What is a good virus scanner that doesn't consume too much?

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  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #1

    What is a good virus scanner that doesn't consume too much?


    Hello

    What is a good virus scanner that doesn't consume too much memory?
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  2. Posts : 1,810
    Dual Boot: Windows 8.1 & Server 2012r2 VMs: Kali Linux, Backbox, Matriux, Windows 8.1
       #2

    Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware & Internet Security Software and SUPERAntiSpyware - Downloads and http://www.avast.com/en-us/index

    Keep in mind, the three above aren't considered one or the other. If you need anti VIRUS, you can go with avast. Malware is different than a virus and antispyware is different than both. All should play nice together and all should pick up different "viruses"
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  3. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       #3

    I'd go with Microsoft Security Essentials or MSE for short. I use the free version and I have no qualms in recommending it to all.
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  4. Posts : 1,810
    Dual Boot: Windows 8.1 & Server 2012r2 VMs: Kali Linux, Backbox, Matriux, Windows 8.1
       #4

    5tevie said:
    I'd go with Microsoft Security Essentials or MSE for short. I use the free version and I have no qualms in recommending it to all.
    MSE is no longer a great option. At least not as a primary deterrent.

    Goodbye Microsoft Security Essentials: Microsoft Now Recommends You Use a Third-Party Antivirus
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  5. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #5

    Gato please don't start this again. We have been all over this many times before.

    Microsoft has never recommend not using MSE and to shift to a 3rd party anti virus.

    It's one of those he said she said and she got it first hand for her boyfriends bartender story.

    Their is no place on the web where anybody has found that Microsoft has said any such thing.

    The last time I look just a few days ago Microsoft Security Essential was the second most use anti virus program in the world. Yes it's free and always has been.

    The best way I can answer your question is telling you what I use. This is my opinion and others will have theirs. Please keep in mind their is no one program that is 100% sure proof. If their was we all would be using it.

    1. Microsoft Security Essentials.
    2. Malwarebytes Anti Malware Pro
    3. Super Anti Spyware (free) on demand.

    At times when I think it is needed I have several other programs that I will also run just to make sure. I download them fresh every time I want to use them.

    This is Microsoft's statement. Please read.

    http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2013/10/09/our-commitment-to-microsoft-antimalware.aspx
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  6. Posts : 1,810
    Dual Boot: Windows 8.1 & Server 2012r2 VMs: Kali Linux, Backbox, Matriux, Windows 8.1
       #6

    Layback Bear said:
    Gato please don't start this again. We have been all over this many times before.

    Microsoft has never recommend not using MSE and to shift to a 3rd party anti virus.

    It's one of those he said she said and she got it first hand for her boyfriends bartender story.

    Their is no place on the web where anybody has found that Microsoft has said any such thing.

    The last time I look just a few days ago Microsoft Security Essential was the second most use anti virus program in the world. Yes it's free and always has been.

    The best way I can answer your question is telling you what I use. This is my opinion and others will have theirs. Please keep in mind their is no one program that is 100% sure proof. If their was we all would be using it.

    1. Microsoft Security Essentials.
    2. Malwarebytes Anti Malware Pro
    3. Super Anti Spyware (free) on demand.

    At times when I think it is needed I have several other programs that I will also run just to make sure. I download them fresh every time I want to use them.

    This is Microsoft's statement. Please read.

    http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2013/10/09/our-commitment-to-microsoft-antimalware.aspx
    Layback, I would prefer a different means of you trying to tell me I'm wrong but to each his own.. However, a simple search can show that Microsoft basically says as much.

    Microsoft Admits That Security Essentials Is Just a Basic Anti-Virus Product
    http://lifehacker.com/microsoft-admi...eff-1441135677
    http://www.howtogeek.com/173291/good...rty-antivirus/
    http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/softw...ity-essentials
    http://www.davescomputertips.com/mic...rty-antivirus/

    The Microsoft rep admitted, however, that Redmond previously invested a lot of money trying to make Security Essentials achieve better results in all these anti-virus tests.

    "We used to have part of our team directed towards predicting test results and figuring out what might be in someone’s test. There’s always a cost to that," she said. "If they are doing that work they are not looking at those threats that are affecting our customers. We always felt that was wrong. There’s something not right about that – we’re not doing the best job for our customers."

