Best Antivirus 2016

[ST_ami7b5]

Hi guys,

 

for years I have used the paid version of Panda AV.
So far I am happy with it, but now the end of my subscription is approaching - and there are some good free AVs (including Panda free version).
The last research  I did today came out with Avira free AV being advertised as one of the best free AVs

 

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/software/best-free-antivirus-software-2016-3627578/

Your opinions pls.

Edited July 24, 2016 by ST_ami7b5

[Dakpilot]

Built in Windows Defender has not let me down yet, one less extraneous program to worry about

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[ST_ami7b5]

Built in Windows Defender has not let me down yet, one less extraneous program to worry about

 

Cheers Dakpilot

 

Might be true, but my Panda blocked some flood attacks recently.

 

[dburne]

I use the built in Windows Defender as well, with no problems. Plus of course practice " safe hex" ...

I kind of got fed up with all the overhead and bloat AV programs were putting in their products about 4 years ago.

Never had a problem.

Edited July 24, 2016 by dburne

[DD_Arthur]

Windows Defender too.  No problems.

[ST_ami7b5]

Thanks guys, anybody else?

[johnmw54]

i used  avira free in the past, then i upgraded to avira pro and i'm happy with it.  Still using it

[wtornado]

I use Avira I used to use AVG and Avast but it tie up too many computer resources.

 

Avira scans are long but thorough.Scan everything hidden files I mean everything.

 

I also use Malwarebytes as a second line of defense it is also excellent.

 

They are free. 

[kestrel79]

I've used Avast for a long time, but every new version seems to get more bloated and larger. I don't know if it's good anymore even. Curious to see what others use.

[BlitzPig_EL]

ESET NOD32 here.

 

Best I've ever used.

 

Small footprint and very unobtrusive.

 

It's not free, but as in all things, you get what you pay for.

[wtornado]

I should of said that Avira is easy to run and does not tie up memory and processor power either.

 

AVG and Avast were horrible in gobbling up resources..

[Jade_Monkey]

Windows defender + Malwarebytes. Best combo, very low resource usage.

[SvAF/F16_Goblin]

Avast has bought AVG if I got it right. At the moment I use Avast but as previously stated it gets bigger and bigger

[ST_ami7b5]

Panda has a "gaming/multimedia mode" which I switch on when playing.
Does Avira have something similiar?

[SvAF/F16_Goblin]

Avast also has a gaming "silent" mode.

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

Webroot SecureAnywhere v9+.  License good for 5 devices.  Have it protecting 2 PCs, a tablet and a phone.  Small disk and RAM footprint, very fast. 

 

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2470312,00.asp?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Webroot%7CBing%7CSearch%7CSaaS%7CBMM&utm_term=%2Bwebroot%20%2Breview&utm_content=Webroot%20Reviews

[Warpig]

Webroot SecureAnywhere v9+.  License good for 5 devices.  Have it protecting 2 PCs, a tablet and a phone.  Small disk and RAM footprint, very fast. 

 

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2470312,00.asp?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Webroot%7CBing%7CSearch%7CSaaS%7CBMM&utm_term=%2Bwebroot%20%2Breview&utm_content=Webroot%20Reviews

Been using this for 10 years. Never did it bog down my PC, and it has protected me from many of Trojans. This is coming from a user that has pirated many software packages, games, music, and videos.

 

Webroot is hands-down the best that I've seen. And I've seen and used many AV's, being a Network Administrator. From free ones to Enterprise packages.

[KoN_]

Give  360  a try . 

Edited July 26, 2016 by II./JG77_Con

[Dakpilot]

Whilst the OP did ask for free solutions it is nice to see people's experiences, I can also recommend malware bytes, an occasional run of the free version is a good idea and as far as I can see as effective as the paid version, without some ease of use auto features

 

As far as the free versions of full commercial antivirus programs are concerned I have always been sceptical, usually you get what you pay for, the only real free complete package is Windows defender, although you are still paying for it with OS 'purchase/licence'

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[ST_ami7b5]

Webroot SecureAnywhere v9+.  License good for 5 devices.  Have it protecting 2 PCs, a tablet and a phone.  Small disk and RAM footprint, very fast. 

 

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2470312,00.asp?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Webroot|Bing|Search|SaaS|BMM&utm_term=%2Bwebroot%20%2Breview&utm_content=Webroot%20Reviews

I am seriosly considering this one, especially it's 50% off atm - just $19.99 for 1 year license...

