need anti virus software

[Waster]

No adverts with MS security essentials, and I do visit dubious type websites now and then. Who knows windows best?

[Krauersaut]

No adverts with MS security essentials, and I do visit dubious type websites now and then. Who knows windows best?

 

Microsoft. That's probably why you should listen to those who know viruses best.

[Levi]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp ....Comodo Is the best free clean-up software and just better then other FREE anti-virus programs. The best paid AV is Kaspersky. I've owned about every AV there is. I would not recommend anything other then what I know from experience.

[Job779]

MalwareBytes ftw/ AVG

[kami]

http://www.pcmag.com...,2388652,00.asp ....Comodo Is the best free clean-up software and just better then other FREE anti-virus programs. The best paid AV is Kaspersky. I've owned about every AV there is. I would not recommend anything other then what I know from experience.

I'll just leave that here:

http://www.thinkdigit.com/Laptops-and-PCs/The-Best-Antivirus-for-2012_7824.html

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-free-antivirus-2012,review-1767-10.html

http://www.siliconindia.com/news/enterpriseit/Top-10-Antivirus-Softwares-of-2012-nid-116608-cid-7.html

http://topbestlisted.blogspot.de/2011/08/best-top-10-free-antivirus-softwares.html

http://www.cnet.com.au/software/security/best-security-and-utilities.htm

I just googled "best antivirus 2012" and those, among the link you presented, were the results for that search query. Antivirus programs are mainly a choice of taste and usability.

[Glyphz]

I would go with Avast it stops all kinds of #$%^&* loll

[Krauersaut]

http://www.pcmag.com...,2388652,00.asp ....Comodo Is the best free clean-up software and just better then other FREE anti-virus programs. The best paid AV is Kaspersky. I've owned about every AV there is. I would not recommend anything other then what I know from experience.

 

Just a few quotes from the article:

• "As for blocking new malware attacks, Comodo Antivirus 2012 (free, 3 stars) detected more threats and scored higher than any of the rest, but its endless Defense+ popups also flagged many valid programs as possibly dangerous."
  
• "Comodo Cleaning Essentials is a clear winner for cleanup-only free antivirus; it's our Editors' Choice. Picking an overall winner for full-powered free antivirus was tough, but in the end we chose AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012, with Avira Free Antivirus 2012 a close second."
  
• "Don't rely on Comodo Antivirus 2012 to clean up an infested system; it's just not good at that. It will keep a clean system clean, as long as you read and correctly respond to many popup queries from its Defense+ component. It's not for everyone."
  

 

 

For anyone looking for a review of Comodo Antivirus and not the best free Antivirus software of 2012, which is apparently AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012 according to your article: http://www.pcmag.com...,2399139,00.asp

 

(In case you wonder: Yes, I did notice that Comodo Cleaning Essentials was awarded the best cleanup-only tool, however, this is about Antivirus software and you clearly mentioned Comodo Antivirus in your first post. "Can't install your full-scale antivirus because active malware prevents it? The free and portable Comodo Cleaning Essentials doesn't need installation. It won't sweep away all the inactive malware traces, but it does a good job of eliminating the processes that fight installation of security software.")

[Levi]

Just a few quotes from the article:

• "As for blocking new malware attacks, Comodo Antivirus 2012 (free, 3 stars) detected more threats and scored higher than any of the rest, but its endless Defense+ popups also flagged many valid programs as possibly dangerous."
  
• "Comodo Cleaning Essentials is a clear winner for cleanup-only free antivirus; it's our Editors' Choice. Picking an overall winner for full-powered free antivirus was tough, but in the end we chose AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012, with Avira Free Antivirus 2012 a close second."
  
• "Don't rely on Comodo Antivirus 2012 to clean up an infested system; it's just not good at that. It will keep a clean system clean, as long as you read and correctly respond to many popup queries from its Defense+ component. It's not for everyone."
  

