Suggest me best total security/antivirus for windows 7

[freebird_9924]

Hello,

On vista, i was using bit defender and it was best.

but on vista, i installed bitdefender 2010, it was fine for 3 days.


Then my system sopped responding and hangs after startup, but fine in safe mode, i uninstalled bit defender and it's fine again now.


But i'm now confused which one else total security to use as i've never tried other than bit defender.

Please sugest me best and also mention if it consumes more or less memory[ram]

 

[digibucc]

I wouldn't use just one thing.

get a good anti virus, and a good anti spyware separately. they are different things and separate focus is a good thing.

I use SuperAntiSpyware and AVG Enterprise, along with NetLimiter for a Firewall/Bandwidth Manager

together they are .. more? lightweight than Norton, Bitdefender, ZoneAlarm, etc. and perform better, imho

 

[Batou1986]

Avira http://www.free-av.com/

 

[Kreij]

Personally, I would not recommend running multiple AV apps simultaneously.
I don't use it at the moment, but Windows Security Essentials has been getting decent reviews and it's free.

I currently use AVG free, which has worked just fine for me.

 

[TIGR]

I don't think many, if any, will agree with me here, but I have finally settled on the best antivirus program I've found: CSA. Common Sense Antimalware.

No matter which one you get, everyone single security program will fail to catch malicious software at some point, or at least be unable to remove something it finds. So at some point, you're probably going to take some manual steps to remove it, just like you would if you had none. And I recommend reinstalling Windows regularly anyway. So the difference between having security software and not having it, for the malicious software that is really problematic, is that with the security software installed, you run into more conflicts and system slowdown, and have to do regular updates.

Instead of counting on something always running in the background, I suggest thinking smart on the sites you visit and the files you download. Google everything unfamiliar or even slightly suspicious before accessing it in any way. Don't even click on ads; Google the product being advertised first. Porn is the worst; if you wanna look at it, do so on well-known, reputable sites.

I've been running "CSA" instead of an actual antivirus program for two years now. They've been the most malware-free years of my computing life.

 

[Kreij]

You are right, TIGR, smart computing habits are your best defense against malware, but if your computer is not only used by you it opens a whole world of hurt. Especially if the computer is used by children who are not familiar with the dark underbelly of the internet.

Having a AV program running in realtime is a great secondary defense in those cases, and you can always disable it if you are going something that is causing you slowdowns of the like.

 

[sttubs]

On our Win7 64 bit machine, I run Avast free version & use the paid version of Malwarebytes to block suspicious IP's/malware instantly.

 

[TIGR]

Very good point Kreij. I've become accustomed to having nobody else use my rigs!

 

[TVman]

avast the BEST free AV

 

[Kreij]

Very good point Kreij. I've become accustomed to having nobody else use my rigs!

I manage the network where I work. I'm very aware of the fact that most problems are created by what's between the chair and keyboard.

@TVMan : I used Avast for some time, but had issues with it (false positives, update screw-ups).
I am not sure how the latest version is performing, so I am not trashing it.
I'm just leary from my previous experinces with it. If you've found it to be an excellent solution, please post you experience with it

 

[bo$$man]

I agree with Modder, Windows Security Essentials it's free!

 

[Zebeon]

I have had pretty good luck with Avast Free edition-
But have heard great things about micro$oft security essentials- will try that soon.

 

[freebird_9924]

heard much about microsoft security essentials.

is it total security? [antivirus,antispam-firewall-realtime protection)?

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

NOD32 has been my pick since Windows XP. I gladly pay the yearly dues as it works so well!

 

[Bo$$]

free: Microsoft security essentials
Paid: kaspersky antivirus/internet security, Well worth the money. havent had a virus for 8 months using it on 4 pcs

 

[freebird_9924]

#14
MSE is total security or only antivirus?

 

[DanishDevil]

I used to never use an AV program because they got in the way, hogged system resources, and had clunky interfaces and annoying popups.

I now use Microsoft Security Essentials. It's hassle-free, and never gets in the way.

 

[Loosenut]

NOD32 has been my pick since Windows XP. I gladly pay the yearly dues as it works so well!

+1 except mine is the Smart Security 4 version (4.0.437.0)

 

[freebird_9924]

I used to never use an AV program because they got in the way, hogged system resources, and had clunky interfaces and annoying popups.

I now use Microsoft Security Essentials. It's hassle-free, and never gets in the way.

still not getting specific reply of question i asked.
#14

MSE is total security program or only antivirus?
does it have firewall and antispyware too?

 

[timta2]

I will second the vote for NOD32.It usually runs very low on system resources. It has a nice interface and no annoying popups (other than "Definitions Updated" message in taskbar once a day. NOD32 Internet Security includes a firewall I think.

You might want to check out http://www.av-comparatives.org if you are thinking about new AV software

 

[WarhammerTX]

#14 http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ should answer your question

 

[freebird_9924]

#14 http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ should answer your question

"Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software."

what about firewall?

 

[Loosenut]

"Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software."

what about firewall?

You have one built into your windows...

 

[mtosev]

Comodo has a good firewall.looks more advanced then the microsoft one

 

[newtekie1]

You shouldn't need a total security solution.

Firewall: Built into your router, you aren't going to get anything better than that.
Anti-Virus: I recommend AVG Free, but any of the well known free ones are good.
Anti-spyware: Run malwarebytes once a week if you must, but it shouldn't be necessary.