Best free antivirus/ firewall


  1. ibshaw
    Posts : 352
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
       New #1

    Best free antivirus/ firewall


    Hi, I have been using free versions of AVG antivirus and Zone Alarm firewall for some time now and, possibly by good fortune, have had no problems whatsoever with any nasty things that can come to you in today's online environment however recently I have noticed a noticeable slowing in performance of the network (I have 2 desktops and 3 laptops on a home network, 1 -wired and the others wireless). I regularly run scans of AVG and MalwareBytes on them all but was wondering if any of these packages could actually be using a lot of my network resource just by working in the background and if anyone could suggest alternatives ?
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  3. Golden
    Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       New #2

    Hi,

    AVG led the way in free anti-virus software, but have unfortunately in recent times not been as well regarded as they used to be. Malwarebytes is an excellent product with low resource usage.

    I recommend uninstalling AVG and trying Microsoft Security Essentials. Give it a try and see if it improves your network performance.

    I would also turn on Windows Firewall.

    Regards,
    Golden
    Last edited by Golden; 06 Jul 2011 at 08:26. Reason: added Firewall suggestion
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  4. Hopalong X
    Posts : 6,349
    Windows7 Pro 64bit SP-1; Windows XP Pro 32bit
       New #3

    Malwarebytes Free uses no resources until you scan with it.
    It does not run all the time it is an "on demand" scanner.

    You still need an active antivirus.
    MSE is a good one used by many on the forum.
    Also Avast free version is a good choice and used by many on the forum.

    I have no suggestions for free firewall except Windows firewall.

    Mike
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  6. StalkeR
    Posts : 8,679
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       New #4

    Hello for free I suggest Malwarebytes,as Golden say above. Fore firewall Windows Firewall is good. Also give a look at this thread.
    What's the Best Anti-virus?
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  7. ibshaw
    Posts : 352
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thanks for all replies, I will certainly try some of these suggestions....
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  8. Borg 386
    Posts : 7,781
    Win 7 32 Home Premium, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1, Win 10
       New #6

    You may want to check out this thread for more info on free firewalls:

    https://www.sevenforums.com/security-...ndows-7-a.html
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  10. A Guy
    Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       New #7

    I am happy with the free Comodo Firewall. I did NOT install the antivirus, just the firewall, and the Defense+ parts. A Guy
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  11. CanIHaz
    Posts : 91
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
       New #8

    For antivirus/firewall, you can try the combination of Avast Free w/ PrivateFirewall or Online Armor. Either of those 2 combination runs light with great security protection.
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  12. ibshaw
    Posts : 352
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Thanks to everyone who replied..... really good suggestions which I will try, cheers.
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