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Can anyone recommend an antivirus thats easy to use and doesnt cost too much?
Thanks.
kapusta, are you having a problem or want to protect yourself?
By the way, you forgot your signature!
A computer which accesses the internet needs three security components:
1) Antivirus
2) Anti-spyware
3) A firewall
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/vista-windows-explorer-freezing-up
To see a comparison of free antivurus apps, I recommend a look at this page:
http://download.cnet.com/2797-2023_4-371.html?tag=mncol;txt
A computer that suddenly shuts down can be caused by many issues, including hardware.
icot: Why your preferenace for AVG over avast (also free)? Can you comment on avast? And how they compare to the commercial anti-virus programs (Norton, McAfee).
Is there any benefit using a commercial program for the anti-spyware or firewall (compared to the free programs)?
Thanks
volvie-
Why your preference for AVG over avast (also free)?
It isn’t a preference; it’s a recommendation based on personal use. AVG is one I use, so I can recommend it first-hand. Avast is also highly rated (it has slightly higher user ratings on the CNET page I referenced), but I’ve never used it.
Can you comment on avast?
Not based on my own experience, but it’s highly rated by both pros and users.
And how they compare to the commercial anti-virus programs (Norton, McAfee).
For virus-checking, I think they’re comparable.
Is there any benefit using a commercial program for the anti-spyware or firewall (compared to the free programs)?
-Symantec (Norton), McAfee, and ZoneLabs commercial programs include antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall all in one.
-In my experience, they also have a higher level of customer support than the free programs do.
For the above two reasons, they may be simpler to use, and a better choice for someone who isn’t interested in potchking with multiple programs, or doesn’t know much about PCs. Also, some vendors will throw in a subscription to one of the above packages when you buy a new computer.
As far as protecting your computer, I think you can do just fine with the free programs.
icot: I recall Norton at one time had a reputation of being bloatware — where it would load countless things into memory upon boot-up that would slow down the computer. Do you know if that is still the case, and how the other programs rate on this issue?
In my experience the best prog for removing malware already on your system is malwarebytes.
Avira AntiVir Personal Edition, from http://www.free-av.com, is excellent and free as well. I’ve been using it for 5 years on 7 different computers with great success – I’ve also used it to clean several ‘chareidi’ computers (lke, Windows XP with no security software, no updates because no internet, and tens of USB flash drives and MP3 players being plugged in all the time) – it found and cleaned 260 viruses on one PC.
Windows Firewall + Avira AntiVir Personal Edition = no problems, ever.
volvie–
I haven’t used Norton for a few years. About 3 – 4 years ago many reviewers complained that it bogged down their machines, but over the last couple of years reviewers say that it’s been streamlined and pretty much fixed. Personally, I’ve had issues with the installations of ZoneAlarm and Norton, while McAfee had its recent well-publicized issue of mistaking a key Windows component for a virus and deleting it. Bottom line – there’s no perfect antivirus, but all that we’ve mentioned are good.
One additional advantage I forgot to mention that a commercial program may have is that they may have updates for the latest high-profile virus more quickly, due to their number of employees and their interest in retaining their customers.
kapusta–
If your system is already infected it gets tricky.
You may be able to run antivirus programs, but they might not work properly.
Sometimes booting into safe mode can help.
Sometimes you can boot from another device and run antivirus from there.
Worst case scenario, sometimes the infected drive can be connected to an uninfected computer as a second hard drive and disinfected from there. Be VERY careful if using this method that you don’t infect the clean computer.
Please see my reply to “dov717”, below.
None of the programs discussed here should disrupt or noticeably slow your internet connection, although you may want to tweak some AVG settings if you find it overly intrusive.
dov717–
Malwarebytes is something I used once, on a computer infected with the fake antivirus program “Antivirus XP 2010”.
“Antivirus XP 2010” is a sneaky program that disguises itself as an antivirus program, pops up all kinds of dire warnings, such as “your information is being stolen right now!”, steals the windows security center’s colors and logo, and won’t let many programs, including legit antivirus, run. It claims that it will “fix” the “viruses” it found if you send them money, but all that happens is that they take your money.
