Anti-virus advice for 2013

[lZKoce]

Hi all,

as the title says I have a few questions about the anti-virus in 2013. I opened a new thread, since the nature of the topic changes very fast and I don't want old knowledge.

First off, I installed Windows 8 Pro x64bit recently and it came with Microsoft Security Essentials- the "new" , not v2.1 that has been around for a while. It updates regularly and I have used MSE before. I am ok with the program, but is it reliable enough for an average user (e.g student)? It's good in removing malware, but not so much in stopping it on the first place.

Second, this bug that my PC is not protected enough has caught me and I am asking myself: Is there a significant difference between paid and free anti-virus in 2013 packages? The first one that comes to my mind is AVG free 2013- which even has an Identity Protection.

Free: no firewall (except Commodo), no parental controls, no support.

I just saw in the Free-programs topic here: Roboscan - and it seems pretty solid, I might actually give it a try.

What about PC Tools TreatFire? Ad-aware? Malwarebytes? - never used these.

[Kreij]

I use the built in AV in Windows 8 at home and Symantec End Point Protection SBE at work.
Never have any problems. It is more important that you adopt good (safe) surfing habits than depending on an AV program to protect you. Zero day viruses can be caught by some of the heuristic real time protection, but it's not 100% guaranteed.

[TRWOV]

^ +1 to that. If you adopt good security practices and avoid dodgy websites (and if you must visit them run the browser in a sandbox) any free AV is fine.

Always used AVG Free on XP and MSSE on W7/W8. Never had a problem, except that time I installed RealPlayer (good dammit, worms aren't as hard to remove, I swear) but that was my own fault.

Paid versions usually have better scaning engines, useful for undocumented virus plus some extra protection. AVG's paid version has a better heuristic engine, firewall and rootkit protection.

[lZKoce]

Yes. Safe surfing habits are a good thing- no torrents, no porn, no cracks/activators and you save yourself a good deal of trouble.
Never thought of sandbox before. Seems to complex to me. But I'll search around and see what pops up.

[Drone]

Anti-virus advice for 2013

There's no single advice to this so here's my triple one

a) Built-in defender in Windows 8 is kinda weak but with frequent updates and not doing anything stupid you should be fine.

b) Scan all suspicious files and download things only from reliable/original sites

or

c) Use Linux and don't give a fuck about antivirus and stuff

[eidairaman1]

You pay what you get for, but not every AV/software suite has everything needed to protect a machine. I heard Symantec Fixed several issues.

Ive Used ESET in the past, some have recommended Kaspersky.

But thing is

Despite that Antivirus id recommend:

spyware blaster (Protects browser activity) (Read directions on how to use it properly)

spybot SD (Read directions too)

Hijack This!

Malware Bytes Anti Malware

Webroot Spysweeper

No Script for Firefox (Helps block alot of tag along sites/adds/links/java/flash/html) etc

[Frick]

Originally Posted by Drone

c) Use Linux and don't give a fuck about antivirus and stuff

Linux systems have had their share of vulnerabilities (few, but few people uses Linux that way so it's fair). It's not the same thing, but you still have to keep the software and browsers and whatnot updated.

But as always, good practices is the best protection.

[repman244]

I used NOD32 until it became bloated then switched to MSE...one day I tried Avast (Free) and I'm not switching back. Offers many options, and for me it's a lot faster.

[Drone]

Originally Posted by Frick

Linux systems have had their share of vulnerabilities (few, but few people uses Linux that way so it's fair)

Number of vulnerabilities doesn't depend on how many people use the system. I don't see any connection in that.

[Techtu]

KIS for the last year and I think I'll be buying another 5 user license this year for the family again - as mentioned no AV will protect as much as learning good surfing habits will but it is something that really helps in delaying the time their computers get back to me for the usual clean up...

Now that alone is worth every penny to me.

[Mussels]

MSE is good for a free antivirus, but i highly recommend kaspersky internet security. its cleaned many systems up that MSE, avast, AVG and such never could.


unlike most other AV's, it doesnt just stop at detection - its got good cleanup/repair tools too, so you dont end up with a clean, but hosed OS.

[eidairaman1]

Originally Posted by Drone

Number of vulnerabilities doesn't depend on how many people use the system. I don't see any connection in that.

think of it, whos going to hack the least popular OS/Kernel Out, and who will hack the most used OS/Kernel or attempt to? Linux does have big holes- being smug about it like mac users are just sets people up for failure.

[MxPhenom 216]

MSE and Malwarebytes is all you ever need.

[eidairaman1]

Originally Posted by Mussels

MSE is good for a free antivirus, but i highly recommend kaspersky internet security. its cleaned many systems up that MSE, avast, AVG and such never could.


unlike most other AV's, it doesnt just stop at detection - its got good cleanup/repair tools too, so you dont end up with a clean, but hosed OS.

best way to remove infection is to disconnect from the internet totally. remove the crap, ensure its gone completely after removal and then attempt to hook back up to the internet

[Frick]

Originally Posted by Drone

Number of vulnerabilities doesn't depend on how many people use the system. I don't see any connection in that.

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

think of it, whos going to hack the least popular OS/Kernel Out, and who will hack the most used OS/Kernel or attempt to? Linux does have big holes- being smug about it like mac users are just sets people up for failure.

Indeed so. If Linux was more popular there would be more to gain from exploiting it. The same goes for most software (unless it's targeted at specific stuff, like SCADA or suchlieks).

[Guitarrassdeamor]

Originally Posted by MxPhenom 216

MSE and Malwarebytes is all you ever need.

