Old School AV without cloud?

[Tookeri]

This should answer most peoples questions about what an AV software collects:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/avc_datasending_2014_en.pdf

I've read that report before but only looked at my own AV. Now I looked at the others too and there are some huge differences. Notable of the most well known ones IMO (those mentioned below, others excluded):

• Panda, Avira, F-Secure are the best
• Avast, McAfee, Microsoft, Trend Micro are the worst. Symantec and AVG questionable.
• Might send personal files e.g. documents: Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, McAfee, Microsoft, Sophos, Symantec, Trend Micro (these didn't answer NO)
• Can't opt out of sending files: AVG, BitDefender, McAfee, Trend Micro
• Didn't answer all questions: AVG, ESET, McAfee, Microsoft, Sophos, Trend Micro (so can you fully trust them I wonder)
• Sends IP address: Avast, McAfee, Microsoft, Trend Micro

Note: I rank my own AV(F-Secure) also at the top although they answered yes to sending info about 3rd party apps. Panda and Avira answered no.

 

[andrew129260]

This should answer most peoples questions about what an AV software collects:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/avc_datasending_2014_en.pdf

I've read that report before but only looked at my own AV. Now I looked at the others too and there are some huge differences. Notable of the most well known ones IMO (those mentioned below, others excluded):

• Panda, Avira, F-Secure are the best
• Avast, McAfee, Microsoft, Trend Micro are the worst. Symantec and AVG questionable.
• Might send personal files e.g. documents: Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, McAfee, Microsoft, Sophos, Symantec, Trend Micro (these didn't answer NO)
• Can't opt out of sending files: AVG, BitDefender, McAfee, Trend Micro
• Didn't answer all questions: AVG, ESET, McAfee, Microsoft, Sophos, Trend Micro (so can you fully trust them I wonder)
• Sends IP address: Avast, McAfee, Microsoft, Trend Micro

Note: I rank my own AV(F-Secure) also at the top although they answered yes to sending info about 3rd party apps. Panda and Avira answered no.

The problem though is, to have good detection you do need to collect some information. The more information and less privacy you take, the more advanced the detections can be.

It is a hard balance. Privacy and security and convenience are always things that cannot be perfectly solved.

 

[Tookeri]

The problem though is, to have good detection you do need to collect some information. The more information and less privacy you take, the more advanced the detections can be.

It is a hard balance. Privacy and security and convenience are always things that cannot be perfectly solved.

Yes, but luckily there are exceptions. Both you and I have chosen two of the best with that balance. Both Panda and F-Secure usually score among the top AVs in tests AFAIK.
Well, one negative thing: In the latest couple of tests these both have had more false positives, but I don't consider that a big problem as it usually is fixed quickly, and there's only a small chance I use any of them. It's better to block too much than too little I think

 

[mt12345]

This should answer most peoples questions about what an AV software collects:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/avc_datasending_2014_en.pdf

any idea why is panda not included in recent tests?

 

[MoxieMomma]

This should answer most peoples questions about what an AV software collects:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/avc_datasending_2014_en.pdf

any idea why is panda not included in recent tests?

Hi:

Probably because that link is from 2014?
(This is a perfectly ANCIENT thread, from the standpoint of security software....)

Perhaps check here for something more recent: https://www.av-comparatives.org/

Having said that, AV-comparatives must always be taken with a grain of salt.
There is no one "best" or "right" AV that suits all computers, users, or budgets.

Cheers,
MM

 

[mt12345]

Sorry you didn't understand.
My fault, I should have used this link:

https://www.av-comparatives.org/

instead of

http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-co...ng_2014_en.pdf

Anyway Panda IS included in 2014 tests.
I am installing windows on friends' laptop and I was wondering if it's still the best (free) AV.
So I checked recent tests (feb-aug 2016) and it turns out Panda is not included.