My PC took a crap so I'm setting up a new one. I've been running Avast free version and it seems to work OK but I'm wondering if there is something better available? What do you like? Avast, AVG, Panda, Kaspersky, etc.
Some things are worth spending coin on, this is one of them.
I have run both Avast and AVG in the past on different computers and both have served me well; I haven't had virus problems with either. I'm just not sure if there is something better out there now.
I used AVG Internet security for a number of years until the company pissed my off with one too many screw ups, I have been using Bitdefender Total Security for a few months and have had no issues.
And I surf some thoroughly disreputable sections of the internet in pursuit of information.
The main difference among the free versions is the user interface. They all have access to the same virus definitions. I like AVG, nothing's sneaked by it yet and it stays out of my way. I don't see it, I don't have to fool with it and it just works. Occasionally, not often enough to be a nuisance, you get a popup trying to get you to buy it. But what do you want for nuthin', rubber biscuit?
The paid versions do more hand holding and more effort to prevent you from doing stupid things which is good for naive users but otherwise is mainly a PITA.
Should add that AVG pops up a brag notification when it stops something. You can turn that off.
The key elements in human thinking are not numbers but labels of fuzzy sets. -- L. Zadeh
I've tried a number of free versions including AVG and Avast and I've found that the anti virus capabilities built into Windows 10, Windows Security, is as good as any of them. It updates every day and doesn't impact system performance. In addition, I also use CCleaner's free version to keep the old temp files and other junk cleaned out so as not to bog down my computer.
I'm using a MAC and have Avast free and it has done well. When I have hit something iffy, it flagged immediately. My wife has used AVG and they seem like pests always asking for money.
My PC took a crap so I'm setting up a new one. I've been running Avast free version and it seems to work OK but I'm wondering if there is something better available? What do you like? Avast, AVG, Panda, Kaspersky, etc.
One of the most highly-rated solutions can be had very cheaply: Bitdefender Total Security 2019 FIVE devices (Windows, Apple or Android) for one year for $US 22.95. LINK
The price at Dealarious is WAY below what Bitdefender charges, so I was suspicious and checked the company out first but it is the real deal and Bitdefender happily registered my purchase in both of the last two years. Only needed tech support once, and Bitdefender was fast and efficient at solving the problem.
Now, I will just watch the thread for some MacMoron to post that they don't need antivirus so you should get a Mac. Bitdefender does a good job in catching phishing attacks on Macs among other threats.
John EDITED TO ADD: If you see a counter counting down the time until the special deal expires, don't fret. It seems that there will be a new special deal with exactly the same numbers in a few days. Just marketing...
I'm using a MAC and have Avast free and it has done well. When I have hit something iffy, it flagged immediately.
See, that's why I like AVG. I turned off those notifications. I know enough to make my own decisions on what to click on. If it's truly something bad AVG will just kill it and otherwise I'm not burdened with notifications that are useless to me.
I used to use BitDefender free and it's good but AVG is less annoying.
The key elements in human thinking are not numbers but labels of fuzzy sets. -- L. Zadeh
Good choice. The paid version of Avast! has some system management and privacy tools that you might find worthwhile. The free version is virus only, but it's very very good. I scan my 'pooter every month with Avast! and the free version of Malwarebytes (no real-time protection in the free one) but almost never see anything they've blocked. So Avast! and MSoft Defender must be doing all I need.
For the system tools, cleanup and general speed tweaks, I bought System Mechanic Pro. I find it MUCH better than CCleaner (which constantly bugged me with popups), and well worth the annual subscription.
I'm using a MAC and have Avast free and it has done well. When I have hit something iffy, it flagged immediately. My wife has used AVG and they seem like pests always asking for money.
I thought that was the NRA. 😁
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender
Move over to some flavor of LINUX - I've NEVER had any issues of any sort with linux.
On Windows, I've been using AVG. Seems to catch anything that's been an issue, which has been very few.
