Which Anti-Virus Is Good For Me?

What is the best anti-virus software?

  • Total voters
    20
ppdjoy

ppdjoy

New Member
I've been using computer for quite some time (about 7 years). Initially, I used to use Norton for my PC protection. Then, I tried AVG, Avast for some years on my desktop.

Now, for the last 2 years, I've been using McAfee Enterprise 8.0 which comes free with my university laptop. Recently, McAfee made a major mess by sending virus instead of definition update.

Now, I would like to know which anti-virus would be good for me? I don't trust McAfee anymore. Whenever I scanned with McAfee, it never found any virus or anything of that sort. I knew I had malwares, spywares or virus in my laptop since it was running slow. I use Malwarebytes also which comes handy for me.

A friend of mine suggested using Avira. I'm not too familiar with Avira. He told me it's free & it works much better than other paid anti-virus softwares. Someone also told me about Microsoft Security Essential which is also free.

I can't decide between Avira, Microsoft, AVG or Avast. I know I'm not getting Norton or keeping McAfee anymore. Both didn't yield positive note for me. I know I want to get something that's free as well. Some say Kaspersky is the best in anti-virus, but that's paid which I don't want.

So, what would be the best option for me? From your personal experience or reference from other people, what do you suggest I should get for my laptop's protection from virus or spyware/malwares. I use Windows XP. The desktop PC that I used to use Norton is now converted to Linux, so I don't have to worry about virus in my PC. But for my laptop, I want to keep Windows & use a free anti-virus software.

Please help me make a good decision.

THANKS!
 
One thing you will find with this poll is most answers will be opinions that are not backed up by scientific data.
I have used many over the years. I liked quite a few of them.
Currently I use Avast and Comodo (on diff comps).
I have been thinking of trying MS SE sometime.
The main thing is to keep them up to date. And be careful in your surfing and download practices.
 
The paid version of AVG. I cannot fault it. I thought i was safe jsut using malwarebytes every week. but when i got infected, installed my full copy of AVG (had it sitting there) and it cleaned the infection right out.

This is AVG Internet Security 9.0 I'm talking about. my parents bought a 3 pack :D
 
It all comes down to user preference, however there are pros and cons about each program. Nortons and Mcafee are system resource hogs. I use the free version of AVG and Malwarebytes when needed. You may just need better surfing habits, like knowing where and where not to go. A virus progam alone won't catch most of todays more powerful infections. A malware scanner is always the first program I use when cleaning up a clients computer.
 
avg is the best PERIOD. I use the free version and that does anything I would need to keep my comp safe. combined with windows firewall and windows defender, I am all but impenetrable.
 
i am not sure it has as much to do with the software what you have installed, i think your internet activity is prob what causes most problems!

ive been using windows firewall and my router for the past 3 years, with little to no problems-most problems i had where software conflicts
 
johnb35 said:
I wouldn't go that far, you would be surprised at what infections will get through the programs you are running. It just requires safe surfing.
Click to expand...

true true. you know what I mean. Someone tried to hack me once but I fought them off. Thanks AVG for that early warning
 
For free Antivirus/antispyware Avast is what i use now,I previusly used AVG but find Avast better.
 
A very strong vote for Avira Free here. After 4+ years, I gave up on Avast in January when they "updated" to the very buggy version 5.
 
You didn't include Trend Micro anti-virus. I have used them for about 2 years now and I am very happy with the level of protection they offer. They offer some protections that I feel are a little more comprehensive, especially for when the internet connection type changes. I can select different settings for my connection and how I want to manage the internet traffic.

Their products offer a lot of features. At times I feel that the less experienced user may have difficulty using this particular provider. The settings for various protections within the program start out rather broad, but the settings can be highly modified for the more proficient, demanding user. I can set the program to block numerous items, and also completely lock down sites, users, applications, prevent system changes (to OS and user data), etc...

I took me about six months to become completely familiar with and knowledgeable of the Trend Micro product I use. Its great for someone like me who wants to set an A/V to run in such a way that the internet is nearly entirely blocked. That may sound bad or annoying, but having a program which can protect my machine so fully gives me peace of mind. However you dont have to set it to run like I have it. The program can be adjusted from light protection up to very protective, and various levels in between.

My A/V has prevented malicious items from entering my computer numerous times. I'm happy with Trend Micro.

Though, in the end, it comes down to you being careful where you go and what you do online. Also keeping your computer up to date with all the necessary patches and updates helps a lot. There are times when you will get things, no matter how hard you try not to. Knowing what to do when you realize you've become infected can stop the situation from getting worse. Taking quick action can also prevent more infections making their way in, and also prevent damage to your data.
 
For free AV programs, MSE is hard to beat IMO. I've seen more than one test show it to beat out Avira, AVG, and Avast, but regardless of that, it's nearly invisible. It uses around 10 megabytes of RAM, has no annoying popups telling you it's updated and whatnot, and is a Microsoft program, meaning all you need is a valid install of Windows to run it. No subscriptions.

Paid, I agree with Kapersky. There are several very good ones though.
 
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