Anti Virus for Laptop and Phone

Kim_13

I have a relatively new laptop and have just got a new phone running Android. I was looking for some advice on the best Anti Virus for both.

Until now I've been using the built in Windows defender and Avira, which I found in the MSE guide. Since using Avira I've started to have some kind of failed screen with Retry button that's a pain to close down, so I'm thinking of getting rid of it and using something else. Has anyone got anything they'd recommend rather than me picking something else out of the guide at random?

Phone wise the MSE guide is years out of date and no longer updated, hence asking for advice for that one.

The phone (Sony Xperia) came pre-installed with an AVG Protection app, but I haven't tried using it as yet. Wondering if it's worth doing so or to be avoided?

If it's best to buy something then I'd be willing to do so, but I'd like it to cover the phone, laptop and an older desktop.

Thanks for any help

ballyblack

i just use the inbuilt windows defender, uninstall avira and a activate defender

android phone doesnt need any, only slows it down

AndyPix

Kim_13 wrote: »

Until now I've been using the built in Windows defender and Avira,

Uninstall Avira - you dont need it

Kim_13 wrote: »

Since using Avira I've started to have some kind of failed screen with Retry button that's a pain to close down, ,

Yep, that stuff is normal with these horrible bloaty naggy "Free" Avs'

Kim_13 wrote: »

so I'm thinking of getting rid of it and using something else. Has anyone got anything they'd recommend rather than me picking something else out of the guide at random?

Yep - as per my lernered friend above, if you are using W10 then just uninstall any/all antivirus you have and activate defender if it doesnt do it automatically after a reboot.


Then, install a smidge of common sense and you're good to go
If you are on a different OS let us know.

Kim_13 wrote: »

Phone wise the MSE guide is years out of date and no longer updated, hence asking for advice for that one.
The phone (Sony Xperia) came pre-installed with an AVG Protection app, but I haven't tried using it as yet. Wondering if it's worth doing so or to be avoided?

Immediately uninstall any and all AVG crap from your phone.
You do not - i repeat DO NOT need antivirus on your phone.
(Sony will be getting paid a royalty from AVG to put that there)
It is complete snake oil


Andy

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Kim_13

Avira and AVG removed and Defender currently updating.

What's best to do for a desktop PC running Windows 7? Currently it has Kaspersky on it that I got for £2, but it runs out in February. It's my dad's (not so good with computers so he leaves it to me and is unlikely to replace the PC until it no longer works.)

wongataa

Kim_13 wrote: »

Avira and AVG removed and Defender currently updating.

What's best to do for a desktop PC running Windows 7? Currently it has Kaspersky on it that I got for £2, but it runs out in February. It's my dad's (not so good with computers so he leaves it to me and is unlikely to replace the PC until it no longer works.)

Use Microsoft Security Essentials - MS anti virus for Windows 7.

wunferall

I do realise that it's a kinda "horses for courses" thing but I think that suggesting people rely upon Microsoft's own antivirus is very poor advice.
That's not just my opinion but that of Toms Guide, UK PC Mag and Techradar to name just a few. Reasons include poor detection rates, lots of false positives and a very high system impact during scans.
In recent tests (October/November this year) Techradar has Bitdefender Free as #1 and Avast Free as #2 whilst Toms Guide has the top two the other way around, with Avast #1.
Personally I found that Bitdefender Free didn't like Opera VPN.

abibee

You could try Kaspersky free, when your current licence expires. Another free option is Panda free, which in recent tests performes excellent.
It always bemuses me when people advise Windows built in security only, they are only marginally saner than those that will suggest no protection at all. They're a vociferous bunch of computer fundamentalists (imo). The best protection is the user yes, but that said, why on earth would anyone choose to use a third-rate option, when first class ones are available for free.

jshm2

Avira is OK for a free package. But if you do internet banking then you can get better packages for free. Maybe give Avast or Bitdefender a try.

Phone wise you can try ESET or 360 instead.

