AudioCircle
Community => Non-audio hobbies and interests => The IT Crowd => Topic started by: Noseyears on 29 Jun 2011, 04:28 pm
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Im currently using AVG 2011, full version. What about you guys? share your experiences.
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I am very happy with the free version of Avast
It beats everything else that I have paid for especially Norton.
Now it has a programmed boot time scan as well
Easy to download
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I use the McAfee Security Suite ("COX Security Suite | Powered by McAfee") because it is free to Cox Cable subscribers. It works well, is full-featured and doesn't use a lot of system resources compared to some other packages.
Steve
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Switched from AVG free to Microsoft Security Essentials (also free) last year. I like MSE so far...not a system hog, and seems to do a good job.
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AVG as well. The other free popular one is Avast like mentioned. In my different job roles symantec and McAfee and I am not a big McAfee fan.
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AVG Free version
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I use BitDefender. Better than Norton. It was half the price of Norton and double the features. :D
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Microsoft Security Essentials, like was previously said, its free. Does a great job, as far as I can tell, and doesn't bog down my system.
-Jim
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(free version) AVG...along with Spybot Search and Destroy and Spyware Blaster, along with avoiding Internet Explorer, has kept my machines bug free for years now.
Occasionally, just for additional measure, I'll go to Trend Micro and launch a (free) HouseCall to check it out from another angle.
My wife's 'puter caught a trojan about a year ago, despite all the same software installed (she's not good about keeping it up to date, however) and the trojan looped itself inside the AVG program. Insidious thing :nono:
HouseCall entirely removed the trojan while AVG was still tripping all over itself infected with it.
John
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I have used AVG free for a long time at home with success. Presently using eset nod32 now at work, seems to work great.
Just got a new pc at home and will be looking for a freebee. Will probably choose AVG or the mse.
Don't go to risky sites that I'm aware of so I don't really know how well any of them work. :|
I use firefox as well.
Interesing, John.
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I'm currently running AVG 10 Internet Security, which was rendered useless by a rogue virus earlier this year. Their tech support team said they would 'attempt' to remove the virus remotely for $130. I removed it myself instead.
After the license expires I'll probably go with Avast or MSE next year.
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My home PC's are a mix of Microsoft Security Essentials and Sunbelt/GFI Vipre. Like Vipre better and it has done a good job for 3 years on a couple of PC's. MSE is definitely decent though and has kept some acquaintances virus free for over a year now where before with Norton/Symantec, they were infected about every 3 months. At work, Sophos is used.
Vipre is found here: http://www.vipreantivirus.com/
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Free AVAST, CC cleaner, Registry Mechanic, Malwarebytes. I have licenses for the last 2.
All these for more than 4 years.
D
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The best, stops all unauthorized connections! Computer is constantly pinged by hackers and disrupting my modem. :x
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I use Avast free on this laptop and AVG free on the laptop running SBS. My daughter's Ubuntu laptop doesn't run a virus scan.
Larry
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Eset Nod32 for the main computer, it works great and has a very small footprint.
MSE on a laptop I use mainly for streaming audio.
Wayne
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I am successfully using Microsoft Security Essentials. I have not had any security issues since I installed it. It doesn't seem to impact my computer's performance and does not install itself all over my computer's hard drive like Norton does.
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+1 on MSE here. No issues as of yet, free and it doesn't seem to hog system resources like the others.
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I use the free version of McAfee supplied by ComCast. It was one of the top rated programs by consumer reports recently and it uses less resources than Avast and Norton. The older McAfee was junk but the latest version is pretty good. I also use the free Spy Bot Search and Destroy by DeKolla and Malware Bytes.
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That just made it worse.
These hackers are relentless! They connect to your computer and you may not even know it. My firewall terminates an attacks 99,000+ by disconnecting an I have to reboot.
Not sure what they want with my computer, except for the high speed connection. :|
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I run Avast and MSE. I also run Secunia PSI which keeps track of all software versions, what's behind, what's end of life, links to fixes, etc. Very nice tool and free.
Bryan
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Sophos for Mac. My son's girlfriend recommended it when I got an infection. Sophos got rid of it and about 60 others I didn't know were in there. Seems to work quite well.
