Antivirus thoughts before I renew license

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I am currently running ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 and have been for almost a year now. FireFox 7 as my primary browser. OS is Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. In general I am not a web surfer. I have three or four specific outdoor interest (mineral specimen collecting etc;) and that is for the most part about all I look at on the web other than some freeware programs that I get from Gizmos Freeware Review. I am careful about what e-mail I open and do not go to links in e-mails. I keep my programs updated and apply windows patches. Once a week I also run a scan with Malwarebytes. I have also just started checking URL’s with on-line VirusTotal.

So far I have had no infection problems in almost the year I have had this machine.

So my question is AM I PROTECTED ENOUGH?? The reason I ask is because my ESET expires in November and I do not want to be lulled into a false sense of security just because I have had no problems so far. Should I just upgrade to the new ESET NOD32 Antivirus 5 and carry on, or is there something out there better for me to be secure.

Thank you fine folks for any input you may have on this issue.

Glenn

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Check out the free Microsoft Security Essentials. I use it on all my home PCs.

Joe

--Joe

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This same thought process has been repeated a couple of times in these forums. In Win 7 I have been using MSE since it first came out. Very low resource user for what I feel is great protection. You will get many different opinions on this so be ready. Best of all it’s “FREE”.

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I too have used MSE since it first came out on some machines without any infections. I have used Avast Antivirus Free Edition on other machines for over four years now with no infections as well. I recommend either one.

Safe user practices are the most important factor in malware security, and from what you posted, you are good to go in that area.

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Safe user practices are the most important factor in malware security, and from what you posted, you are good to go in that area.

And Safe user practices are the only antivirus precautions I have ever used in over 20 years of PC use. True, I once had a drive-by trojan back in the day (pre 2004) when the Windows firewall wasn’t set by default, and Windows Update was running on an OS reinstall; and yes, I do a fair amount of browsing and email, but haven’t had a problem since.

Circumspection is the watchword!

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Ditto what Joe & Ted said. I’ve been using MSE since it came out on our 4 machines including the two laptops we take with us in our motorhome and constantly connect through wi-fi hotspots. No problems at all! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Thank you fine folks for any input you may have on this issue.

Glenn,
Hello…. You will find that there are many answers to your question … the answer depends on what your comfortable with….
I use Malwarebytes PRO, and now Norton Internet Security 2012…. with nothing else on XP-Pro, Vista and “7”… With Norton You can choose everything, and set it up the way you want…. most don’t want the job, and will let their security run pretty much on “auto pilot” The same applies to Malwarebytes PRO .. These are both pay for programs…I stay away from all the “goofy” freebies…”Dino protect all ” etc. or some such twaddle… Think that they are not worth the time…. I for the most part believe that you get what you “Pay For”…. and software is no exception..:cheers: Regards Fred

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MSE for me here too, no major infections or client issues.
Light weight, minimally intrusive, and is not taxing on resources, yet potent enough to be a contender.

MSE is something MS has actually gotten right.

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Hi Glenn : NOD32 has been an excellent security program for many years . However, I have been using the FREE Avast Antivirus Home Edition since June 2005 and would NEVER put Microsoft Security Essentials on a computer of mine because of their very poor Online Support Forums . For Results of testing done on security programs, see the various ones done by the Independent Researchers at http://www.av-comparatives.org . Their “Whole Product Dynamic Test” is considered the most reliable ( Last I heard MSE declined to participate in this one !? ) .

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nod32 simply doesnt do the job anymore malwarebytes pro would be our best bet, Avast even the free version is very very good, the paid version even better,

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Another one for MSE here. Free for business use up to 10 users, if that makes a difference.

I also have used Avast, PC Tools, AVG, Eset, McAfee, Norton, Sophos, Trend and others, but MSE wins for me for its clean interface, not trying to sell me anything and because it’s free for business use (yes, I’m tight).

My surfing habits are in general quite safe and other factors also protect my systems. If I need to venture into grey or murky areas for work, I fire up a Virtual Machine and use Linux.

By the way, Avast recently hosed a client’s machine after a faulty update. For the sake of balance, the same has occured on MSE, PC Tools, McAfee and AVG to my first hand knowledge.

*Disclosure Statement*
For the avoidance of doubt in case anyone thinks the above recommendation is double standards: I sell subscription solutions if my clients wish to purchase.

However, if safe surfing is exhibited and the client profile is appropriate, I would never recommend a paid service over a free one.

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Hi All

How does Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 measure up against the others?

Thanks
Dave

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Please add another vote to the MSE column. I’ve been using it on a desktop and three laptops for two years with no problems. One of the laptops is utilized frequently in hotels on business trips. I also second Deadeye’s noting of your excellent browsing practices; that may be why your current antivirus app has performed so admirably!

