Best Anti-virus 2014?

[pontifex]

Whats the best anti-virus these days?

My license for Eset Nod32 runs out at the end of the month and trying to decide what to get next.


I've run a bunch of different stuff over the years and seems to change from year to year as to what's best.

Should I go with a free AV like Avast or go with another paid product?

 

[Berliner]

If you've liked Nod32, why not just renew it?

Free ones work as well, or go with the "don't go to shady sites" approach.

 

[MustISO]

http://www.av-comparatives.org/
https://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/test?id=199
http://www.dennistechnologylabs.com/reports/s/a-m/2014/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

 

[pontifex]

If you've liked Nod32, why not just renew it?

Free ones work as well, or go with the "don't go to shady sites" approach.

Money is a bit tight, plus I don't know that Nod32 is the best.
Things change so much from year to year.


Looking at those sites, some are hard to decipher. They don't make it easy and none ever comes out and says "X anti-virus is the best"

 

[KeithP]

Fry's has a Kaspersky product for free after 2 rebates.
http://www.frys.com/product/8143285?...%20date:110714

I have been happy with Kaspersky in the past and haven't had problems with Fry's rebates.

-KeithP

 

[lxskllr]

If money is tight, just pick a free one. They're largely snakeoil anyway.

 

[PliotronX]

If money is tight, just pick a free one. They're largely snakeoil anyway.

+1 even the best AV is still going to be as weak as its definition or heuristic engine updates. I have been messing with the Qihoo 360 IS lately and am liking it.

 

[John Connor]

Sandboxie and Bitdefender.

Configure Sandboxie to delete contents on exit, allow access to bookmarks and the profile (at reduced security, but less cumbersomeness) and use Bitdefender Free. Turn off autoplay in gpedit.msc. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/967715

 

[HOSED]

Does anyone have a link For BitDefender Free, I found the 30 day trial for the 2015 version,or is it possible there no longer is a truly free version ?

 

[Bradtech519]

My ESET also was running out. I renewed for two more years. If you don't want ESET any longer. Kaspersky & bitdefender get good results also.

 

[John Connor]

Does anyone have a link For BitDefender Free, I found the 30 day trial for the 2015 version,or is it possible there no longer is a truly free version ?

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

When you install you will just create an account and you're good to go. No pop ups or any of that crap.

 

[TheRyuu]

I don't really see much use from anti-virus products anymore. You're likely going to fair far better if use 'secure' software (e.g. Chrome and its sandbox) if you have a choice (like with browsers) with mitigation such as EMET[1] for Windows and a grsecurity[2] patched kernel on Linux (preferably compiled yourself).

And it should go without saying to stay up to date and if possible use the most modern version of Windows (8.1 as of writing this) if you're on the Windows side of things. I think Windows Defender (MSE) plus a brain works pretty well.

[1] https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2458544
[2] https://grsecurity.net/

 

[HOSED]

Thanks John Conner, I was going nuts with AVG pop ups and after the recent version upgrade it seemed almost impossible to delete the folders to prevent them (as mentioned in another thread).
OT if a site comes up in a google search as "may have been hacked" ... such as http://forums.bodhilinux.com/ (I have been on that site many times recently) I assume it is a good idea to avoid it till that is sorted out. I need to get out of the habit of using bookmarks LOL

 

[sayounara]

If for free, AVG is the best.

 

[John Connor]

No it ain't.

http://www.computerforum.com/231470-no-profiles-firefox.html

 

[bruceb]

I am running latest version of Avast Free on my XP pc .. works fine. But I do turn off Web Rep and also the Software Updater, and I use the built in XP Firewall. But overall for free, it does a good job.

 

[nemesismk2]

I am running latest version of Avast Free on my XP pc .. works fine. But I do turn off Web Rep and also the Software Updater, and I use the built in XP Firewall. But overall for free, it does a good job.

I too am running Avast Free with one of my Window XP Computers. I use the Windows XP Firewall and after using Avast for 2 years everything has been working well. Avast have mentioned that Avast Free will keep Windows XP Supported for 3 years.

 

[sourceninja]

I use bitdefender. No complaints.

 

[Mem]

I'm using Panda free 2015,very lightweight and being cloud based (so always up to-date)no download of DAT files so uses far less resources then your typical AV.


2.7MB total according to Task Manager,no account creation needed either.

 

[Ketchup]

ESET has always ranked pretty high.
Kaspersky has always been one of the best, but very much a resource hog.
Avast has always ranked decent, but there are a ton of options when setting it up, and you do have to "register" it if you want it to keep working. May not be for you if you are looking for something that just works.

My take - if you can't remember the last time you had a virus, get something simple and light(such as MSE) and do regular scans.

Most AV programs aren't that good at detecting viruses as soon as they enter (that's why we now have Heruistics) but will do fine once they have done a little infecting. So safe browsing habits really are the best way to go here.

Heruistics can be helpful, but the problem is it's still a guess based on behavior, and some AV's can really be a pain due to this "feature."

 

[John Connor]

That's why you run Sandboxie.

 

[pontifex]

I'm using Panda free 2015,very lightweight and being cloud based (so always up to-date)no download of DAT files so uses far less resources then your typical AV.


2.7MB total according to Task Manager,no account creation needed either.

What if you get a virus that disables your internet or blocks av sites?

 

[Ketchup]

What if you get a virus that disables your internet or blocks av sites?

You may need something that will boot the machine. I have had good luck with Kaspersky Rescue Disk:

http://www.kaspersky.com/virus-scanner

 

[KeithP]

What if you get a virus that disables your internet or blocks av sites?

There are some rescue boot discs out there, here are two examples..

https://www.comodo.com/business-security/network-protection/rescue-disk.php

http://support.kaspersky.com/4162

You might also want to get a Live Linux CD setup as well. Booting into Linux would restore internet access and let you get/research tools and solutions.

-KeithP

 

[Mem]

What if you get a virus that disables your internet or blocks av sites?

There is Panda cloud cleaner rescue iso which you can download anytime,http://www.pandasecurity.com/uk/enterprise/support/card?id=1681

Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO is a tool which allows you to scan computers or VMWare images which, due to virus infections, will not start correctly. This disinfection tool included in the ISO is Panda Cloud Cleaner.

Follow the instructions below to create and scan your computer with a Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO.