We've been using Kaspersky firewall and anti-virus on our computers. Ours recently expired and before I spend another $80 to protect our 3 computers I'm wondering if there is a free alternative out there that works well.
What are you folks using?
Waggin Tails said
06:02 PM Jul 27, 2011
I've been completely satisfied with AVG. Have used it on at least 6 different computers. Also have it on my smart phone.
Bill Adams said
07:17 PM Jul 27, 2011
AVG Free! Nothing else. Get rid of the secondary firewall and just ensure that your Windows firewall is turned on.
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Wednesday 27th of July 2011 07:18:33 PM
bjoyce said
08:10 PM Jul 27, 2011
A mixed bag with one computer running AVG Free and three running Microsoft Security Essentials.
Racerguy said
09:51 PM Jul 27, 2011
I have had better luck with Security Essentials .Ran AVG for years but as it improved it got worse for me.
Roz said
03:50 AM Jul 28, 2011
Another vote for AVG Free! We have had absolutely no problems with our three computers. It surely turns away the bad stuff.
RVPAINTER said
07:41 AM Jul 28, 2011
I ran AVG - Free and had to rebuild my computer twice - once the virus even wiped out AVG!!! I now use Norton 360 and not so much as a burp. You get what you pay for IMHO.
Bill Adams said
07:45 AM Jul 28, 2011
With Norton you get more than you pay for. I have found it to be overly intrusive and recommend that my customers remove it in favor of just about anything else. Glad to hear it works for you, however.
RVPAINTER said
02:06 PM Jul 28, 2011
In this day and age with all the internet slime -balls around overly intrusive is IMHO welcomed. Rebuilding all my files (I never did rebuild all of them) TWO times taught me a lesson. I'd rather pay for quality and proven software then freebies - If it's free it's probably not all that good - just my opinion not a FACT. But I'm very happy with Norton. When a virus can take out an anti-virus software program - something is missing.
Bill Adams said
03:47 PM Jul 28, 2011
You are correct that your statement is just an opinion. AVG (free or not) is one of the highest rated A/V products available to anyone today. That is not an opinion. I am not suggesting that it's right for you as you clearly were not happy with something that happened while this was installed on your computer. I am only suggesting that just because it's free does not mean that it does not work as well. If I absolutely positively could not sleep unless I paid for my A/V then I (again, me, not you) would buy the AVG paid version.
3Gstore_Matt said
04:42 PM Jul 28, 2011
When I used a Windows computer, I used AVG in combination with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and never had any issues. I go "unprotected" on my Mac.
Bill Adams said
04:49 PM Jul 28, 2011
Matt, I am not sure whether you are aware of this or not, but AVG now also includes a very good spyware utility that runs simultaneously with their A/V. Several other options including a link scanner are also now part of the package.
Racerguy said
04:54 PM Jul 28, 2011
I never had any trouble with virus's with AVG.My only complaint was that for some reason "on my computer" I developed severe hang up issues that went away with the Security Essentials.I had Norton once and it was a memory hog.Thank God for the free enterprise system so we have a choice on what we feel is best for us.
RVPAINTER said
05:32 PM Jul 28, 2011
Well said Racerguy.
Bill Adams said
05:42 PM Jul 28, 2011
I agree with him as well. He had problems with Norton and removed it.
3Gstore_Matt said
06:11 PM Jul 28, 2011
Bill Adams wrote:
Matt, I am not sure whether you are aware of this or not, but AVG now also includes a very good spyware utility that runs simultaneously with their A/V. Several other options including a link scanner are also now part of the package.
I had got MalwareBytes because there are some very nasty viruses that it will not remove. Judging from RVPainters response I'm betting he's got the same virus.
It's actually an interesting concept that basically disables your task manager control, assums virus control and acts like it's your official virus software. It then sends hundreds of alerts indicating false viruses with a popl up to buy their software to remove the "Viruses", which are actually fake.
AVG Failed to catch it and ended up disabling the software. I believe for that I ended up needing to reboot in safe mode, edit registry keys and run MalwareBytes. It was the only software out there that could take care of it.
RVRon said
06:12 PM Jul 28, 2011
3Gstore_Matt wrote:
When I used a Windows computer, I used AVG in combination with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and never had any issues. I go "unprotected" on my Mac.
Good to hear that there's no conflict between AVG and Malwarebytes. I've used McAfee for years but it let me down a few months ago. I used Malwarebytes to get rid of the trojan and since then have been using both products together. There have been many times where MB has caught something suspicious and McAfee did nothing. Once my subscription to McAfee is up I'll be downloading AVG!
