Best anti-virus for Windows?

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Hi all,

I use a Mac so dont know too much about anti-virus for Windows, I used to use Eset NOD32 or Kaspersky and both were brilliant; just ran in the background quietly and only popped up when something was detected and I knew I could trust them.

I recently downloaded Avast free anti-virus and Malwarebytes; Avast picked up 5 viruses on a friends laptop, Malwarebytes then picked up a further 5 infected files. Will these 2 programs be sufficient? To stop all sorts of malicious software like viruses, spyware, adware, etc.?

I know theyre both free but its on my little brothers laptop, he had McAfee on there before and it came with the laptop, I always avoid McAfee, Norton, etc. because theyre rubbish IMO.

Any help appreciated!
 
The avast/mal ware bytes combo is a pretty popular one. I too use mal ware bytes, but alongside Microsoft security essentials.
 
I think it's worth paying a few quid for NOD32....but MSSE usually suffices for friend's machines.
 
I had used Norton before and just had issue after issue after issue.

5 years since I started using NOD32 and the only issue is renewing the license. Costs a bit to cover 3 machines for 2 years at a time.
 
Avast here. AVG went bloatware a few years back (I always used to use them). I also use Malware AntiBytes too, but have switched off the malicious website blocking after finding out that it would make audio stutter due to a bad implementation which caused DPCs (delayed procedure calls) to take a long time to complete (see: http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=123352 and others)
 
Best and most effective anti-virus is common sense.

15 years, 3 PCs, 4 laptops, virus free.
 
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Lyonspride said:
Best and most effective anti-virus is common sense.

15 years, 3 PCs, 4 laptops, virus free.
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Whilst I would normally agree, its not my laptop!

Thanks for all the other replies guys, does Avast offer live protection in the free version? i.e. scanning objects as theyre downloaded or anything?
 
You should try ESET Smart Security.
Kaspersky is good, but loades my pc too much
 
Graceful said:
You should try ESET Smart Security.
Kaspersky is good, but loades my pc too much
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ESET SS is the new name for NOD32 :)

In my day job I supply such companies as Sony with their AV needs. I can't say what they use, but will certainly sugguest that someone has a decent AV/security solution, and avoid the free options. I get most packages given to me as all the publishers want me to recommend their product (strange that), but it doesn't make any difference to what I say to customers. I personally would also suggest ESET and Kaspersky, however, I'm currently on Symantec and unlike years gone by there isn't a major system overhead. For me it is all about how good their Heuristics are and also how fast they can get something new to market if something major hits.
 
neil_g said:
Why, when some of the free software has better detection rates than some of the paid for software..
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I guess because I can't get my head out of the business world where it is all about due dilligence, so I like a reputable company which is going to stay in business behind me and ensure everything is up to date. I'm not saying that some of the free ones don't do a good job, just for me I would rather splash a little cash and get a good paid for product (yes I did used to splash cash prior to be given subs for free).
 
mark1616 said:
I guess because I can't get my head out of the business world where it is all about due dilligence, so I like a reputable company which is going to stay in business behind me and ensure everything is up to date. I'm not saying that some of the free ones don't do a good job, just for me I would rather splash a little cash and get a good paid for product (yes I did used to splash cash prior to be given subs for free).
Click to expand...

Most of the vendors supplying free packages have other methods of revenue generation :)
 
Lyonspride said:
Best and most effective anti-virus is common sense.

15 years, 3 PCs, 4 laptops, virus free.
Click to expand...

I agree.

Actually best anti-virus at the simplest level is don't use floppy disk, Zip disk, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, portable HDD, external HDD, USB memory thumb, memory card, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and totally no access to the Internet at all, just your computer on its own, no updates no installing new software, and don't let anyone you don't know use your computer as they may write up a virus. :)

Anyway, I had my computer for 15 years, just 1 desktop, and virus free, for the simple reason, I have a dial-up and I don't leave the computer connected to the Internet all the time, I use anti-virus software to check disks and discs before access or installing.
 
Had some good results with Comodo as well, combined A/V and firewall, and it's free.
 
Major Eazy said:
Anyway, I had my computer for 15 years, just 1 desktop, and virus free, for the simple reason, I have a dial-up and I don't leave the computer connected to the Internet all the time, I use anti-virus software to check disks and discs before access or installing.
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I assume you use anti-virus all the time? Dialup is just the worst way of exposing your computer to the internet. Full stop. Whilst it may be slow, it is like connecting your ethernet cable directly to a billion computers. You have NO idea what they are trying to do!

