Malware & virus protection

[wheels]

Family is asking about virus protection on a Windows 7 PC, her Norton subscription is ending.

My days working closely with systems is over and I'm looking for recommendations.

Thanks

[billofrights]

I'm a fan of MS Security Essentials. Make sure all the users are logging on with standard, non-admin accounts as well, and password the admin account. That'll keep a fair amount of them in check by limiting installability.

[finsfan21]

Avast antivirus. Its free and does a good job. Be sure Norton is uninstalled however.

[Iknownot]

If you are a careful user, (ie you don't visit skeevy sites and you don't open email attachments willy-nilly) MS security essentials is pretty decent.

I have been using ESET Nod 32 for the past couple of years and I like it. It's pretty light on the resource usage and it get good ratings in the protection comparison tests I've seen.

[KLF]

Microsoft Security Essentials is highly rated and respected, and it has a perpetual license. Avast! has a free license that needs to be upped annually, or at least it did when I stopped using it.
Windows 7 Best Practice recommends people log in and do their everyday computin' as a Standard User Account, and have access to Administrator Account/Credentials when they need to install/uninstall stuff, including those near-daily Java updates and stuff like that. The theory is that silent-install malware, things disguised as pictures and links to trusted things can't sneak their way on your machine (as easily) under the logged-in user's Standard User Credentials. This can get annoying for the user because they're asked for Administrator Credentials for many things but that's what we have to do these days. The E-Terrorists won.

[Brianguy]

avast and malwarebytes

[bigbearbear]

Originally Posted by Iknownot

If you are a careful user, (ie you don't visit skeevy sites and you don't open email attachments willy-nilly) MS security essentials is pretty decent.

I have been using ESET Nod 32 for the past couple of years and I like it. It's pretty light on the resource usage and it get good ratings in the protection comparison tests I've seen.

My employer uses ESET Nod 32 too, pretty good and we use in on both user workstations and our servers. If you're looking to buy a solution, go with this one.

[wheels]

Thanks guys/gals - I'm going to get on remotely and take a look at her user accounts. I'll take a look at the MS package and avast and go from there.

[sholling]

I recommend either ESET Smart Security or Webroot SecureAnywhere. I like eset because it has so little overhead but switched to webroot this year and it's equally easy on resources. By using this link you'll get a discount on Webroot.

Reviews
http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/antivirus
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411616,00.asp

I'd avoid Norton, McAfee and Microsoft Security Essentials because when new malware is developed they test the malware against the most popular AV products to make sure it can sneak by, and Norton and McAfee dominate business, while MS dominates in the home. That means a few weeks of being vulnerable until the new malware is discovered and a new patch or set of definitions is released.

[gabe123]

1> I highly recommend Microsoft Security Essentials, or you can buy Norton free after rebate deals which pop up every week.

2> Update Windows OS as soon as updates are available.

3> Learn when to click "Next", and when not to. Just don't accept everything a program or website ask. Read everything before click "Next", and "uncheck" all request to install toolbars.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

Originally Posted by Brianguy

avast and malwarebytes

FTW

[superbarnie]

Originally Posted by billofrights

I'm a fan of MS Security Essentials. Make sure all the users are logging on with standard, non-admin accounts as well, and password the admin account. That'll keep a fair amount of them in check by limiting installability.

MSE is good, but still has some vulnerabilities. I would suggest install Malwarebytes along with MSE to cover all the vulnerabilities.

[jon1320]

+1 malwarebytes

dual boot that system with ubuntu!

[maggie06]

Originally Posted by California44

Look up Leo Laporte, the tch guy, on KFI. See what he recommends.

That's easy. Nod 32

[NoSpam]

MS Security Essentials and combofix are the only 2 tools you need currently

[gschoelles]

Avast and Malwarebytes. Two alongside each other and nothing seems to get through. Have had this setup on two adult computers, two teen computers, and two collage girl computers. I consider this well tested.

[cid`]

ms security essentials is crap, its free + failed virus certification earlier this year.. there is no straight forward answer, it all depends on what type of system you have and what type of protection you need.

if you are sucky and need full protection, either bit defender or kaspersky
if you are somewhat competant, avast/eset nod32 and malwarebytes

this also depends on your system, if you have anything with 4+ gigs of memory, the first 2 shouldnt feel so bad, otherwise they will slow your crap down badly.. eset is good but it doesnt catch everything.. even with malwarebytes, run the tdsskiller from kaspersky once in a while to check for tdss/tdl infections..