Good free security combo

[Tartaros]

I've been using kaspersky for years since it offers enough security and discounts for being a recurrent user, so I have been out of touch of free security solutions. I have an old pc that I will use from time to time for office and little else but I don't want to pay another kaspersky license since I won't use it for long.

Back in the day I had avira + comodo firewall + malwarebytes and worked fine. Now for my dismay I see every popular free security software have "speed optimizers" and another junk by default inserted into it and I don't have patience anymore to deal with this shit, they don't ever offer you to not to install it.

I just want antivirus + antimalware + firewall. No shitty optimizers nor magical revolutionary apps.

(I've just seen an app called tinywall, which gives more control over windows firewall. Has anyone tried it?)

 

[jboydgolfer]

Malwarebytes does not have any optimizers or other crap default installed . Their free security is pretty damn good in combination with windows crap defender which to be honest has improved slightly isn't all that bad for a "now and again" PC

Every once in a while Malwarebytes will go on sale and you can get a three PC code for under 20 bucks Fwiw

I installed avast recently and was not impressed it has a lot of crap that runs.

 

[revin]

Go back to using Comodo Internet security it has the sandbox that can run unknown programs inside of it to keep it out of the system the firewalls always be an excellent it's done a great job with virus and also keep your Malewarrbyts to check with.
First thing after install Comodo is uninstall that GeekBuddy !! I Don't use their DNS but that's up to you.
Then make sure to enable HIPS, and believe Viruscope is on by defaults

 

[Vayra86]

I like HitmanPro for manual cleaning, Malwarebytes as a backup (have only ever used it once) and Microsoft's own Suite for the basic and realtime protection. Also, a browser with sandbox like Chrome is the best first line of defense against your own internet behavior, you can click stupid shit and still be safe.

This combo is very non-intrusive, I love it. Used to have Panda Free cloud AV, which was also very effective and non-intrusive plus lightweight, but then they started fucking with updates and the UI became a mess riddled with ads.

I stay far away from Avast and all the other big name brand free AVs. They suck monkey balls, are heavy, and intrusive. Never been a big fan of Kaspersky but I hear its quite decent.

Sophos is also nice, if you can get your hands on a license.

Last but not least, anything of either MCAfee, Symantec / Norton, please die in a hole. Worst suites ever.

 

[64K]

Malwarebytes does not have any optimizers or other crap default installed . Their free security is pretty damn good in combination with windows crap defender which to be honest has improved slightly isn't all that bad for a "now and again" PC

Every once in a while Malwarebytes will go on sale and you can get a three PC code for under 20 bucks Fwiw

I installed avast recently and was not impressed it has a lot of crap that runs.

I've always been impressed with Malewarebytes Free. I run it every few months and it cleans my system of the nasties pretty well. Have you found that there is a significant advantage to using the paid version? I don't mind paying for it if so.

 

[P4-630]

Windows defender seems to work better than before, I use it in combination with comodo firewall free, works fine for me for years now!

Recently tried Avast, but it threw me all sorts of errors in the Event Viewer and in the Reliability Monitor......Had to do a system restore to get rid of it...
Be aware about what anti virus/ security you install , always make a system restore point BEFORE you install any of this software!

GL!

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

I use Defender, IObit Malware fighter and Adblock Plus for Chrome.

All free and i never have any problems.

 

[Tartaros]

Wow, didn't expect such quick answer, thank you all.

Malwarebytes does not have any optimizers or other crap default installed . Their free security is pretty damn good in combination with windows crap defender which to be honest has improved slightly isn't all that bad for a "now and again" PC

Yeah, I tried it. Is just the interface has changed so much and has ads it backed me out at first. But is the same as always, so in the malware department I'm right.

Go back to using Comodo Internet security it has the sandbox that can run unknown programs inside of it to keep it out of the system the firewalls always be an excellent it's done a great job with virus and also keep your Malewarrbyts to check with.
First thing after install Comodo is uninstall that GeekBuddy !! I Don't use their DNS but that's up to you.
Then make sure to enable HIPS, and believe Viruscope is on by defaults

I've been toying with the codomo firewall and once I uninstalled the geekbuddy crap and the widget, everything seems fine. Maybe I was just a bit paranoid with it since avira was like boom, take all this shit. I'll try it for a little longer.

I like HitmanPro for manual cleaning, Malwarebytes as a backup (have only ever used it once) and Microsoft's own Suite for the basic and realtime protection. Also, a browser with sandbox like Chrome is the best first line of defense against your own internet behavior, you can click stupid shit and still be safe.

This combo is very non-intrusive, I love it. Used to have Panda Free cloud AV, which was also very effective and non-intrusive plus lightweight, but then they started fucking with updates and the UI became a mess riddled with ads.

I stay far away from Avast and all the other big name brand free AVs. They suck monkey balls, are heavy, and intrusive. Never been a big fan of Kaspersky but I hear its quite decent.

