Windows 7: Which Is the Best Free Anti-Virus Software? Other Security Software?

Hi,

In addition to the recommendations above, ensure that your Java and FlashPlayer are up-to-date. These are usually forgotten in the security mix, but represent the most common route for malware infections.



Use this to check for other common vulnerabilities:

Secunia ONLINE Software Inspector

Regards,
Golden

Have you seen version 4? I did my own detection tests myself and it did really, really well. it integrates with Internet Explorer 9, so between that and smart screen filter in IE9, you shouldn't get any viruses, but you never know so that's why we have Malwarebytes

PSI is a good program to make sure that your programs are up-to-date.

Golden linked to their OSI, but PSI is what I use. Am sticking to the older version though as the new Beta is far too automated, with less info. A Guy

So that's going to be the "new" version? No option to disable the automation while providing less info? I've not tried the beta, but it sounds as though it's a step backward. I'd much rather have the option to run in auto or manual. In manual you at least have the option to delay an update where you know that issues have surfaced because of it. I'll bet the corporate software they offer allows the user more control over the automation.

I agree with greg on not relying on reviews provided by those ad supported AV review sites. Some of the recommendations I've seen them make over the years could be considered irresponsible (at least as far as the consumer is concerned).

I've got a few links to some review sites that appear as though there are no questionable affiliations, but I can only find one at the moment:

AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - About Us

You will find that "independents" aren't all that independent.

Could very well be true, which is why I stated it as:

Hi kegobeer, and thanks, I sure will. I didn't realize that was there. Sorry for clogging up this board with an off- and rehashed topic. I see this thread has been moved to the Security Forum. At least it's in the right forum, now.

I prefer an application that gets the job done with the least amount of start-up delay, required user input, and notifications.

I was using Avast on my last personal computer. I tried it on Windows 7, but got annoyed when it wanted to sandbox every application I was downloading from Sourceforge. I was impressed it had a sandbox feature, which I had never seen before; but not that it didn't recognize fairly well known applications.
I switched over to Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE.) One might imagine it's likely to integrate the best with the operating system (OS), since it's made by the same company.
I already had the MS firewall option activated; and I had Malwarebyes installed too. I knew about Malwarebytes. I think most people consider it the best Worm and Trojan defender these days.

I've set all notifications for updates to on.
I didn' t know Chrome had a Sandbox. I'll check that out.
I have trouble avoiding suspicious files altogether as I get some things from torrents. Is there a way to scan them for malware?

Thanks, karl. I'll do that reading; and get that Windows Defender Offline. I see from googling it, that it's something new; and it sounds like a good thing.

Hi Golden. I'll set Flash and Java to update automatically. I didn't know they were problematic. Do they do updates specifically to close the door on vulnerabilities? I'll read that link too.

Hi Tom,

Yes, they are probably the most-frequently used vehicles are carrying malware, and the updates are usually, but not exclusively, to patch security vulnerabilities.

FlashPlayer is an Adobe product, so if you use AdobeReader that also needs to go into your list. Many users now avoid AdobeReader altogether, and use the many free and quite good alternatives (I use NitroPDF).

Regards,
Golden

Hi Golden,

If Adobe Reader is eliminated, can Flash Player be done away with?