10 different anti-virus downloads for $4.99 each at Newegg.

[Ryland]

Most people that get infected do so because they aren't following best practices for computer security. If you do something dumb, chances are you would get infected regardless of the AV product installed on your machine.

The problem with free products other than MSE is that they tend to be minefields of ads aimed at trying to get you to buy the company's paid product. It is annoying as hell.

The smart thing to do is use MSE until a good commercial product goes on sale for free after rebate. Such as...

Kaspersky Internet Security 2014 for 3 PCs
http://www.frys.com/product/7790808?...%20date:112513

Eset Smart Security 2014 for 3 PCs
http://www.frys.com/product/7857199?...%20date:112513

-KeithP

I agree that doing stupid things does beget infections BUT it is also stupid to use an antivirus that has been shown to miss more than it catches. I have tried AVG, Avast, Antivir and MSE and found that Avast whines the least and protects the most of all of the free ones. Why would I ever suggest someone install an antivirus that allowed 2 of my computers to be infected over ones on which I have never gotten an infection?

 

[PliotronX]

Out of the freebies, MSE actually has one of the higher detection rates while being light on system resources and unobtrusive. To pick up the slack for malware that's likely to slip by most free real-time scanners, a scan with MBAM or SAS does the trick. Then a followup scan with Adwcleaner finishes off the last traces of toolbar nasties. While it's a step better to run MSE than nothing at all, failing to supplement any real-time scanner is a recipe for disaster.

edit- I should clarify, 9 times out of 10 when any real-time scanner picks something up, it is likely to have let something slip by at that exact moment. That is why I believe in second opinion scanning and it has never done me wrong. Never assume your system is clean when you get that popup that something has been blocked. All the green checkmarks in the world don't amount to a hill of beans.

 

[balloonshark]

Out of the freebies, MSE actually has one of the higher detection rates while being light on system resources and unobtrusive. To pick up the slack for malware that's likely to slip by most free real-time scanners, a scan with MBAM or SAS does the trick. Then a followup scan with Adwcleaner finishes off the last traces of toolbar nasties. While it's a step better to run MSE than nothing at all, failing to supplement any real-time scanner is a recipe for disaster.

Detection rates. http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php

 

[PliotronX]

Detection rates. [/QUOTE] Are you serious? It says ... box I have worked on tends to be running it.

 

[Holler]

you guys visit too many pr0n sites apparently, haven't gotten a virus in maybe 15 years.

common sense + modern OS + MSE is enough. or just use windows 8 which has its version of MSE built in.

a yearly wipe and base reimage is always a good practice, as I find even legitimate apps have some adware borderline malware and it reduces bloat over time.

 

[pontifex]

did MSE change? I thought a few years ago it was like top of the list of anti-virus software (even with paid ones)?

 

[PliotronX]

did MSE change? I thought a few years ago it was like top of the list of anti-virus software (even with paid ones)?

It still is a very effective tool. Perhaps the definitions are less aggressive due to some fund cutting (speculation) but the talent behind MSE came from Microsoft's acquisition of Giant Antispyware. That was an indisputably effective tool back in the day. A scanner is only as effective as its updated definitions. Heuristics against 0-day are hit or miss with every scanner.

 

[Ryland]

edit- And that same chart shows Mcrapee with a high detection rate. Every heavily infested box I have worked on tends to be running it.

I have run into this also. When people ask how to clear out systems which became infected, more often than not they have Crapafee running on them.

 

[brocks]

I've used Panda's free Cloud AV for years, and I like it. I notice it was one of only two products that scored 100% on the AV Comparatives test that's been cited in this thread, so that's pretty damn good for free.

 

[kmmatney]

I travel a lot, and often to universities in the U.S., China, and Taiwan and MSE has caught a few viruses on USB sticks I've stuck on my machine (usually to copy something over to someone else's stick). So it's served me well, and I usually I forget I'm running it. It doesn't matter how cheap a paid AV is for the first year - when that year is up you'll need to pay the full subscription price at $20-$30 year eventually. Why bother, unless you are doing things to put yourself at risk.

 

[QueBert]

did MSE change? I thought a few years ago it was like top of the list of anti-virus software (even with paid ones)?

top of what list? Any list I saw MSE high on I'd assume the site was paid off by Microsoft. Outside of it being free and light on resources I have nothing good to say about MSE. And light on resources isn't a plus when the program doesn't function well. I've had better luck with the free versions of Avast & AVG. I really don't see any reason to go with MSE, but that's just my opinion.