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Sophos for Mac. My son's girlfriend recommended it when I got an infection. Sophos got rid of it and about 60 others I didn't know were in there. Seems to work quite well.
yeah, I better address that computer soon too. Anyone try eset for mac?
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Sophos for Mac. My son's girlfriend recommended it when I got an infection. Sophos got rid of it and about 60 others I didn't know were in there. Seems to work quite well.
You had 60 viruses on your Macintosh? I didn't think that it was possible to get a Mac that screwed up.
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Not sure what all I had in my Imac. The Sophos anti-virus program used some euphemism like issues or problems or some such. There were some worms as I recall. Whatever they were, my computer was faster once I ran the scan.
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Norton Security Suite. Comcast gives it to their Internet customers.
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ESET (Three licenses)
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+1 for MSE
Have used them all over the years.... this one is the pick of the lot.
Free, low system usage, no complaints.
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I bought this laptop about a year and a half ago with Window 7 Home. At that time i got some packaged antivirus with it.
Near the end of the year the company started in on trying to 'sell' me a renewal. They were so annoying i decided no way would I rebuy this stuff from these jerks! (if they would have sent me one renewal note, a few weeks before the expiration, i might have bought it.)
So I went with the free Microsoft Security Essentials. Works great, and it is totally free.
I also run Spybot now and then to clean up and also have Malwarebytes available and run it very occasionally.
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Symantec Corporate. Every time I buy a new laptop I get the latest version and stick with it until I get another laptop (about every 18 months). I can honestly say that I haven't had a virus since I first got on the Internet in 1995. I don't know if that's because Symantec AV is doing its job, or because of my surfing habits and choice of web browser.
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For the guys who switched from AVG to MSE, why? I know the MSE is among the best free antivirus out there.
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99.9% of the time, any "infection" you may get will be the fault of your own and/or a person accessing your computer. When I say "infection," I mean viruses, Trojans, etc. Downloading unknown/malicious programs and connecting infected devices (USB drives; iPods; etc.) are the main culprits. Even with fairly strict settings on your Internet browser, you are likely going to get positive hits on most (if not all) anti-virus or spyware programs, to some extent. Typically, however, if you examine the results of these hits, 99.9% will simply be tracking cookies from sites you visited. These tracking cookies may share your (typically fairly impersonal) browsing data for marketing purposes.
Some (nefarious) sites may attempt to load cookies that attempt to collect data entered on other sites (such as usernames and passwords) and send to the cookie's creator, potentially resulting in exposure to your personal information. A reputable/known site is not going to try to collect and share information it does not need. If it did, it would not only quickly lose its reputation, but also open itself up to major litigation. Regardless, even if you come across such a site, if you take the proper precautions, the chance of an "infection" is minimal.
Even if there is a malicious beast hunting you down, simply being vigilant about the following will keep you safe (in order of importance):
1. Keep your operating system updated -- Keeping your operating system up to date means keeping up with security updates and upgrades. If you have an out-of-date OS, especially one that is not supported by the manufacturer, you are asking to be in that 99.9% group of people who are just looking for an infection. If you have an very old operating system and are reading this out of a concern for security, please purchase a new operating system. This might require you to also purchase a new PC; however, pretty damn powerful PCs can be purchased, or even put together yourself, for a few hundred dollars.
2. Keep your Internet browser updated -- Whether you use IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or whatever, if you are using an out-of-date Internet browser, you are allowing yourself to be vulnerable to infection (see #1 above). Keep in mind, remaining up-to-date on your Internet browser does not just mean downloading security updates -- make sure your browser is the most current release version.
3. Use a firewall -- Whether it be software or hardware, make sure you use a firewall when accessing the Internet. In simple terms, a firewall prevents a person/program from scanning the Internet, finding an unprotected/non-firewalled computer and then accessing it. This access may range from installing malicious programs to accessing and controlling your computer.
Generally speaking, if you are connected to the Internet via a broadband connection, there will be a hardware firewall that is in your router/modem. Also, if you have a recent (and updated) operating system, you will have a software firewall (such as with Windows 7, Vista, XP, etc.). However, keep in mind #1 and #2 above. Moreover, if you have an ancient router/modem, you may want to consider an upgrade. This would not only be for security purposes, but after contacting your Internet Service Provider, you may benefit from a significant upgrade in Internet speed at little to no cost.