AndyPix

If you are one to click on random links in emails - follow flashy adverts that advertise expensive software for free, and believe every pop-up that tells you that you have a virus and must call this indian call centre, then yes, you would be best to install something like bitdefernder free ..


I say bitdefender rather that avast or avira etc etc because bitdefender free has good detection rate, and doesnt make your system run like treacle and most importantly its sole purpose isnt to nag you into buying the full fat version that takes over your whole computer, crashes regularly and is impossible to remove.


YOU NEVER NEED TO PAY FOR AV


If you are not one of the people above, and are able to apply a bit of common sense, then what you need is something that is going to detect "virusy" behaviour and the more subtle things .


Windows defender is fine. And best of all it doesnt slow down your computer, doesnt start getting involved in all your activities just to advertise its-self like ALL the others do, whilst trying to justify their worth and scare you into re-subscribing at crazy costs.


Just as you can find articles (likely "supported" bu the various AV companies) that defender doesnt compare, I can find articles reporting the opposite.
And any way that you flavour it, defender still detects 99.9% of infections thrown at it, along with 98.8% of zero day attacks.


And as other AV's come junked with a staggering amount of other crap, browser extentions, registry cleaners etc actually cause more problems than they solve.


How many threads on here have we seen with peoples computers crippled with viruses, they have a paid AV installed that has done sod all to prevent this, and now they are also having problems where the AV has borked and they are left with a crippled machine.


Its comical.


Windows defender doesnt do any of those things, it does one thing, well, for free, and without getting in your way.


Now i will say that these days, viruses are actually quite rare, and the main threat is now coming from malware. Which NONE of these AV's - paid or otherwise are any good at detecting.


So I stand by my conviction, that for a bullet proof system, you need Defender, malwarebytes and a reasonable amount of common sense.


Obviously this is only advice, and you are free to install what you like, but i guess we will converse again soon when you are asking how to remove avast from you crippled virus ridden machine





One more thing :


For the love of god YOU DO NOT NEED AV ON A PHONE - IT DOES PRECISELY ZERO

System

AndyPix wrote: »

If you are one to click on random links in emails - follow flashy adverts that advertise expensive software for free, and believe every pop-up that tells you that you have a virus and must call this indian call centre, then yes, you would be best to install something like bitdefernder free ..


I say bitdefender rather that avast or avira etc etc because bitdefender free has good detection rate, and doesnt make your system run like treacle and most importantly its sole purpose isnt to nag you into buying the full fat version that takes over your whole computer, crashes regularly and is impossible to remove.


YOU NEVER NEED TO PAY FOR AV


If you are not one of the people above, and are able to apply a bit of common sense, then what you need is something that is going to detect "virusy" behaviour and the more subtle things .


Windows defender is fine. And best of all it doesnt slow down your computer, doesnt start getting involved in all your activities just to advertise its-self like ALL the others do, whilst trying to justify their worth and scare you into re-subscribing at crazy costs.


Just as you can find articles (likely "supported" bu the various AV companies) that defender doesnt compare, I can find articles reporting the opposite.
And any way that you flavour it, defender still detects 99.9% of infections thrown at it, along with 98.8% of zero day attacks.


And as other AV's come junked with a staggering amount of other crap, browser extentions, registry cleaners etc actually cause more problems than they solve.


How many threads on here have we seen with peoples computers crippled with viruses, they have a paid AV installed that has done sod all to prevent this, and now they are also having problems where the AV has borked and they are left with a crippled machine.


Its comical.


Windows defender doesnt do any of those things, it does one thing, well, for free, and without getting in your way.


Now i will say that these days, viruses are actually quite rare, and the main threat is now coming from malware. Which NONE of these AV's - paid or otherwise are any good at detecting.


So I stand by my conviction, that for a bullet proof system, you need Defender, malwarebytes and a reasonable amount of common sense.


Obviously this is only advice, and you are free to install what you like, but i guess we will converse again soon when you are asking how to remove avast from you crippled virus ridden machine





One more thing :


For the love of god YOU DO NOT NEED AV ON A PHONE - IT DOES PRECISELY ZERO

I'm in your camp and I feel your pain :T