Anti-Virus for PC’s - mind field

[weeds]

I’ve never had to purchase anti-virus software, work laptop is sorted by work and the kids school laptops are sorted by the schools......oh and my little Apple Computer just seems to work without anti-virus.

My oldest has just started uni and has purchased a laptop.......and needs anti-virus.

Any suggestions what to look for in software ??

Mcafee, come with the HP Laptop with 1 month free protection.

Do we just keep Mcaffee??

[grey_ghost]

Indeed it is a mind field out there! In my experience Mcafee is ok. Personally I have always found that Symantec slows down PCs due to over heads. My advice - REGULARLY backup your user data (say monthly at least) so that if you can’t recover from a virus, at least you have your data. You would be surprised at how many people don’t do regular backups (myself included [emoji15][emoji6])

[CraigE]

I have found Norton to be the best by far. Have had McAfee and it has missed trojans and viruses. You can usually get Norton fairly cheap from places like JB HiFi or even on line, but do not pay full price ever and do not do auto renewal on any product as they will try and charge you top $. 1 computer should be around $40 up to 5 devices around $75. Auto renewal they tried to charge double that at normal pricing, so I told them to shove off and I would buy a new copy in store, they altered the price pretty quick.

[PhilipA]

I have Trend Micro Maximum Security.
I have never had a virus.
It encrypts your documents and pictures to negate ransomware and there is a Micro Vault where your passwords can be stored in encrypted files. I trust that more than the cloud.
It is pretty slow to start up from shutdown but quick when the computer sleeps which I use most of the time.
Regards Philip A

[weeds]

Thanks...he is off to research.

He was keen on free products.....I think he is a little wiser now.

[Markf]

Believe it or not but the FREE Microsoft Security Essentials is one of the very best out there, paid or free. https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/14210/security-essentials-download

Couple that with a properly set up backup regime and you'll be quite safe.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Mate,, I wouldve asked this in the IT Forum,,,[bighmmm]

The last time i asked the recommendation was let WIN 10 look after it..[smilebigeye]

[BathurstTom]

Believe it or not but the FREE Microsoft Security Essentials is one of the very best out there, paid or free. https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/14210/security-essentials-download

Couple that with a properly set up backup regime and you'll be quite safe.

I strongly agree! I worked in the IT field for many years and the uni at whih I worked would supply free AV software, but I found Microsoft defender to be the best. It's free, updates regularly and it works.

Personally, I wouldn't touch Nortons with 10 barge poles screwed together.

Tom

[Tombie]

Never Norton’s...
The Windoze PCs at home use Microsoft Security Essentials and have never had issues...

Our local IT guy (actually friends with Bill G) is adamant it is all you need in a Personal PC

[cfrancis]

I have Trend Micro Home Network Security, connects directly to your modem and protects all devices on your wifi - PlayStation’s, phones, iPads, computers etc.

[incisor]

if it's windows 10 then the built in anti virus is more than enough for the vast majority

in my experience

most of the free ones are not up to where to the builtin one is

nortons crucifies more computers each year than most of the viruses it claims to protect you against

trend is fine behind a decent firewall otherwise it's money wasted

mcafee is like avg, it is a trojan in itself

as for the plethora of others like bullguard etc

harvey norman and the magazines love you all......

let the hate spew forth...

[weeds]

if it's windows 10 then the built in anti virus is more than enough for the vast majority



Yes windows 10, does he have to activate it?

He cannot work out why HP put a separate program on.

Or do you just have to make sure updates are done regularly?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

No hate from me,,
not a thing since I swapped over,,,[smilebigeye]

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Hewlet packard?

format and reload windows!!! [bigrolf]

[incisor]

Yes windows 10, does he have to activate it?

He cannot work out why HP put a separate program on.

Or do you just have to make sure updates are done regularly?

you need to activate windows itself but it normally does it itself with 3 days

as for the av software, they get a kickback.