4. Limit access to your computer -- From what I have read, most modern computer infections are the result of someone connecting a previously infected device, such as a simple USB thumb drive, to a computer. The device will have a malicious program that will subsequently infect the new host PC (and likely, any other future device connected). Nevertheless, if you follow the aforementioned precautions, such an infection is less likely to happen.
5. Be aware of sites visited -- A simple rule. If you are trying to access a site advertising free porn, for instance, there is a greater likelihood the site will "infect" your computer with not only tracking cookies, but potentially malicious code (via Javascript, or similar). If you cannot resist visiting such sites, you can take a few precautions: 1.) Find your browser's options and turn off Javascript and the acceptance of cookies; and 2.) Use your browser's private use function (search the Internet for details; only available on more recent, non-outdated versions of browsers)
The greatest potential for computer infections is a result of not following #4. Most families have multiple computers in which some or all family members have access. Often, this access is not limited, in terms of sites visited or programs able to be installed. In my experience, any resulting "infection" is due to downloading of inadvertent spyware/ad-ware/popups from a "free" game site, after installing a game from the site. However, the greatest potential for infection typically has come from (dare I say) ignorant adults that have unwittingly moved their recent pictures and/or music from a USB thumb drive or iPod to and from a work computer to a home computer.
I am not an computer security expert. I speak only from personal experience and observation. I do believe most precautions should be aimed towards limiting unknown/unwanted access to your computer, if the other precautions are taken, the chance for an infection is significantly lessened. Exceedingly inexpensive and powerful technology continues to become readily available at a truly astonishing rate. Literally millions of pictures can be stored on a device the size of a thumb (hence the name. . .), along with potentially thousands of uncompressed (:thumb:) tracks of audio and/or video on other exceedingly miniscule and portable devices. These devices are often shared between several people, such as co-workers and family members. Such practice has the potential to quickly spread any "infection."
I cannot definitively say whether there is a multitude of anti-virus/anti-spam/spyware programs out of an abundance of ignorance and fear, or a result of people taking extra care. Nevertheless, I do hold the opinion that if the aforementioned precautions are taken, the likelihood of your computer being infected by an actual virus or Trojan horse are miniscule. In spite of this, there is no harm in taking extra precaution. There are plenty of free and affective antivirus and spyware programs. For a free anti-virus, I personally recommend AVG free addition (http://free.avg.com/us-en/download). For a free spyware program, I recommend Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html). Please keep in mind (as with your operating system, Internet browser and firewall), if you do not keep your anti-virus and spyware programs up to date, they will not protect from the most recent threats.
Not to sound condescending, but I believe the best way to prevent computer security problems is a basic understanding of the aforementioned issues. If you are on this site and reading this post, there is no excuse for you not to do simple Internet research into these issues. Explanations on how to update and/or upgrade your operating system, Internet browser, or other software can be found through the use of a common Internet search engine.
If you have any information on your computer or network you want to keep protected, whether it be personal or business related, a basic understanding of computer security is a must. I, of course, will not guarantee that if you follow my suggestions and precautions you will be "immune;" nevertheless, your chances for infection would likely only be from someone who is aggressively and specifically seeking you out. If this is the case, at least you can be at ease knowing you are not in the 0.1 percentile.
Paul
P.S. If there are any general precautions/safety issues I failed to mention in this late hour, please make your suggestion(s). Feel free to do the same with any criticism.
P.P.S. If you or someone else disassembles your computer due to a problem and only discovers a condom, you have clearly not followed #4. . . or you don't understand what "cybersex" actually means. (Wah, wah, waaaahhhhhhh. . . couldn't resist).
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I have always made it a standard practice to set the default privacy settings to block all cookies. Then I enable cookies as needed on a per-site basis on sites I trust. There are some sites that won't even let you browse without accepting cookies (usually retail sites) and almost all will require cookies to use their shopping cart.
I regularly delete cookies daily with CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER), which conveniently allows you to maintain a list of Cookies to Keep (like Audiocircle.com!).
A little extra work, but I like to control what files are placed on my computer.
