What, if anything, do you use for antivirus?

[Reverend Conehead]

I just renewed my Kaspersky Pure. I've been using Kaspersky since 2007. Before that I used SystemSuite. Before that I used Norton. I dumped Norton because it got bloated and invasive. I dumped SystemSuite because it was ineffective.

For the most part I've really liked Kaspersky. However, this latest install had me pulling my hair out. I was switching from Kaspersky Internet Security to Pure and therefore had to uninstall the old one, not just put in a new activation code. It ended up being a beast to get it off my system, but I managed. I am considering going with something else next year. I've long considered trying Panda.

On the other hand, I might at some point switch to a Linux-based system, which (at least for now) isn't so plagued by viruses.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I use microsoft security essentials and will occasionally run malware or that type of program if I need it.

Otherwise it is just MSE. Although I don't visit many sites that I am not familiar with so for the most part I don't have virus problems.

Now in the past when I was visiting a bunch of warez sites that was another story.:laugh2:

 

[Future]

I've always just used ad-aware and spybot search and destroy to supplement MSE.

Mostly because they are free, but I've never really had a virus problem.

 

[Nova]

I used to use Norton. It worked the best, didn't slow my laptop down any, but was quite expensive-- yearly renewals and initial software costs.

Switched to McAfee because of the Norton yearly renewal fees, but pretty much ended up paying the same amount. Didn't really work all that well, slowed down performance, etc.

I really didn't have many issues with viruses, but had quite a few with spyware. Neither McAfee or Norton did much for spyware, so I actually dropped anti-virus altogether and just dealt with the spyware when it would eventually rear its ugly head, always using MalwareBytes to get rid of the problem. It's free and works like a charm.

I've since switched to a used 2009 MacBook pro and haven't had to deal with the headaches. I swore to myself I'd never be 'that guy' that brings up his Mac, but it really has been great in that regard. I still prefer Windows interface since its what I grew up on (3.1, 95, 98, 2000, xp, vista, 7 and so forth) and the Mac isn't a step up as far as performance, IMO, but it's been nice not opening up my notebook and being greeted by spyware. If you can get one used, get one.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/03/tech/mobile/hack-iphone-charger/index.html

These guys say that any Apple OS is vulnerable. They can hack any Apple product, according to them.

 

[kapolani]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/03/tech/mobile/hack-iphone-charger/index.html

These guys say that any Apple OS is vulnerable. They can hack any Apple product, according to them.

You can hack almost any system if you have physical possession of it.

That being said.

In this day and age you should never pay for virus protection.

Microsoft Security Essentials is free and does a very good job. Combine that with weekly runs of malwarebytes plus spybot and you should be good to go.

 

[Tabascocat]

I use nothing except some free spy/mal removal stuff. Haven't had a true anti-virus installed in years. Only once have I got a virus I could not fix via googling answers, so bought a new laptop. If it happens again, will buy another.

The way these things go out-of-date so quickly, I am willing to take that chance

 

[RS12]

Avast from C Net downloads. Free and works just fine.

 

[morasp]

I just renewed my Kaspersky Pure. I've been using Kaspersky since 2007. Before that I used SystemSuite. Before that I used Norton. I dumped Norton because it got bloated and invasive. I dumped SystemSuite because it was ineffective.

For the most part I've really liked Kaspersky. However, this latest install had me pulling my hair out. I was switching from Kaspersky Internet Security to Pure and therefore had to uninstall the old one, not just put in a new activation code. It ended up being a beast to get it off my system, but I managed. I am considering going with something else next year. I've long considered trying Panda.

On the other hand, I might at some point switch to a Linux-based system, which (at least for now) isn't so plagued by viruses.

I quit Norton for the same reason. I just got a new computer with the new windows 8 and Norton was on there for three months free. I tried it and it was very unobtrusive and ran fast so I kept it no complaints so far. THey tried to charge $79 to subscribe and amazon had it for $25 so they gave it to me for $25. I had a really nasty virus a year ago and the only thing that would get rid of it was malwarebytes which is free. One time the virus redirected me from getting updates and their tech support worked with me until the problem was resolved.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

You can hack almost any system if you have physical possession of it.

