Anti Virus

Homeboy_1

Hi, Not being computer savvy I am looking to download an antivirus programme onto my computer. Can anyone recommend an easy one to download on to my computer. I have been told Avast is free and easy to use but is it any good, and is it really easy to install on my computer. Thank you for any help you can give me

henm2

Assuming you have a windows operating system on your computer then Avast free anti virus is fine.

Also for piece of mind also install malwarebytes free edition and scan your computer with this every couple of weeks. This is different to the always on anti virus software such as Avast and cleans up malware that occasionally may have been missed by the likes of Avast.

J_B

henm2 wrote: »

Assuming you have a windows operating system on your computer then Avast free anti virus is fine.

Remembering to NOT install the free trial of the premium version and NOT to install any other bits and bobs that it offers you as you do it!

Alternatively, MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) is less intrusive and nearly (?) as good.

RumRat

As the OP is not Tech savvy, I would recommend 'Bitdefender free' over avast.
Once installed, no nags or pop ups and no need to go into the settings to stop anything. Scans are done in the background without fuss.
Can be had here......http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/solutions/free.html

bod1467

+1 for Bitdefender. I switched from Avast earlier this year and have been happy with it.

jshm2

ESET - try the 30 days free but it's worth paying for.

Avast and AVG tend to slow the machine down. Bitdefender has pretty high false positive rates..

RumRat

jshm2 wrote: »

ESET - try the 30 days free but it's worth paying for.

Avast and AVG tend to slow the machine down. Bitdefender has pretty high false positive rates..

Never, ever, experienced that while actually using it...

Fightsback

jshm2 wrote: »

ESET - try the 30 days free but it's worth paying for.

Avast and AVG tend to slow the machine down. Bitdefender has pretty high false positive rates..

Ah Mr unsubstantiated sweeping statement strikes again, this isn't the faith business but exact science.

"That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence"

However on this occasion I'll do some dismissing with evidence:



A marginally higher false positive for Bit defender than ESET:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/avc_fps_201503_en.pdf

However the key metric here is detection rate, that is the whole purpose of AV after all:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/avc_fdt_201503_en.pdf

Bit Defender: 99.7%

ESET: 98.6%

Do I want false positive or false negatives ? One is fatal, the other isn't.

If you are going to make unsubstantiated claims then be prepared to look like an Alabama pastor thumping the bible on a Sunday who believes ignorance is knowledge.

paulstar

J_B wrote: »

Alternatively, MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) is less intrusive and nearly (?) as good.

I have Windows 7 and have Microsoft Security Essentials. I'd be interested to know if it gives protection as good as Avast etc.

OP, do you have Windows 10? I seem to remember that W10 comes with Windows Defender built in, which is more or less the same as Microsoft Security Essentials. Or have I got that all ar*e about face?

Fightsback

paulstar wrote: »

I have Windows 7 and have Microsoft Security Essentials. I'd be interested to know if it gives protection as good as Avast etc.

See here and it comes bottom by a substantial margin, 86.3 % detection rate, Avast has a 99.4% detection rate:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/avc_fdt_201503_en.pdf

spud17

+1 Free Bitdefender, probably the least intrusive AV I've used, also runs on XP.
Occasionally see 'A Quick Sweep cycle has completed'.