RVPAINTER said
07:15 PM Jul 28, 2011
2 Years now and Norton has not let me down so I'll pay the fee and have piece of mind. I still believe there is no such thing as a free lunch - my opinion only based on my horrid experienced with Free AVG.
RVRon said
08:34 PM Jul 28, 2011
3Gstore_Matt wrote:It's actually an interesting concept that basically disables your task manager control, assums virus control and acts like it's your official virus software. It then sends hundreds of alerts indicating false viruses with a popl up to buy their software to remove the "Viruses", which are actually fake.
AVG Failed to catch it and ended up disabling the software. I believe for that I ended up needing to reboot in safe mode, edit registry keys and run MalwareBytes. It was the only software out there that could take care of it.
Matt, I had the same virus - FakeAlert. It took me a while to get it completely gone and Malwarebytes worked great. When I looked back at the McAfee scan logs I saw where it detected the trojan but evidently didn't isolate it all because it came on with a vengence. I'd say it took me about 3 weeks to finally get the computer straightened out and get McAfee reloaded and working properly.
For those unaware of MalwareBytes it updates its definitions and does a quick scan every day. For the $25.00 it cost it is worth every penny.
janni said
10:02 PM Jul 28, 2011
I run an occassional backup and move anything important to my external data storage book. Other than that I chose uprotected also.
Bill Adams said
07:02 AM Jul 29, 2011
Janni, I hope you are a Mac owner as well. The above poster who mentioned he ran unprotected was referring to his use of an Apple. I cannot imagine not using some form of A/V if you are a Windows user.
RVRon said
07:34 AM Jul 29, 2011
Bill Adams wrote:
Janni, I hope you are a Mac owner as well. The above poster who mentioned he ran unprotected was referring to his use of an Apple. I cannot imagine not using some form of A/V if you are a Windows user.
I agree with you 100%, Bill. It's amazing how many sites McAfee or MalwareBytes block because of suspicious activity. Anytime you do a search for something and click on one of the search results you're opening yourself up to getting an infected computer. Kind of like having unprotected sex with strangers!
janni said
10:39 AM Jul 29, 2011
Two of my kids work in the computer world. One runs a Mac at work but everyone else runs Windows. None of them run any protection. Think at one time or another I have run Norton, Spyware, Adbot, AVG, Avast and others and still had problems. With the help of those family members I have had to reformat only once. Backed everything up and lost nothing. I will say that I watch my accounts closely and don't mess around on facebook and some of that other "buggy" stuff.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Friday 29th of July 2011 11:01:04 AM
Tim & Robyn said
07:10 AM Jul 30, 2011
I use Norton 360, mainly because it came preinstalled on one of my laptops. It is definitely a pig, but I haven't had any problems either.
My newest laptop came with McAfee preinstalled. It doesn't seem to be as much of resource hog as Norton, so once I get everything moved over from the machine I'm using now to the newer one I'll get rid of Norton and stick with McAfee.
I have multiple layers of security - wireless router with a fire wall (which I probably need to update), firewall and antivirus on the computers. Viruses are not the only thing you need to protect against, especially if you do any kind of online shopping or banking using credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Spyware that monitors keystrokes is a very real danger for stealing passwords, and you have to be careful about what you click on - you may inadvertantly be giving permission for spyware to be installed on your computer, firewalls, antivirus software or no.
Just remember - there is probably always a security hole somewhere, and hackers will eventually find it.
jkrobbins said
12:29 PM Jul 30, 2011
Hello all
I was and still using PCTools spyware doctor with A/V. Its the only one that has removed several different viruses on different customers computers and when I leave it installed on their computers I have had no repeats. With that being said, it does a good job but is really intrusive like Norton. Both of them seem to affect computer performance. I use to use AVG but it let me down a couple of times a while ago. Maybe its time to take a computer, install it again and give it a try. I usally go along with some others that if its free then its not worth installing, but seeing that some use it here and are happy with it's time to give them a try again.
Just my two cents. Thanks for letting me ramble on.
John
Ckerr said
04:34 PM Jul 30, 2011
Thanks all! I installed AVG free last evening and ran the updates and scan. So far so good.
Bill Adams said
05:01 PM Jul 30, 2011
I you are like me, it should stay that way. Be sure you have auto everything turned on. I have mine do the updates overnight so it's not a bother. You do have to leave your computer on and internet connection running but that's OK with me since I never power off or disconnect anything.
