Anti Virus, Mall/Addware Programs

Survey says: Who is using what and why did you choose it? Just askin..

Norton virus protection and Ad Block Plus.

AVG free version. Works great for me and the price is right. :grin:



It's rated as one of the best free anti-virus and anti-spyware apps, and even better than most of the ones that cost $$ or subscription fees. If you do a search on the best anti-virus, anti spyware software you will find most charge you for other services that you probably don't want or don't use.



Some anti-virus programs are better than others at detecting viruses, but are not good at removing them. Others don't detect well, but are better at removing what they detect.



In reality none are perfect and the ones designed for home-use are pretty much the same so it's not worth paying for extra features you might not need... Like ID-Theft ??



Professional/Enterprise versions of Anti-virus, anti Spyware is far better than home consumer versions, but the prices are far more expensive than the home versions.



...Rich

None, running Ubuntu. Scammers haven't bothered much with us yet.

I second AVG (free version) and Ad Block Plus for Firefox. Been running AVG on all of my family's computers for years now and with the exception of one time when it somehow got disabled for several weeks on my daughter's computer I've never had a virus on any of them.

Hollyman,

Not all viruses are Operating System specific, so Ubuntu is not immune to all viruses. Many people who swore by Apple or Linux as being immune to viruses where thrown into a panic when their PC got a virus. Even if your PC is not effected by a virus does not mean that you cannot pass the virus on to someone you communicate with online? Many new viruses are spread through emails and applications with scripting languages that are compatible with most operating systems.



It's kind of like AIDS,...just because you're not gay or don't use drugs does not mean you are immune.



...Rich

Windows Defender works great for me.

avast free

Norton 360 antivirus and firewall. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware & Spybot-S&D.

Gavin,

Yes, I used MS Windows Defender and later they changed it to MS Security Essentials and they worked great for me until MicroSoft dropped support for Windows XP so I had to switch to AVG.



TJR,

I have Avast Free version on my Android tablet and smartphone and I like it...I might give the PC version a try.



I just bought a new Dell XPS-8700 with Windows-8.1 but I have not even had time to turn it on yet....and I'm retired ? LOL.



...Rich

Well, so much for Avast Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware :smack:



I just read an article that the Avast User Forum was taken down because it was hacked by someone who obtained User Names, Nicknames, Passwords, and Email addresses, however Avast claims that no Credit Card or Payment info was compromised ? :fire:



I assume that this just means the compromised data was only related to access to the Users Forum.



Avast is a Central European company based in Prague, Czech Republic which is notorious as an area ripe with hackers.



I guess I will hold off trying Avast Free on my Windows XP PC, and stick with AVG.:grin:



...Rich

Richard, I read that too. No avast for me.. Now I read On a forum that AVG tracks you on your pc and net browsing. And then sells your info to third parties. Can't confirm but that doesn't sound good. I'm running MSE on my windows 8.1 I guess something is better than nothing. Still researching..

LaRue,

Used correctly and with a good dose of common sense, MSE is a relatively good Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware product, and the price is right. Have you had some virus/malware issues that have got past MSE?



...Rich

no,,, just re-installed a clean win 8 harddrive and just want to cover my butt.

LaRue,

I thought Windows 8 came with MSE built into the operating system. Of course you can use a third party anti-virous/anti-malware software, but I would not spend the money unless there was some feature that I just had to have.



I think a home PC is pretty safe with the basic security software and common sense about some websites and downloading from the internet or importing files from unknown or unverified sources.



Most hackers will skip over a computer with basic security because they just want to cause mischief and not spend a lot of time trying to get around your security measures. The really dangerous hackers are looking for the challenge of hacking into business or government networks that are assumed to be the most secure. In the case of the Chinese, they are constantly wanting to get business and government intelligence from anyone and anywhere they can penetrate their security....They don't care about small fish like Richard or LaRue..:grin:



...Rich

can't leave well enough alone. you know me,,, but in this case I probably should/will....:banghead:

My laptop is a company PC, and they've loaded Sophos Protection. I have no issues with it. I don't have any glowing remarks about it either, because I don't have much interaction with it at all. Maybe that's a glowing remark in itself since it's a background program and doesn't make much noise.

I use ASC most days. Also Malwarebytes and avg.

MacAfee... just works, doesn't slow the computer and renewals are cheep from amazon...

I had AVG but the computer was so slow that I deleted it. Now I use ASC, there is a free download but after a year or so I upped to pro for under $15. My computer now boots in less than a minute and is very fast changing websites.