John

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Please add another vote to the MSE column. I’ve been using it on a desktop and three laptops for two years with no problems. One of the laptops is utilized frequently in hotels on business trips. I also second Deadeye’s noting of your excellent browsing practices; that may be why your current antivirus app has performed so admirably!

John

I’m with John on this one…..

I can highly recommend MSE. I also use it on one desktop and three laptops. As some one else already stated MS got this one RIGHT!!
And for FREE no less!
I install it on all my friends’ new machines and get rid of the shipped Norton, Avast, etc. “free until you pay” AV.

73’s,
Tom

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Hi Bob,
My OS is Windows 7 Pro. 32-bit. My Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 has just a few more months to expiry. I will not re-new but will give MSE a go after all the
recommendations. I have not had any problems witt Kaspersky.
Many thanks
Dave

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Hi Bob,
My OS is Windows 7 Pro. 32-bit. My Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 has just a few more months to expiry. I will not re-new but will give MSE a go after all the
recommendations. I have not had any problems witt Kaspersky.
Many thanks
Dave

Remember, I am not saying that Kaspersky isn’t good protection. I just prefer my antivirus to be native 64-bit. Firewall, too.

-- rc primak

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Hi Bob,
My OS is Windows 7 Pro. 32-bit. My Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 has just a few more months to expiry. I will not re-new but will give MSE a go after all the
recommendations. I have not had any problems witt Kaspersky.
Many thanks
Dave

I mentioned this in a post subsequent to yours, but in case you missed it, you can download and install Kaspersky 2012 at no charge to replace your present 2011, and it will retain your present expiry date. You may find you like the new features better than the old, or vice-versa, but it is significantly different.

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Kaspersky and ESET have one major deficiency. They are hybrid applications, not fully native 64-bit applications. Normally this would not make any difference, but for security programs, you take a performance hit, and not just in speed. Native 64-bit programs under Windows 7 have direct access to the System Kernel and are not hampered by Patch Guard, among other things. Hybrid security programs do not necessarily have such complete access. Again, this is not to say they are less effective at protecting you. But there are free programs which are Native 64-bit, and here are some of them:

Super Antispyware, Microsoft Security Essentials, Avast and Comodo (firewall is good — skip their antivirus).

Malwarebytes is a hybrid, as is Zone Alarm. Don’t know about AVG, but last I read, they were still hybrid.

My point is, when it comes to my security, why take chances when there are totally native 64-bit programs, many of them free, which will protect me for sure. Especially when used together.

Personally, for 64-bit Windows 7 (Home Premium) I use MSE and do second-opinion scans with Super Antispyware Free. No additional firewall, beyond the one included in Windows 7. You might also want to enable any security features inside your router.

No need to make security complicated or expensive. Keep it simple, I say. And no sign of infections yet.

Another security measure is to keep all software up to date, including Flash Player and any Java Runtimes on your computer(s). I use Secunia PSI for most of that.

Any antivirus or firewall can mess up a computer with a bad update or an incompatible upgrade. I dropped Avast 6 when its early builds kept marking the Windows Recycling Bin and Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) as malicious. Nope, Explorer was not being impersonated. So I went with MSE instead. This is on a Windows XP laptop.

-- rc primak

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So far I have had no infection problems in almost the year I have had this machine.
…
So my question is AM I PROTECTED ENOUGH??

Glenn,
as said here before, you seem to be judicious and you seem to apply common sense.

I chime in here because I have extensive experience with professionally securing home PCs, mostly machines run by users who have absolutely no clue of how a computer works. For these folks (about 85% of all of my customers) ease of use is as least as important as dependability and actual technical performance and quality.

With this in mind IMHO there is just no alternative to Microsoft Security Essentials. If you want factual reasons beyond opinion:

[*]In all tests I have seen so far MSE performed as least as good as any other for pay package.
[*]MSE talks to you in simple English language only; no path names, no abbreviations, bo techno-babble, just easy to understand statements of facts or findings – and always the BIG button right there to do what it asks you to do.
Example: It tells you that your computer ought to be scanned and has the big button right there to have it scan; it doesn’t do it automatically because it can’t know what is going on in your house…
[*] Even WHILE it scans your computer you can still keep working! MSEs load balancing is simply the best.
[*]It updates continuously in the background, totally unobtrusive.
[*]It is free – as in no money at all.

Since August 2009(!) I have installed MSE on about 650 – 700 customers computers and there have been NO complaints at all!

I have seen way too many machines, newer Vista/Win7 systems as well as older XP machines, that were very sluggish and after removal of well respected AV systems suddenly “ran as new”. And sorry, just two days ago I had this experience with Eset AV again.