[Warpig]

I am seriosly considering this one, especially it's 50% off atm - just $19.99 for 1 year license...

Yup. And the most basic package is all you need.When you renew you get a discount as well. So the renewal will be in the ballpark of $20-$30 per year. (It's been awhile since I renewed, so I forget)

 

They are very good with their prices.

[ST_ami7b5]

Thank you all!

[ST_ami7b5]

Just installed Webroot Secure Anywhere for $19.99 a year from the link provided by Warping .

So far so good

Many thanks to Stick-95 and Warping.
It's SO MUCH faster scanning - minutes instead of hours

Edited July 29, 2016 by ST_ami7b5

[72sq_Savinio]

I use 360.

[ZachariasX]

Just installed Webroot Secure Anywhere for $19.99 a year from the link provided by Warping .

So far so good

Many thanks to Stick-95 and Warping.

It's SO MUCH faster scanning - minutes instead of hours

You find anything?

[ST_ami7b5]

You find anything?

Zach, you know I DO love you.

[ST_ami7b5]

Will report back in 1 week

Edited July 29, 2016 by ST_ami7b5

[Wolfs]

Might be a bit late to the show but:

 

I use windows defender for daily realtime protection and this together with a combination of ublock and adblock plugins for chrome has kept me safe for a few years now. I also use the free malwarebytes as second line of defence. I find that any paid antivirus doesn't add much extra compared to the use of this combination, besides it also is a very ligthweight solution instead of stuff like norton, avg and avast.

 

Whenever i download something before executing/ opening it i scan it with both malwarebytes and windows defender and by doing so prevent viruses coming out of downloaded stuff. 

 

In the scenario that i do feel that i have a virus i let malwarebytes scan my whole pc and this usually fixes it. I also once a month let malwarebytes run a scan of my whole pc.

 

Remember that keeping your av up to date and using your brain when clicking and downloading stuff is the most important.

 

[ST_ami7b5]

So far I am very satisfied with Webroot Secure Anywhere.
No need to update virus DB as it is placed on cloud.
The engine itself is fast and 'silent' - does not interfere.  

[ZachariasX]

So far I am very satisfied with Webroot Secure Anywhere.

No need to update virus DB as it is placed on cloud.

The engine itself is fast and 'silent' - does not interfere.

 

If you have a local real time scam, oops, scan, then the definition files need to be local. If they are not, you are just using your cores as heaters. Your cloud is newspeak for updating.

 

There is one useful online, uhm, "cloud based" scanner. virustotal.com. IF you have a remote interest in the "dangers" concerning particular files, it is a useful ressource. You can even check the website where you are getting your suspicious smut from if it is a known malware loader. Given Windows 10's ever expanding bad habits, today, it is really hard to tell clean from malware.

 

I mean, why do you need a fast scanner on your system? You think proliferating malware is blocked by that? Or are you having a "safe feeling" by blocking 2 week old stuff? You think a scanner that YOU can disable will not be disabled by "malware"?

 

What is your threat scenario? Webpages with infected webbanners and other surf-by infections? Use ublock, ghostery, scriptblockers etc. Best is not to load the smut in the first place. Plus loading times are reduced and it gets easy finding the article that is usually hidden in ads.

 

You need protection beyond that? From what? Emails with infected attacments? nude109.jpg.exe maye being infected... but you want to see what is in there... and you just NEED this "clean file" button? How many of those unknown but highly interessting looking attachments do you get per day and that you absolutely want to see?

 

Now, lets say you are typing a word document / fly on NFF and *boooff* an infected file is found somewhere, probably in a tmp directory. You delete (or: by force of your scanner: QUARNTINE) that file... is the job done then? You feel safe now? You may be scanning your system with hilarious speed, as only your scanner is able to scan... and find nothing... Back to e-banking then? Or...? What? (How about a live Linux with a couple of scanners?)

 

It is easier to only build doors where you really need them instead of having them everywhere and having to supply them with big locks (that also can be picked). Every running service is a source for exploits. svchost.exe as a false positive is also great fun... And the consistent common feature of victims is that they rely on someone/something else for their wellbeing...

[Bigchris]

I use Norton. Don't buy directly from them though!! scan around ebay. I got the latest full version for £5

Edited August 9, 2016 by Bigchris