    Now it all comes down to the collaboration with partners that are supposed to provide better protection, even though Security Essentials doesn’t score well in anti-virus tests.

    "We’re providing all of that data and information to our partners so they can do at least as well as we are," Stewart said. "The natural progression is that we will always be on the bottom of these tests. And honestly, if we are doing our job correctly, that’s what will happen."
    If you want to suggest antivirus that is designed to be bare minimum, then by all means go ahead, but I don't feel comfortable suggesting antivirus with the goals presented as I've seen them.
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  7. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #7

    From post #6

    All these sites are from Mary told Billy who heard it from XXXXX

    None of them are a statement from Microsoft.

    All Microsoft stated in my opinion is their are no longer playing the game with all the testing but spend their time and money on making MSE better for their customers. They are not going to do the kids game (my daddy is stronger than your daddy).


    You can find thousands of Mary heard from Joe sites.

    Millions of people like MSE and millions don't we all know that.

    The point I'm making is simple. When someone post that Microsoft said XXXXX then please post exactly the site where Microsoft made such a statement, not hear say.

    This pretty much tell all.

    "We’re providing all of that data and information to our partners so they can do at least as well as we are," Stewart said. "The natural progression is that we will always be on the bottom of these tests. And honestly, if we are doing our job correctly, that’s what will happen."
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  8. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I just asked a friend who knows a little more than me.. though not more than many here..

    Even if one rejects the authenticity of the interview. There is the fact that Microsoft Security Essentials hasn't been doing well in anti virus tests.

    I think that should be taken as an admission from a MS rep that they're not doing well in the AV tests. The rep suggested they're not trying to pass the tests, but to protect their customers from the threats they're facing. That sounds like a lame way to put a positive spin on doing poorly in the tests. One doesn't need to take the MS rep's word for it though. One can simply look at the tests

    13 best antivirus for PC and laptop: 2014's best antivirus for protection, best antivirus for performance, and best antivirus for value - PC Advisor
    Latest AVTest.org Anti-Virus Test Results for January ? February 2014 Released

    Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't seem to even be on the listing..

    I notice they list AVG quite high.. but it was horribly bloated the last time I used it(a few years ago) and some google results mention it as horribly bloated. I only mention the tests to make the point re Microsoft Security Essentials.. it looks like they're still not doing well in the tests.

    This article is quite fair minded. (though they're trying to excuse themselves for recommending MSE.. by saying it's ok for some.. but some can get by with even less.. it doesn't make it a good anti virus or anti malware)
    Goodbye Microsoft Security Essentials: Microsoft Now Recommends You Use a Third-Party Antivirus
    I notice it says AVAST is bloated compared to MSE.

    I used NOD32 years ago, and it was slim. Though perhaps not really listed high up in tests.
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  9. Posts : 1,810
    Dual Boot: Windows 8.1 & Server 2012r2 VMs: Kali Linux, Backbox, Matriux, Windows 8.1
       #9

    Let me try to clarify a little because I still have MSE in the background. MSE is a good baseline, bottom dwellar program to keep running on your PC as its not intrusive and doesn't take up much room.

    However, I do not feel comfortable recommending it to anyone as their only or even primary means of protection. It does in fact (last time I checked) perform poorly in real world tests. I am by no means the authority on this but thats what I get from my research.

    Layback, the quote is from a Senior person inside Microsofts Security division and while MAYBE she was slightly taken out of context, she never refuted or said she was quoted inaccurately which tells me that MSE is in fact the bottom of the line and MSE goal now is to keep MSE current but take a more active role in helping their "partners" be as good or better.

    Just my two cents..
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  10. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #10

    Very good observation Andy.
    Did you also observe that no where did Microsoft say to use a 3rd party anti virus and not use MSE.
    That is the point I'm trying to get across. Microsoft said no such thing.
    One should use what anti virus the feel meets their needs.
    I use to watch all those test results and I was changing anti virus very often according to the test results. Then I figured out (in my opinion) the test results would reflect the results the testers wanted. The results would change from website to website and from week to week. I like Microsoft didn't want to play the game any more so I installed MSE and have been with it for years.


    Avast and Microsoft must be doing something right.




    Which is the most popular antivirus software? | ZDNet
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