I understand where JustPlainFred is coming from but his “… I for the most part believe that you get what you “Pay For”…. and software is no exception …” is an opinion that I respect. Only that this opinion in this case is strongly contradicted by two years of experience with MSE on a wide variety of systems.

This whole issue is one of my pet-peeves so I just had to chime in.

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First let me say that I HAVE NOT TESTED the following program yet. I will be doing so sometime next week

Whilst reading a magazine (in UK) I came across the following program. It is a second AV program that can be run along side an existing AV program without any conflicts. The (old) idea of running two (2) AV programs at the same time is foremost in my mind, but the magazine gave it a good review and recommended it. So time to open my mind up once more. Their web site, I find, messy and tends to push the pay for programs of which there are quite a few. But if you take time you can find your way round. This being the case I have posted two links for it. The first takes you to their site and gives info about it. The second takes you to the download link in C-net.

The Celframe site (first link) seems to be slow in loading (at least it is at my end)

Info about
http://www.celframe.com/free-antivirus/index.php/product/features

Download link (C-net)
http://download.cnet.com/Celframe-Antivirus-Free-Global-Community-Edition/3000-2239_4-75449463.html?part=dl-&subj=dl&tag=button

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First let me say that I HAVE NOT TESTED the following program yet. I will be doing so sometime next week

Whilst reading a magazine (in UK) I came across the following program. It is a second AV program that can be run along side an existing AV program without any conflicts. The (old) idea of running two (2) AV programs at the same time is foremost in my mind, but the magazine gave it a good review and recommended it. So time to open my mind up once more. Their web site, I find, messy and tends to push the pay for programs of which there are quite a few. But if you take time you can find your way round. This being the case I have posted two links for it. The first takes you to their site and gives info about it. The second takes you to the download link in C-net.

The Celframe site (first link) seems to be slow in loading (at least it is at my end)

Info about
http://www.celframe.com/free-antivirus/index.php/product/features

Download link (C-net)
http://download.cnet.com/Celframe-Antivirus-Free-Global-Community-Edition/3000-2239_4-75449463.html?part=dl-&subj=dl&tag=button

This is one of a class of newer proactive antimalware programs which in fact do not conflict with traditional active antivirus programs for the most part. Threatfire and Prevx are of the same class. They are very lightweight specialty programs which supplement rather than replace, traditional active antivirus programs. There should be no harm in running one or these alongside MSE or any other good antivirus (although Norton and McAfee tend to object to any other AV products running on top of them). I would not pay for such added protections, but the concept of “zero-day” protections or “Cloud Antivirus” or “Community based protections” would seem pretty interesting for some users.

I prefer to keep things simple, so I do not add (under Windows 7) anything on top of MSE. It just hasn’t been proven necessary in my experience. (Your Mileage May Vary.) Just one more set of background processes to add to my laptop’s CPU load, etc. But if you feel the need for added protections, I see no harm in using a free add-on like this. Until it causes a BSOD, that is (Kidding!). (wink)

Like so many “security” add-ons, these programs are to me like using Alligator Repellent in Alaska. It works — see, no alligators up there! — but really it adds nothing useful. That being said, I do use (though I would not rely on it) Hitman Pro multi-vendor cloud antivirus for a quick second-opinion Cloud Scan. Panda Cloud Free Edition is a similar type of scanner, but only covers one vendor’s database and community. (Panda is a very reliable company, and their Cloud AV product has gotten very good reviews, including a recent tip of the hat from PC Magazine’s Neil Rubenking, who is not noted for his favorable opinions of free security software.) Both Hitman Pro and Panda Cloud can run in the presence of other active antivirus software, due to the fact that they are not in themselves, active antivirus programs.

-- rc primak

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Hello all,
I would like to add to this “no end thread” …but since no one has addressed this i will …Keep in mind that I’m speaking only for myself here….(not W.S. Lounge) The old “Saw” comes to mind “Fool me once…. blah , blah, blah etc.” For all you MSE “Fans”

1. Does anyone remember that MS installed “Agent” a few years back …even when you had your OS set “Not to install or Download”?.. Strike one… And oh yes…. you couldn’t remove it either…Strike two…. (I did though)

2. Strike three… When MSE first came out, to use it, you had to participate …(read no choice) in letting MS have “some personal information” …But only by accident though…. They wouldn’t intentionally “Mine” your personal info…right?

3. So now…. Why would i trust MS not to be “mining data” now? … Oh yes they give you a choice now … much like they gave you a choice not to download and install anything…. Enjoy your “freebie” …and did i mention ..it’s low fat:lol: Let the flogging begin ….Regards Fred

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After many years of paying for Norton, McAfee , etc. I switched to the free version of AntiVir about six years ago. Blocked their ‘Nag-Screen’ and had excellent service for two years, then I purchased the full suite (including their Firewall) for three systems/three years. This worked great until they loaded version ‘nine’ after two years and that gave me BSOD’s every two days on all systems until I uninstalled it.

