Anti Virus renewal time

[Octopus]

OK, so got myself a new laptop and coincendentally our AVG Internet Security,antivirus, etc protection need renewing - anyone got any views on what's good and bad on the market??

Thanks

 

[PC Electrics]

I use AVG Free. I haven't heard a bad word against AVG.

 

[DurhamSparky]

AVG or Avast....!

 

[Marvo]

There's so many free options, unless you have money to burn I would just use one of them. If you're familiar with AVG then completely uninstall your existing AV and grab AVG free. If you're one of the ultra-paraniod types then use Sandboxie for browsing and email client and Bob will be your uncle (see avatar) .

 

[danzor]

Just don't get Norton's, I swear that program gives you more viruses than it stops

 

[Marvo]

Here's a link for the AVG Free download

Here's a link for Sandboxie which is also free but makes you wait a few seconds if you don't register.

 

[Tuttle]

I use Avast (free version): avast! Free Antivirus | Download Antivirus Protection Software

 

[leonard]

If you do internet banking then you get free antivirus with it .

 

[ian.settle1]

I use a free one called Comodo, use the anti-virus, anti-spam and firewall

 

[Octopus]

I use a free one called Comodo, use the anti-virus, anti-spam and firewall

Not heard of that one - how long have you been using it?

 

[ian.settle1]

Not heard of that one - how long have you been using it?

About 18 months now had no problem found it by accident

SSL Certificate, Digital SSL Certificates, Secure SSL Certificates ? Comodo

 

[Marvo]

Comodo products come highly recommended. I've used their firewall in the past and it was definitely one of the better programs out there and a small resource footprint as well.

 

[electron1]

Avast....!

Yes agreed on Avast, and back up with Free Malwarbtes, running this say once a week.

 

[balbecdaze]

Or use a Linux-based OS (Ubuntu say), and avoid all that hassle ...

 

[Tuttle]

Or use a Linux-based OS (Ubuntu say), and avoid all that hassle ...

And then use VirtualBox to run Windows on top of Ubuntu to get the best of both worlds (of course you still need anti virus software for the Windows install then). That eases the transition to Linux/Ubuntu and allows you to run any Windows based programs that you haven't found a replacement for yet. That's what I do anyway and it works a treat.

 

[Mr Curnow]

Windows is targeted too much and is too vulnerable to be capable of security, even though you have anti-virus software, cyber-criminals know how to work their way around this, AVG is decent for windows, however if you want to keep your sensitive data secure use a linux based operating system, i'm currently using linux mint and it is great, much more secure than windows. Windows has many vulnerabilites waiting for people to exploit, linux operating systems are being constantly updated so they can remain secure.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I use the Windows Security Essentials.
Used to use Windows Defender.
In the past I have used AVG, Norton, Macafee, and whatever options AOL, Virgin and Barclays Bank have had for free.
None of them are perfect, and to be honest the drawbacks of the third party offerings outweigh the benefits.
The Windows option doesn't appear to affect the speed or usability of my computer.
The most vulnerable programs appear to be Java and Adobe reader.
Every so often I remove and then re-install them.
Microsoft also provide an online safety scanner which I use occasionally.

 

[jessieryder]

Avira and Kaspersky Antivirus are best to remove virus from the system.

 

[sparkless]

I use "Windows Defender"
its Microsoft's own one and work great with Windows.

and its free, just google it

 

[gnuuser]

Windows is targeted too much and is too vulnerable to be capable of security, even though you have anti-virus software, cyber-criminals know how to work their way around this, AVG is decent for windows, however if you want to keep your sensitive data secure use a linux based operating system, i'm currently using linux mint and it is great, much more secure than windows. Windows has many vulnerabilites waiting for people to exploit, linux operating systems are being constantly updated so they can remain secure.

i agree with this I have used linux for 10 years now and currently have archived over 275 english language versions.
many of these are security intensive distros and i have more than a few forensic versions.
ive been building computers for about 35 years now

 

[Dohnut]

I've never paid for a antivirus and have tried many over the years, I'm currently using Avast and its great.

 

[Baker1988]

i agree with useing linux i use ubuntu but i have it duel booted with windows 8 (should of stayed on 7) so get the best of both worlds but i use linux a lot more then windows it is amazing on my windows i use microsoft security essentials and malwarebites they have done very well for me but i occasionally search manually for viruses then you can be sure you have no viruses

 

[brucelee]

I have bullgiard internet security for 3 yrs at about £60 + when i fisrt bought it it was £39 on promotion havnt used anyhting else since
Norton jsut slows everything sown to a stop

 

[rugbyspark]

I have been using Bit Defender for 2 Yrs very Good.
Also use Zone Alarm which seems to find Trojans & Malware much better than anything else Iv'e tried so far.
You need to change the default settings on Free AVG otherwise it doesn't check everything.

 

[Stuuk1]

+1 for Avast.

Many companies use there corporate version. It's a very light programme and will use a minimal amount of your memory as opposed to Norton or Macafee

 

[rugbyspark]

Hi there GNUUSER,
I am interested in the forensic side of PC's, when you mention Forensic versions could you please elaborate a bit,
Thanks.

 

[dan86]

I use avast. have done for years and works well for me

 

[gnuuser]

Hi there GNUUSER,
I am interested in the forensic side of PC's, when you mention Forensic versions could you please elaborate a bit,
Thanks.

i use caine 1.5, backtrack 5, fccu, and helix for forensic work they work quite well and i use gnacktrack, knoppix std,and a few others for pen-testing networks and blag linux for the intense wireless testing. (although blag is considered hacker software in some places)
here are some links

Forensics | The LiveCD List

DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

Linux Links - The Linux Portal: Search Results

https://www.phillips321.co.uk/gnacktrack/

BackTrack Linux - Penetration Testing Distribution

blag linux and gnu by le brixton linux action group

backtrack, caine, knoppix std and helix all are great for recovering files and doing a forensic copy of a hard drive.
but helix is the only one that will charge you a fair bit of cash to join their forum and organization on the plus side though they have a very good reputation and outstanding support

 

[Geordie Spark]

I have bullgiard internet security for 3 yrs at about £60 + when i fisrt bought it it was £39 on promotion havnt used anyhting else since
Norton jsut slows everything sown to a stop

Aye. but it seems to bugger your keyboard up.

 

[telectrix]

that's not the anti virus buggers your keyboard, geordie, it's the spilt bottle of dog did that.

 

[rugbyspark]

Thanks for that GNUUSER,
YES, trying to find more time to learn LINUX, have read several books on Forensics.
As an older fellow who used to repair REAL computers,(Mainframes/Minis) the software still stays the same.
Rgds.

 

[Mr Curnow]

You're a black hat hacker, aren't you, be honest LOL. "I penetrate my neighbours wireless network, don't worry he gave me permission."

 

[zap]

Check out your isp. Virgin has a free av application downloadable from their site.
I've used avg, trouble free, for many years. So I can recommend that too.

 

[shanky887614]

most isp supply you with a free antivirus

personally ive used comodo internet security for years