Best AntiVirus?

[jdude]

I need a good free antivirus. I was using AVG, completely updated but it wasn't enough to stop this super virus I ended up getting. (It installed through an install app) I tried a system backdate but the next button on system restore was disabled from the virus

 

So I was thinking maybe my old choice of AVG isn't the best. I use AVG, Ccleaner and Lavasoft Adware to protect my computer, but what is best? I do not want a firewall replacement like Zone Alarm, I find it far more annoying than useful.

 

I've had to re-instal windows, AGAIN. I decided to make a backup disk this time around with all the install apps I will need, like video drivers, avg, ccleaner, mouse and keyboard drivers, firefox and so on so I don't have to download them over and over again in the future

 

I managed to backup my maps though I just have to re-download Darkmod from svn

[Tushaar]

Torrent a Nod32 =)

[Mortem Desino]

I used AVG for quite some time. Then my PC got a virus.

 

I promptly disconnected it from the internet. I did an AVG scan (but didn't turn it up) I ordered Norton 2009. In the meantime, I installed Avira Antivir free and zapped the virus. Soon after, I installed Norton 09 (Which found even more that Avira Antivir missed.) By then, I felt comfortable enough reconnecting to the internet.

 

It's always good to have a clean backup of windows on GHOST, though. There's almost no better way to clean your computer than a clean windows install from ghost.

[jdude]

What's ghost?

[SplaTtzZ]

What's ghost?

I'd say he's talking about Norton's Ghost backup program, which I believe is still dos-based, and basically partitions and creates a mirror image of your hdd.

 

Damn, I'm using AVG at the moment. My firewall keeps defaulting to 'Allow All' when I start windows, and even when i change it to 'Small Home or Office Network' it sometimes randomly changes back to allow all.

 

I should probably change as well. I use Norton on my other computer and it doesn't seem too bad. Does anyone on these boards use McCaffee or PC-Cillin? I havent tried them in ages.

[jdude]

Well from the research I've done on the internet this is the appeared ranking of antivirus programs:

 

Best - worst

Kaspersky

Nod32

Avast

Antivir [Avira]

AVG

Nortin

 

Apparently you can use both Antivir and Avast together so I may choose that.

 

As for firewalls, I'm thinking I need a better one than the crappy windows xp one so any suggestions other than zone alarms?

 

Apparently there is:

Kerio

Sygate

Outpost

I've never heard of any of these so I'm off to do more research

[Dram]

I'd say he's talking about Norton's Ghost backup program, which I believe is still dos-based, and basically partitions and creates a mirror image of your hdd.

 

It has a proper windows interface now, and allows restoring/saving a full OS or HDD etc backup from/to DVDs or HDD or other removable media. I use it atm, and if I get a virus or any other OS stuff up, I just restore the backup. I have Norton Ghost v14

[STiFU]

I am using Bitdefender. Firewall + Antivirus, but not for free. It's not expensive though and I think it's very good. Saves a lot of resources compared to the Norton-Package and so far I haven't experienced any compability issues. (I've been using it since one and a half years now)

[jdude]

I've ended up with this combination:

 

Firewall:

Outpost

 

Antivirus:

Avira + Avast

 

Spyware:

Adware

[AluminumHaste]

I work for my ISP as a tech, we provide free service for our customers computers in special circumstances. I can tell you right now, that the best protection against virus and spyware is education.

Every computer that comes in that is infected to the point that the OS is unstable and not functioning properly, always have a virus scanner, whether that is AVG, Norton, McAfee, Avast, NOD32. Yet they all are infected with Root Kits, massive amounts of viruses and trojans etc.

 

I don't use either a firewall or anti virus. Once a week I use several online scanners, and twice a week I use combofix.exe. So far by being smart, I haven't had to worry about it.

 

There were the few times that I did run a keygen or installer that someone replaced with a virus, but that is becoming rarer as I now only download from certain sources and from people with a really good feedback score, such as PlanetMaster and stuff from Demonoid.com.

 

It's nice not having a system bogged down from AV stuff.

I do however have Spybot Search and Destroy installed, and Maleware bytes (totally forgot about that one), as they don't interfere with basic systems, and only run when I tell them to.