Steve
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Never had a problem....these work well. :thumb:
avast... (http://www.avast.com/en-us/index)
Super Antispyware... (http://www.superantispyware.com/)
CCleaner.... (http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER)
Firefox.... (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/new/)
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ESET Smart Security :D
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Sophos for Mac. My son's girlfriend recommended it when I got an infection. Sophos got rid of it and about 60 others I didn't know were in there. Seems to work quite well.
Sophos is great stuff. When I can't run it, Clam/ClamXav is the other Mac solution I like.
Macs are good at playing Typhoid Mary: They'll carry viruses picked up through a variety of attack vectors, and (for example) .exe files don't really mean anything to a Mac, the virus simply gets passed on through email, file transfers, etc.
For PC, Microsoft Security Essentials works better than any others I've tried, and the price is definitely right.
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Wow, Paul/pjchappy...thanks for taking the time to spell all that out. As it happens, I am aware of such matters, but for anyone that may not be it's a really helpful read :thumb:
Yeah and, I use CCleaner, too (free, again). Really good program that can help stamp out viral and malware issues before they take up residence in your 'puter.
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Thanks Paul. Should be a sticky.
The thumb drive transfer and those free online games really concern me. Kids are always loading those games and I should start scanning all my thumb drives before I open them.
I also picked MSE vs. AVG for the freebe this time. :dunno:
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I use MSE for anti-virus/anti-malware, CCleaner to clean junk files and Hijackthis to see what is starting with my computer. Maybe once a year I'll download Spybot to check for any spyware but it usually finds little more than a couple unwanted cookies. With how well those free programs work I'm amazed people still pay for any of the other software mentioned in this thread.
On my mac laptop I use nothing and haven't run into any issues.
gary
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Webroot. Since I've been known to frequent the seedier neighborhoods on the internet, I can attest to it's effectiveness. :lol:
Doc.
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2. Keep your Internet browser updated -- Whether you use IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or whatever, if you are using an out-of-date Internet browser, you are allowing yourself to be vulnerable to infection (see #1 above). Keep in mind, remaining up-to-date on your Internet browser does not just mean downloading security updates -- make sure your browser is the most current release version.
I usually do this, but this is sometimes problematic. For instance, some of my computers have Firefox 5; others have Firefox 4. I like Firefox 4 better, as "stop autoplay" (prevents flash from automatically starting) works on 4 but does not work on 5. Also, I think this trend toward removing the menu bar is crap for my uses. It just takes longer to find what I want to find. Granted, you can enable the menu bar, but it took me a while to determine how to do that.
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Free version of Avast. So far, seems to be working fine. Use the latest firefox for web browsing and surfing.
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clamav linux + mac osx server -- used with services and cron jobs
clamwin windows - it a passive antivirus scanner, meaning you need to do the scans or set up with applications that you use.
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Just wanted to shout out for ccleaner program.
Decided to download it, and it fixed up my cookies. And the REG fixer took out tons of dead connections.
Great.
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Kaspersky has always done well for antivirus for me. Also use Spybot search and destroy.
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The only thing I run (2 years now) on Win 7 Pro/ 64, is Microsoft Security Essentials, CCleaner is also very good as is Malwarebytes. These are all you need, never had a problem. I got rid of all the major Virus Subscription$ long ago although free Avast is also very good.
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AVG 2011, Google Chrome, Malwarebytes, Zone Alarm. Never a problem with this simple setup.
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Norton Security Suite because it is free to Comcast/XFINITY subscribers. I use IE9 exclusively. I refuse to use Comcast's "Constant Guard from XFINITY" suite as it replaces MSIE with an XFINITY branded IE browser and who knows what else. Finding Comcast's Norton Security Suite download link is a little convoluted but worth it.
I also occasionally run Malwarebytes just to clean up what Norton may have missed and CCleaner to clean-up any other cr@p.
Martin
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Just wanted to shout out for ccleaner program.
Decided to download it, and it fixed up my cookies. And the REG fixer took out tons of dead connections.
Great.
+1
Avast, Malwarebytes, Defraggler, Acronis True Image
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Kaspersky has always done well for antivirus for me. Also use Spybot search and destroy.
Kaspersky is a nice piece of software.