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Saturday 30th of July 2011 05:02:24 PM
Melstar said
11:15 PM Jul 30, 2011
almost 2 years with Security Essentials with no problem. With Norton ......got viruses all the time!
RVPAINTER said
08:45 AM Jul 31, 2011
Norton does not seem to slow down my PC - the only HIGH MEMORY alerts I get is Internet Explorer -- it is a huge HOG!!! I put IE 9 up and had to take it off as my PC had all kinds of problems and issues - back onto IE 8 and all is fine.
Bill Adams said
09:15 AM Jul 31, 2011
You do have some odd problems compared to what I see. IE9 has been an excellent upgrade for me. It just goes to show you how so many different computers all using the "same" platform can really be so different. That's one of the things that makes suggesting the right thing so difficult as what's great for me may not work at all for you. A PC is not simply a PC and Windows is not simply Windows.
RVPAINTER said
10:23 AM Jul 31, 2011
Well said Bill. I have an ACER Aspire One D255 Netbook running Windows 7 Starter which maybe why IE 9 just about brought my netbook to a complete HALT. I basically bought it instead of the larger Kindle - close to the same price and I can use it for all the other things a PC gives you. A tad slow compared to a full size laptop but quie doable and great for reading books - which I do all the time.
bshart said
07:31 AM Aug 1, 2011
Bill Adams,
I use a laptop as my everyday computer and always shut it down overnight. I have it on a surge protector, but our rural power goes out every now and then, although it seems to be better in recent years. My thought was that a laptop was not built to run all the time and would be better turned off than left on. Is it okay to leave it on all the time? My husband leaves his laptop on all the time with no problems so far.
BSHart
wmalefyt said
11:24 AM Aug 1, 2011
Bill Adams wrote:
AVG Free! Nothing else. Get rid of the secondary firewall and just ensure that your Windows firewall is turned on.
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Wednesday 27th of July 2011 07:18:33 PM
That's what we run also and it does the job at a price that can't be beat!
Bill Adams said
11:28 AM Aug 1, 2011
In most cases, electronics prefer to run all of the time. You should have your laptop set so when you close the lid the display goes dark and that's good. Otherwise, I never turn mine off and never have in the last 10 years that I have had a laptop in my coach.
As with all advice from anyone....YMMV!!!!
dannick said
08:55 PM Aug 2, 2011
I use avast and love it! It's free and does not slow down your computer. Cnet also rates it very high.. Here is a link to the cnet review.
-- Edited by dannick on Tuesday 2nd of August 2011 09:00:58 PM
TXRVr said
09:30 AM Aug 8, 2011
There are several antivirus review sites. One that I like is
I use ESET NOD32, but it does slow the boot up time on one of my laptops that runs Vista. AVG probably gets the best ratings among all different reviewers. Lots of people are happy with AV.
I agree with the idea that "you get what you pay for." It's akin to paying a little more for a good quality oil for the engine.
foxriverguy said
08:19 PM Aug 9, 2011
I use Microsoft Security Essentials and it is FREE. AVG is no longer Free. I tried to download it and found only the option to buy it. Not going to do that. Have been virus free with MSE for a year now.
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Wednesday 10th of August 2011 06:05:50 AM
Hina said
03:44 PM Nov 3, 2011
I have Webroot on my 2 laptops, and I'm very happy! I had Norton on my old one, and it kept removing .dll components of software I spent $300 for, kept crashing my computer due to "high CPU usage" (duh, that's YOU, stupid Norton!) and it sloooowed my #2 down sooooo much, it was impossible to watch You Tube (buffering, buffering, buffering.....) MacAfee is not much better. But the Webroot I got on #1 when I bought it at Best Buy does the job of capturing viruses, without all the overkill BS.
:)
Delaine and Lindy said
10:57 AM Nov 6, 2011
My first computer in 2000, it was expensive, the tech told me no virus protection will protect you, and they want to hack you they will never had any protection. Then a very special person (my angel) came into my life. And Delaine believed in some form of virus protection. Since 2005 we have over 6 computer, HP's, Compaqs and Acers' hit with a virus that killed our computers. She went to the Mac over a year ago and have had no issues. I have now since went to the Mac. I was told by a computer sales person, no I didn't buy a Mac from him, that most computers are now being built to last about two years.. Oh by the way my desk top by HP just died this past year, never ever any virus protection. I think that the HP desk top died of old age, 11 years at time of death. I not recommending any type computer, I do believe in backing up your computers on a regular basis. I never open any e-mail I don't recognize. But there are many e-mails that try to give me millions and billions of dollars... Good Luck with your computers.
