Current Events > What is the best anti-virus/malware program for cost and free?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Topic.
---

I like Avira personally. It's always been pretty light on the resources but it traditionally scores pretty well in annual benchmarks and testing in the AV detection field.

Not going to lie, the free version can be a little annoying - you will get a notification probably once a day about switching to a paid plan. But I didn't find that to be as intrusive as Avast's crap.

bump
---

I like malwarebytes
---

Hexenherz posted...

But I didn't find that to be as intrusive as Avast's crap.

I tried it out after reading how good it was in a tech magazine. Uninstalled it an hour later

I use Avast Free anti-virus and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Dunno how good they are now, but they've been pretty good for me.
---

Windows Defender.
Ublock Origin.
No Script if you're visiting shady sites.
---

MSE which is already integrated with windows 10
---

Bitdefender wipes the floor with the paid AV scene.I don't know about free though.
---

You people are aware Avast has a silent mode, correct?


---

best paid?

probably kaspersky or bitdefender

best free?

malwarebytes
windowsdefender
---

I always just use Malwarebytes.

A combo of WoT and an adblocker will stop most malware from ever getting you though (I'm not sure if WoT still has a good rep these days though, I have just always had it). Most of the malware I've gotten has been from intrusive pop up ads and stuff like that

uBlock Origin on your browser. I haven't used an AV program for years, they're all more trouble than they're worth. I also use common sense and a manual MWB scan every few months.
---

Itachi157 posted...

(I'm not sure if WoT still has a good rep these days though, I have just always had it)

WoT is terrible, it's devolved in to a complete scam these days. It sells your private data to ad companies, and sites can pay to have their reputation increased, completely discrediting any value it still had.
---

I was told about 5 years ago that Windows Defender was better than any free program, especially if combined with Malware Bytes

Ruvan22 posted...

I was told about 5 years ago that Windows Defender was better than any free program, especially if combined with Malware Bytes

Windows Defender PLUMMETED in the AV rankings a few years ago.
---

Ruvan22 posted...

I was told about 5 years ago that Windows Defender was better than any free program, especially if combined with Malware Bytes

Forgot to mention this, the built in Windows stuff these days is good enough with uBlock Origin.

Bluster posted...

Ruvan22 posted...

I was told about 5 years ago that Windows Defender was better than any free program, especially if combined with Malware Bytes

Windows Defender PLUMMETED in the AV rankings a few years ago.

That's MSE
---

Bluster posted...

WoT is terrible, it's devolved in to a complete scam these days. It sells your private data to ad companies, and sites can pay to have their reputation increased, completely discrediting any value it still had.

Oh damn, so yeah WoT is out then.

To be honest I always hated how it made some sites red just for ideological reasons/what beliefs the site espoused. I thought it should focus solely on protecting you from malware/scams etc.

Itachi157 posted...

Bluster posted...

WoT is terrible, it's devolved in to a complete scam these days. It sells your private data to ad companies, and sites can pay to have their reputation increased, completely discrediting any value it still had.

Oh damn, so yeah WoT is out then.

To be honest I always hated how it made some sites red just for ideological reasons/what beliefs the site espoused. I thought it should focus solely on protecting you from malware/scams etc.

Yeah, and it sucks that there's no really good alternative to WoT. I just roll with noscript these days, it's a complete fucking assload of work to set up but once you got it going it's not that bad.
---

voldothegr8 posted...

Ruvan22 posted...

I was told about 5 years ago that Windows Defender was better than any free program, especially if combined with Malware Bytes

Forgot to mention this, the built in Windows stuff these days is good enough with uBlock Origin.

Bluster posted...

Ruvan22 posted...

I was told about 5 years ago that Windows Defender was better than any free program, especially if combined with Malware Bytes

Windows Defender PLUMMETED in the AV rankings a few years ago.

That's MSE

Sorry, meant MSE - the thing that came with Windows 7. Is it not as robust now?

Bluster posted...

You people are aware Avast has a silent mode, correct?

yeah I get like one notification a year when it asks me to renew and thats it
---

I did not know that Avast has a silent mode. Also if you're "renewing" it then it probably means you have a paid version and of course you're not going to get advertisements then.

Stay away from Kaspersky by the way, unless you want an antivirus backed by the Russian government and designed by former KGB agents (who are allegedly independent now but... who knows).

Hexenherz posted...

I did not know that Avast has a silent mode. Also if you're "renewing" it then it probably means you have a paid version and of course you're not going to get advertisements then.

No, you still need to renew if you're on the free version, which amounts to them resending you an e-mail and you confirming it. I've never paid a cent to Avast.
---

Look up Sandboxie for sandboxing your web browser, you can customize it so yo can only have what YOU want to have internet/running privileges in it so if you DO get a virus it in, it can't submit anything or even run!
---

Malwarebytes + Windows Defender + uBlock Origin (adblocker) + Common sense
Ironclad security!
---

I use malware bytes and adaware.
---

People, Windows Defender or MSE on OSes lower than 8 is a bad idea. it has no cloud protection, HIPS, sandboxing, or anything to stop a virus from running if it is NOT detected! It just the most basic of protection and if you have something else in the anti-malware department, use it with that but don't run JUST that program itself!
---

Bluster posted...

Hexenherz posted...

I did not know that Avast has a silent mode. Also if you're "renewing" it then it probably means you have a paid version and of course you're not going to get advertisements then.

No, you still need to renew if you're on the free version, which amounts to them resending you an e-mail and you confirming it. I've never paid a cent to Avast.

Ah good to know. Kind of a weird system.