[incisor]

Hewlet packard?

format and reload windows!!! [bigrolf]

run adw cleaner through it as a minimum though now malwarebytes owns it they are probably leaving certain stuff behind.

[hodgo]

I run ADW cleaner through my computer weekly have done for several years and never had a problem

[87County]

Mind field or mine field - could be either I guess :)

Been following this thread with interest, we've had AVG free for years on PCs and no problems (that I'm aware of).

AVG is now offering extended cover for about $45pa. - but it doesn't seem to be in favour in the posted responses to this thread.

Does anyone know if it is any good ?

How do I get the Windows free program ?

thanks

[Eevo]

windows defender
kapersky

are my choices.


just remember, every anti visus company, has been hacked in one pointed in time. McAfee, google, Microsoft, kapersky, ect etc.

security is an illusion.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The windows program is standard win Win !0,,

I think it comes down to How many $$$$$ you lose if you get hacked,,

obviously the more $$ the more preparations you take,,[smilebigeye]

[Eevo]

I think it comes down to How many $$$$$ you lose if you get hacked,,


sometimes its more than that.
ask hilary Clinton what she lost.

(not a political post)

[incisor]

honour amonst thieves you say..

if my memory serves me rightly, don't laugh...

there was once an antivirus called AVP, it was very good 'most' of the time

then one sunny morn, their american agent brought out their own anti virus, AVG

funnily enough, one of the processes it ran was called avp.com

i believe AVP took legal action, changed their name to Kaspersky, and AVG continued on unabated

AVG was bought out by avast in recent times and it aint what it used to be and hasnt been for many years to be frank


PS
the giveaway is anything you install that makes itself hard to uninstall isn't helping you....

[Eevo]

honour amonst thieves you say..

if my memory serves me rightly, don't laugh...

there was once an antivirus called AVP, it was very good 'most' of the time

then one sunny morn, their american agent brought out their own anti virus, AVG

funnily enough, one of the processes it ran was called avp.com

i believe AVP took legal action, changed their name to Kaspersky, and AVG continued on unabated

AVG was bought out by avast in recent times and it aint what it used to be and hasnt been for many years to be frank


PS
the giveaway is anything you install that makes itself hard to uninstall isn't helping you....

you are mostly correct.
kapersky's first product was AVP
the product, not the company, changed names.

[CraigE]

I strongly agree! I worked in the IT field for many years and the uni at whih I worked would supply free AV software, but I found Microsoft defender to be the best. It's free, updates regularly and it works.

Personally, I wouldn't touch Nortons with 10 barge poles screwed together.

Tom

Interesting as Norton has picked up everything where as every other brand I have tried as let some through at some point including Windows 10 Defender, McAfee, Trend Micro, AVG etc. I used to run multiple programs to test this including the latest McAfee that came with my HP Omen I bought 2 months ago.

[towe0609]

I recently had a criminal call my bank through the deaf relay service quoting all my personal information while logged into my bank account. The only thing they didn't have was my mobile to get the 2-factor authentication SMS for bank transfer. They were requesting a change to the mobile number for the account. Luckily my bank called my mobile and shut it all down before they got anywhere serious. The moment it was shut down my email address was registered for over 1700 internet forums as punishment.

I'm now using bitdefender (not to be confused with windows defender) including its safepay function for my internet banking activity.

Be careful out there ...

[RANDLOVER]

I had Trend Micro but had a ransomware attack so flicked them and now use "Vipre".

[incisor]

you are mostly correct.
kapersky's first product was AVP
the product, not the company, changed names.

in my recollections, the word kaspersky never featured anywhere in the product or logo at that time in australia, don't know about overseas.

the guy who was the australian agent and the europeans quarrelled over it right up until rod dumped avp for the other piece of crap, nod32, after they started trying to directly contact his clientele... about 1992/93 i would think

thats when kaspersky started pushing his name i think you'll find.

rod got very sick shortly after, went blind and passed away a couple of years later i believe

happy to be proven wrong but i knew the guy pretty well as he lived a couple of suburbs away from me and we both ran pretty big BBS'es and met up fairly regularly at sysops breakfasts back in the day. As well as i used to sell it untill i partnered with command.