This. MSE is great for people who know what they're doing on the internet and are at least semi-conscious about security. My mother is using it on her PC as well, never had a problem except for one virus which was one they clicked to install in IE I believe. That and MBAM = golden, especially the pro version of MBAM which continually scans...I need to buy that next time they have it on sale now that I think about it.

[Melvis]

Avast Free or Kaspersky is the ones i voted for, also Avira, Bit defender, Comodo are not bad.

MSE fails, no idea why people are voting for that pile of crap, god it even failed not long ago in a review > http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/11/mic...certification/

[Guitarrassdeamor]

Originally Posted by Melvis

Avast Free or Kaspersky is the ones i voted for, also Avira, Bit defender, Comodo are not bad.

MSE fails, no idea why people are voting for that pile of crap, god it even failed not long ago in a review > http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/11/mic...certification/

Failed one test and sucks. Okay.
The fact I've never had a problem with it, it is very lightweight, doesn't bug me at all, and is free = dgaf what some review says.

[Melvis]

Originally Posted by Guitarrassdeamor

Failed one test and sucks. Okay.
The fact I've never had a problem with it, it is very lightweight, doesn't bug me at all, and is free = dgaf what some review says.

There is more then just you in the world i hate to tell you, and its my job to clean PC's so i can tell you right now its failed MANY times in all the yrs ive dealt with it.

Free? so is alot of others, doesn't mean shit! Hell i can get Kaspersky for under $15

[Kreij]

What exactly have you found that MSE has failed at detecting in the years you've dealt with it?
Web viruses? Email? Downloads?

Just curious as I'm always interested in people experiences with software.

[Melvis]

Originally Posted by kreij

what exactly have you found that mse has failed at detecting in the years you've dealt with it?
Web viruses? Email? Downloads?

Just curious as i'm always interested in people experiences with software.

ygpm

[Guitarrassdeamor]

Originally Posted by Melvis

There is more then just you in the world i hate to tell you, and its my job to clean PC's so i can tell you right now its failed MANY times in all the yrs ive dealt with it.

Free? so is alot of others, doesn't mean shit! Hell i can get Kaspersky for under $15

Shit, and I thought I was typing to myself this whole time!

Just because you're cleaning the computers of inexperienced users who click on every damn popup saying they've won $1 million dollars and every email that says it'll make their penis grow by 300% doesn't mean it is a bad program. This is also why, just for extra protection, why people say run MBAM in conjunction with it. Either way, that is your opinion, and by no means fact. Next you'll be telling me you prefer Norton.

[Jetster]

So the best one Kasperski is not even mentioned?

This is the only time you will hear from it. It catches what you need it to.





Who made this list. NOD32: ESET Antivirus is not on there ether

[Melvis]

Originally Posted by Guitarrassdeamor

Shit, and I thought I was typing to myself this whole time!

Just because you're cleaning the computers of inexperienced users who click on every damn popup saying they've won $1 million dollars and every email that says it'll make their penis grow by 300% doesn't mean it is a bad program. This is also why, just for extra protection, why people say run MBAM in conjunction with it. Either way, that is your opinion, and by no means fact. Next you'll be telling me you prefer Norton.

Well you basically are, unless you work on other people computers for a living? at least i have thousands to comapred to, not just myself and a few machines.

That makes no sense what so ever, maybe you should just re read what you just typed? because isnt that just the point of a AV? to help and minimise the risk of getting viruses since most people do exactly what you just said? Its there to help the stupid, not the smart. Exactly, but the problem is most dont use another program like MBAM, they just stick to the one they use expecting it to work and far as they know it is. This is my experince with many, not just what i use at home, this is home users, business, etc, bit of difference there, you can believe what ya want, i realy dont care, in the end i know from my expereince whats better then others and the review^ just backed me right up, which was months later by the way. Norton hey? hmmm i think not, have alook here > http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...ght=anti+virus

[Guitarrassdeamor]

Originally Posted by Melvis

Well you basically are, unless you work on other people computers for a living? at least i have thousands to comapred to, not just myself and a few machines.

That makes no sense what so ever, maybe you should just re read what you just typed? because isnt that just the point of a AV? to help and minimise the risk of getting viruses since most people do exactly what you just said? Its there to help the stupid, not the smart. Exactly, but the problem is most dont use another program like MBAM, they just stick to the one they use expecting it to work and far as they know it is. This is my experince with many, not just what i use at home, this is home users, business, etc, bit of difference there, you can believe what ya want, i realy dont care, in the end i know from my expereince whats better then others and the review^ just backed me right up, which was months later by the way. Norton hey? hmmm i think not, have alook here > http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...ght=anti+virus

Basically I am what? I work on other people's computers for a living, although sporadically, I'm in IT. I also used to work on them daily at my older job, and have worked on plenty personally, so I think I have SOME experience. What makes no sense? You said it yourself, the point of AV is to help minimiZe the risk of getting viruses - which MSE does, and does a great job of it. No - most people don't do exactly what I just said - it was an exaggeration. It is there to help everyone, not just the stupid. Sure, I could not run any AV and be fine - but why would I when I can run something unobtrusive and low maintenance that works like MSE? People stick with what the idiots at Best Buy tell them to use or their "tech guy" who tells them to use AVG Free because it is the best one out. I know from my experience as well, guess what, out of a forum of tech people, you're not the only one who has experience fixing and repairing computers. Mind blowing stuff, huh. Why would you post a thread that proves me even more correct about MSE...?