Avast or Malwarebytes?

omnipeta

My problem with Avast is that I've been unable to get a response from them when I've had an issue, I note on here that people always seem to mention Malwarebytes, opinions please, thank you.

worried_jim

I've got both, but they do two different jobs.

Frozen_up_north

The free version of Malwarebytes doesn't analyse files/sites visited in real time, so is only able to deal with a problem when it might be too late. The paid for version runs in the background keeping a watch.

As to Avast, it probably doesn't offer anything that the built-in Windows AV won't do.

I run the included Win 10 A/V and the paid for Malwarebytes. I've not needed support from Malwarebytes, so can't comment on how quickly they reply.

omnipeta

Worried Jim, thank you, I'm not too tech savvy so thought they were similar applications.
Friends have told me for years that I need 'protection' so I just purchased Nord VPN, I use Avast and Malwarebytes for 'scans' and although I have paid for Avast I only am able to use the free version as when they sent me a license I was unable to get it to work, when I tried to contact them on numerous occasions I found it impossible to get a reply apart from the 'standard' FAQ's, very frustrating, any advice appreciated, I run Windows 10 desktop PC.

RumRat

Get new friends, they seem to be costing you money unnecessarily.
What do you use your PC for? If it's general surfing, emails, social media etc. You don't need to be paying for AV. Running something like 'Bitdefender' AV, scanning regularly with free 'Malwarebytes' will see you OK. Having 'Ublock Origin', 'Track me not' and 'Ghostery' installed in your browser will also help, along with a dose of common sense.
As for using a VPN, that's used for different reasons.

omnipeta

Thanks Rumrat, I use YouTube a lot, read political blogs avidly, but my main worry is I use internet banking and am worried about 'hackers' getting access to my hard earned cash!

aylesby

Had problems with the free Avast slowing the system down and not shutting windows off fully. Also found the nagging to upgrade to a subscription irritating.
From a Which Report in Jan 2017 chose Sophos Home being their Best Free Windows Antivirus. It sits in the background and rarely asks me to do anything.

DCFC79

See Ive not had the nagging screen or if I have its been an issue for me, I use the built in AV for Windows with no issue.

RumRat

omnipeta wrote: »

Thanks Rumrat, I use YouTube a lot, read political blogs avidly, but my main worry is I use internet banking and am worried about 'hackers' getting access to my hard earned cash!

Most banking fraud is down to a lack of common sense rather than any virus. People volunteer up their banking details via scams etc.
Using your internet banking using normal precautions shouldn't pose you any problems. There are a lot of scare stories out there and the vast majority of people have no such experiences.
There is a whole generation now who do their banking solely on line and I know some that do it entirely on their mobile phone.