Free Virus Protection

Interest

Hi all,

I'm a little concerned that I don't have suitable anti-virus software for my computer. I currently use AVG free (although tempted to move to Avast), but I've been told anti-virus software which can be downloaded for free is not sufficient when using the internet for online banking etc. Is this true? If so should I be paying for kaspersky or something similar?

Thank you for any help.

giraffe69

The only people who will tell you that is those with an interest in you paying. Various surveys have shown some of the free AVs to be just as good at detection as the paid ones.
You can get Kaspersky for free if you bank with Barclays otherwise AVG, Avast, Avira, MSE are all reputable free ones although you will get those who come on here to rubbish one or more of those.
Not many however come on to say "Give all your money to Mcafee, it's worth it."
The paid for ones often have additional bells and whistles which you may decide you can do without.
I supplement my free AV with (free) Malwarebytes and thus far (touch wood) have had no problems and I also do online banking.

closed

follow your temptation, try avast.

what you've been told (re free is insufficient) is wrong

Gyro

Yeah, go for Avast. It also has a voice notification as it automatically updates itself.

A female American voice comes on an says "Your virus definitions have been updated."

I always feel like saying "Thank you gorgeous'"

It is a good program though, and has saved my bacon a few times.

dogmaryxx

Gyro wrote: »

It also has a voice notification as it automatically updates itself.

A female American voice comes on an says "Your virus definitions have been updated."

I always feel like saying "Thank you gorgeous'"

Can easily be turned off via settings/appearance if it annoys.

Interest

Thanks all, much appreciated.

pineapple

I use a belt and braces approach.
A free anti virus and anti malware.
And - my internet connection goes through sandboxie http://www.sandboxie.com/

Gyro

Yes, I also like Sandboxie for browsing. I have also used the computer's TaskManager to set up a Task to wipe the sandbox with 'Eraser' rather than just empty it.

virgo17

In this household we have used the free version of Avast for several years on several computers runiing XP, Win 7 and Win 8.

Have never been let down and highly recommended. With the caveat that no virus scanner can detect every virus all of the time

pineapple

Gyro wrote: »

Yes, I also like Sandboxie for browsing. I have also used the computer's TaskManager to set up a Task to wipe the sandbox with 'Eraser' rather than just empty it.

Good idea thanks. I've no idea why everyone doesn't use sandboxie. It's free and you don't have to be a technical guru to install/use it. I'm certainly not!

closed

You seem overly fond of Yac, I wonder why