What is the best solution for using antivirus programs

[Jayinem]

I just decided to delete AVG when it kept interfering with my games trying to delete files and I run autohotkey which allows you to run scripts I was using my middle button on my mouse to escape programs, well not only did it decide it was dangerous and delete it , it disabled my mouse all together! That was the last straw.

I'm thinking about just going antivirus free, because I backup all of my games and saves and important files every day with a program called Karen's Replicator. In fact my PC was running slow last night so I chose reset my PC and am already back up and running fully it was a pain in the ass installing everything again and getting my settings right, but I figure if a virus ruins my computer i could just do it again if I had to.

 

[SAIYAN48]

Windows Defender.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Common sense.

Windows Defender is good enough, but realistically as long as you're not doing anything stupid it should never really be an issue. Don't go to shady sites, use adblockers, don't open the obvious phising emails and download their attachments, etc etc and you should never have a problem.

 

[Marc_LFD]

On Windows... Windows Defender.

But since I moved to Linux Mint I stopped thinking about stuff like anti-virus programs. Plus, using Android has made the transition easier for me.

I've been using Windows since I was a kid, though the whole Windows 11 fiasco just put me off and I decided to give Linux Mint a chance, and I've stuck with it. It's pretty good for newbies and then, there are more experienced Linux distros to try/use.

 

[console]

Not much.

Windows Defender (This pick up few false alarm due to some keygen, patch, cracks for programs and games - must allow or trust them will running fine after that.)

Avira (made in Germany) - very low false alarm compare to Kaspersky.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition
or
Spybot – Search & Destroy


are good enough for everyone on Windows operating system.


AVG, Avast, Norton, McAfee and others are worst because companies collect everyone personal info and data then sell their on dark web.


For Linux, high recommend use ClamAV only. That's all.


For Android and iPhone (Apple) - Avira or/and Malwarebytes are good enough. No need other anymore.

 

[CMDreamer]

The best solution is not using antivirus programs, just your common sense and Windows Defender.

 

[bonkmaykr]

None. Turn them all off, burn them to the ground, give your computer an exorcism.
Unless you use your computer for exclusively office work or you are running a headless server you won't be keeping an eye on for very long, don't even bother. Computers should not be given the agency to decide what is and is not malware, that's asking for mistakes to be made.

I've explained this in detail on other forums so I will just paste that here.

I will make an exception for virus scanners which are run manually, I think if you as the user pick and choose what does or does not get quarantined in the case of an absolute emergency then it's okay.

 

[RedColoredStars]

Not much.

Windows Defender (This pick up few false alarm due to some keygen, patch, cracks for programs and games - must allow or trust them will running fine after that.)

Avira (made in Germany) - very low false alarm compare to Kaspersky.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition
or
Spybot – Search & Destroy


are good enough for everyone on Windows operating system.


AVG, Avast, Norton, McAfee and others are worst because companies collect everyone personal info and data then sell their on dark web.


For Linux, high recommend use ClamAV only. That's all.


For Android and iPhone (Apple) - Avira or/and Malwarebytes are good enough. No need other anymore.

This is all kinda hilarious. People don't need to be concerned with AVG, Avast, etc any longer because of the FTC ruling that states:

"In addition to the $16.5 million financial remedy that the FTC intends to use for consumer redress, the proposed order includes far-reaching provisions designed to address the injury the companies inflicted on consumers who downloaded their products and to protect people in the future. Among other things, the proposed settlement will ban the sale or disclosure of Avast users’ browsing information to third parties for advertising purposes. That includes any insights, models, or algorithms derived from that data. The order also prohibits the use of consumers’ browsing information for third-party advertising without consumers’ affirmative express consent. In addition, the respondents must delete certain browsing information, including any models, algorithms, or software developed using that data, and instruct third parties to delete the data, too. To make sure consumers are aware of what Avast was up to behind the scenes, the company must post a notice on its websites and notify consumers via email. Avast also must implement a comprehensive privacy program subject to outside assessments."

You also state that Avira is good to use. But... ummmmm. It's owned by Gen Digital, who also owns AVG, Avast, and Norton. LOL! So according to your own statements about the others, Avira is no good either.

Using none is (in my opinion) an absolutely terrible suggestion that a couple people have made. Might be okay for people that are more power users, but for the general population that is (again, imo) horrible advice. I'll agree with others that Windows Defender is all a person needs on Windows.

 

[SylverReZ]

The best solution is not using antivirus programs, just your common sense and Windows Defender.

Windows Defender is not a great "antivirus". It often or not picks up a load of false positives, it cannot defend against common ransomware or infostealers, so I wouldn't rely on such a product.

You clearly don't need to use an antivirus. Always use your noggin and scan it through Hybrid Analysis or VirusTotal; otherwise, you could go with a virtual machine if the results aren't what you expect.

Antiviruses are clearly bloat and are designed to slow down your PC in the background.

 

[Blythe93]

I personally use the free version of Malwarebytes and its manual scan every now and then, and Kaspersky's malware/rootkit removal tool (forgot its name) if things go south.
But other than that, I don't think I've ever run into any major issue for years. For keeping my PC clean of unnecessary files and stuff I use BleachBit. I used to use CCleaner in the past, before it was acquired by avast.

 

[CMDreamer]

Windows Defender is not a great "antivirus". It often or not picks up a load of false positives, it cannot defend against common ransomware or infostealers, so I wouldn't rely on such a product.

[...]

And there's where your common sense comes into play... If your common sense is always "on vacation mode", even "the best antivirus" will be useless.

 

[SylverReZ]

I used to use CCleaner in the past, before it was acquired by avast.

CCleaner was bought out by Avast. It is highly recommended not to use it. Not only does it collect and sell your information to advertisers, but also tracks your approximate location.

https://spyware.neocities.org/articles/ccleaner