Questions about antivirus software ...

[McSeven]

I have been reading reviews about antivirus software, and I just cannot make up my mind which software package to get.

So can you recommend what you use and why?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tookeri]

It can be confusing reading reviews that others have written. Besides checking detection rates in independent tests, at the end I think it comes down to personal choice. The best thing is to try the products you're interested in, using free trials. One at a time of course, and use specific uninstallation tools from every vendor before trying the next one.

Having said that, I use F-Secure Internet Security. They have good detection rates, privacy policies, and I like their HIPS (Application monitor called Deepguard). I've tried other AV's but always gone back to F-Secure. And I like the fact that F-Secure develops new tools and products to further improve our safety and privacy, for example the free safe search: https://search.f-secure.com/
And I like their Chief Research Officer, Mikko Hypponen. Here's a recent video where he talks about Internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u93kdtAUn7g and here's his TED Talks video about NSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CqVYUOjHLw Both very interesting IMO.
Also look at the policies at the bottom of https://www.f-secure.com/en/web/labs_global/about-labs

Whatever AV you decide, keep in mind that no product can protect you to 100%, and it's important to have different layers of security. I'd say that the most important layer is the user himself. Probably more important than the choice of AV.

 

[cyberSAR]

I used to use Security Essentials but about a year ago switched to ESET NOD32. I feel minimal performance impact and it has flagged a few files that MSSE didn't. I've been installing it on other machines I maintain for the last 6 months and it has worked fine so far. I also like that it will email me a report each time it detects something on the remote machine.

I also tried BitDefender on another machine but didn't like the lack of customization and performance hit.

 

[whs]

You will get as many different recommendations as there are answers. Just pick one. None are perfect. If you really want to protect yourself, make frequent images and connect to the internet from a virtual Linux partition.

 

[McSeven]

I appreciate the advice. I am still at a loss. I guess I will try some AV's that have a 30 day trial.

 

[whs]

The best AV is your finger. Don't click on stuff that you don't know. Else, MSE should suffice.

 

[mdd1963]

you can run MSSE and still run periodic runs of:

AdwCleaner
MalwareBytes Antimalware (Free)
SuperAntiSpyware
I also run Hitman Pro (Free) periodically, free to scan, if need to activate, 30 day trial still free

If these 4 tools don't find anything, it's bacause you don't have anything to find!

 

[PetersonJohn]

Many option are available in internet to download full or trial version of antivirus software. you can search on Google and find so many list. Choose any one according to your need. If you want to buy light weighted and secure antivirus software then you choose Optimo AV. For last 1yr I am using these antivirus program and give me the good response against the virus attack. Its unit price is 39.99 US.