[AluminumHaste]

I need a good free antivirus. I was using AVG, completely updated but it wasn't enough to stop this super virus I ended up getting. (It installed through an install app) I tried a system backdate but the next button on system restore was disabled from the virus

 

That is usually caused by the System Restore points being removed by the virus. It's annoying, but if you have a virus that doesn't get rid of them, the virus usually infects the same files in all restore points so they are useless anyways.

[plasticman]

... I can tell you right now, that the best protection against virus and spyware is education.

This is so true.

 

I'm on Linux now for most of the tasks, but before that I used XP for everyday work (and fun). The only trouble I ever had was the famous Blaster worm in 2003.

 

Seems like I kept my system mostly unaffected by just following some easy rules:

• Create an extra account for non-administrative tasks and use it for all day tasks. If you are logged in as admin, do not surf the web.
  
• There is a crappy built in firewall in XP. Use it.
  
• Don't use IE, update your browser from time to time.
  

I didn't want to waste resources on any backgrounding antivirus software. Once or twice a year I used to run a complete virus scan on my harddrive from a trusted unaffacted system (a bootable CD that came with a magazine), just to be sure everything is still safe.

 

The biggest Issue I think is the first one. Windows makes you work as an admin by default. This is a first big step in the wrong direction and it can not be compensated by other software like an AV-Guard.

 

 

--

[Domarius]

It has a proper windows interface now, and allows restoring/saving a full OS or HDD etc backup from/to DVDs or HDD or other removable media. I use it atm, and if I get a virus or any other OS stuff up, I just restore the backup. I have Norton Ghost v14

Stick with Norton Ghost 2003 if you can find it. It's the last version that still uses the original "DOS" file, with the windows portion simply being an interface which basically sets up a batch file that runs the DOS file after it re-boots the system. Very safe and very clean.

 

After that they bought some other software of another company called DiskSomethingOrOther - all I've heard is bad news and wheN I tried it, it took AGES to boot up, and in the end, just "copied files" no differently than a zip archive process, so when I supposedly "re-imaged" with this "image" the errors (extra spyware files) still existed!

[Sonosuke]

I have Avira free and Spybot search and destroy, they are working good but i never comared them to Kaspersky or something

[Anderson]

Just for the sake of asking a question and not making a new thread.

 

Is Kernel Patch Protection still a thing? Is it oudated? Is it worth doing it on a system with Win 10 installed? Does it offer any protection at all in 2020? I remember there were more tech savvy people doing it instead of installing antiviruses. Implying a DIY approach and to reject any antivirus except maybe Windows Defender.

Thoughts?

 

[Shadow]

If you have a 64bit Windows OS you already have KPP enabled by default. 32bit doesn't get this benefit. KPP is always a benefit to prevent rootkits, but that's only if they actually get that far. Place up some perimeter hardware and local software protection and you'll have some nuisance intrusions but you'll do just fine keeping most bad stuff out. Keep a decent AV/AS/AM protector on. This thread is pretty old in advice on what to use, but lately the better ones have consistently been Malwarebytes, Superantispyware, Vipre, Bitdefender, Sophis, Windows Security (built in). You can also add some ransomware monitoring like OSarmor and Acronis Ransomware Protection. Can't hurt. Also get a VPN for your more "sensitive" sites.

Also PCs are so powerful today and with multicores the system isn't bogged down so much like they used to be, except only for active drive scanning and email monitoring.

And some guy before mentioned the best protection is education. There is no greater truth than that. You can load up with all the protections possible but if you visit random sites by link hopping, you're still in worse shape than someone who has no active protection and only reads news and sports sites.

 

[Anderson]

On 6/5/2009 at 5:38 AM, plasticman said:

 

Seems like I kept my system mostly unaffected by just following some easy rules:

 

• Create an extra account for non-administrative tasks and use it for all day tasks. If you are logged in as admin, do not surf the web.

 

 

--

Is this advice still valid on systems working on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 considering the User Account Control feature which effectively blocks any actions that require administrator privileges to be performed without having the password?

 

On 1/15/2020 at 6:44 AM, Shadow said:

If you have a 64bit Windows OS you already have KPP enabled by default. 32bit doesn't get this benefit. KPP is always a benefit to prevent rootkits, but that's only if they actually get that far. Place up some perimeter hardware and local software protection and you'll have some nuisance intrusions but you'll do just fine keeping most bad stuff out. Keep a decent AV/AS/AM protector on. This thread is pretty old in advice on what to use, but lately the better ones have consistently been Malwarebytes, Superantispyware, Vipre, Bitdefender, Sophis, Windows Security (built in). You can also add some ransomware monitoring like OSarmor and Acronis Ransomware Protection. Can't hurt. Also get a VPN for your more "sensitive" sites.

