(Vanity) BEST free antivirus/security program?

me | 09/03/13 | me

[wally_bert]

I second that.

One of my users picked up some malware called Webcake if I remember right a while back. Symantec never picked up on it.

Windows defender on complete scan did and fixed most of it. I manually found and killed the folder. Problem solved.

I also like system mechanic as a maintenance utility.

[logi_cal869]

I’ll chime in here (.02):

Used Avast Pro for a number of years (the free version is too limited to trust; it actually failed me once). For the past 5 years we switched from Avast to MSE at work and had ZERO issues and it’s FREE. Since switched at home.

Fyi, as a companion to comments about hardware firewall and MSE, the next best thing you can do as a web surfer is surf the ‘net ONLY as a ‘user’ (never as administrator). In the event you get corrupted, you can kill the user account. That’s what happened to me when Avast failed me; killed the user account and still have the same OS/hardware and a new user account for web surfing.

Again, Win7 or 8: Microsoft Security Essentials. 7 total years with both a home & multi-user environment and ZERO problems. Easy on the system resources, too (and Free).

[Arlis]

Get a Mac.

[Revolting cat!]

Yeah, I’ve seen those PUPS in Malwarebytes logs. Have you tried other programs, such as Spybot, or IObit Malware Fighter? I use them all (on request) and they each find something of their own right after you’ve finished running another program. Go figure.

[EinNYC]

I love my Kaspersky Internet Security. If you time it right, several times a year they give a rebate for exactly the purchase price, so you get it free. KIS is a real pit bull about finding stuff and protecting my computer. I've used it for several years now and love it.

Fry's FAR: Kaspersky Pure 3.0 3 PCs Rated: +3

newegg FAR: KASPERSKY lab Anti-Virus 2013 - 3 PCs Rated: +2 Newegg

Fry's FAR: Kaspersky Antivirus 2013-3 PCs Rated: +1

Fry's 3 FAR: Kaspersky IS2013- 1 PC, Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete 2013 -5U, Bitdefender AV2013-3PC/2Y

[Vendome]

Forgot about Kapersky but, they are honest hard working group and also make an excellent product.

I haven’t used them for years.

[Revolting cat!]

I tried Kaspersky 3 years ago. Like a typical Russian he wants to take over your ‘puter and, I suppose, the world.

[Revolting cat!]

Use a Google Chromebook like I do and NEVER get a virus.

Yeah, and when the gay cloud catches the HIV virus, all of use 2.4 million Chromers fall deathly sick!

[Fire_on_High]

Clamwin’s what I use.

[Arthur McGowan]

www.avast.com

Got it on the recommendation of a FReeper five years ago. Works great. Never clogs computer. Doesn’t let anything through.

[mmichaels1970]

Yeah, if you're using Windows Me. ROFL!

Thanks for such a well-informed fact-based post that we can all benefit from. Truth is, I'm responsible for over 60 computers with a budget of next to nothing. I use MSE on all 60 coupled with Microsoft Forefront on my 4 servers.

In at least two years, I believe I've cleaned about 2 infections. Those were practically invited by the users who clicked on email attachments. I have Win 7 32 and 64, a couple vistas, several XP's, Servers 2003 and 2008.

One thing I DON'T have is users complaining to me that their antivirus is slowing down their computers or interfering with legitimate applications of functions.

I tried enterprise level, server-managed Kaspersky and Trend Micro years ago and have concluded that MSE is one of the least intrusive, most balanced, anti-malware products out there.

[Eaker]

Any additional info on Sandboxie would be appreciated.

[tomkat]

Here ya go : Sandboxie

Sandboxie runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer.

More detailed info at their site, and at their Forums.

[sauropod]

/

[ican'tbelieveit]

i have had avast block page loads a few times over the years, so that is very possible. It definitely looks at the address.

[JoeProBono]

http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?KnownConflicts

[Eaker]

Thanks!