Looking to Change Security

[sablegsd]

Hi guys, I have been using Kaspersky for about 3 years, very happy with it.
However, like most everyone in this poor economy, I am finding it hard to justify nearly $100 for my computer.

I know there is a built in system, called Defender, right? I have also read about Microsoft Security Essentials. Will either or both of these keep me plugging along without a major implosion? :shock:

Thanks for any input. I haven't really paid attention to whatever free third party security systems are available.

 

[A Guy]

Windows Defender is a part of MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials). Many here use MSE, and it is highly rated. I use the free Avast! (as do many others). I would recommend both as not only free alternatives, but excellent AV programs. Add the free, on demand, antimalware scanners MalwareBytes and SuperAntispyware, and you have excellent protection for free. A Guy

Anti-Malware, Virus, Spyware Protection | Microsoft Security Essentials

avast! - Download Free Antivirus software or Internet Security

Malwarebytes

SUPERAntiSpyware.com | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!

A Guy

 

[yowanvista]

I strongly recommend a full suite for more protection. Microsoft Security Essentials provides basic protection only. MSE won't protect you against most online threats

 

[malexous]

Kaspersky is much cheaper at Amazon and other places.

 

[I be he]

Mse - Comodo D+ - Sandboxie will give you suite performance, and is free.

 

[AussieGuy92]

do what i did get Avast free version (latest one is only missing the firewall option and something else, includes a sandbox and webchecker) and purchase the pro version of malwarebytes (wont conflict either) it comes with a lifetime licence its a one off fee search google for a 5% off code its about then $20. it that simple protection for your computer for ever for less then $30. sounds good right? you will save hundred and prob thousands in money.

 

[Layback Bear]

Some one please point me to a site that explains this.
MSE won't protect you against most online threats. What I have been reading MSE ranks right up their with big boys paid for versions.

 

[yowanvista]

Some one please point me to a site that explains this.
MSE won't protect you against most online threats. What I have been reading MSE ranks right up their with big boys paid for versions.

Install MSE in a VM and just go to untrusted websites, just try to inject threats and see the results. I personally saw MSE missing malware in such cases where the user downloads a lot of files coming from unverified sources MSE won't protect you against online attacks.

 

[Layback Bear]

Just I can understand correctly. MSE doesn't work well when using VM.

 

[yowanvista]

Just I can understand correctly. MSE doesn't work well when using VM.

It works perfectly in VMs

 

[sablegsd]

Kaspersky is much cheaper at Amazon and other places.

I'm kinda leery about that. How would I know if I'm getting a authorized copy?

 

[UnderJonathan]

Kaspersky is much cheaper at Amazon and other places.

I'm kinda leery about that. How would I know if I'm getting a authorized copy?

Amazon is a respected website worldwide. If you buy a copy there, it would be authorized by Kaspersky Lab.
Go to:
Amazon-KIS 2011
Amazon-Kaspersky PURE 2011

If you check who the seller is, you will see Kaspersky Lab. The actual AV vendor is selling the copies through Amazon so you are guaranteed to get a legitimate copy.

 

[pparks1]

Microsoft Security Essentials in just fine and will catch quite a bit. The paid for applications "can" be better, but it's not a guarantee. Personally I use MSE and have for quite some time and it's been perfectly fine on my machine. I don't put myself into risky situations (meaning I don't look for pirated software, I don't torrent movies, I don't look for serial numbers and key generators, etc).

MSE won't protect you against most online threats

I think this is being a bit dramatic. I think MSE will protect against many online threats, but like any application won't catch all of them. The way you state this, it seems like MSE would do next to nothing and I won't agree with that.

 

[outlawed]

I would recommend Comodo Internet Security to anyone. Not only is it free, but it provides protection that gives commercial suites a run for there money.

Firewall & Antivirus Software Suite - Internet Security | Comodo

Anti-virus, Firewall and Defense+ are all included. For more protection, I would recommend SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes along with Comodo. Rock solid trio right there.

SUPERAntiSpyware.com | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download

You can also throw in Spybot S&D to that mixture if you want:
The home of Spybot-S&D!

I use Comodo, SAS, MWB and Spybot as I am quite paranoid to be honest.

 

[HammerHead]

Kaspersky Rescue

One item of note for Kaspersky. Their rescue disk cannot detect hard disks running under a raid controller. It's great software and I like it although I use another brand.

 

[hjonesMCT]

I recommend MSE (replaces standalone Defender). I run it on all my machines by itself. It is the core of Microsoft's Forefront Endpoint Protection enterprise-level security product, and having worked with Forefront extensively, I know it is very robust. I have never gotten any sort of infection while having this installed on my system. And yes, it's free

/fangirl

 

[hjonesMCT]

Also recommended: Install one AV program like MSE, and run something like Malwarebytes full scan every so often to get more eyeballs on your files.

 

[Cr00zng]

None of the A/V and other software will fully protect you against malicious software getting on your computer. Nowadays when most viruses and worms start up with disabling the A/V protection, any one of them is as good as their latest virus definition file.

As pparks1 stated, you need to be careful on the web. While legitimate sites can also spew out malicious software, it is less likely than sites that are questionable to begin with. Like Facebook . In addition, that should include not using and account with administrative level of privilege to run the computer, just to state the obvious...

My choice of A/V is Vipre, that is just as good as any other. With 80 bucks per year cost for a site license, I have 10 computers (PCs, laptops, and Netbooks) that it's running on.

My favored tool is the free version of WinPatrol that can prevent malicious software making changes to the registry. It can also prevent browser plugins to be installed silently.

 

[damien76]

Try some combinations here:

(Realtime protection)
Online Armor free or Outpost Security Suite freeware or CIS ver5.3
PrevxSOL facebook version (free)
Avira Personal or AvastFree AV
GesWall free

(On-demand)
Malwarebytes 1.50 free or Superantispywre 4.51 free
HitmanPro Build 119

-- I have one pc Win7 x32 with such(tested all 3 firewalls with it) and it was great. In a total of 8 months now. Never been infected. Light combo. Excluded all apps in respective "exclusions"(override in PrevxSOL). Among the AV firewall combo I like AvastFree+Online Armor free second is AviraPersonal + CISver5.3 with D+(no AV)

or,

CIS ver5.3(no AV) + Prevx paid version + Sandboxie paid version

or,

Online Armor Premium (set all browsers with RunSafer) + Avira Personal + MBAM free(on-demand)

or,

Outpost Firewall Pro ver7 + AviraPersonal + PrevxSOL+MBAM free (on-demand)

Goodluck