Also PCs are so powerful today and with multicores the system isn't bogged down so much like they used to be, except only for active drive scanning and email monitoring.

And some guy before mentioned the best protection is education. There is no greater truth than that. You can load up with all the protections possible but if you visit random sites by link hopping, you're still in worse shape than someone who has no active protection and only reads news and sports sites.

 

Could not agree more. Right now have no possibility to put any Antivirus on older backup laptop but I don't visit any dangerous sites either, use adblock on the ones I don't trust and stuff like that.

Thanks for the reply and for the information. Very useful.

Edited January 18, 2020 by Anderson
Thanks.

[SeriousToni]

53 minutes ago, Emilee Boone said:

I'll suggest Avast Antivirus. It provides the best comprehensive protection from threats and malware.

Ah yes Mrs.Boone "working as an IT Engineer. She can help you to fix an avast and google chrome related issue such as google chrome antivirus settings, stop avast..." taken from a website.

I am completely sure you've played a lot of missions and are a true fan of The Dark Mod and that you didn't just register for this site 30 minutes ago to necro a thread to do advertisements for Avast Antivirus.
 

Edited August 16, 2021 by SeriousToni

[nbohr1more]

Well, if Emilee is a spammer then she has already doxxed herself with a full name and photo so someone could find her IRL and give her

a stern warning. Unless this is a stock photo and this username is all over the internet with Avast spam posts? Oh oh oh....

Avast is nice if you don't mind a Czech company selling your browsing habits to advertisers. I guess getting AV protection in exchange for

data mining, is a better deal than getting Facebook posts in exchange for every scrap of your online and offline life?

[SeriousToni]

Well I wouldn't trust a Security Company like Avast© which relies on poor bot advertisements.

[Zerg Rush]

One of the best AVs on the market for Windows 10 is currently Windows Defender.
Windows 10 is currently the OS most immune to Malware and Virus attacks, even Root-Kits, it also has a Sandbox system that prevents the modification of system and important files, isolating the kernel.
Therefore the current antivirus are redundant for this OS.

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by Zerg Rush

[revelator]

defenders sandbox needs to be enabled first though but yeah it has come quite far since and is one of the lighter options on system resources.

nod32 is one of the oldest security firms and is quite good, there is no free version though you can get an online scanner.

avast is also not bad but as some pointed out it is ad driven.

if looking for a free solution there are a few options like immunet which is based on cloud antivirus but also uses clamav locally. Another solution is comodo internet security which has anything the bigger firms also tout like sandboxing, the downside is that comodo is quite heavy on system resources and it can be a little daunting for beginners, it is very secure though.

best antivirus as allways is to not do stupid things

 

[LDAsh]

I recently tried ClamWin and found it extremely thorough for scanning:-
https://sourceforge.net/projects/clamwin/
It detected stinky files that other solutions failed to.  I actually have a whole HDD and OS dedicated to many different (premium) antivirus solutions and scan my other HDDs as external, but usually just Windows system files.  I may stop that nonsense and just stick with ClamWin because it's free AND it's truly portable.  I was able to extract everything from the initial EXE, update the definitions and begin scanning.  I can just copy it to my different systems easily without installing anything.  It's very slow, but, I interpret that as also being very thorough.

I'm also in the habit of throwing files I'm unsure about up to MetaDefender:-
https://metadefender.opswat.com/

As for actually cleaning out, almost any bootable solution should do.  Hiren's via Yumi is something I can recommend:-
https://www.hirensbootcd.org/
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/

 

[SeriousToni]

I don't know what you guys do on your computer but I must say I'm totally fine with the windows standard solution. I guess if you don't rip games or visit pr0n sites or even open up spam mails that's totally fine and saves a lot of money and system resources.

[revelator]

though mostly bussines gets targeted these days a few have been hit by some nasty stuff like ransomware.

The bad thing with some of these is you dont even really need to click on anything anymore as just visiting an infected site will compromise your pc.

So even if you dont do anything unsavory you might get hit anyway, so having a good antivirus is newer a stupid thing unless it fucks up your work like i seen a few bad apples do.