That being said.

In this day and age you should never pay for virus protection.

Microsoft Security Essentials is free and does a very good job. Combine that with weekly runs of malwarebytes plus spybot and you should be good to go.

I'm afraid I can not agree with you. Microsoft Security Essentials is what it is.

Zero Day is not the only problem with it.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

I quit Norton for the same reason. I just got a new computer with the new windows 8 and Norton was on there for three months free. I tried it and it was very unobtrusive and ran fast so I kept it no complaints so far. THey tried to charge $79 to subscribe and amazon had it for $25 so they gave it to me for $25. I had a really nasty virus a year ago and the only thing that would get rid of it was malwarebytes which is free. One time the virus redirected me from getting updates and their tech support worked with me until the problem was resolved.

I had heard that Norton has cleaned up its act.

I've also been using Amazon to get my antivirus inexpensively. With Kaspersky I'll always buy one version back because it's cheaper. It's Kaspersky's policy to allow you to upgrade for free as long as you've got a legit copy. So you buy the old version and then just download the new one and the key works. I'd bet that can be done with products besides Kaspersky.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I'm afraid I can not agree with you. Microsoft Security Essentials is what it is.

Zero Day is not the only problem with it.

Free is never as good but some people will do anything to save a dollar or two.

 

[Nova]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/03/tech/mobile/hack-iphone-charger/index.html

These guys say that any Apple OS is vulnerable. They can hack any Apple product, according to them.

Yeah any system is vulnerable. I've just never had to deal with it with my 2 years with a mac...

I hate what I've become

 

[speedkilz88]

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

So you're saying it's like a roach motel then.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Free is never as good but some people will do anything to save a dollar or two.

Actually, I prefer the free LibreOffice to Microsoft Office. Microsoft lost my office suite business when they came out with the 2007 version featuring the Ribbon interface. I found it more difficult to use. I stuck with my old version of MS Office for a while and then finally went with LibreOffice. I'm using it to write my books, stories, etc., and to do my budgets. I don't find it lacking in features at all. I really don't miss using MS Office. At least for me, in this case, the free software is better. I recognize that some people probably prefer MS Office and its Ribbon, and that's fine. They can use it. I just won't be.

For antivirus I've tried MS Security Essentials and think it's pretty good. If I were super strapped for cash, I would use it.

 

[kapolani]

I haven't paid for anti-virus since 2000.

I get malware every now and then, but nothing too serious.

No anti-virus software will stop everything. Safe internet practices can keep you pretty safe.

A combination of free stuff can do just about the same job as anything you pay for.

It's a waste of money to pay for this stuff

 

[Shunpike]

I haven't paid for anti-virus since 2000.

I get malware every now and then, but nothing too serious.

No anti-virus software will stop everything. Safe internet practices can keep you pretty safe.

A combination of free stuff can do just about the same job as anything you pay for.

It's a waste of money to pay for this stuff

It is not. For people not as computer savvy as you are, AntiVirus programs are good.

 

[Lodeus]

I use MSE(I also like AVG or Avast), Malwarebytes, and CCleaner. All three are free.

They are all pretty simple to use. I am new to CCleaner but it cleared up like 3 gigs of space up. Very useful program. It did delete all my saved passwords because I didn't know how to use at first though.

 

[kapolani]

It is not. For people not as computer savvy as you are, AntiVirus programs are good.

I'll concede that not everyone is as computer savvy as others.

But, with a little googlefu one could easily read/find free products that, when used in combination, can produce just as well, if not better than paid for products.


AVG, Avast, and Bitdefender are a few of the better ones.

This stuff is so easy to configure and use now that many top companies have a free consumer version.

The free version may not have all the bells and whistles, but it is lighter weight and does a good a job when combined with other free products.