Anti-Virus suggestions

[ayrton]

I just got a message from Microsoft that they will no longer be doing any updates for Windows XP, including Microsoft Security Essentials, which is what I use. Can someone recommend a good free replacement that doesn't use a lot of resources? I have Malwarebytes and Glarysoft, but I guess I'll still need some basic anti virus program. I'm not super computer literate so I'll appreciate any suggestions.

 

[silverwhisper]

ayrton, you're gonna need to upgrade your PC sometime soon since XP support ends next month. i'm in the process of speccing out a new machine myself to replace my own XP box. it isn't just viruses you need to worry about: the prospect of ID theft through other, unpatched vulnerabilities is the real driver behind my own replacement efforts.

i've been using AVG for my antivirus needs. i've used others including malwarebytes but generally find MBAM & AVG together do the trick.

that's a stopgap though. you need a new machine, dude.

ed

 

[drinkz]

Munky was the first to troll. Query won the war. Putting that much effort into trolling just means you're pathetic in real life.

 

[TalkToMeInSB]

Vipre

I like Vipre, while not free, it is fast and doesn't bog down my computer.

 

[BertrandRussell]

You speak as if you must have a Microsoft operating system.

Leave the dark side. Try Linux.

 

[drinkz]

Munky was the first to troll. Query won the war. Putting that much effort into trolling just means you're pathetic in real life.

 

[FGB]

I use Norton 360.

I hope it works OK on what I buy to replace XP!

 

[silverwhisper]

bertrand: while i admire what linux does, it isn't the right OS for all users. no matter how superior it is under the hood or how sweetly that engine hums, sometimes it comes down to familiarity, the drink holders and color.

FGB: every iteration of norton with which i have personal experience has been a huge PITA due to the overhead it requires. but if your machine works fine with it, hey, more power to you.

ed

 

[Biker_Type]

Check out avast, free and pay versions.

 

[Carnevil9]

Check out avast, free and pay versions.

I use the free version of Avast on three different computers (one is an XP machine). I love it.

If you are going to upgrade, from XP, I recommend you try to find a Win 7 machine somewhere. Everyone I know who has Win 8 hates it. Personally, I'm sticking with XP for as long as possible on that particular box.

 

[Primalex]

I just got a message from Microsoft that they will no longer be doing any updates for Windows XP, including Microsoft Security Essentials, which is what I use. Can someone recommend a good free replacement that doesn't use a lot of resources? I have Malwarebytes and Glarysoft, but I guess I'll still need some basic anti virus program. I'm not super computer literate so I'll appreciate any suggestions.

That's kinda futile. A hole in the OS means a hole in everything that runs on top of it.

That's like leaving your front door unlocked all the time and to purchase a camera to at least know when there was a burglar.

 

[PhoenixDown_]

I use Norton. It has served me well over the last year. But the best antivirus is to stay away from the dark, back alleys of the internet.

 

[RockHardKP]

I have been using AVG Free on four computers for about two years...........not a single issue

 

[ayrton]

When I decide what anti virus program to use do I then disable Microsoft Security Essentials? I assume running both might slow the system or cause other problems.
On the topic of a new computer, I would love some suggestions. I enjoy driving and flight simulations so I need something pretty fast and able to handle lots of graphics. Other than that I just surf the web and do emails. Is there a place to get used machines that have been refurbished?

 

[drinkz]

Munky was the first to troll. Query won the war. Putting that much effort into trolling just means you're pathetic in real life.

 

[silverwhisper]

ayrton, you don't mention your own skill with tinkering with your hardware. i'm assuming therefore that you aren't into building your own--it's a path i will explore for the first time myself in the coming months.

assuming you live in the US, tigerdirect.com and fry's are good places to buy online. i don't advocate buying from a brick & mortar store as they tend to bundle crapware. i also recommend avoiding win 8: every IT professional i know says avoid it like the plague. win 9, whenever it's released, will likely be a better new OS. i use win 7 and the learning curve from XP was pretty flat. win 8, not so much as i understand it.

a number of popular PC manufacturers offer win 7, including dell & HP. dell's quality hasn't been very good in the past several years though and their customer service has decidedly nosedived, i understand: years ago both were pretty good.

ed

 

[dashd]

I use Linux mint and no antivirus program is necessary. But if you use software that requires a Windows operating system, you may be out of luck. There are some work-a-rounds that work but not in all instances. If Mint is free and updates regularly. PM me for more information.

 

[Netkeys]

ayrton

I think your mistaken. You can continue using Security Essential if it's already installed. They are going to pull it for new XP installs when XP is EOF in April. Virus signatures will continue to update and it's used on Windows 7. So you can keep using it.
h
Norton is the best of the paid for antivirus and does better then the free versions. You are right only one main virus program. I use Norton along with Malwarebytes.

You don't have to get in the dark net to get infected any more. It can happen on a reliable mainstream site and you no longer need to click or run a file to get infected. They now use drive by attacks where just opening a page can let a virus be installed silently without any action on your part. They just download and install silently in the background.

 

[Elixxxher]

I've been using Norton Antivirus for many years (with Microsoft Security Essentials turned off). Every once in a while I'll load up Spybot, just to double check. www.safer-networking.org

 

[Sheana_V]

I just got a message from Microsoft that they will no longer be doing any updates for Windows XP, including Microsoft Security Essentials, which is what I use. Can someone recommend a good free replacement that doesn't use a lot of resources? I have Malwarebytes and Glarysoft, but I guess I'll still need some basic anti virus program. I'm not super computer literate so I'll appreciate any suggestions.

I'm surprised.
Your operating system is thirteen years old. You have exactly two options:
- Get a new computer
- Install Linux

Any modern distro of Linux is going to be more feature rich, user friendly, and pleasant than your old clunker. As far as I can tell those are your only two options.

 

[simplegirl]

I found Norton to be a resource hog. AVG used to be good, but I find it's really been missing stuff in the newer versions. My go-to anti-virus is Avast (free). I also use Spy-Bot Search and Destroy (also free). But I'm also on a more recent version of Windows.

 

[HeyAll]

Kaspersky TDSSKiller is extremely good. I once had a serious virus last year, which was so bad, I couldn't even use the main system. It was one of those "FBI viruses" that appeared on the main screen, and you can't even use the computer, except if you go in safe mode.

I tried using different virus scanners and no luck. I used TDSSKiller and it got the job done.

I found Norton to be a resource hog. AVG used to be good, but I find it's really been missing stuff in the newer versions. My go-to anti-virus is Avast (free). I also use Spy-Bot Search and Destroy (also free). But I'm also on a more recent version of Windows.

How do you use Avast for free? I recently downloaded it for my other computer (since the free McAfee doesn't seem to work anymore) and the Avast scanner appears to be for only a 30 day trial.

 

[Netkeys]

TDSSKiller - Has very limited use. It's only for root kit viruses which are very limited in there use compared to normal viruses and malware.


How do you use Avast for free? If my memory is correct during the installing of the free version you can enable a 30 day trail of the full version. At the end of the 30 days it should revert to the Free version or you download the trial version instead of the free version.

For those that complain about Norton it's resource use is much better then it was a few years ago. You can also turn off things such as resource monitor which will also cut down on the resource load. But it's still rated the best over all so what's more important protection and a slight decrease in performance or less protection.

 

[simplegirl]

I've heard that IObit was good too (also free), but haven't ventured to try it out yet.

 

[silverwhisper]

netkeys: avast should by default be free. there is a paid version yes, but only for add-ons.

ed