What's the Best Anti-virus?

[jonnyhillow]

The latest virus bulletin results shows Avira with the highest RAP percentage score but I'm not really sure what RAP is. Panda has gotten some really good reviews and is supposed to be better than Avast. I got Panda running as an antivirus at the same time as Avast which is my internet security. Avast is pretty good with detecting programs. Like I said, I would always recommend Kaspersky....don't remember why I removed it but I like what I got now.

Wait a minute , you do know that an internet security suite is a complete anti virus solution don't you? If you have an internet security suite by Avast why are you running Panda ?

 

[compwiz02]

The latest virus bulletin results shows Avira with the highest RAP percentage score but I'm not really sure what RAP is. Panda has gotten some really good reviews and is supposed to be better than Avast. I got Panda running as an antivirus at the same time as Avast which is my internet security. Avast is pretty good with detecting programs. Like I said, I would always recommend Kaspersky....don't remember why I removed it but I like what I got now.

Wait a minute , you do know that an internet security suite is a complete anti virus solution don't you? If you have an internet security suite by Avast why are you running Panda ?

Yes, I do know that. I have Panda running as a secondary scanner supplementing Avast. As far as I know, Panda and Avast have no problems running side by side with each other.

 

[Layback Bear]

Okay compwiz02 unless you got your mind made up this will help you.

Do Not run 2 active anti virus programs on the same computer at the same time.
You will not be safer and their is a good chance you will be less safe.

The two anti virus programs will argue with each other and use lots of resources.

 

[jonnyhillow]

The latest virus bulletin results shows Avira with the highest RAP percentage score but I'm not really sure what RAP is. Panda has gotten some really good reviews and is supposed to be better than Avast. I got Panda running as an antivirus at the same time as Avast which is my internet security. Avast is pretty good with detecting programs. Like I said, I would always recommend Kaspersky....don't remember why I removed it but I like what I got now.

Wait a minute , you do know that an internet security suite is a complete anti virus solution don't you? If you have an internet security suite by Avast why are you running Panda ?

Yes, I do know that. I have Panda running as a secondary scanner supplementing Avast. As far as I know, Panda and Avast have no problems running side by side with each other.

Oh, OK, i thought you had both programs running with real time protection at the same time . I have Kaspersky as my only real time protection (along with M.Bam) but they don't conflict since M.Bam is not a anti virus solution .

I do use Emsisoft and Eset as on demand scanners but those are not active and i only run scans with them from time to time.

 

[Layback Bear]

I think I understand now.

Keep one anti virus active on you PC.
Keep Malwarebytes hopefully Premium active.

Remove all other anti virus programs from your computer using their specific online tools.

Just disabling other anti virus programs is not good enough.

 

[A Guy]

I use Avast for real time protection. I have for years, also had Avira Antivir installed with the active guard off. It is now just an on demand scanner. I do not have to disable Avast (nor any of my other security) when I scan with it. It is an excellent on demand scanner.

A Guy

 

[compwiz02]

Was looking at my brother's and my dad's computers over the weekend cuz they seem to be loading up real fast. Decided to uninstall both Avast and Panda. Did some research and Bitdefender Total Security 2015 ranks at the top on a few reputable review sites including PCMag for best paid antivirus and internet security so I decided to try it out. Avira ranks first for best free antivirus but I wanna see how well Bitdefender works. And yea, having only one solution works great for speed and overall performance on your PC.

What's the difference between having an active guard and an on-demand scanner?

 

[A Guy]

An active guard is real time protection, to prevent infections. On demand is just a scanner to see if something is already on your system. A second opinion so to speak. A Guy

 

[compwiz02]

So is it good to have an active shield and an on-demand scanner active at the same time or only have the on-demand scanner active when you wanna run a scan?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

So is it good to have an active shield and an on-demand scanner active at the same time or only have the on-demand scanner active when you wanna run a scan?

An on-demand scanner is not active unless you are running a scan.