I had to download two files on a clean computer; the first was a registry-altering file (just to allow the malwarebytes program to run) and the second was malwarebytes. The files were then burned to a CD, and brought to the infected PC. After malwarebytes ran for about an hour, all the while “Antivirus XP 2010” kicking up its fake warnings, I was prompted to restart the computer. It was completely disinfected, which was very nice to see.
I also use AVG. Very good.
ICOT-did you get computer training or are you just plain great at this?
smartcookie-
Thank you for the kind words (again).
The motivations are:
a) Saving money.
b) Making sure I get the right part / program / device.
c) Saving time.
Daniel Breslauer–
The more people who contribute their knowledge, the better it is.
kapusta–
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084
Usually restore points are available for approximately the last month-and-a-half.
How can I access the program now that its downloaded?
IE prompts you for a location of the downloaded file.
If you forgot where the file is, you can search for it using Start–>Search (if you know the file name).
With Firefox, you can select Tools–>Downloads from the menu.
If necessary, how do I start the computer in safe mode?
Hold down the F8 key as your computer is starting. You will be prompted to choose if you want to start in safe mode.
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question575.htm
I recommend giving it a quick look to get a bit of an understanding of some basic terms.
once its downloaded and working, if a system with the above-mentioned programs gets infected, would it be a problem to remove?
Just watch out for that deadly one that comes out in the early springtime, known as the Achash-virus.
kapusta–
Am I correct in thinking that what the above-mentioned programs will do is block the virus altogether?
Is there anything you can recommend as a way to get rid of anything that might be on the computer already?
If you already know that you have a virus and know which one it is you should Google it to see how to best remove it.
could you put that in siiiiiiimple english please?Has the problem of your PC suddenly shutting down in the middle of nowhere just started, or has it been going on for a while? Has it gotten worse over time?
oomis1105–
Despite the punctiliousness of the programmers, antivirus software is as of yet unable to expunge the comments of those who have no compunction about homespun posts like these. They keypunch with impunity. Punishment is too puny a threat to stop these spunky posters; maybe acupuncture would help?
kapusta-
A Google search for “my security engine” reveals that your computer is infected with a rouge program called “my security engine” (natch).
Go to this page and follow the instructions:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-my-security-engine
This is the site I got the “Antivirus XP 2010” disinfection instructions from.
If you have follow-up questions please post them here.
Good luck.
kapusta-
Have you followed the instructions detailed in the site listed above?
If not, I strongly suggest that you do.
If you have already done so, and your computer is still loaded with rogue software that antivirus programs can’t remove, you have the following options:
1) Back up your data and use the restore disk that your PC hopefully came with to reset your computer to its “just purchased” state. If you don’t have such a disk, contact the manufacturer.
2) Google every symptom as it pops up on your PC and try to address it.
3) Get a pro (or a knowledgeable and patient amateur) to disinfect your PC.
kapusta-
Whether or not you see them, there is no question in my mind that your computer is infected with adware, spyware and possibly viruses. Until you have it cleaned assume that anything you do on it can be seen by crooks and people looking to steal your information. This includes which sites you visit and the IDs and passwords you use. Furthermore, you may be inadvertently sending malware to others via email or files created on your PC.
I wish I could be more encouraging, but them’s the facts.
kapusta-
Have you followed the instructions for virus/spyware removal using Malwarebytes detailed in the URL above? That’s the first thing I’d try before anything else.
The AVG seemed to have an issue with connecting to the internet…
Malware will often prevent antivirus programs from running or updating their virus definitions. That’s part of the reason it’s important to follow tried-and-true virus removal methods.
…wouldn’t it be easier to just get something that would get rid of everything in one shot?
It sure would. Unfortunately, such software doesn’t exist.
Is there anything that will get rid of anything on the system?
No, I’m afraid not.
I apologize for being such a tough customer.
No problem – I’m passing along the favor others have done for me in sharing knowledge.
Pass it along!
Gut Shabbos.
People- just forget all these anti virus programs and stick with Microsoft Security Essentials- nothing can beat an antivirus software made by the king of software. And it’s free.
If the mods allow this- http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
no no no…for constant active and passive scanning use avast.
for weekly scans have malwarebytes installed
bombmaniac- Um Microsoft Security Essentials IS constantly scanning isnt it???
it is, i wouldnt recommend it though. its good, but not effective enough
kapusta-
a) You should back up your important data (pictures, videos, documents, etc.) Blank CDs and DVDs are cheap.
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