P.S. And don't you know if they can hack the Pentagon you can be hacked........ no matter what kind of virus protection you have..
We have had most all type of virus protection, and yes Norton crashed our computers all the time for some reason. There is no virus protection that I would recommend.
-- Edited by Delaine and Lindy on Sunday 6th of November 2011 11:00:17 AM
djpotts55 said
07:10 PM Nov 30, 2011
I use AVG free as my computer anti-virus, turn on Microsoft firewall as a protection for my web browser, and use free Yahoo mail. Yahoo Mail always includes free Norton Anti-virus scanning of all incoming and outgoing Yahoo mail as well as attachments as the default email virus program.
Also, put all of your contacts into Yahoo Contacts and sync it to your Android Phone. That allows you to use all of your contacts on both your phone and your computer with Yahoo virus protection and data back-up for all of your contacts for free. If you ever crash your computer or lose your phone, your contacts data is safe and sound on Yahoo. You could even pull up all of your contacts on any other phone or computer since all you need to do is log into Yahoo Mail and enter your log-in/password.
No need to spend money on anti-virus programs or firewall programs. These programs make your computer and android cell phones fully protected.
-- Edited by djpotts55 on Wednesday 30th of November 2011 07:11:00 PM
We've been using Kaspersky firewall and anti-virus on our computers. Ours recently expired and before I spend another $80 to protect our 3 computers I'm wondering if there is a free alternative out there that works well.
What are you folks using?
AVG Free! Nothing else. Get rid of the secondary firewall and just ensure that your Windows firewall is turned on.
http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Wednesday 27th of July 2011 07:18:33 PM
Another vote for AVG Free! We have had absolutely no problems with our three computers. It surely turns away the bad stuff.
I never had any trouble with virus's with AVG.My only complaint was that for some reason "on my computer" I developed severe hang up issues that went away with the Security Essentials.I had Norton once and it was a memory hog.Thank God for the free enterprise system so we have a choice on what we feel is best for us.
I had got MalwareBytes because there are some very nasty viruses that it will not remove. Judging from RVPainters response I'm betting he's got the same virus.
It's actually an interesting concept that basically disables your task manager control, assums virus control and acts like it's your official virus software. It then sends hundreds of alerts indicating false viruses with a popl up to buy their software to remove the "Viruses", which are actually fake.
AVG Failed to catch it and ended up disabling the software. I believe for that I ended up needing to reboot in safe mode, edit registry keys and run MalwareBytes. It was the only software out there that could take care of it.
Good to hear that there's no conflict between AVG and Malwarebytes. I've used McAfee for years but it let me down a few months ago. I used Malwarebytes to get rid of the trojan and since then have been using both products together. There have been many times where MB has caught something suspicious and McAfee did nothing. Once my subscription to McAfee is up I'll be downloading AVG!
Matt, I had the same virus - FakeAlert. It took me a while to get it completely gone and Malwarebytes worked great. When I looked back at the McAfee scan logs I saw where it detected the trojan but evidently didn't isolate it all because it came on with a vengence. I'd say it took me about 3 weeks to finally get the computer straightened out and get McAfee reloaded and working properly.
For those unaware of MalwareBytes it updates its definitions and does a quick scan every day. For the $25.00 it cost it is worth every penny.
I hope you are a Mac owner as well. The above poster who mentioned he ran unprotected was referring to his use of an Apple. I cannot imagine not using some form of A/V if you are a Windows user.
I agree with you 100%, Bill. It's amazing how many sites McAfee or MalwareBytes block because of suspicious activity. Anytime you do a search for something and click on one of the search results you're opening yourself up to getting an infected computer. Kind of like having unprotected sex with strangers!
Actually Macs can have viruses and Apple updated in June to combat one - http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/apple-issues-fix-to-combat-virus/ .
-- Edited by bjoyce on Friday 29th of July 2011 11:01:04 AM
I use Norton 360, mainly because it came preinstalled on one of my laptops. It is definitely a pig, but I haven't had any problems either.
My newest laptop came with McAfee preinstalled. It doesn't seem to be as much of resource hog as Norton, so once I get everything moved over from the machine I'm using now to the newer one I'll get rid of Norton and stick with McAfee.
I have multiple layers of security - wireless router with a fire wall (which I probably need to update), firewall and antivirus on the computers. Viruses are not the only thing you need to protect against, especially if you do any kind of online shopping or banking using credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Spyware that monitors keystrokes is a very real danger for stealing passwords, and you have to be careful about what you click on - you may inadvertantly be giving permission for spyware to be installed on your computer, firewalls, antivirus software or no.
