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

Currently i have used malwarebytes due to its ability to install and run in safemode and have loved it.

But i here that some things can get past some av.

any way i was wondering if there was a chart showing all the detection rates of different FREE av's

My system is malwarebytes, spybot s&d Edit: i also chose them as they do not conflict with other av"s

I was also interested in bootable av's i heard that they exist. What are some free ones of those that i may research on.

Thanks.

AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Welcome to AV-Comparatives.org

they don't just test free software, but include commercial stuff too.

Malwarebytes is not an anti-virus. It stops other types of malware and is a great program to supplement a free AV like Avast! or MSE.

Jim

I just don't get peoples expectations with comparisons of free anti-virus products to paid for ones.

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.

The paid for product I use costs peanuts, does an five star job, and a triple license version was under U$40 each year. Why would anyone want to have 2nd or 3rd class protection and sit there smugly announcing their computer is free of infections just because the anti-virus freebie X, Y or Z says so.

I'd be more inclined to worry about what risks it isn't detecting...

No anti virus is perfect. For many years I used nothing but store bought internet security systems. Anti virus + firewall because me and my computer are worth it. Then I switched to MSE. First reason was having problems with my paid for one.
Second reason, who else knows how to protect Windows better than the people who designed it, Microsoft. If one changed their anti virus every time a new review came out you would be doing that once a month or maybe even once a week.
Because as I have stated none are perfect I back it up with MBAM Pro and some other programs also. Keeping you system up to date is also important, such as Jave and Adobe and your browsers which are always being under attack. For that I use http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/
Please note: MBAM Pro and MSE are both active and get along with each other.

will avira antivirus interfere with any of these antiviruses? Malwarebytes,spybot s&d,avg,mse, or anything like that?

Also are there other av's that have a tendency not to interfere with other programs?

Thanks for all of your replys

Edit: oh and one more thing what are some names of what you think is the best bootable rescue disk antivirus?

Once again thanks

computergeekguy said:

will avira antivirus interfere with any of these antiviruses? Malwarebytes,spybot s&d,avg,mse, or anything like that?

Also are there other av's that have a tendency not to interfere with other programs?

Thanks for all of your replys

Edit: oh and one more thing what are some names of what you think is the best bootable rescue disk antivirus?

Once again thanks

Click to expand...

Dear computergeekguy,
First off, congrats on filling in your specs. to the Max. This is the kind of info' one needs while trying to address and resolve probs.

You must install an Anti-Virus software, be it MSE(Microsoft Security Essentials) OR IMO, Avira free (scores high in AV Comparatives)! Download site for Avira:Avira Free Antivirus - Download Best Antivirus Software

Now, reg. your query as to which is the best bootable rescue disk (an excellent query,i must say), i vote for Kaspersky! Checkout this link for more choices:Antivirus Review: Bootable Discs and Bootable USBs - eSecurity Planet

regards and best wishes,
sreedhav

OH! BTW, I have used many commercial sec.suites and none have conflicted with Malwarebytes. So, you will be safe there!
Regards,
sreedhav

Hi sreedhav i have checked out kasperky rescue disk 10 and i must say it looks like the one i will go with

Things i noticed about it that i like a lot is

Internet browser

g.u.i looks similar to microsofts g.u.i.

It will update itself and you dont have to put all the updates on the cd.

Thanks for your help

Dear computergeekguy,
You are welcome!
regards,
sree (sreedhav)

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.

Click to expand...

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.

Click to expand...

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

Dear computergeekguy,
I'll go with JMH on spywareBlaster. A must download, i would say! It's loads better than the HOSTS File, has a bigger database(32,000+), manual update is once a week for the free version and in fact runs as an encrypted HOSTS File, without all the hassle people find enabling and updating the default HOSTS File,Windows provides!

Regards,
sreedhav

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