Virus control?

[Gary O]

Can anyone suggest a source for virus control other than Kaspersky Labs or Norton 360? Both of those have created problems with my computer. I run Windows 7. Thanks...

[Chaos47]

I have run the free version of Avast for years and never had a virus.
BTW you might want to switch your browser to Google Chrome as it has a lot of malware/phishing/virus blocking built in.
Besides that its very fast, streamline and versatile.

[Kodemonkey]

AVG free has been pretty good to the people I have recommended it to.

Norton 360... that sucker is a dog of a product.

I use trend micro for my business though. Had the AVG setup for business and didn't like the way it worked. The worry free trend micro didn't need a dedicated server and so far I like it. small footprint, relatively cheap.

[BakoJ]

I have run the free version of Avast for years and never had a virus.
BTW you might want to switch your browser to Google Chrome as it has a lot of malware/phishing/virus blocking built in.
Besides that its very fast, streamline and versatile.

+1 on Avast. I recommend it to all my customers. Boot time scan has saved the skin of many of my users.

[bigbearbear]

I run Avast myself on my home computer, my employer uses ESET NOD and I have it on my work laptop. Both are pretty good.

[MadMax]

I have used AVG free for a while with good results, works and uses very little resources.

[uzigalil]

free Anti virus sucks, AVG sucks,norton is horrible, your better off maintaing and updating every tuesday Microsoft security essentials, a good pay program is eset nod 32 http://www.eset.com/us/

But if you have a virus forget it and reformat the drive

[meaty-btz]

Microsoft Security Essentials + Ad Block Plus + Do Not Track. No script is another bonus if you want protection under windows.

Even under linux I run Ad Block Plus and Do Not Track.

[Jason95357]

...
BTW you might want to switch your browser to Google Chrome as it has a lot of malware/phishing/virus blocking built in.
Besides that its very fast, streamline and versatile.

I second this. I work in the IT security field. I read a ton, and one thing I have read is that Chrome is harder to exploit against, and often, criminals don't even bother, especially when their are so many easier targets.

One advantage with Chrome is that it has automatic updates which Google pushes updates to and requires no user interaction. While Firefox and the Windows OS can do automatic updates, it doesn't do so without requiring you to reboot. Also, Chrome updates include those for the built-in Flash and other built-in plugins.

Speaking of recommendations, I recommend Secunia PSI. It'll help you keep our system updated (it can automatically patch most third-party software) or at least warn you about insecure software you have. It's free for personal use. I use the Corporate version at work.

[Ricky-Ray]

I've been running Microsoft Security Essentials on my computer's that are running Win 7 and XP and have had no issues with them whatsoever for the last 5-6 years.

Like a few others have mentioned I've also made the switch from using IE or Firefox over to Chrome. I still use Firefox once in a while when I come across a website with some stuff not showing up properly on Chrome but other than that 99.9% of the time I'm using Chrome.

[odysseus]

While Firefox and the Windows OS can do automatic updates, it doesn't do so without requiring you to reboot.

Not true. Firefox updates do not require OS reboot. Simple app restart like everyone else.

Actually with the right add-ons Firefox is a very tight browser, and it doesn't report everything I do with it to Google like Chrome does.

[Wrangler John]

All I know is that my 5 desktops and 2 laptops have been running for years with GFI's Vipre Internet Security 2013 (formerly Sunbelt Software's Vipre) and Prevx now Webroot SecureAnywhere security suite. I allow SecureAnywhere to do the real-time active protection, while they both work as antivirus and malware scanners. Vipre and SecureAnywhere both have a firewall function that work together on Windows Xp and 7 with no conflicts. Next I perform manual scans every week with Malwarebytes as a backup. All Internet traffic is through either Hide My @$$ (really, CalGuns has a juvenile word block for the donkey's common name?) or Anonymizer Universal VPN's with encryption. These are used randomly with HMA's IP location being shifted through various states. In the last ten years I have not experienced a single infection on any machine. This is all paid subscription software, so there is some cost. Both have versions for mobile devices.

Rule #2: Never buy anything from Symantec, it's like eating half cooked rice and experiencing semi-terminal bloat afterwards.

[Gary O]

Went with Microsoft Security Essentials. My computer SMOKES again! Thanks again...

[the86d]

Better option: http://distrowatch.com/

[sholling]

Keep in mind that many virus creators test their little monsters against the most popular AV products like Norton, McAfee, and MS Security before releasing them into the wild.

The two that I recommend are ESET Security and Webroot Secure Anywhere. After years of using ESET I've switched to Webroot and like it a lot and if you watch for sales you can get it dirt cheap or even free.