I've never heard of an instance where you had to de-activate an active anti-virus app just because you wanted to run an on-demand scanner.

On-demand scanners can typically co-exist with active applications. What you normally want to avoid is two active programs, although certain active programs don't seem to interfere with each other. For instance, Malwarebytes Premium (which is active) rarely causes problems with any standard active anti-virus program.

 

[livingsandwich]

I think avast! Antivirus does its job pretty well, for my laptop, at least. I mean, it does detect viruses real-time before it executes, whether from a website or on your computer. It also has Sandbox, recommended for peeps who frequently download stuff on suspicious websites. Also, it automatically updates its own Virus definitions, too.

avast! Free Antivirus is indeed free, and reliable, but Internet Security and Premier, although has a cost, is more reliable.

Now, if you're asking me, I chose avast! Premier.

P.S. McAfee is a BIG no.

 

[chas53]

thank you.
I've been using AVG free.
but I switched to Windows Defender.

 

[ThrashZone]

Windows defender ?
Do you mean MSE ?
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

Not the greatest choice unless you have Malwarebytes Premium which is not free,
Otherwise Avast or Panda would be better.

 

[MoxieMomma]

thank you.
I've been using AVG free.
but I switched to Windows Defender.

Hi:

There is no one "best" AV for all computers and all users.
If there were, there would be only one company in that business.
There are many excellent choices, depending on system hardware/software, user budget/computing practices and other factors.

There are many places to read and research the many options, such as Wilderssecurity.com, bleepingcomputer.com and other sources.
10 computer users or experts will usually offer at least 11 passionate opinions on the subject.

For the record, though, Windows Defender in Win 7 is NOT an anti-virus.
It is a weak anti-spyware/anti-malware application that does not replace an anti-virus.
(The Windows Defender of Win 8/10 *is* an anti-virus.)

So, you will still need a robust real-time AV.
Most of the good ones now are paid (there are a few decent free ones, but they tend to bombard the user with ads to upgrade).

And no software can protect 100% of users 100% of the time.
The computer user is the "first and last" line of defense, with safe computing practices.

Cheers,

 

[chas53]

ah, thank you very much.
I am all ears here. and grateful for all advice and thoughts.
I have a Sony Vaio laptop with Windows 7 on it. (its maybe 4 years old.)
I do have Microsoft Security Essentials on it for my AV.
I also have an HP Envy notebook. (maybe 2 years old.)
I just today upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 on it.
I then got rid of AVG free, and instead now have Windows Defender for my AV.
I also have SpyWare Blaster on it still.
any thoughts, gang??

 

[ThrashZone]

Yes buy Malwarebytes Premium
Windows defender in 8.1 or win-10 is no different = it's not enough protection

 

[chas53]

thank you very much ThrashZone.
so you say that its worth it to pay?
(if you do, I will. its just that I never paid before. every once in a while, I would download the free Malware Bytes. run it, and then delete it off my computer.)
please know that I am truly grateful for your thoughts.

 

[livingsandwich]

Windows defender ?
Do you mean MSE ?
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

Not the greatest choice unless you have Malwarebytes Premium which is not free,
Otherwise Avast or Panda would be better.

MSE & Windows Defender are two different things.

 

[MoxieMomma]

MSE & Windows Defender are two different things.

Hi:

The OP stated here that he has upgraded to Win10.
If so, Windows Defender in Win 8/8.1 and Win10 is -- for all intents and purposes -- the rebranded MSE on that platform.
It is not the same as Windows Defender under Win 7 and Vista.
So, yes, under Win 10, Windows Defender is "the same" as MSE, just branded differently.
Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials: Which one do I need? | Cyber Trust Blog
What is the difference between MSE vs. Windows Defender?

@chas53: As you have now upgraded to Win10 and are no longer running Win7, you might want to pick up your discussion over HERE?


Cheers,

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep this is still SevenForums so
Any win-10 stuff should be asked on Windows 10 Forums