Preferred Anti Virus

[pterrell]

So, I've been running Avast! Free for a number of years now and started considering looking at the wide range of anti virus software out there. No, I haven't gotten a virus. I'm just looking for opinions from the people who work in the industry or know more than I do on the topic. I've read on several different website that BitDefender 2016 is the top dog and has been for a couple years now. However, I'm not so naive to quickly believe websites like CNET and PCMag since I know perfectly well that they get kickbacks from bigger companies to write favorable articles.

What do you think fellow techies of Calguns?

[the86d]

For home use, I have used so many paid AVs, and have seen people use so many people use paid AVs, only to get hit anyways. After a reboot most are found by the freebies, and most were not by the paid.

If you are going to pay, I have only used the corp-licensed Kaspersky, but the home versions (on other people's rigs) seemed pretty good at catching things better than any other paid AV I had seen when I did more tech-work.

This is historical data only, as I have not bought or used any paid AV in maybe more years than I have fingers on more than one hand. I also stopped using most of pirate software I used to... that have infected crackers, and stopped browsing for "free" anything...

The ones from Verizon were the worst at catching anything (just like their useless in home agent ), and Norton * became a CPU and memory hog.

(Don't click the dancing monkey, and don't instal BonziBuddy.)

[Marauder2003]

The problem with many free ones is they don't automatically update their definitions which leaves you vulnerable to new bugs.

I use a paid for NOD32 from ESET.

I also use the HOSTS file from http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
It blocks most ads that are delivered from 3rd party servers. Even the ads at the top of a Google search results page.


More info on HOSTS file. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)

[Galt]

Malewarebytes. And it is only $25.

[patriot_man]

I use Avira but the *occasional desktop pop ups at times are annoying. Haven't looked if I can disable them.

I would be using Malwarebytes if I had jumped on that $25 for life license.

[ldsnet]

Been using the built in (and free) Microsoft Security essentials for both of my Windows 7 machines . . . Have had a few instances of malware to deal with, but no actual virus attacks in years. Being behind a decent firewall/router probably has something to do with it.

[Rivers]

ESET

OP should add that to the poll choices.

[pterrell]

Haven't heard of eset before. New company?

[voodooridr]

Been running ESET for 10+ years, seems to work well and doesn't use up resources, running avast on the phones

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[whipkiller]

ESET (cheapest version) here as well, haven't had any problems in many years. GTG

[Milsurps]

Microsoft Security essentials
and
Malware bytes

[gwanghoops]

ESET NOD32

[SkyHawk]

The new hotness is Cylance. I have been evaluating it, it is crazy good at detection when the big names are asleep at the wheel. https://www.cylance.com/



Gartner magic quadrant Feb 2016

[wrestlingnrj]

Linux (runs and hides).

[Iknownot]

Other: Eset Nod 32.

I have very good results running this the past couple of years. It is not a resource hog so can run on older machines easily (I initially switched to it when I had an old XP machine I was still using).

I usually just pick up a license when I see it on sale either at brick and mortar or on line.

That being said...... Windows security if you are on a win machine is decent and is also less resource intensive. I think if you were careful about your web browsing and email opening, it would be okay.

Most of these virus programs are being defeated by social engineering and phising link click throughs anyways. They really are only good for the old, established viruses and malware and you have to not be a doofus on top of it by accidentally installing malware or viruses or giving out your info on a scam mirror site anyway.

Just my 2 cents.