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Good, Free Antivirus
Topic Started: Jul 21 2011, 05:34 PM (191 Views)
Trotsky
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Big City Boy
After 15 years with Norton/Symantec, I am going to cut them loose next month. They have just grown too hungry for this old computer to sustain. All hangups are Norton related. It runs out in August.

Can anyone recommend a good free antivirus? I'll use the Windows fire-wall .

I don't have the capacity anymore for 24 Norton Updates per day. Things have gone to a snailpace in spite of lightning fast internet.

Yeah, I KNOW I need a new computer. I'm even suspecting my hard drive of slowly failing. Things are getting S......L....O.....W!
Edited by Trotsky, Jul 21 2011, 05:35 PM.
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Quote:
 
Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 vs. Kaspersky, Avira, AVG, Symantec, BitDefender in AV Test
July 20th, 2011, 15:46 GMT| By Marius Oiaga

Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 is far from the top spot in a latest round of antivirus testing performed by AV-Test, but the free security solution for Windows faired rather well, even on par with paid products.

According to statistics shared by AV-Test, MSE 2.0 scored a total of 12 points, 2.5 for Protection, 4.5 for Repair and 5.0 for Usability, out of a maximum of 6 for each category.

Security solutions need to reach at least 11 in order to be AV-Test certified, and some of them managed to fail the benchmark altogether. Windows XP SP3 was the platform used for the tests.

Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0’s strong points remain its usability, performance and flawless no-false-positives track record.

A number of security products have failed the tests performed by AV-Test, including: CA: Internet Security Suite 2011, Comodo: Internet Security Premium 5.3 and 5.4, McAfee: Total Protection 2011, PC Tools: Internet Security 2011.

Here is a list with some of the security solutions that were AV-Test certified. As you’ll be able to see, the largest total score was earned by BitDefender: Internet Security Suite 2011 – 17, but there are also AVs that matched or almost matched the free Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 in terms of score.

Avast: Free AntiVirus 6.0 – 13.5

AVG: Internet Security 10.0 – 13

Avira: Premium Security Suite 10.0 – 12

BitDefender: Internet Security Suite 2011 – 17

Kaspersky: Internet Security 2011 and 2012 – 16

Panda: Internet Security 2011 and 2012 – 15.5

Symantec: Norton Internet Security 2011 – 13.5

Trend Micro: Titanium Internet Security 2011 – 12.5


More here: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Security-Essentials-2-0-vs-Kaspersky-Avira-AVG-Symantec-BitDefender-in-AV-Test-212597.shtml

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Trotsky
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Big City Boy
Thank you Toodles,
That list is very helpful.

My worry on the Microsoft Security Essentials is the lousy 2.5/6 for Protection, after all, isn't protection supposed to be the raison d'etre for these products.

I'm sure McAfee was THRILLED to find out they didn't even qualify! oooh 02

Is Kaspersky still free?

edit: Oops, just checked Kaspersky...$89.95, no thanks.

I guess I'll try the Microsoft package when Symantes/Norton runs out next month.
Edited by Trotsky, Jul 22 2011, 05:16 AM.
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wildie
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Veteran Member
AVG 10.0.1090 is available and its free. It only updates once a day so isn't a nuisance. I've been installing MSE for my friends and family, but AVG has served me so well that I've been hesitant to switch over, myself.
Its worth a try and is certainly safe to use.
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Darcie
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Skeptic
I have MSE and would never go back to AVG or my old paid systems. I have no problems whatsoever with it and have had no computer problem. It even found something on my MP3 player that had dowloaded stuff on another person's computer.
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Bitsy
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Ditto all the good stuff on MSE.
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wildie
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I do agree that MSE is effective. I used AVG before MSE was developed and I haven't bothered to move on.
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Delphi51
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Avira here. I switched from AVG a couple of years ago when it started checking all the websites in a Google search before you chose which one to go to. Hopefully they have stopped doing that now.

BUT we've had no viruses detected on the six windows machines in this house for years. Do we still need a continuously running virus checker? Maybe just scanning with Malwarebytes once a month would be sufficient. Virus checkers significantly degrade the performance of slow computers.

I thought you had a brand new computer, Trotsky. All our computers, except the new Mac, are from the XP era and still doing very well.
Edited by Delphi51, Jul 22 2011, 05:56 PM.
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I use Avast & have for several years and it has yet to fail me. Until it does I am keeping it. I also use MSE on my laptop but the laptop is not used everyday to the extend of my desktop. Avast also has a support forum so any issues, you will always get help from them. Updates are automatic and if one wishes to turn off the announcement of the update that can be done. The fun thing for Avast is that it also gives you choices of skins ... I have Star Trek .. they have dozens of cool ones to choose from. Also Avast is not a resource hog. I have it on a 10 yr. old computer and it runs nicely.

Be aware that not all ratings are equal ... some sites rate quite differently so it all boils down to your specific needs & what your computer can handle especially if it is an old one.

Here is another rating ........

Quote:
 
Top 5 Free Antivirus for 2011

Avast Free Antivirus tops our rankings due to its solid detection and friendly interface;
Avira AntiVir Personal is a close second, however, on the strength of its malware detection and removal.
Edited by Nick Mediati

Avast Free Antivirus 5
Avast Free Antivirus is a well-rounded free antivirus package: It does a solid job at blocking malware, has a pleasant interface, and scans files quickly.

Avira AntiVir Personal Free AntiVirus 10

Avira AntiVir Personal does an great job at blocking and detecting malware, but its interface needs a makeover.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0

Microsoft Security Essentials is easy to use, but it lags behind newer products at detecting malware.

Panda Cloud Antivirus 1.0
Panda Cloud Antivirus is easy to use, but its scanning speeds are slower than average. Look for the Cloud Antivirus 1.3 update, which the company says should improve its attack-blocking capabilities.

Comodo Internet Security Premium 5.0
Comodo Internet Security Premium did a good job at blocking brand-new malware and has a firewall, but its inconsistent overall detection performance makes it tough to recommend.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/collection/5928/2011_free_av.html



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Trotsky
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Big City Boy
Delphi51
Jul 22 2011, 05:53 PM

I thought you had a brand new computer, Trotsky. All our computers, except the new Mac, are from the XP era and still doing very well.
Just call me Polly Procrastinator. I still have the old rig and it was a Windows MILLENNIUM era job (with 64 or 128 Mb. RAM??) before I upgraded. The poor old dear is CHOKING (512 RAM, 1gig Pentium-3, and a 20 gig HD, video card with 32 Mb.)

Apartment is coming together and so SOON I'll spring for another rig and all the work requred to switch everything (and install a floppy drive: :laugh on head:

Okay, you guys convinced me to go with the Microsoft security system after mny Symantec suite expires in a couple weeks.
Edited by Trotsky, Jul 23 2011, 02:50 AM.
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