 

 

For anyone looking for a review of Comodo Antivirus and not the best free Antivirus software of 2012, which is apparently AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012 according to your article: http://www.pcmag.com...,2399139,00.asp

 

(In case you wonder: Yes, I did notice that Comodo Cleaning Essentials was awarded the best cleanup-only tool, however, this is about Antivirus software and you clearly mentioned Comodo Antivirus in your first post. "Can't install your full-scale antivirus because active malware prevents it? The free and portable Comodo Cleaning Essentials doesn't need installation. It won't sweep away all the inactive malware traces, but it does a good job of eliminating the processes that fight installation of security software.")

 

 

I read a different article saying it's much better, but just found that one. I was mislead.

[NoGooD]

Is this turning into an AV flame thread?

 

Grave, There are serveral good suggestions on here. If your the type of guy that likes to see hard data then I'd recommend checking out AV Comparatives. My understanding is they are a third party independent testing group that runs tests of every major brand of AV software out there. I forgot to mention them last time, but it's worth a look.

 

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

 

I haven't checked this site in about a year, but it appears that Kapersky is top notch in terms of detection and removal. They also do a monthly digest that provides excellent reviews of several AV's and gives their pros/cons.

[Levi]

Not using an AV is your choice, but I wouldn't recommend it. You can pickup malware on a website without clicking any install requests. But some of the stuff is pretty stealthy and if you are doing any online banking or anything like that, it could be capturing your passwords and forwarding the info onto bad guys, or even implanting zombie software that takes over your system when you aren't using it. At the very least you want to use MS security essentials.

 

My paypal was hacked when i had no AV last year. Very Very true on the zombie software.

[Chuckun]

The only one I ever used that didn't get INFECTED itsself with my old pc-nub family using it 24/7, was Kaspersky.. All the others did. But whatever you do, DONT use Norton.

 

Download a trial, then purchase a really cheap license online (no disc, just the license - about $5) - Doesn't even matter if it's a 2009 license, it works on the latest version

Edited August 7, 2012 by Chuckun

[PiNoY]

Year 2012

August 7 - You installed a good antivirus for your laptop and connect to the internet.

August 8 - Your brother or your neighborhood created or got his very first virus. Your area now became a kilometer zero of infection.

August 8 - Your laptop's antivirus signature database is not aware of that new virus DNA signature. Detection failed leading to all data lost, password compromised, reinstall, reformat etc. etc

August 9 - Repeat first process of the cycle

 

The existing file system is sick, not the antivirus. For a client, I would say to him to spend some money for Kaspersky antivirus...for now.

[Ann!b@l]

If you want a free AV, Avira and Avast will be a good choice (but I prefere Avira with his antirootkit).. About Comodo, they have certainly the best firewall (about the rest of their products I'm a bit less sure and I have to test them), the only issue with him is that it's a firewall a bit difficult to configure if you have not some knowledges, but there's lot of good tutorials about this and you should use this one instead of your microsoft firewall (a strainer).. If you're looking to buy one, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, Eset, Gdata, MCAfee and AVG are all good (btw I prefere Kaspersky and Bitdefender).. Like said above, just avoid Norton and add a good firewall for a free or buy one (they all have a firewall better than yours by default)..

 

edit: Keep always in a corner (in case of treatment without internet) some softwares like Malwarebytes, MalAware (Emisoft), Norman Malaware cleaner, HitmanPro35 (a good tool who adapte himself to the situation in downloading the good software like spybot and all others to help you), Emsisoft HiJackFree and Procexp (to see what's running on your PC hidden process included) in case of needed.. ComboFix and HiJackThis for some who have good knowledges but dangerous to use if you have not..

Edited August 7, 2012 by Annibal

[Revenant]

It all really comes down to personal preference, and browsing style. I have used MS Security Essentials, and currently use Eset AV5. My wife's computer is always the same AV software as mine, and I've not had a virus in over 2 years. She has gotten hit a few times with each one, but less with Eset.

 

Other family members swear by AVG. The only ones I'd say to stay away from (due to them trying to take over your system) - Norton and Mcafee.

 

Good luck!

[UAdave]

ms security essentials (which is basically integrated into windows defender in win8). no adverts, free, lightweight, and most importantly real time protection which you won't get with alot of free programs.