that whole thing was weird.
A
Amaris
Guest
MSE is nice because it just runs right in the background and doesn't bother you. It's integration is top notch. It's also lighter on resources, too.
Similar threads