I ran into issues (bsod) last year and i had to uninstall it from my computer. :|
Currently using AVG 2012.
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Kaspersky is a nice piece of software.
I ran into issues (bsod) last year and i had to uninstall it from my computer. :|
Currently using AVG 2012.
[/quote
Kaspersky for the lest 6 years haven't had a problem
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Google and downloading pictures just invites all sorts of trouble.
I was back looking at Nudibranchs (little sea slugs) and BLAM!! the bad stuff started up. It changed my page, added half a dozen bad things in a tenth of a second.
Had to unplug fron the net to get the antivirus to be able to clean up!! (the stuff just kept downloading itself)
I love being able to use Google images. But hate the fact they totally do not protect anyone from malicious software connected to the pictures. And ALL sorts of it claims to be various 'protective'
stuff!!
Oh well.. I just feel sorry for not so bright folks who want to look at pictures on Google images.
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I WAS using the AVG free version (2011 and 2012) until I had to pay Microsoft $99 to remote fix my computer.
AVG originally said they would take pity on me and do it for $56 but then the price jumped to $129 and they launched into this frantic sales pitch which would end up costing $299 for two computers.
7 viruses were found on my PC (which AVG missed) and it took them hours to get rid of the AVG which was in everything. That program REALLY did not want to get uninstalled!
The guys at MicroSoft were great to deal with as the whole process took them 6 hours - I would have fixed it with a big hammer.
I have to reload a portion of Windows XP as they were unable to fix everything - I get the CHKDSK bit when I reboot and then tens of thousands of screwed up files scroll past.
My wife's AVG paid subscription is getting ready to expire and that is going to be replaced with MS Security Essentials.
She's getting some sort of weird CHKDSK messages and I find the timing of the AVG subscription ending and these error messages to be really suspicious.
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I use Avast (free version) and run Malwarebytes, CCleaner, and Defraggler on a regular basis. I used to use AVG but found it to be way to spotty after catching a couple of virus/trojan horses.
Kevin T
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Microsoft Security Essentials is all I've used since it was introduced. Works well and doesn't bog down the system like some of the others. I'll be switching to Mac soon, I guess I'll need another option.
Cornelis
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Microsoft Security Essentials is all I've used since it was introduced. Works well and doesn't bog down the system like some of the others. I'll be switching to Mac soon, I guess I'll need another option.
Cornelis
MSE is pretty much what I used in day-to-day operation. I also have Malwarebytes free version installed for detailed scans when I think it's necessary.
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Linux.
8)
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I did use AVG free but now I use Avast Free with Firefox. No problems.
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In my view Kaspersky, BitDefender, and Norton are heads and shoulders above the rest. I have tried most of them as an IT professional going on 30 years. Norton was one of the first and then ran into hard times. A complete re-write in 2009 put them back on top (in my view and most high end PC mags such as Maximum PC). I use Norton 360 and MalwareBytes on all five of my computers. I use the paid version since it gives real time protection.
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In my old desktop computer, I have Norton.
In my ASUS laptop the sales man told me that Window 10
is supplied with a (lifetime?) antivirus ?
Guy 13
on planet Vietnam.
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Kaspersky, Malwarebytes free, Ccleaner free
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Windows Defender (with Windows 10) is decent and pretty much similar or about as good as any of the free ones. It is not as good as Norton's....
Defender if you want a decent free alternative and MalwareBytes free, Norton's and MalewareBytes Pro if you want the best real time protection. (Kaspersky and BitDefender are also fine) but MalewareBytes along side is essential, weather you get the free version that you have to manually run or the pro version that does real time.
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ESET Security System 8....updates the database @ least daily. Have had no virus infections. Windows Defender works well but seems slow to update and the creeps love to screw with MS.
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Advanced SystemCare 9.1 (free)
AVG AntiVirus (free)
CCleaner V5.21.5700 (free)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Home (free)
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Webroot. Costs money, but worth every penny. I've haven't been bit in 10yrs and I've been known to travel in some seamy neighborhoods.
Doc
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I just bought a Dell laptop that came with a year subscription to McAfee Live Safe, Security Scan Plus and Web Advisor.
Are you guys saying to uninstall and just use Windows Defender with Malwarebytes?