Just remember - there is probably always a security hole somewhere, and hackers will eventually find it.
I was and still using PCTools spyware doctor with A/V. Its the only one that has removed several different viruses on different customers computers and when I leave it installed on their computers I have had no repeats. With that being said, it does a good job but is really intrusive like Norton. Both of them seem to affect computer performance. I use to use AVG but it let me down a couple of times a while ago. Maybe its time to take a computer, install it again and give it a try. I usally go along with some others that if its free then its not worth installing, but seeing that some use it here and are happy with it's time to give them a try again.
Just my two cents. Thanks for letting me ramble on.
John
Thanks all! I installed AVG free last evening and ran the updates and scan. So far so good.
I you are like me, it should stay that way. Be sure you have auto everything turned on. I have mine do the updates overnight so it's not a bother. You do have to leave your computer on and internet connection running but that's OK with me since I never power off or disconnect anything.
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Saturday 30th of July 2011 05:02:24 PM
It just goes to show you how so many different computers all using the "same" platform can really be so different. That's one of the things that makes suggesting the right thing so difficult as what's great for me may not work at all for you. A PC is not simply a PC and Windows is not simply Windows.
I use a laptop as my everyday computer and always shut it down overnight. I have it on a surge protector, but our rural power goes out every now and then, although it seems to be better in recent years. My thought was that a laptop was not built to run all the time and would be better turned off than left on. Is it okay to leave it on all the time? My husband leaves his laptop on all the time with no problems so far.
BSHart
That's what we run also and it does the job at a price that can't be beat!
In most cases, electronics prefer to run all of the time. You should have your laptop set so when you close the lid the display goes dark and that's good. Otherwise, I never turn mine off and never have in the last 10 years that I have had a laptop in my coach.
As with all advice from anyone....YMMV!!!!
I use avast and love it! It's free and does not slow down your computer. Cnet also rates it very high.. Here is a link to the cnet review.
-- Edited by dannick on Tuesday 2nd of August 2011 09:00:58 PM
There are several antivirus review sites. One that I like is
http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/summary/summary2010.pdf
I use ESET NOD32, but it does slow the boot up time on one of my laptops that runs Vista. AVG probably gets the best ratings among all different reviewers. Lots of people are happy with AV.
I agree with the idea that "you get what you pay for." It's akin to paying a little more for a good quality oil for the engine.
AVG is still completely free!
http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage
-- Edited by Bill Adams on Wednesday 10th of August 2011 06:05:50 AM
:)
My first computer in 2000, it was expensive, the tech told me no virus protection will protect you, and they want to hack you they will never had any protection. Then a very special person (my angel) came into my life. And Delaine believed in some form of virus protection. Since 2005 we have over 6 computer, HP's, Compaqs and Acers' hit with a virus that killed our computers. She went to the Mac over a year ago and have had no issues. I have now since went to the Mac. I was told by a computer sales person, no I didn't buy a Mac from him, that most computers are now being built to last about two years.. Oh by the way my desk top by HP just died this past year, never ever any virus protection. I think that the HP desk top died of old age, 11 years at time of death. I not recommending any type computer, I do believe in backing up your computers on a regular basis. I never open any e-mail I don't recognize. But there are many e-mails that try to give me millions and billions of dollars... Good Luck with your computers.
P.S. And don't you know if they can hack the Pentagon you can be hacked........ no matter what kind of virus protection you have..
We have had most all type of virus protection, and yes Norton crashed our computers all the time for some reason. There is no virus protection that I would recommend.
-- Edited by Delaine and Lindy on Sunday 6th of November 2011 11:00:17 AM
I use AVG free as my computer anti-virus, turn on Microsoft firewall as a protection for my web browser, and use free Yahoo mail. Yahoo Mail always includes free Norton Anti-virus scanning of all incoming and outgoing Yahoo mail as well as attachments as the default email virus program.
Also, put all of your contacts into Yahoo Contacts and sync it to your Android Phone. That allows you to use all of your contacts on both your phone and your computer with Yahoo virus protection and data back-up for all of your contacts for free. If you ever crash your computer or lose your phone, your contacts data is safe and sound on Yahoo. You could even pull up all of your contacts on any other phone or computer since all you need to do is log into Yahoo Mail and enter your log-in/password.
No need to spend money on anti-virus programs or firewall programs. These programs make your computer and android cell phones fully protected.
-- Edited by djpotts55 on Wednesday 30th of November 2011 07:11:00 PM