I have now been using MSE with no problems at all ever since.

It is not recommended by any expert that I have seen to ever run two different Anti Virus protections as that can cause conflict and problems. At the very least, make sure that only ONE is active. The expert opinions do allow multiple use of Anti Trojan, Anti Spyware and Ad Blocking.

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Mart44 said:

I don’t know if you’d like to look at reports as well but this table includes MSE, ESET and others:

http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/test…s/julaug-2011/

I took his suggestion and went to the ratings, then just out of curiosity, I copied the rating info into a spreadsheet and added a column that shows the total of the three scores for each program. I’ve appended a copy of that spreadsheet below in case it’s helpful to anyone. I realize that just totaling the scores and taking the highest score isn’t the whole answer, but the totals can give at least a general indication of quality.

After getting tired of the user-snarly Norton AV and the inability of a user to contact a human being in their organization, I switched to Trend Micro Internet Security several years ago and have been thoroughly pleased with it UP UNTIL the 2011 Titanium version came out. TM used to be much more user-configurable, but the 2011 Titanium version has been dumbed down so much that there are relatively few user-configurable choices left, which I find annoying, as I like to fine-tune programs like this, especially on the Parental Controls side. Additionally, it has a nasty habit of wandering about, seemingly endlessly, in the Cloud on bootup while it looks for and downloads new AV info, and while I appreciate its thoroughness, I’d really rather go back to the old method that allowed me to download new virus definitions when it was actually convenient for me, NOT for TM. From what I can gather, nothing has changed appreciably in regard to these issues in the 2012 Titanium version, so I’m now on the lookout for a new AV program that is reliable, effective, easy to use, user-configurable, and (preferably) doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Any thoughts on some of the programs with the highest Total (combined) ratings would be much appreciated.

Thanks to all for the discussion. It’s very helpful.

Al
======
29153-AV_Ratings

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Avast , either ver…I like the paid ver and is very reasonable…the safezone is a great additional protection if you do online banking or need added security …..

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Hi GoldSilverHunter,

This is strictly my personal opinion and experience: First thing I do with a new PC is run the total removal tool for the pre-installed security suite.

Our 2 person household has very eclectic browsing, offline newsgroup and POP3 email habits. No clicking on email links. I’ve never paid for a security product – that I can remember. When the free firewall or anti-virus I was using became bloatware I dumped it and went on to another. Many free security products are simply just a version behind the one you pay for. My ISP really pushes a freebie suite which used to be McAfee then Norton and now it’s called something else. No way am I downloading that beast.

We have a wi-fi setup that grew into 3 laptops and 2 desktops all running W7 64. MSE is on all of them. Occasionally the free version of Malwarebytes gets run – if I remember. Microsoft’s MRT gets run monthly. MSE scan runs overnight. Backups also overnight (On site and off site.)

What works for some might not work for others. Your decision has to be one that will not keep you awake at night.

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Like “Just Plain Fred” I do notwould not trust MS with my security and for much the same reasons. MSE and (Win 7) firewall might be good programs but whenever I contemplate installing MSE onto my own or other folks PC’s I get that wee niggle at the back of my mind. The only MS security program I have installed is their Malicious Software Removal tool (MSR)

For myself I have Avast (free version) and Comodo firewall & MSR. I also have Emsisoft Anti-Malware installed on one PC and am trialing Malware-bytes (both of these are paid versions MB is a lifetime licence so this means a one off payment.) on my other computer. Avast does complain (throw up an infected warning which shows the infected items are Emsisoft and besides it only takes a couple of seconds to view the Avast log to double check it. This does not happen with MB and this is the reason I am trialing it.). I know this and the reason it happens is because I have it running in the background with Avast and this wee niggle is worth having to get that nice secure feeling. Ifwhen I use[d] the freeware version this does not happen. There is no noticeable affect on my PC running both. I use Acronis TI as my backup – an imaging program is also a must [IMO) and I class this with my security software

On the other PC’s that I maintain I use Avast AV and Zone Alarm firewall (easier to use for folks not computer savvy and Avast Boot Time scan is very handy and worth running every couple of weeks.

I do have a couple of other security programs Win Patrol (paid version) [ http://www.winpatrol.com/ ], Spyware Blaster (free version) [ http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html ] and feel as secure as it is possible for me to be. This has been my setup for a few years now and the last time I became infected was intentional (to allow me to find out how to uninstall it and then clean up the PC of someone who had been told to come to see me and get her PC cleaned up. – so getting infected was not a worry due to Acronis) I also install these onto the other PC’s (I use a freeware program for imaging) I look after but use the free version of WP & SB for them unless the owner decides otherwise.