Regards,
Randy
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ive had great experience with Kaspersky. it has an online keyboard to remove physical keystrokes, and a very active department working on new issues. Very easy on CPU, unnoticeable.
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I just bought a Dell laptop that came with a year subscription to McAfee Live Safe, Security Scan Plus and Web Advisor.
Are you guys saying to uninstall and just use Windows Defender with Malwarebytes?
Regards,
Randy
I can't speak for anybody else, but that's exactly what I did with my new Dell 15 5559: Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Home Premium, and CCleaner Professional. Full image back up every pay day (because it's easy to remember).
Have fun,
Jerry
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Funny that you should mention PC security.
I just recently picked up this i5 Window 10 Acer laptop & have been enjoying how nicely dBPa version 16.1 has been running on this machine. I think it could benefit things a bit if I swap out the HD with an SSD, but it was Security you wanted to talk about, so here's my take on it.
Being a bit lazy, I picked this up at BB & they bundled Webroot with it so out of curiousity I loaded it to see if it would be "inert" enough to just work in the background
as Windows Defender does. Several minutes into the setup Webroot asked me for a password that I seriously couldn't recall it asking me to create earlier. Having an extremely low tolerance for "password nonsense"(I'm the Administrator & sole user of this laptop which doesn't move more than 3 ft from me in public) I uninstalled it no more than 10 minutes after installing it (I think I even commented to Webroot what I just mentioned.
This Laptop came with "McAffee Advisor" preloaded on it (That also decided to act a bit silly; So that went the same place that Webroot went into the "Ether"). I'm pretty selective about where I'll even go or do online so Windows Defender is sufficient for my needs. I would not be without my System Mechanic Professional working in the background of any OS that I use. I run several system maintenance scans throughout any day I've done anything on my computer,
It's been several years since I've encountered any hints of a virus or malware attack, but honestly, I probably don't spend that many hours online every week. I was talking about nonsense earlier & there's no shortage of that online, so I do myself a favor & avoid it where I can (Life's too short to spend watching YouTube videos I didn't request; Let me ask for it first, on my channel)
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New feature from Mcafee Security Center:
Protect your identity-Keep all your important files in a secure encrypted folder on your computer.
Unfortunately its not free as Defender.
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I can't speak for anybody else, but that's exactly what I did with my new Dell 15 5559: Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Home Premium, and CCleaner Professional.
I've used Malwarebytes for years. IF you do get a virus, go into safe mode, run Rkill (freeware) and then scan with Malwarebytes.
A quick sidebar--Jerry wrote:
Full image back up every pay day (because it's easy to remember)
What software do you utilize for a full image backup?
I'd love to start doing a full image with an incremental backup, but I don't know the best software for this task. Thanks.
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I have a 'free' well almist free McAfee and I despise the fact it is constatly making me pay attention to it. pop ups telling me 'i am'safe' FU Mc' pop ups wanting me to 'clean' my computer. Hey McF' if I want to clean I damn well will and not when you want. I would NEVER buy this junk as it is just too damn annoying.
plus the menus suck. it is about as useful as mud, Any FREE software has ten times the things it will DO if asked. Not mcF' LOL
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No good memories from McAfee a-v it was expensive and occupied a huge HD area with programs that did nothing useful for my PC, when W-Defender free appeared, I changed it immediately and until today did not regret, this was another good idea from uncle Bill.
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Sophos is great stuff. When I can't run it, Clam/ClamXav is the other Mac solution I like.
Macs are good at playing Typhoid Mary: They'll carry viruses picked up through a variety of attack vectors, and (for example) .exe files don't really mean anything to a Mac, the virus simply gets passed on through email, file transfers, etc.
For PC, Microsoft Security Essentials works better than any others I've tried, and the price is definitely right.
+1 for Sophos. I ran it for years in an enterprise setting with mirrored engine and definition updates for both servers and workstations. Regularly would catch zero day exploits ahead of any of the other pkgs our vendors were running. At least one of them migrated to Sophos as a result.
Free for home users (have to provide an email address to setup an account) and is OS agnostic with versions for MacOS, Win and *nix.
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Pfizer
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Pfizer
:lol: That's great! :lol: