Virus Scanners

Dempsey · 19-01-2010 5:02pm #1

I'm using AVG at the moment but I'm hearing alot of negative comments about the newer versions.

I'm wondering what the consensus on the best free virus scanner at the moment.

My preference is one that is lightweight on resources and doesn't bug me about buying the full version and obviously up to the task of neutralizing viruses. I suppose I've described the obvious of what people look for but I'm considering changing from AVG and I'd like to know what people think and their experience with other programs

Thanks in Advance

woolymammoth · 19-01-2010 11:10pm

Have a read of this: http://lifehacker.com/5399564/five-best-antivirus-applications

I have Avast running on mine, never had any issues, it doesn't hog a sh!t load or memory, regular updates, good detection 99.9% of the time

though i still use it. I have MS Security essentials on my dads PC.

Ultimately it'll be up to yourself to decide what you want out of an app.

EvilMonkey · 19-01-2010 11:25pm

Microsoft Security essentials Is the best lightweight, free antivirus for windows.

DarrenMSP · 20-01-2010 3:52pm

EvilMonkey wrote: »

Microsoft Security essentials Is the best lightweight, free antivirus for windows.

Amen to that. Never had anything better, used AVG, Norton, Bulldog, Avast etc and MSE was the best so far. Its lightweight on the system but is feature rich! Try is out!!

homer911 · 20-01-2010 4:29pm

While we are on the subject, can anyone suggest a virus scanner that works with Office 2010 beta (yes, I know its beta)

Believing it could co-exist with Office 2007, I installed it last night and it overwrote my Outlook 2007...

DarrenMSP · 20-01-2010 7:01pm

homer911 wrote: »

While we are on the subject, can anyone suggest a virus scanner that works with Office 2010 beta (yes, I know its beta)

Microsoft Security Essentials Defo does.

Running it on Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit with Office 2010 beta and its great.

K-9 · 21-01-2010 4:04am

Used Avira for ages, gets a regular thumbs up on this forum. Never a problem.

Tying the latest Avast now. Always uninstall the other AV first. Revo Uninstaller is good for making sure you are rid of old programs.

BopNiblets · 24-01-2010 2:45am

Panda Cloud Antivirus is the new king of the freebies.
http://www.cloudantivirus.com

So lighweight and updates itself quietly.

K-9 · 24-01-2010 2:58am

BopNiblets wrote: »

Panda Cloud Antivirus is the new king of the freebies.
http://www.cloudantivirus.com

So lighweight and updates itself quietly.

Like the idea of it. Might give it a try.

PS. Avast 5.0 is very good. Seems better than Avira so far.

Danger781 · 24-01-2010 3:00am

I'm using 'Avast!' myself but I've also heard good things about Microsoft security essentials!

coldfire1x · 24-01-2010 11:55am

Have used Avast and Avira before, then switched to Microsoft Secirity Essentials and for now really happy with.

I also have Office 2010 beta installed.

Paulw · 24-01-2010 12:02pm

I use AVG and love it. I've never had a problem with it.

DarrenMSP · 24-01-2010 12:03pm

Paulw wrote: »

I use AVG and love it. I've never had a problem with it.

I used to, but its very heavy compared to MSE.

ballyroebob · 24-01-2010 12:20pm

As a mac user I don't have these issues. Pre mac days I used AVG which slowed the computer down so much while running in the background and used to take about 6 hrs. So persevere til you find a good one, or get a mac :pac:

DarrenMSP · 24-01-2010 12:32pm

ballyroebob wrote: »

As a mac user I don't have these issues

For god sake... Really?

Apple first 2010 patch fixes 12 serious vulnerabilities in Mac OS X. The update, rated critical, plugs security holes that could lead to code execution vulnerabilities -
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/01/20/217257/Apple-Patches-Massive-Holes-In-OS-X

Apple recommends Mac users use anti virus software -
http://www.macworld.com/article/137241/2008/12/antivirus.html

If its so safe, how come every year at PWN 2 Own its always the first to go?

2008 - 2minutes!
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/27/pwn-2-own-over-macbook-air-gets-seized-in-2-minutes-flat/

2009 - Took 10 Seconds.
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/249768/safari-falls-in-10-seconds-at-hacking-contest

Mac is not safer because its better, its safer because have a fraction of the Windows market share.

Danger781 · 24-01-2010 3:19pm

Paulw wrote: »

I use AVG and love it. I've never had a problem with it.

I had nothing but problems with AVG.. I used it for a few months before I eventually got sick of it and uninstalled the damn thing! It used to block a few of my games because it considered them to be viruses. There was a few occasions where it blocked my internet..

I found Norton to be even worse..

DarrenMSP wrote: »

For god sake... Really?

Apple first 2010 patch fixes 12 serious vulnerabilities in Mac OS X. The update, rated critical, plugs security holes that could lead to code execution vulnerabilities -
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/01/20/217257/Apple-Patches-Massive-Holes-In-OS-X

Apple recommends Mac users use anti virus software -
http://www.macworld.com/article/137241/2008/12/antivirus.html

If its so safe, how come every year at PWN 2 Own its always the first to go?

2008 - 2minutes!
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/27/pwn-2-own-over-macbook-air-gets-seized-in-2-minutes-flat/

2009 - Took 10 Seconds.
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/249768/safari-falls-in-10-seconds-at-hacking-contest

Mac is not safer because its better, its safer because have a fraction of the Windows market share.

Lol :rolleyes:

DarrenMSP · 24-01-2010 4:41pm

Danger781 wrote: »

Lol :rolleyes:

Seriously, Mac fans piss me off over that. I use Ubuntu and Windows daily with Mac every now and again. People need to get lost with the one is better than the other crap.

ak27 · 25-01-2010 8:48pm

I use Comodo Internet Security with Windows. Make sure you set it up properly though or else it could be a resource hog on you.

woolymammoth · 26-01-2010 1:31am

ballyroebob wrote: »

As a mac user I don't have these issues.

lol!

as for Comodo Internet Security, I used to use it. Used to love it just for being a firewall. Then they built in the antivirus and it became even more of a resource hog. I didn't trust it's antivirus, can't remember what happened, and since there was no separation between the antivirus and firewall, I said goodbye Comodo, hello avira! Until avira pissed me off with their pop ups (which you can block), then switched to Avast. Haven't looked back.

Additionally, If you're looking to run some one-time scans to test or compliment your virus protection, you can download the likes of NOD32, McAfee, and MalwareKiller to name just a few.

Calibos · 28-01-2010 5:05pm

Think I might switch to MSE. Have run AVG without problem for Donkeys years on a 9 year old Dell. Its suddenly started hanging during scans this week.

I suppose you are going to tell me MSE is Win7 only and not XP

No new machine for me till the Summer.

woolymammoth · 28-01-2010 10:59pm

Calibos wrote: »

I suppose you are going to tell me MSE is Win7 only and not XP

Wrong! :pac:

Depending on the spec and configuration of the PC, ya know! I'd be curious to know how you go with that one, so write back if you get round to it. If you haven't done it already, turning off all the fancy crap in XP helps to speed things up a lot.

K-9 · 29-01-2010 2:54am

woolymammoth wrote: »

lol!

as for Comodo Internet Security, I used to use it. Used to love it just for being a firewall. Then they built in the antivirus and it became even more of a resource hog. I didn't trust it's antivirus, can't remember what happened, and since there was no separation between the antivirus and firewall, I said goodbye Comodo, hello avira! Until avira pissed me off with their pop ups (which you can block), then switched to Avast. Haven't looked back.

Additionally, If you're looking to run some one-time scans to test or compliment your virus protection, you can download the likes of NOD32, McAfee, and MalwareKiller to name just a few.

Would have been a big fan of Avira but am trying the new Avast now. Big thumbs up, low on system resources and very quick for scans on downloads.

limklad · 31-01-2010 12:47am

I use ESET nod32, Every since i change to them over two years ago, I never had a problems since, same with family members. It also very light and it never slowed down the system. allow quick boot times. I never had a virus or worm that caused me problems, ESET removed them with ease.

I got tired of Norton, mcafee, and kaspersky over the years and often have to reinstalled them.

For other family members or friends who do not want to paid for a antipvirus, I recommend Avast with windows defender.

Kevster · 31-01-2010 1:32am

OP, I have not been running any anti-virus scanner for the past 3 or 4 years now, and I'm confident that my computer is not infected with anything. I know my PC inside out and I regularly check running-processes and the registry myself. I got fed-up of the processing time the anti-virus scanners take-up, but also the memory and the constant 'need' to update.

Kevin

Danger781 · 31-01-2010 4:52pm

Kevster wrote: »

OP, I have not been running any anti-virus scanner for the past 3 or 4 years now, and I'm confident that my computer is not infected with anything. I know my PC inside out and I regularly check running-processes and the registry myself. I got fed-up of the processing time the anti-virus scanners take-up, but also the memory and the constant 'need' to update.

Kevin

That's not very safe to be honest, but if you're confident.. :rolleyes:

BopNiblets · 31-01-2010 4:57pm

^ None of that needed with Panda Cloud, it's always up to date as long as you're connected to the net, uses hardly any resources, scans take about 3 mins, and it beats all other freeware in detection rates:
http://www.cloudantivirus.com

Biggins · 31-01-2010 5:39pm

EvilMonkey wrote: »

Microsoft Security essentials Is the best lightweight, free antivirus for windows.

Agreed - also for extra security if you feel you need it, can be backed up by the free version of "Ad-Aware" tool.

Kevster · 01-02-2010 12:15am

Danger781 wrote: »

That's not very safe to be honest, but if you're confident.. :rolleyes:

You underestimate how tactful I am with my PC; and considering I have OCD, you might then understand why I 'literally' do know my PC inside-out. If anything changes, I know about it. Do'nt always believe that what everyone else tells you to do is best.

Kevin

K-9 · 01-02-2010 1:15am

Biggins wrote: »

Agreed - also for extra security if you feel you need it, can be backed up by the free version of "Ad-Aware" tool.

I'd go with threatfire myself. It is supposed to work as an extra, on top of other AV's.
http://www.threatfire.com/

As AV's start incorporating anti malware, there is a danger of conflicts.

Personally, I would use Avast/Avira with Threatfire,

I'd use programmes like AdAware as back up, when I choose to run them.Personally, I'd put Malwarebytes free and SUPERantispware ahead of AdAware and Spybot. I'd trust the first 2 far more.

BopNiblets · 01-02-2010 2:37pm

Found this review from a while ago: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/290839/review/cloud_antivirus.html
Detection rate ranking:
1. Panda: 99.4%
2. Avira: 98.9%
3. Avast: 98.2%
4. MSE: 97.8%
5. AVG: 95.8%
6. Comodo: 74.6%

K-9 · 02-02-2010 12:11am

BopNiblets wrote: »

Found this review from a while ago: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/290839/review/cloud_antivirus.html
Detection rate ranking:
1. Panda: 99.4%
2. Avira: 98.9%
3. Avast: 98.2%
4. MSE: 97.8%
5. AVG: 95.8%
6. Comodo: 74.6%

A good site for comparatives is AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Main-Tests, it is slightly more up to date.

Avast and Microsoft score the best of the free AV's. The number of false positives knocks Avira back. They tested the premium Avira but I assume the free version uses the same AV.

The Avast tested is the older version though.

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