Finally the program I mentioned earlier (Celframe) is a freeware product.

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Ted
As JPF has said it is a matter of trust. If I do not have trust in a program or the makers of it, no matter who makes it, I would not even considerate it as a viable option (for me)

If I saw an item of bright yellow clothing, (and they were giving it away free) in a shop and the look of it made me feel uncomfortable at the thought of wearing it, I would not put it on or try it out. The item might be of the best quality but because of the feeling it gave me I would not even contemplate trying it out. I have nothing against yellow but it is not for me.

And so it is with computer software (and hardware) no matter how good it might be or how many 5 star reviews it might have I would not install it (or to refer to my comment above – I would not wear it on my computer). The thought of it does not sit well with me so it is a no-no for me. MSE is not the only program (security or otherwise) that does this to me but it wasis the one mentioned here so I therefor passed what, for me, is relevant comment.

If someone asked me to install in onto their PC I would have no hesitation in doing so as this would be their choice. But it is not for me. Just as I do with yourself I wish all users of MSE many trouble free hours of PC usage

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For myself I have Avast (free version) and Comodo firewall & MSR. I also have Emsisoft Anti-Malware installed on one PC and am trialing Malware-bytes (both of these are paid versions MB is a lifetime licence so this means a one off payment.) on my other computer. Avast does complain (throw up an infected warning which shows the infected items are Emsisoft and besides it only takes a couple of seconds to view the Avast log to double check it. This does not happen with MB and this is the reason I am trialing it.). I know this and the reason it happens is because I have it running in the background with Avast and this wee niggle is worth having to get that nice secure feeling. Ifwhen I use[d] the freeware version this does not happen. There is no noticeable affect on my PC running both. I use Acronis TI as my backup – an imaging program is also a must [IMO) and I class this with my security software.

PC Magazine feels Malwarebytes PRO is not worth paying for (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817…id=-Gfm4cUMrbh).

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It’s too bad you don’t even wish to try MSE. It is a dynamite app and works very well for many of us here. Perhaps MS is finally deciding to do something for us. As a matter of fact an itteration of MSE, renamed back to Windows Defender, is included by default on Win 8 DP. It will be disabled if you install another AV/AM app, but why bother. Avast is also a very good app. I have nothing bad to say about it as well. Good luck with whatever app you decide to keep.

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It’s too bad you don’t even wish to try MSE. It is a dynamite app and works very well for many of us here.

Hi Ted,
No one is saying that MSE doesn’t work, or work well to some form or fashion ….. It’s a matter of trust … Why would you trust someone or something that has purposely tricked or lied to you in the past? …Just because it’s Free?… Good luck with that paradigm …:cheers: Regards Fred

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Hi Ted,
No one is saying that MSE doesn’t work, or work well to some form or fashion ….. It’s a matter of trust … Why would you trust someone or something that has purposely tricked or lied to you in the past? …Just because it’s Free?… Good luck with that paradigm …:cheers: Regards Fred

As if any of these other software vendors have been completely honest? They all have their PR issues. Personally I trust what works, and right now that’s either MSE or Kaspersky. All the rest have fallen short (AVG, Ant-Vir, Avast, McAfee, Norton/Symantec, and all the rest that I have tried), either in terms of taking performance hits, customer service issues, invasive installations, or what have you. The one I really like is F-Prot, but they haven’t kept up with the computing world and currently offer no Internet Protection Suite.

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As if any of these other software vendors have been completely honest?

Doc,
Hello… Norton has never lied to me, or tricked me, or dumped something onto my PC, or mined personal data, without having me give the OK …Before hand. Why would anyone willingly give the “Keys” to all your private information, to someone who lied to you or tricked you ? Once someone has been proved a lair …you can be certain that they will lie to you again in the future… Oh that’s right It’s Free….Please!:cheers: Regards Fred

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Doc,
Hello… Norton has never lied to me, or tricked me, or dumped something onto my PC, or mined personal data, without having me give the OK …Before hand. Why would anyone willingly give the “Keys” to all your private information, to someone who lied to you or tricked you ? Once someone has been proved a lair …you can be certain that they will lie to you again in the future… Oh that’s right It’s Free….Please!:cheers: Regards Fred

So why do you use Microsoft OSes, Fred? They may be full of backdoors used to steal your info. What sort of sorry crooks would they be, to do fine OSes, and then reserve their evil intentions for a free, non required app?!

I frankly don’t understand this reasoning. But, then, it must be my problem, I guess.

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So why do you use Microsoft OSes, Fred?

