The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Off Topic => Topic started by: little.fox on June 14, 2012, 03:39:32 AM

Title: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: little.fox on June 14, 2012, 03:39:32 AM

Can anyone recommend an anti-virus programme for my laptop?


I've had Norton for ages, but it's getting expensive, and I'm sure there must be other options that provide better value? However, I'd like to get anti-spam and all that jazz if poss.


Please & Thank You!

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Maniah on June 14, 2012, 06:00:38 AM

One of the guys who used to code for Norton has been known to have said something along the lines of it being the best virus he had ever been paid to make. This is because norton installs stuff in your root files that is impossible to uninstal without reformatting your computer.

For virus protection I use PrevX and love it. PrevX.com I think

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: kaoskat on June 14, 2012, 06:45:47 AM

I'll have to ask hubby. That's his department.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: kittybethy on June 14, 2012, 08:20:16 AM

I use McAfee.  It's worked great for my family so far.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: tulagirl on June 14, 2012, 11:23:30 AM

In my opinion Norton is really the best. I tried other ones and ended up having to take my pc in for work due to virus problems those programs didn't detect. I didn't have the best luck trying to switch my computer over to other brands. I know some can do it easily though and it works for them.  When I let my antivirus stuff lapse I got a massive virus and Norton fixed it remotely which was wonderful. I watched them do it and then they removed everything from my computer.  I just really like the company. I know some don't though.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Phekzhen on June 14, 2012, 11:38:03 AM

Don't pay for anti-virals, it's such a rip-off.

Install AVG for your antivirus protection. Make sure Windows Defender is up, running and updated on your computer as well. Install Malwarebytes Antimalware, and do scans with Spybot Search and Destroy every few weeks. This will keep you safe, and it won't cost you a dime.

Of course, the best way NOT to get infected is to stay away from things that will give you viruses in the first place. Do you have any toolbars installed onto your web browser? Those are huge sources of nasty stuff.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on June 14, 2012, 12:18:51 PM

Avast is free and it's user friendly and runs in the background! 

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Stuntmang on June 14, 2012, 12:34:29 PM

Quote from: lovesbabysquirmy on June 14, 2012, 12:18:51 PM

Avast is free and it's user friendly and runs in the background!

Either this or Microsoft Security Essentials are your best bet. You should also install an anti-keylogger, though I don't know of any good free ones.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Phekzhen on June 14, 2012, 12:39:24 PM

Quote from: Stuntmang on June 14, 2012, 12:34:29 PM

Quote from: lovesbabysquirmy on June 14, 2012, 12:18:51 PM

Avast is free and it's user friendly and runs in the background!

Either this or Microsoft Security Essentials are your best bet. You should also install an anti-keylogger, though I don't know of any good free ones.

I'm sure there's some for Linux, but then again, no one writes malware for Linux!

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: SurfStar on June 14, 2012, 01:50:57 PM

I personally use Kaspersky. I've had good luck with it and it's not as invasive or RAM instensive as Norton.

I've done the free ones before and still managed to get a couple of nasty viruii and trojans (from so-called 'safe' sites like DeviantArt).

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: bewilderness on June 14, 2012, 04:37:59 PM

I use Avast also.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Taxel on June 14, 2012, 04:44:11 PM

When I lived with my parents we had Norton and it was hell. All of our computers were infected with something, and Norton was the most annoying program ever. It popped up CONSTANTLY, telling me it needed to be re-purchased even after my parents did that. I would never ever recommend anyone use it, especially since I've heard from computer people that its absolutely horrible.

I use AVG and Malwayrebytes Anti-malware. Also make sure you have Adblock installed on your browser and are smart about things (don't download everything you see, especially things like toolbars and smilies, my mom's computer had a TON of problems with those because she and my little sister downloaded everything with a download button).

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: invaderhorizongreen on June 14, 2012, 04:46:03 PM

AVG is good i would also recommend doing the security tango online. 

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Phekzhen on June 14, 2012, 04:54:53 PM

Quote from: SurfStar on June 14, 2012, 01:50:57 PM

I've done the free ones before and still managed to get a couple of nasty viruii and trojans (from so-called 'safe' sites like DeviantArt).

Lots of people online hate dA because of the "tartlets." Lots of people cause drama on dA, and people respond by posting malicious content on it. There's also ads on dA, which I don't trust.