The great thing about routers and *DSL is 99% of the routers can't route malicious stuff to computers on the local network. It is far safer to access the Internet through a router than direct via dialup....
 
ive never really seen the logic of not running AV these days. packages are so lightweight and machines are so powerful that you really don't notice them.

I wonder if those people have turned off UAC too :lol:
 
neil_g said:
I wonder if those people have turned off UAC too :lol:
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Nothing wrong with turning off UAC.... as long as you're happy with the consequences.... (yes, I have mine turned off, yes, I am aware what that leaves me open to...)
 
arad85 said:
Nothing wrong with turning off UAC.... as long as you're happy with the consequences.... (yes, I have mine turned off, yes, I am aware what that leaves me open to...)
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HOMG andy you fool :nono:

no I know, I was just getting at with no AV at least UAC might give you a bit of a heads up.

anyway, im off to drive a car with no seatbelt as I don't plan to be in an accident :wave:
 
neil_g said:
anyway, im off to drive a car with no seatbelt as I don't plan to be in an accident :wave:
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Excellent planning Neil. Now you just need to deliver to time and on spec... ;) :eek:
 
PS. I only have UAC off on my computer. All other Windows m/c in the house have it on.
 
neil_g said:
anyway, im off to drive a car with no seatbelt as I don't plan to be in an accident :wave:
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If everyone drove like that, there would almost certainly be fewer accidents since everyone would be driving so much more safely knowing the probable consequences.

(Avast user BTW!)
 
arad85 said:
I assume you use anti-virus all the time? Dialup is just the worst way of exposing your computer to the internet. Full stop. Whilst it may be slow, it is like connecting your ethernet cable directly to a billion computers. You have NO idea what they are trying to do!

The great thing about routers and *DSL is 99% of the routers can't route malicious stuff to computers on the local network. It is far safer to access the Internet through a router than direct via dialup....
Click to expand...

Yes, often after hanging up from the Internet, I use Anti-Virus to check, as well as using it to check floppies and CDs. Hey, I used dial-up and haven't had problems, beside, at the moment, for the past couple of years, I've used it less and less.
 
Major Eazy said:
I agree.

Actually best anti-virus at the simplest level is don't use floppy disk, Zip disk, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, portable HDD, external HDD, USB memory thumb, memory card
Click to expand...

Try holding down shift ;)


Major Eazy said:
I use anti-virus software to check disks and discs before access or installing.
Click to expand...

I can't remember the last time I uses my CD drive :D Everything I install is downloaded and checked by 46 different AntiVirus, thanks to VirusTotal's free upload/scan service.
 
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Signature based AV is on its last legs, its no longer effective as the evil guys will constantly run their malware against all common AV and once a signature is released they will change their code to avoid detection.

You need other additional software to protect against malware, such as EMET (Microsoft enhanced mitigation experience toolkit) this actually looks at the way code executes.

EMET used with MSE its a reasonable level of defence [along with being careful what you click on]

Mark
 
I use Windows Defender which comes installed with Windows 8. Cant see a need to use a paid for av app.
 
veyDa said:
Signature based AV is on its last legs, its no longer effective as the evil guys will constantly run their malware against all common AV and once a signature is released they will change their code to avoid detection.
Click to expand...


I take it you mean the "Cyclical Redundancy Check checksum file" or CRC for short?

This number is unique to any file created, like a serial number, when a file is copied it keeps it's CRC, but when a file is edited, the CRC changes.
One common trick is to spoof the CRC on a virus so that it looks like a genuine windows file.
This is a right royal PITA, because your anti-virus turns against your genuine files (similar to the human body attacking itself in certain genetic "conditions"), which can lead to critical system files being deleted.

One thing I encounter a lot on my PC/laptop is anti-malware tools flagging files that are over 10 years old (and definitely not a problem) as being new malware.

This ^^ is why (as well as them being resource hogs) I prefer to use common sense rather than rely on automated anti-virus protection.
 
Avast!!! Never had a problem :-)
 
Eset SS with the dulcet, intensely annoying questions of UAC turned off!
 
I used to recommend Avast and install it for people, but the number of people who never re-registered and so never got the new definitions is unbelievable. I now only recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows Defender) as it always updates. It is also built into Windows 8 and is on by default (unless you install another AV).
 
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