Sophos is also nice, if you can get your hands on a license.

Last but not least, anything of either MCAfee, Symantec / Norton, please die in a hole. Worst suites ever.

The thing is the resident AV. I don't mind if the AV is a little heavy since this computer is going to have light use, but I have some problems with avira already. AVG is a no no, we use it at work for OS installations and cleans and is awful in every aspect. I never liked avast anyway, way too intrusive, or at least it used to be with all those voice alarms for absolutely everything.

Maybe I'll try the microsoft, I've been asking and everyone seems pleased with it, something I wouldn't believe years back xD.

I knew Sophos but didn't looked into it. I went to their web and they have a lot of products, some of them very specialized. Quite amazing, I'll investigate it.

I've heard good things about Norton but I have an atavistic fear of it. It was my first antivirus, I didn't know anything about computers and well, it was a fucking nightmare, the good thing is I learned a lot about computer security xD. I know things change and is illogical to stick to those fears, but for paid suites I prefer to stick with kaspersky, it served me well over the years.

I use Defender, IObit Malware fighter and Adblock Plus for Chrome.

All free and i never have any problems.

Never heard of IObit. I'll look fo it.

 

[PLAfiller]

I was just about to open thread with a Poll about family pack protection. I have been using Bitdefender Free + Malware Bytes Free + Ublock?Ad block for browser and I am thinking of adding Open DNS to block whole groups of sites at once. However, I decided and purchased today the BitDefender Internet Security Family Pack, so in the next year or so we will see how it goes.

 

[RejZoR]

If you want to use Windows Defender, then make sure you update to Creators Update. Windows Defender was garbage before this update, but with this one, it's actually really fast. Took them long...

 

[PcFixer]

I use a combo of Avast and Comodo Firewall, have since 2004 ish.

One old pcs I use Comodo Internet Security or Zonealarm w/ Antivirus.

I use to use Emsisoft's Anti-malware, but avast dosent like play fair with it. So I just use the Emsisoft's Emergency Kit or EEK, for a 2nd opinion Scan.

As for all in one, Avira Internet Security from a review stand point looks to be the best.

 

[P4-630]

Avast

Did you ever check the Event Viewer and Reliability Monitor?...
Avast caused all sorts of errors (in the background) on my system.

 

[RejZoR]

Just because an Event Viewer logs an "error" it doesn't mean it's actually bad. I've diagnosed bunch of stuff and some errors are there for no real reason (ie harmless, system just logs them for some reason).

 

[Kursah]

Just because an Event Viewer logs an "error" it doesn't mean it's actually bad. I've diagnosed bunch of stuff and some errors are there for no real reason (ie harmless, system just logs them for some reason).

This is absolutely true... get your Google on and learn how to disseminate error codes and Event ID's along with the parameters to find out which are worthless to chase. Can make a great difference in effective diagnosing.

That being said, the specific issues that P430 had with Avast is not something I've really seen happen all that often. My recent experiences with Avast were actually pretty smooth and positive overall. But to have dozens, hundreds or maybe even thousands of Event Log entries from Avast would be a big cause for concern.

I prefer MBAM Premium, or Defender + MBAM Free. Though having other utilities on-hand, either installed or ready to install/use is very important. Not relying on a single solution is critical IMHO as no single solution is good enough...this also depends on the user in question and what they get into or what gets into their PC's.

 

[jboydgolfer]

I've always been impressed with Malewarebytes Free. I run it every few months and it cleans my system of the nasties pretty well. Have you found that there is a significant advantage to using the paid version? I don't mind paying for it if so.

It offers different protections that don't come with the free version once your trial expires I mean. I'm recalling from memory which is not good but real-time protection, online protection, it would be other functions and scheduling options that arent available in the free version. Depending on sale price I've gotten it from $10-$20 premium for three different pc's on each key

Nonspecific reply :

Also Malwarebytes offers many programsthat are great for addressing an infected computer. Malwarebytes anti-root kit, adware cleaner and many many more free for download on their site

 

[dorsetknob]

Sorry what was that

I've heard good things about Norton

Once upon a time Norton was good then it became problematic Bloatware
I use Comodo security Suite

 

[revin]

Once upon a time Norton was good then it became problematic Bloatware
I use Comodo security Suite

Agreed 1000%. They went down hill Fast after Vista..................... Even just getting rid of the older N360 Revo had hell to do it, they add so many hook's to just keep it coming back. And it was very heavy on system .
Maybe I'm a Comodo fanboy, but for the crap I've done [short of drkweb, no no no] it and MB have kept me pretty clean.
HIPS and Sandbox with the Virus Scope are really excellent.
Theres some YouTube videos on setting up the different Comodo actions, just wish I could easily do Internet and Proactive maxed out together lol