Research on FREE virus scanners (Detection rates and other fun stuff)

FYI.
There are quite a few Anti Virus programs that are implemented in BSOD's.
We recommend those particular AV programs be uninstalled & replaced with Microsoft Security Essentials.

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

I would recommend you at least give it a trial.

BTW Spybot S&D is not generally recommended on Win 7.
SpywareBlaster free would be a better choice.

SpywareBlaster® | Prevent spyware and malware. Free download.

Who do you think writes the databases and cleansing routines in free products, when it's obvious that in paid for products the authors are rewarded for their efforts. Free programs do not offer as much as commercial ones, they're not as good at detection, and they're far less frequently updated.

Some companies offer both free and paid versions such as Avast and MBAM.

As far as I know the difference is the paid version includes features/options not available in the free version.

I believe part of the reason for the free version is to get people to upgrade to the paid version for the additional features.

That makes sense to me from a business/profit perspective...
If the free version does not work well, i doubt many people would pay to upgrade hoping for something better.

So, I think the free versions must work "well" for such a business model.

I've used MBAM free and paid, and they use the same program and malware definitions...
The paid PRO version unlocks features: real-time protection, automated updates, and automated scanning.

BTW Spybot S&D is not generally recommended on Win 7.

It has not caused me any trouble as of yet. In fact it has done quite the opposite A while ago i got a virus and so i scanned with norton anti virus. It found it but would not delete it I than downloades spy bot s&d and it removed it no problem.

Spybot s&d has saved my computer many more times than many of my other virus scanners but back then all i had was win defender (witch is useless lol)and norton It has helped me so many times i just don't fell right abandoning it especially since it doesn't interfere with any of my other av/anti malware programs.

But spyware blaster free does sound interesting i might look at that download it :)

Thanks again guys for all of your help and suggestions

Hi there
the trouble with these sort of statistics is the fact that the data is usually SIGNIFICANTLY OUT OF DATE by the time its published.

I'd trust my Late Grandma's Cat more than I would some of these stats.

When it comes to free AV software I can't actually see what's wrong with MSE --anything else isn't really worth the hassle of installing and keeping the Virus definitions up to date.

With MSE this is all done painlessly via Windows update. (Note I'm talking about PRIVATE HOME user type of PC's not corporate environments).

Most 3rd party stuff can't update its DB as often as MS since the suppliers first have to analyze the Windows Source Code to see how the infection happened and then fix the defect. Since MS doesn't give out willy nilly source code a certain amount of "Back Engineering" has to be done and this all takes time.

If you DO get a virus after installing MSE you must be using some really dodgy torrents or some totally dubious sites --where you probably deserved to get infected.

I'm not saying I've never used a torrent (the early pre release days of W7 spring to mind) but I've NEVER had a problem with a computer virus.

The whole issue IMO is grossly overblown. Real danger comes from the USER doing stupid things that NO AV software could prevent such as voluntarily giving away personal info / passwords etc.

Just look at the amount of data that's Freely and openly (legally) available on Facebook and similar sites !!!!!

I'm sure if I had a mind to it I could probably earn enough to buy a Brand New Ferrari by selling on data that can be gleaned from those type of sites.

Cheers
jimbo