win7 newbie here.. just have a few questions for the experts..

hello everyone.. i'm a newbie to windows 7 and this forum..

i have a newly installed windows 7 ultimate x86 and i was wondrin' whether to install security essentials or go for a free third party av..

maybe someone could tell me which third party av would be a better choice..

thanks in advance..

MSE, agreed, is very easy, compatible (obviously,) and reliable.

Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware is CRUCIAL in my opion; it's a standard, which is a fact.
I recommend (A/V Avira AntiVir Premium Security Suite [note: Very sensitive at detections, if you use "unofficial software," this is not for you] or Avira AntiVir Personal Free); TrendMicro Titanium Maxiumum Internet Security is PHENOMENAL, but conflicts with Malwarebyte's (PER TREND SECURE, the manufacturer... I re-installed after installing Trend Micro recently and it seems fine. It has to do with the fact that Malwarebyte's STAYS "on-demand," as-in free version STYLE, not active or a live background process.)

An underestimated and overlooked program I rely on is SUPERAntiSpyware Pro. If you want a free version, skip installing "SUPERAntiSpyware Free," and simply use a USB Flash Drive (with ReadyBoost benefits, why not?,) and go to SUPERAntiSpyware.com; click "Download PORTABLE Version," then click the red icon / banner. Save it to Flash. Notice it always saves the most current revision as a different file name. It's smart, as it avoids spyware that's been programmed to recognize typical A/V-A/S-A/M processes-services-etc. Just as good as Free Edition, just as powerful, but 1 less thing to install.

Spybot Search & Destroy; easy-to-use; has "immunization" (for browsers) + cool features: Lets you load-up a hosts file database (comprehensive list safer-networking.org compiled of malicious sites that they inject into your hosts file to permanently keep your computer blocked from them.) It also allows for "TeaTimer," which gives you "Allow? Deny?" popups when system changes occur. BOTTOM LINE on this: GOOD if you can't figure out an infection or how to get rid of it. Malwarebyte's is the first step, then A/V program of choice, SAS Portable scan for good measure.

If you are a Comcast ISP subscriber, they provide Norton, but I've used in length and have seen it miss detections.

I hope this 2nd opinion helps.

Hello wewinjiggy and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry to be the proverbial wet blanket but... asking which AV is best will probably open up a wide range of opinions. Many on this forum suggest Microsoft Security Essentials, default Windows firewall, and Malwarebytes free for additional on-demand scans. Others will point to various AV test reports to back up their claim that MSE is terrible and something else is much better.

So, here's what I did. I used MSE for a while, then AVG, Avira, Avast, Comodo, and several others. I tested them for a few weeks each (one at a time.) I compared how each affected boot time for my computer, how often updates were provided, and whether or not they actually detected known malware. (I also had a system image of my computer so I could undo any infections.)

After I did my experiments I made my decision on what worked best for my machine and my computer usage. Not some lab machine or someone elses machine that probably isn't set up exactly like mine is. And I've been very satisfied with my choice. That's the nice thing about free programs. You can test them over and over to see if improvements have been made or if there's something better than what you originally decided to use.

Bottom line: no anti-malware product is going to be 100% effective 100% of the time.

thanks everyone for your reply... will download and install MSE and do some research on A/V's and Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware.. thanks also for the tips and advices you've given me..

im' thinkin this forum is so cool.. i dont get fast replies like this on other forum sites..

again, thanks guys..

wewinjiggy said:

thanks everyone for your reply... will download and install MSE and do some research on A/V's and Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware.. thanks also for the tips and advices you've given me..

im' thinkin this forum is so cool.. i dont get fast replies like this on other forum sites..

again, thanks guys..

Couple of things about MSE you might keep in mind. The Microsoft Malware Protection Center is responsible for updating all of their anti-malware products. It's been my experience they do this at least twice a day and you can check if you have the latest definition here or by doing a manual update from the MSE dashboard update tab. If you rely on Windows Update to automatically give you the latest definition there might be a delay of 24 hours or more between updates. Can't really say why that is.

Second, the first time you do a full scan with MSE it might take an unusually long time. When MS released Version 2.0 it seems like MSE "learns" what's on your machine. Subsequent scans go a lot faster... almost like MSE ignores files that haven't changed since the previous scan.

And FWIW, after running my own comparison tests, I decided to use MSE on my own machines. No problems whatsoever.

already bookmarked the definitions site.. thanks for all these useful infos..
i have already installed the MSE and it is currently updating.. will do the first scan after updating.. thanks again.. highly appreciated..

If you have questions about MSE you can look/post here - MSE 2 Final Released!

And I too use MSE and have no issues.

Peace

Vertex said:

If anyone helps you on this forum, be advised to repay their generosity by clicking on the REP button that looks like a scale on the top right side of the member's post. Thank you.

thumbs up for sharing this.. i clearly had no idea that the button existed.. haha.. i mean, i haven't taken the time yet to see what those buttons are for..

thanks again.. kampay!