[Eevo]

in my recollections, the word kaspersky never featured anywhere in the product or logo at that time in australia, don't know about overseas.

the guy who was the australian agent and the europeans quarrelled over it right up until rod dumped avp for the other piece of crap, nod32, after they started trying to directly contact his clientele... about 1992/93 i would think

thats when kaspersky started pushing his name i think you'll find.

rod got very sick shortly after, went blind and passed away a couple of years later i believe

happy to be proven wrong but i knew the guy pretty well as he lived a couple of suburbs away from me and we both ran pretty big BBS'es and met up fairly regularly at sysops breakfasts back in the day. As well as i used to sell it untill i partnered with command.

no, thats sounds correct.

[edddo]

Interesting the negative views of Norton. I know it was pretty bad (resource heavy) back in the day but thought it had lifted its game. I have used it the last 4 or 5 years and had no problems. But maybe I should save a few bucks - at least on my W10 PC ( and wifes W10 laptop) - and not renew it and just use Defender?

[Hall]

Once had a computer with Mcafee pre installed on it. Was way back though, computer was running windows 98. But as posted when a anti virus is hard to remove it aint good. Made the mistake of trying to remove Mcafee. A reinstall of windows later and it was gone. I have windows 10 now so with it`s built in anti virus and a free anti virus called 360 Total security I have so far not had any issues.
Cheers Hall

[PhilipA]

I had Trend Micro but had a ransomware attack so flicked them and now use "Vipre".
I take it that this was before Trend Micro introduced folder protection.

Did you do the usual and open an attachment?
I get dozens of dodgy emails a day. sharpens the reflexes.
Regards Philip A

[superquag]

So, despite the Russki - sounding name, Kaspersky is Yankee ???

Guy I know who runs one of these 'alternative-health' and "Conspiracy Theory" - type Bulletin- boards/ server, reckons he used to be regularly attacked and too many got through. - Blamed the US spy agencies (as you do...) But since he switched to Kaspersky, he's been unharmed. Dunno what he was using before, Norton or ???
His rationale is that he trusts the FSB more than the CIA or FBI etc. [bigwhistle]

[superquag]

Did you do the usual and open an attachment?
I get dozens of dodgy emails a day. sharpens the reflexes.
Regards Philip A


Not this little bunny. If not 101% kosher-looking, I'll flag it and try to 'SWEEP' it, in which case the dialog box shows the 'real' return addy. Gives me the option of continuing the disposal, oir retreat and open it. [biggrin]

Or, Right-click and view the Source. - Scroll through and if it's legit, you'll quickly find the message body in plain language along with return addy etc. But if there's zillions of lines of gibberish, chances are you're looking as something nasty... At which point I trash it, unopened.
Or report it as a Phishing Scam.

currently running AVAST anti-virus, and a couple of small sweepers/maintainance freebies.

[Zeros]

When I last had an IBM PC - 10 years ago, I had Norton anti-virus. Over a period of two years it told me it it was working and 'finding' viruses, but as it turns out it allowed a Trojan Horse virus in, which Replicated the Norton Anti-Virus!! making it appear that it was working.... when actually it was allowing every virus in to attack. Eventually my computer became so slow, it was unuseable.

...That's when I changed to Apple Mac. Not a virus ever since and no need for anti-virus. My amateur understanding of this is that Mac has a one way gateway, while PC gateway is open. No doubt someone with knowledge can elaborate.

[superquag]

Do LINUX - run computers 'need' anti-virus software as badly as Windows PCs ?

[JDNSW]

The basic answer is - no. While Linux viruses do exist, nobody I know of has ever seen one 'in the wild'. In fact, the only virus checkers for Linux look for Windows viruses. There are several reasons for this.