Install adblock on your browser, too, OP.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: lizstaley on June 14, 2012, 04:57:57 PM

Another vote for Avast Anti-virus! I've been using it for years and I love it!

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Kiwi on June 14, 2012, 05:07:29 PM

I've used AVG, Avast, and MalewareBytes. :)

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: RavenWolf on June 14, 2012, 08:29:27 PM

Quote from: lizstaley on June 14, 2012, 04:57:57 PM

Another vote for Avast Anti-virus! I've been using it for years and I love it!

I vote Avast as well! I hated Norton! Even when I was using the free version of Avast it caught way more stuff then Norton ever did! and does so with less annoyance.

They actual have a sale on right now! Which they have frequently. Their top protection is only $35 and you can put it on 3 PC which is what I got last time it was on sale in January, I installed it on my two PC and put the third on my brothers PC he chipped in half the price so it only cost me $17. ;)
http://www.avast.com/en-us/internet-security (http://www.avast.com/en-us/internet-security)
I do also have Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes on my computer as a back up.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: LuvlyMelody on June 14, 2012, 08:36:03 PM

Quote from: Kiwi on June 14, 2012, 05:07:29 PM

I've used AVG, Avast, and MalewareBytes. :)

I use AVG and Malwarebytes too!!

I also heard that if you run more than 1 kind of Antivirus that can be bad because the two will "Clash" with one another, causing false positives. >,<;

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Beldarna on June 15, 2012, 01:27:44 AM

I use AVG, and I run CrapCleaner once a week as well, and I have adblocker installed.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: cobalte on June 15, 2012, 01:41:53 AM

Quote from: SurfStar on June 14, 2012, 01:50:57 PM

I've done the free ones before and still managed to get a couple of nasty viruii and trojans (from so-called 'safe' sites like DeviantArt).

Unfortunately dA has a bad rap about this because yes, their ads have had trojans in them in the past. Another example of how you shouldn't risk these things with supposedly 'safe' and 'clean' sites.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: starrypawz on June 15, 2012, 02:19:50 AM

Quote from: cobalte on June 15, 2012, 01:41:53 AM

Quote from: SurfStar on June 14, 2012, 01:50:57 PM

I've done the free ones before and still managed to get a couple of nasty viruii and trojans (from so-called 'safe' sites like DeviantArt).

Unfortunately dA has a bad rap about this because yes, their ads have had trojans in them in the past. Another example of how you shouldn't risk these things with supposedly 'safe' and 'clean' sites.

That's why I use Firefox so I can block ads via adblocker (best add on ever)

Anyway, I use AVG and Spybot and never have any problems :D

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Kaeldre on June 16, 2012, 10:49:14 AM

On both my laptop and desktop, I've paired up Windows Security Essentials with Malwarebytes.  I also have AdBlock Plus installed on my Firefox.  It's a great combo. :D

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Chi on June 18, 2012, 10:57:08 AM

I use Avira and Ad-Aware and have MalwareBytes and Spybot in case anything happens. I haven't had a virus since I got this laptop. ^^

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: Moonracer on June 18, 2012, 11:02:39 AM

I'm currently using ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 (that's the full name of it): the IT guys working at my University installed it on my laptop about a year or so ago.

I can safely say that this is the best antivirus program I had on my computer, and I had quite a few of those in the past (Norton, ZoneAlarm, Avast etc.). It's very effective and works really smoothly.

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: BrightSide on June 18, 2012, 12:09:45 PM

I use AVG. Whilst having Norton on, my old computer still somehow managed to get a bunch of spyware and other nasties.. which gave me the warning that the software was in fact a waste of money and certainly wasn't doing its job. I've not had any problems with AVG on my old computer, my present computer or my own netbook. :happy:

Title: Re: Anti-virus recommendations please?
Post by: RAMChYLD on June 19, 2012, 09:04:46 AM

Quote from: kittybethy on June 14, 2012, 08:20:16 AM

I use McAfee.  It's worked great for my family so far.

I'm sorry, but I do not recommend McAfee. My experience with it is absolute pants. More than often, a virus would slip through or even corrupt it so it can't start ever again before it could even do something about the virus.

I'd suggest either Avast or AVG. Both have free versions (though in AVG's case, finding the free version can make the afternoon interesting) and their pricing for home users are reasonably cheap. And both of them are pretty good too.

Personally, I  used to use AVG. But then trying to locate a link to the free version's download page was taking up too much of my time. All my windows boxes now run Avast.