Hi rui,

Point taken…MS OS’s are indeed great…However ..i have long ago switched off their ability to “Phone Home” or “dump” something on my PC that i don’t want or need..If any OS has a backdoor will have to wait and see..I don’t understand how this is a trivial point to all you MSE fans…. I’ll restate

1. MS Downloaded and installed a program ( MS Agent) when your settings were set to “Notify” only, dumped this on your PC (for your own protection or some such twaddle)

2. You couldn’t remove it.

3. When MSE came out, you had to participate in there “Data Mining Program” in order to use their “Free” program…Ask yourself why were they gathering personal information?

Now you all want me to trust MS not to be “Mining Data” …cause why? Look these are facts .. do as you all wish …for me… thanks , but no thanks. :cheers: Regards Fred

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HEY! Would all of you with “grassy knoll” opinions please take them to another thread? I’m sure Glenn has moved on and made an AV decision that allows him to sleep at night.

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Doc,
Hello… Norton has never lied to me, or tricked me, or dumped something onto my PC, or mined personal data, without having me give the OK …Before hand. Why would anyone willingly give the “Keys” to all your private information, to someone who lied to you or tricked you ? Once someone has been proved a lair …you can be certain that they will lie to you again in the future… Oh that’s right It’s Free….Please!:cheers: Regards Fred

I’m glad its working for you. I wouldn’t dissuade you from continuing to use what works for you, and that’s where I was going with my post. But I hope you’ll never have to call them and have them remote control your PC. Several of our users at work have called us to help fix their personal PCs after Symantec’s tech support got hold of them and installed “tools”. And then left them high and dry by telling to call their PC manufacturer or Microsoft AFTER they’ve left the OS pretty much dead in the water. Very messy. For me, that and the fact that Symantec products tie into your OS so deep they are nearly impossible to completely remove without downloading a tool to do so makes me very uncomfortable with them. That too me isn’t very honest, in fact its quite tricky. Symantec has been the source of far too many headaches in my professional life for me to want to ever want to use them at home or recommend them to anyone. Of course, at work these choices aren’t always influenced or by me. But at least at home I don’t have to go that route.

And if go back and read my post, I also recommend Kaspersky, which is a paid for product. ‘Nuff said.

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MSE is just one such free tool from MS. As pointed out by Doc Brown in another thread MS also has a great spyware / AV removal tool in the free Microsoft Standalone Security Sweeper.

As Fred and Ernie have pointed out, you have to trust the security apps you use. I do trust these free apps from MS. I know Fred uses Norton and he is very happy with it. That is great. I have had bad experiences with Norton in the past and consequently do not trust Norton. They call these things we use Personal Computers because we can personally use them and apps on them any way we choose.

The original question was what are peoples opinions of their anti virus apps before the OP renews his license. We all have out own ideas on what we like best. This is one of those questions that people have very strong opinions about. The OP will have to read all he can about various “opinions” from various sources and decide what’s best for him. My whole point was to say take 2 or 3 of the various apps mentioned and try them on for size (one at a time please. Having 2 or more AV / AM apps running in real time MAY cause conflicts) See what app suits you best from the many very good apps that have been mentioned , then decide what will work in your security scheme.

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They call these things we use Personal Computers because we can personally use them and apps on them any way we choose.

The original question was what are peoples opinions of their anti virus apps before the OP renews his license. We all have out own ideas on what we like best. This is one of those questions that people have very strong opinions about. The OP will have to read all he can about various “opinions” from various sources and decide what’s best for him. My whole point was to say take 2 or 3 of the various apps mentioned and try them on for size (one at a time please. Having 2 or more AV / AM apps running in real time MAY cause conflicts) See what app suits you best from the many very good apps that have been mentioned , then decide what will work in your security scheme.

Excellent, sound advice in a nutshell.

I have used most of the AV’s discussed on this Thread and vacillate between 2 or 3, but why would anyone trust my opinion over anyone else’s?

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Arguing back and forth and trash talking about apps you do not use will not help the OP answer the original question. Talk about your experience with the product you use. Talk about it’s benefits, UI, whatever. But trash talking the apps others use is counter productive to the discussion.

I use MSE, and trust MSE. It is very low resource user and has never let an infection through. I had a bad experience with Norton many years ago. They have changed a lot since then so I’ve read, but I do not trust them because of that experience so I will not use them. I have little or no personal experience with most of the other apps out there so I can only confine my remarks to these apps.

