Best AV out there?

[partian]

I wouldn't be surprised if this has been posted before however,
as you can tell by the title, I am wondering in your professional opinion,
what is the best Anti-Virus out there?
Paid or Free.

I use avast!
The GUI is slick, it finds dangerous files rapidly and isn't a total schizophrenic and believes that ALL
files are malicious, I have been opted out to use AVG as it's pretty poor and slow, it's also not thorough.

Also, is Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows any good?
I haven't used it as of yet, but I am looking for a switch that doesn't use that much CPU and is effective with AV, finding vulnerabilities and removing threats quickly and effectively.

Thanks,
Ryan.

 

[richc46]

Ryan
Yes, LOL, the question was asked at least 100 or more times, but that's OK, we are always glad to help.
The answer will differ per the person responding, but most agree that the most effective for Windows is MSE; its free and built just for Windows and not one size fits all. Most here use it in conjunction with Malwarebytes, its free and scan once a week or so. I feel so strongly that I use that combo myself. Do not fret may others will be by, with many different answers.

 

[Callender]

Does it matter?

There's no best AV. It's down to what works best for you depending on your understanding of security holes in your system and whether you can patch them as well as the type of browsing/ downloading that you do.

Just pick any decent AV then understand how to configure it and plug the gaps that it will leave in security using other methods or other software. You can always beef up defenses.

I don't tend to stick to using the same AV for years at a time. Try them all!

Take a look around this forum and you'll soon find:

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/72070-what-s-best-anti-virus.html

 

[ShamrockRig]

No AV will protect you 100% i used to use AVG but changed to AVAST! Last month and its so much better in my own personal opinion, but each to their own.

 

[Jonguy30]

The best AV is common sense, heh. Btw, how is avast nowadays? Has the UI changed or does it still have the huge orange/black colored ugly UI? I didn't like it, that's why I changed to another AV.

 

[ShamrockRig]

Here we go

 

[Jonguy30]

Thanks. So they haven't changed it? Ehhhhh.
The new UI is just so annoying to navigate. You have to think where everything is where in the previous versions you knew where everything was. The UI in version 8 was still acceptable, but this one is just confusing, I have no idea where everything is and I didn't even bother to re-learn it again, because they had already changed it in v8.

I was like "Another UI change?!" "Arghh! **** this ....!"

 

[marsmimar]

As others have said, it's really a matter of personal preference. Some people like Ford, some like Chevy, some like Dodge when it comes to cars and trucks. And I don't believe there really is a "best" product. If there was such a thing we'd all be using it.

 

[carwiz]

LOL...Yeah, every time the subject comes up, the fingers start pointing but there are indeed some that cause compatibility problems with individual systems. I like MSE because it's fluid with the OS and doesn't have six or seven drivers hogging time. That said, there's more to do than just loading an AV. To improve my chances of a secure system, I also make use of the security features in IE as well as the Hosts file and Windows Firewall. My host file has over 14,000 entries to eliminate many known security violators. Not that I'll ever knowingly visit any of the sites but it reduces the chances that I'll get redirected during a browsing session or fall victim to corrupt 3rd party ads placed on sites.

Oh, and I don't let "all sites" use Flash, I don't have Java installed and I only have two sites in my "Trusted" list.

 

[Jonguy30]

How do you manage to block flash? Do you use a flash blocker extension, or?

 

[Golden]

I have been considering paid F-Secure for a while, but I've not seen many on the forum use it. Are there any users of it here? Any comments on it?

 

[ThrashZone]

I have been considering paid F-Secure for a while, but I've not seen many on the forum use it. Are there any users of it here? Any comments on it?

I've never heard anything negative about it ?

 

[marsmimar]

I have been considering paid F-Secure for a while, but I've not seen many on the forum use it. Are there any users of it here? Any comments on it?

PCMag reviews for the full suite and stand alone AV. Hope it helps Colin.

F-Secure Internet Security 2014 Review & Rating | PCMag.com

F-Secure Anti-Virus 2014 Review & Rating | PCMag.com

 

[Golden]

Cheers fellas. Yes, Ive seen a few positive reviews and also never heard anything negative about it.

 

[Layback Bear]

Give Jacee a ringie ding and get her thoughts.
I never used it. Seldom hear it mentioned.

 

[Layback Bear]

Golden have you decided to try F-Secure yet.
If you do could you keep us posted on how well it works with Windows 7?

 

[Britton30]

Cheers fellas. Yes, Ive seen a few positive reviews and also never heard anything negative about it.

The only negative I see is the price. It's for one year, one PC, not like Norton, which I use, 3 PCs for a year. I'm not recommending Norton because there's so many here against it.

I do read several security reviews by different magazines and independent organizations such as AV Test.org. MSE is always at the bottom, or very close to it. F-Secure is often on the top or 2nd.

 

[Golden]

Golden have you decided to try F-Secure yet.
If you do could you keep us posted on how well it works with Windows 7?

I've downloaded a 30 day trial and will put it through its paces and post back any observations here.

 

[richc46]

It is my advice to all the senior members here. With your common sense and knowledge of computers, the free MSE and a little common sense is all that is needed.

 

[Stephanie]

Devlin1888 posted

No AV will protect you 100%

This is true the computer user has to work with there security (ie .. staying away from bad sites) sensible surfing plays a big part of computer security. I'm still testing roboscan internet security and up to now I'm very pleased with it