One is that there are a lot fewer Linux computers on desktops (but most of the world's supercomputers and a large part of the internet run on Linux), so less reason to create them.

A second reason is that Linux is , and always has been, inherently much more secure than Windows, being a multiuser system from the start, where Windows was originally conceived as a single user system. Windows has improved a lot, but still seems to have weaknesses resulting from its legacy of the past.

A third reason is that Linux is much more diverse - there are a lot of different variants, and crafting a virus that works on more than a small proportion is hard.

A fourth reason is that vulnerabilities tend to get patched more rapidly (or at least patches are available more rapidly - not everyone does it, but probably a larger proportion than Windows).

This does not mean that you have no worries using Linux. A growing issue is the presence of malware that, for example, runs on Flash or Word macro languages or directly impact your browser, independent of the operating system. The majority of these can be avoided by common sense, especially with email - simply do not open email attachments from people you don't know, and set up your mail client to not open HTML or external links automatically.

I have been running various flavours of Linux as my only OS without any security issues over the last ten years or more.

[Ranga]

There's no silver bullet. Read enough reviews and comparisons, and you will get conflicting results. IMHO virus protection has much more to do with user activity and precautions (or lack thereof). I haven't had any negative impact from a virus (loss of files, functionality, scamming) since Windows 3.11, and am yet to pay for virus software.

[p38arover]

Anti-Virus for PC’s - mind field

Thank God it's not a mine field! [bigwhistle]

[Ferret]

... IMHO virus protection has much more to do with user activity and precautions (or lack thereof). I haven't had any negative impact from a virus (loss of files, functionality, scamming) since Windows 3.11, and am yet to pay for virus software.

Similar experience here. Don't know what people do to have so much trouble. Never paid for anti virus software and gave away using active third party anti virus software years ago, even the free ones. Have only ever used what is built into windows since win7 came out.

Will occasionally scan downloaded content (or even entire drives) with the free version malware bytes but that is a passive scanner. It only works if you specifically start it and point it a something. After scanning it does not remain in an active state. On occasion have had cause to upload things to virus total (https://www.virustotal.com/) for a second opinion.

[p38arover]

So, despite the Russki - sounding name, Kaspersky is Yankee ???

I don't think so. I read recently that Kaspersky is now verboten in US Govt. areas.

Kaspersky internet security software banned on US government computers over Russia links - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-14/kaspersky-internet-security-software-banned-by-us-government/8943782)


Kaspersky Lab is based in Moscow, but has offices in 33 other countries, including the United States.

[Eevo]

I don't think so. I read recently that Kaspersky is now verboten in US Govt. areas.

Kaspersky internet security software banned on US government computers over Russia links - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-14/kaspersky-internet-security-software-banned-by-us-government/8943782)


the reasoning for the ban is total horse crap

[p38arover]

Re the question about Kaspersky being Russian, I watched the programme "Cyberwar" on SBS Viceland Cyberwar - VICELAND (https://www.viceland.com/en_us/show/cyberwar) last night and the presenter interviewed Kaspersky in his Moscow HQ.

[superquag]

I still feel more confident that Uncle Vladimir is less of a per$onal threat to me than... Google, Apple, Amazon, Face-****, CIA, NSA et al
[bigwhistle][tonguewink][bigwhistle]

[Tombie]

I still feel more confident that Uncle Vladimir is less of a per$onal threat to me than... Google, Apple, Amazon, Face-****, CIA, NSA et al
[bigwhistle][tonguewink][bigwhistle]

I’d suggest they’re also not a threat to the average person.

To them you’re nothing but a single number amongst 7.5 billion others... [emoji41] (unless of course you’re doing something to peak their interest..... Comrad [emoji48]

[Eevo]

hows life in russia?
cant complain...

[superquag]

Spasibo Tombie

[Pedro_The_Swift]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/03/230.jpg

[Bohica]

At home I have Ubuntu on my PC. it blocks all the windows viruses. I've never had a virus on that PC. Ever.