Fred, MS Agent, if I’m reading this correctly, was not a mining app at all. Quote directly from the MS MSND Site:

“Purpose
Microsoft Agent version 2.0 provides technology to create innovative, new conversational interfaces for applications and Web pages. It provides powerful animation capability, interactivity, and versatility, with incredible ease of development.
Microsoft Agent is a technology that provides a foundation for more natural ways for people to communicate with their computers. It is a set of software services that enable developers to incorporate interactive animated characters into their applications and Web pages. These characters can speak, via a text-to-speech engine or recorded audio, and even accept spoken voice commands. Microsoft Agent empowers developers to extend the user interface beyond the conventional mouse and keyboard interactions prevalent today.
Enhancing applications and Web pages with a visible interactive personality will both broaden and humanize the interaction between users and their computers.”

This is the Wikipedia description of MS Agent. Quote from Wikipedia on the history of MS Agent:

“Interactive character technology was first introduced in Microsoft Bob, which used an early version of Agent technology internally referred to as “Microsoft Actor.” It was the code used in initial version of the Office Assistant in Office 97. Microsoft Agent was subsequently created by Tandy Trower in an attempt to offer technology that was more flexible and available to third-party developers to include in their applications and web pages. The software release also included four interactive characters as well as a utility that enables developers to assemble their own characters and interactions.
Microsoft Agent replaced the original Microsoft Bob code in Office 2000, although this use did not include Agent’s much-touted speech synthesis or recognition capabilities or any of the four Microsoft Agent characters. Instead the Office team created their own characters include one dubbed “Clippit” or “Clippy”. However, Bob Actors or Office 97 assistants are incompatible with Office 2000 and later versions, and vice-versa. The current version of Microsoft Agent was quietly released on MSDN in 1998. Microsoft recently announced that “Microsoft has decided to discontinue development of Microsoft Agent technologies. Beginning with Windows 7, Microsoft Agent will not be included or supported in future versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. We encourage Microsoft Agent application developers and redistributors to evaluate their activities in light of this decision.” Microsoft is no longer offering licenses and no longer distributes the SDK.”

note: The links included in the quote will not work unless you actually go to the web Wikipedia site

Since early in version 1 of MSE you could either opt in or opt out of the “data mining program”. This program was discontinued prior to the release of version 2. I did opt out of the mining program when I first installed MSE. The early beta releases of MSE used data mining to attempt to better the app. MS is not the first developer to do this either. Heck, the Win 8 DP does this all the time. That’s what happens during beta testing.

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But trash talking the apps others use is counter productive to the discussion.

MS Agent, if I’m reading this correctly, was not a mining app at all. Quote directly from the MS MSND Site:

Ted,
Hello… i think that the last poster “amdahlCray” has hit it on the head ….Lets let this go..I never said that “Agent ” was a “Mining App” and it was for VIsta not “7”…. I’m Done :cheers: Regards Fred

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Hi Fred,

All the AV apps I have used had a mechanism that would allow information from any findings on your computer to be shared, so that all users of said apps could benefit from that knowledge. I see nothing wrong with that.
Almost all the other OS manufacturers have had issues with privacy. I don’t think it’s even needed to address Google and Apple has had its issues with iOS. Sometimes these things happen as what seem to be honest mistakes, others may be harder to classify. All OS manufacturers have had issues, as I said, so it’s really a matter of choosing a black sheep in this case?

We can view as many conspiracies as we want, but I don’t think there is any reason to single out Microsoft, in this case. If I didn’t trust them, I sure wouldn’t be using their OSes either.

Regards

Rui

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Not a power shopper in the lot!

Bargain-hunters know that several times a year boxed AV programs and suites go on sale in stores and the price is remarkably close to ‘free’. I bought a three-computer licence for Kaspersky Internet Security for twenty bucks (the 2011 version has been freely upgradeable online to 2012 for some time now), and a three-computer licence for Norton Internet Security for thirty bucks (similarly upgradable online). They’ll all expire at the same time, so buying a new one each year is cheaper than renewing the licence, assuming you want to do it all again.

The attraction of Norton is that it includes a password manager similar to RoboForm as part of the package, and it’s part of the three-computer licence, which means you are free to either leave password managers individually on each computer or use the cloud. That’s ten bucks a computer for both an AV suite and a password manager. There may be a (password) trap when the expiry date arrives: Foxy Marketers, meet Canny Consumers.

The trick is in the timing (and watching the flyers). This happens every year at back-to-school time in August/September, again in Boxing Day Bedlam, and I think in June (or Spring Break). Another trick is in having access to a Big Box store, or better still knowing someone who is going anyway and could be persuaded to buy one for you. They’re a standard promotional item to get people in the door, and on the part of both stores and manufacturers, an attempt at developing brand loyalty among the largely student purchasers, and they are never available online. They want you in their store, and they want the product in the box. A firm handshake is implied.

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Bargain-hunters know that several times a year boxed AV programs and suites go on sale in stores and the price is remarkably close to ‘free’.