James Pepper: There's no law west of Dodge and no God west of the Pecos. Right, Mr. Chisum? John Chisum: Wrong, Mr. Pepper. Because no matter where people go, sooner or later there's the law. And sooner or later they find God's already been there.
For the system tools, cleanup and general speed tweaks, I bought System Mechanic Pro. I find it MUCH better than CCleaner (which constantly bugged me with popups), and well worth the annual subscription.
I had CCleaner do that, after long use the nag screens seemed almost constant. Uninstalling and reinstalling seems to be giving some relief. It shouldn't but no longer being bombarded for now at least.
The key elements in human thinking are not numbers but labels of fuzzy sets. -- L. Zadeh
My PC took a crap so I'm setting up a new one. I've been running Avast free version and it seems to work OK but I'm wondering if there is something better available? What do you like? Avast, AVG, Panda, Kaspersky, etc.
One of the most highly-rated solutions can be had very cheaply: Bitdefender Total Security 2019 FIVE devices (Windows, Apple or Android) for one year for $US 22.95. LINK
The price at Dealarious is WAY below what Bitdefender charges, so I was suspicious and checked the company out first but it is the real deal and Bitdefender happily registered my purchase in both of the last two years. Only needed tech support once, and Bitdefender was fast and efficient at solving the problem.
Now, I will just watch the thread for some MacMoron to post that they don't need antivirus so you should get a Mac. Bitdefender does a good job in catching phishing attacks on Macs among other threats.
John EDITED TO ADD: If you see a counter counting down the time until the special deal expires, don't fret. It seems that there will be a new special deal with exactly the same numbers in a few days. Just marketing...
I used to use McAfee long, long ago before it became a virus and the program demanded that I use my computer the way McAfee thought I should use it. And the only way to completely uninstall it was to delete files manually and purge the registry manually. Any better now?
Like I said before, I'm using free AVG. So far nothing's gotten by it and it leaves me alone like it's not even there.
For some reason I'd like to smack that PCMatic guy across the face with a 2x4.
The key elements in human thinking are not numbers but labels of fuzzy sets. -- L. Zadeh
Free Avast coupled with Spybot S&D has been my favorite combination for over a decade. The former takes care of viruses. The latter takes care of Internet-related stuff.
However, I also have to say that the best anti-virus solution I've found is to ditch Windows and go with Linux. It's free, it's easy, and it's wickedly fast. My favorite distribution is Ubuntu.
I used to use McAfee long, long ago before it became a virus and the program demanded that I use my computer the way McAfee thought I should use it. And the only way to completely uninstall it was to delete files manually and purge the registry manually. Any better now?
Like I said before, I'm using free AVG. So far nothing's gotten by it and it leaves me alone like it's not even there.
For some reason I'd like to smack that PCMatic guy across the face with a 2x4.
I've been using AVG for over 10 years now along with Windows Defender for anti-virus and Super AntiSpyware for malware. I used Malwarebytes for years too until after one of their updates few months back caused my computer to slow down loading pages noticeably so I uninstalled it. I haven't tried it again yet to check if they corrected whatever the issue was.Up until that happened I used both Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware because what one missed the other would catch. That has happened number of times. Actually in my opinion SuperAntiSpyware does a more thorough 'deeper' scan and in the past has caught and removed stuff that apparently Malwarbytes didn't. So far - so good.
I used to use McAfee long, long ago before it became a virus and the program demanded that I use my computer the way McAfee thought I should use it. And the only way to completely uninstall it was to delete files manually and purge the registry manually. Any better now?
Like I said before, I'm using free AVG. So far nothing's gotten by it and it leaves me alone like it's not even there.
For some reason I'd like to smack that PCMatic guy across the face with a 2x4.
When installing Adobe Flash updates you have to be careful too as it will automatically install McAfee if you don't manually remove the check marks already in the "Accept" boxes.
![[Linked Image from i.pinimg.com]](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/98/b6/d8/98b6d863a5f722b551cd8e1440bd2bd4.jpg)
Though I'd recommend a shotgun. Actually was a good product when it first came out.