Best Free Antivirus?

[ac3ds]

Hi am looking for something to replace my avast antivirus. I have done some google searches but find dumb thing like "PC Optimizer PRO". It would also be nice if it had something to replace my secure line VPN.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jacklack3]

Malwarebites anti-malware and AVG

 

[VinsCool]

Definitely Malwarebyte.

Although, if you are really cautious, you shouldn't need one

 

[Minox]

Definitely Malwarebyte.

Although, if you are really cautious, you shouldn't need one

Malwarebytes protects from lots of malware, but they have specifically stated that they do not protect against older and some of the more common viruses. They leave that up to other AV-vendors so preferably you should run Malwarebytes as well as another AV-product if you insist on using Malwarebytes.

 

[VinsCool]

Malwarebytes protects from lots of malware, but they have specifically stated that they do not protect against older and some of the more common viruses. They leave that up to other AV-vendors so preferably you should run Malwarebytes as well as another AV-product if you insist on using Malwarebytes.

Is Windows Defender enough for that though?

 

[Bubsy Bobcat]

Although you said you want to replace Avast!, both Avast! and MBAM do the job.

 

[RustInPeace]

Malwarebytes and Avira Antivirus, it seems to have worked, no major problems.

 

[dimmidice]

i'm using avast myself. it doesn't bother me at all (put it on gaming/silent mode) and it works fine. can't say if it blocks often or not because i'm generally cautious and don't download viruses.

 

[sweis12]

I use malware bytes now, but I used to use AVG and it worked perfect too.

 

[daxtsu]

I just use MS Security Essentials (aka Windows Defender in 8/8.1/10) and MalwareBytes. Never had a problem that way (though if I'm really suspicious of any given file I upload it to VirusTotal, which scans it with a zillion different scanners anyway).

 

[Citra]

Assuming you are not a bussiness man that has confidental files in your computer use
Kaspersky (Russian) or Qihoo 360 (China) both are very solid. However, keep in mind that sometimes
anti-virus can interfere when installing texture packs and other videogame mods using third-party
software. Perhaps you should invest your money in a $5 Raspberry Pi Zero for your downloads and
VPN as well.

 

[cvskid]

What is wrong with Avast, is AVG better?

 

[Sliter]

I Use avira since ever xD
One time a strange thing happened when I opened my bank page (showed very fast like when you pass files from a folder to another) , so I used malwarebits and it found some virues that avira never told me before... but when malwarebits found them , avira found as well :B
(also I'm not sure about the bank thing got cleaned whatever it was .A.)

Also one day I saw avira was inactivated on my bro's computer, so I reinstalled it and run the scan ... the last time I saw it found like 200 stuff :v but I didn't saw it finished since someone sue dthe computer and when I come it was turned off :B

Btw one of my teachers use Baidu antivirus .. everyone make fun of him lol but he tell us that it wasn't an malware anymore and actually a good antivirus :v well I don't know if I can thrust XD

Kaspersky (Russian) or Qihoo 360 (China) both are very solid.

these are free?

 

[Citra]

Qihoo 360 is completely free.
Kaspersky has a free version. Premium version is not too expensive either.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

According to PC Mag, Panda Free Antivirus and AVG Free are the two best AV all things considered (the scores are based on things like detection ratio and false positives so the test should be accurate), I hate AVG so I went with Panda. They also said BitDefender was good but the free version was a bit lacking. I also have Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

Is Windows Defender enough for that though?

I used Windows Defender for years but apparently it's one of the worst free AVs so I stopped using it. I wouldn't recommend anyone use it now tbh.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

I also have Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware.

SuperAntiSpyware is shiiiiiit when I installed it on my laptop (I knew it had spyware on it, I was doing it for laughs before I did a fresh Windows install) it didn't detect ANYTHING and dragged my computer speed down to the seventh layer of Hell

 

[Ridge]

I'm quite happy with the built-in antivirus in Windows 10, to be real honest. Windows Defender, that is. For Windows 7 and under it's called Microsoft Security Essentials as a standalone download.

 

[HaloEffect17]

A can't recall the source, but one expert said that the best combo is to have Malwarebytes and Avast Free Antivirus both installed as they work great in tandem. Malwarebytes catches some of the trendier viruses, and Avast covers the generic ones. If you want a beast of a firewall though, Zonealarm is pretty good and you can use its application control feature which does a decent job.

 

[FAST6191]

Not sure why we are all replying to an old thread.

AV software was pretty handily summarised by the bofh a while back
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/11/08/bofh_2014_episode_11/

Anyway adblock + something stronger if you/your client can take it (I go full requestpolicy and noscript, though the lesser option might be ghostery), keep flash and java off your system if you can, isolated* if they must be there (no external website should need java and if it does then consider not going there) and definitely keep them updated.
*if you want to go full virtualbox or sandboxie then go for it.

MSE/Defender works well enough in my experience (I do not want to fix viruses on computers and MSE does not seem to let in anything more than the others that people can stand to usee), and bonus is free for smaller businesses/setups. I am never quite sure of many of those stats that say it is ze worst, see the bofh linked as it all applies to ones I see.
For a client then teach them a good porn site (or just to use the good ones), a good torrent site for films, TV and music if they are inclined to torrent and say that programs are the crapshoot they really are.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

SuperAntiSpyware is shiiiiiit when I installed it on my laptop (I knew it had spyware on it, I was doing it for laughs before I did a fresh Windows install) it didn't detect ANYTHING and dragged my computer speed down to the seventh layer of Hell

What do you suggest then? I used to use Spybot but that's shit these days and someone recommended me SuperAntiSpyware.