 

[PliotronX]

top of what list? Any list I saw MSE high on I'd assume the site was paid off by Microsoft. Outside of it being free and light on resources I have nothing good to say about MSE. And light on resources isn't a plus when the program doesn't function well. I've had better luck with the free versions of Avast & AVG. I really don't see any reason to go with MSE, but that's just my opinion.

Light on resources is important for well.. using a computer. Microsoft does not levy any bribes for AV results. Don't you think the reason they haven't included it as standard at first would have garnered a certain antitrust apperception? You're kidding yourself if you think a real-time scanner is all it takes to keep clean, least of all AVG's. Stay away from Norton, Mcrapee and AVG and you'll be better off. MSE does better than these by a mile, witnessed on probably many more systems than you have administered.

 

[CPA]

Just picked up ESET for my computer. Will grab Kapersky for my laptop tomorrow and compare the two.

EDIT: What a piece of crap ESET NOD was. Pretty much locked up my computer. Rebooted several times with no improvement. Had to reboot into safe mode to uninstall. Waste of $5. This is why I stay with Ad-Aware, CCleaner and Malwarebytes. Never had an issue with any of these programs.

 

[maevinj]

Just picked up ESET for my computer. Will grab Kapersky for my laptop tomorrow and compare the two.

EDIT: What a piece of crap ESET NOD was. Pretty much locked up my computer. Rebooted several times with no improvement. Had to reboot into safe mode to uninstall. Waste of $5. This is why I stay with Ad-Aware, CCleaner and Malwarebytes. Never had an issue with any of these programs.

Eset Nod installed fine for me with no problems whatsoever. Did a full scan and everything without problems.

 

[Oxides]

Looking at av comparatives (http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php), the best one seems to be trendmicro?

 

[CPA]

Eset Nod installed fine for me with no problems whatsoever. Did a full scan and everything without problems.

Well I fought with it and lost.

Found out a few things:

- It doesn't work nicely with Malwarebytes installed. After deleting Malwarebytes, I was finally able to get it to load and update virus subscriptions, but everything else was bogged down still..badly

- DO NOT USE MS Uninstall process. Instead, you must download a seperate uninstall program from ESET's website that you will have to run under safe mode in order to properly uninstall the program. If you use MS's uninstall process, the next time you install ESET, the uninstall program will not work and you will freak out trying to figure out how to uninstall it. This is not mentioned on Newegg's store page nor in the installation process. I had to find this out on a Yahoo Answers page. smh

- There is a 32 bit and 64 bit NOD32 program. Newegg store page does NOT make mention of this nor does the program itself. You have search google or ESET's website to figure that out.

In any case, I tried and tried and could not get it to work stably or, better yet, have my desktop work stably. I have uninstalled it and will chalk it up as a lessen learned. Debating whether or not to try Kapersky now.

 

[CPA]

Looking at av comparatives (http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php), the best one seems to be trendmicro?

Amazon has a 3-User Trend Micro pack for $10.99

 

[DesiPower]

This isn't a thread crap, just a FYI:

Microsoft's AV works very well, doesn't try to mess with your system like Norton does (or did when I used it), and is even cheaper at $0 a year.

So, before you think you need a paid AV, consider the free one too.

Is it called "Microsoft Security Essentials" ?

 

[Ryland]

Is it called "Microsoft Security Essentials" ?

Yes it is but it is definitely NOT essential. It isnt worth installing in my opinion (and from my experience).

 

[pontifex]

top of what list? Any list I saw MSE high on I'd assume the site was paid off by Microsoft. Outside of it being free and light on resources I have nothing good to say about MSE. And light on resources isn't a plus when the program doesn't function well. I've had better luck with the free versions of Avast & AVG. I really don't see any reason to go with MSE, but that's just my opinion.

av comparatives that was linked here earlier

 

[paul878]

MSE is all that is need, these big name antivirus affect system performance.

 

[ghost_willis]

Nod32 FTW

 

[ManyBeers]

I don't use Anti-virus-malware-rootkit-whatever anymore. To hell with it. It shouldn't be necessary on a paid for system.