I used to read the local Fry’s Electronics ads every week, and there was almost always one or two “free after rebate” security suite deals every week. I believe many of these are equally available online at frys.com[/url]. This weekend, for example, it’s McAfee Internet Security 2012 3-user ($60-$60) and Kaspersky Antivirus 3-user ($50-$50). If you buy one of these deals, don’t forget to download the rebate form ASAP before the end of the promotional period and of course remember mail it in for your rebate. They’re counting on you to forget!

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Trev, Welcome to the Lounge.

I believe you take everyone’s advice, then research what everyone says, then try it. I have found several AV apps that were highly spoken of, which I just did not like for whatever reason. I do not think any of the highly regarded apps mentioned in this thread would leave a user wanting, but what works best for you with your setup, that’s what’s important to you. A user has to decide for himself what suits his/her needs.

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Trev, Welcome to the Lounge.

I believe you take everyone’s advice, then research what everyone says, then try it. I have found several AV apps that were highly spoken of, which I just did not like for whatever reason. I do not think any of the highly regarded apps mentioned in this thread would leave a user wanting, but what works best for you with your setup, that’s what’s important to you. A user has to decide for himself what suits his/her needs.

Agree entirely, thanks for the welcome, I’m enjoying this Forum already.

Trev

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Nothing is %100 !!

One can get close by using ones head though —– as I assume we all try to do :rolleyes:

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Here is something any number of readers may already have but who have dismissed it out of hand (without having tried it) – as I expect they will here. I once started a thread on this and got nowhere, but I am bursting with curiousity to know if anyone, anywhere, anytime who has one of those Swiss Army Knife utility packages (the ones with names like system something pro) has paused to reflect on the fact that it includes both firewall and AV features for which they have paid good hard-earned money but have probably never considered using. If you have one of those suites and actually use it for AV we would to hear of it. I don’t think I have ever seen a review of the AV feature but remember, this isn’t free – you paid for it when you bought the suite.

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I think most people who buy a suite realise they have paid for an AV program, a firewall and any other included functions. I believe most security suites (certainly Norton) automatically disable the Windows firewall and take over from it. So even if a suite’s user is unaware of exactly what protections are in place, the AV program and firewall are in operation and users are getting what they paid for.

I may have been too subtle in trying to avoid product names, but the type of suite I had in mind is System Mechanic and its competitor(s). Those suites come with full antivirus and firewall programs, and I have yet to hear of anyone using that feature, nor have I seen any reviews of them. I think the AV stuff is optional in that you may choose not to install it and probably no one does, but it is part of the suite.

The reason it’s interesting is that it’s not free, and if you have one of those suites installed you must have paid for it whether you use it or not. Mind you, I doubt that more than a small fraction of us use more than a fraction of Windows’ capabilities either. In the scramble to decide between ‘free’ and ‘paid’ antivirus applications, how many users already have that on their computers and can simply re-install it to use a paid (which means, amongst other things, supported) AV program? You don’t get customer support with a free program, and in this case lots of users already have the silly thing.

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There are more than enough websites that offer effective support for free. Most specific issues, given enough of the right info, can simply be googled.
If worst comes to worst there is always a reformat and clean install, or at least an image to fall back on, or some combination of the two.

With the right forms of backup and recovery, infection is just not an issue. You will have to establish what is right for you, and the only way you will learn this
is with a bit of trial and error, and some experience.

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I agree with you guy’s, especially about the experience part.

I run backup images also and have only needed the Image 1 time and it worked great.

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So what did Glenn decide after all the discussion? I decided not to fix what was not broke. I upgraded to ESET NOD32 Antivirus 5. 4 worked in the past and so since my internet activities have not changed & I feel confident with ESET & weekly Malwarebytes scan I am going to continue with that program. I would like to say THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR INPUT!

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I’m pleased that we could help Glenn with a decision, but that doesn’t end the thread for those of us who had something in the pipeline before learning of it. We are obviously all interested in AV.

We now have a volunteer (me) who has installed System Mechanic System Shield Antivirus and Antispyware (there is no firewall, so I’m using Windows Firewall), after removing MSE on an old and underpowered 32-bit system that is running Windows 7 Ultimate and Office 2010. Its being underpowered has the benefit of making a performance hit conspicuous. It is included with System Mechanic Pro, which I have had for a number of years and of which I only use a fraction of the features. I have never used this feature before, and I have never heard nor read of anyone else using it either.

Glenn wanted to know his options, and I have always been curious about this option. The user base for the suite is gigantic. I don’t know how to test it and I don’t plan on doing a lot of work on it, but I would certainly welcome advice on what to look for. I can already report that installation was easy, but it did require an uninstall of the suite (which was installed without the feature), and a reinstall (with serial #) with it, plus updates. It is now running a full scan as I write.

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