Best Anti Virus If You're Not Going To Update Anymore?

michael diemer · 12 Mar 2016

Watching the various Windows Update threads here, I'm considering just stopping them altogether. I ran Update today, and after an hour of "still searching" nonsense, I clicked out of it, better things to do. I see now that MS is now using IE to sneak stuff in to "encourage" us to update to W10 (irritate us into it is more like it). Fortunately I rarely use IE. Instead, I use Firefox and Opera. (Also just installed Opera Email to get a leg up on the possible demise of Thunderbird).

So, my question now is, if you're going to forget about Windows Update, what is the best AV and Firewall to use? I want it to be low on resources of course. That has been the one drawback I have found with free AV. I don't use Windows enough to justify a paid version. I'm on Linux most of the time, except when composing, but I have W7 Pro on that computer and I keep it offline 90% of the time. So, for my everyday internet computer, what to use? I've tried Comodo, Avira, and Panda. All of them have caused slow starting or some other issue. I'm using MSE now, which is fine as long as you update monthly, but I don't trust it if you're not updating.

Many might feel that this is crazy, but I frequently see posts about how you will still be able to use W7 after EOL in 2020, and I see that others here are also giving up on the monthly update harassment. So I'm thinking you can do it, provided of course you are smart with your use of your computer, especially when online.

indianacarnie · 12 Mar 2016

I can't say I would recommend never updating, but I guess it's your choice. Speaking of "choice" that will be my answer to your question also.Every machine and user are different, with different configurations, programs etc. What may be "best" for me and my machine may not be best for you and yours. Me? I use Avast, tried just about all the other top rated ones at one point or another but Avast "just works" for me. BitDefender I used for almost a year, same with Panda others for varying time periods. Both Panda and BitDefender are very light on resources. I'm quite surprised in fact that you mention it slowing down your machine.

In the end you'll just have to try them out and pick which one works for you and your machine. Here's a couple review lists that may help you figure out what you want/need.

The Best Free Antivirus Utilities for 2016 | PCMag.com

Best free antivirus software 2016 | TechRadar

Good luck with your venture into the un-updated realm. I seriously recommend you rethink your position.

whs · 12 Mar 2016

I don't update and I use no AV program. For internet work I use a virtual Linux system.

michael diemer · 12 Mar 2016

Thanks IC, I have already checked out those links and a bunch of others. I am intrigued by Zone Alarm's inclusion of a a firewall. Is this a big deal? Or is using Windows Firewall just as good? I forgot, I have also tried Bitdefender and some others I can't remember. With an older computer, even tho I have 6GB RAM, I do value lightness on resources. One of the ones in PC's list also had password protection, another intriguing feature. It's interesting that different sources have different lists. I guess the best is to see which ones are always in the top three, and pick one of them, and hope it's light, non-irritating and effective.

From what I see, AVG, Avast and Avira seem to be frequently among the highest rated. Also Panda and Bitdefender (which sometimes had trouble logging-on, when I had it awhile back). Zone Alarm's is basically free Kaspersky, but very basic. I guess I'll pick one I have yet to try and see how it goes.

michael diemer · 12 Mar 2016

whs said:

I don't update and I use no AV program. For internet work I use a virtual Linux system.

Hmm, I've never tried the virtual thing. But I use Linux a lot, so maybe I should look into it. I'm not sure I could use all my music software, however.

whs · 12 Mar 2016

Here is a tutorial I made on how to install Linux (in this case Zorin) in a virtual partition.

VMware Player - Install and Setup Zorin

But I am still using my base system normally. It is Windows 7. That's where you can run your music.

michael diemer · 12 Mar 2016

Thanks! As it happens, Zorin is my preferred Linux OS, so I will give this try.

Actually, what I would want to do is to run W7 in Zorin. Then run my music software in W7. But I'm not sure that's possible.

lffoar · 12 Mar 2016

Thumbs up for Avast free

Been using it for some years and never had a problem

whs · 12 Mar 2016

Actually, what I would want to do is to run W7 in Zorin. Then run my music software in W7. But I'm not sure that's possible.

That is possible. You can install VMware Player under Zorin.

https://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-install-vmware-player-on-ubuntu-11.04-linux-mint-11

http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Emulators/VMware-Player-6410.shtml

michael diemer · 12 Mar 2016

Oh, I just realized what you meant, whs. Your base system is W7. But you run Zorin as a VM in Windows, and that's how you access the internet. And yes I would then have no problem running my software in Windows.

One question, though: What if I need to update, say, a synthesizer? It seems I would have to use Windows. Still, that would only be an occasional thing, and so long as that's all I did, there would be little danger.

Or is there some way of downloading a file on Zorin and transferring it to Windows? I don't see how you, for example, convert a tarball file to a zip file.