New 'Protect Your PC For Free: No-cost Anti-Virus and Other Software' discussion

DitzyLips

:eek: I found the vundo virus on my computer thanks to malwarebytes but i now have to go through the process of removing the exe files it added.The ones to look for are Isass.exe winlogon.exe and explorer.exe
Please be aware this is a nasty common virus and lots of the main programs don't seem to pick it up.
It cause all sorts of problems including access issues with main sites such as hotmail,google and facebook.

Buzzz

Hi,

Can anyone help with recommendations for AV software?

It all confuses me really, the spyware, malware, anti-virus etc etc language so am not sure whether I need one which fixes all or several pieces of software.

I currently have spybot, which has been great, and also Norton, which between the two I have (touch wood) been ok.

So, do I renew Norton, or do I go for something else? I'm always wary of free downloads, as I had AVG free before and it was crap!!

Any suggestions / recommendations?

closed

Avast plus malwarebytes (minus spybot).

Buzzz

Sorry, can you explain a bit more? Is Avast the AV? What's malwarebytes? (did tell you I don't understand it all!)

Geoffo_M

Avast is anti-virus software. It runs all the time and comes into play whilst you are surfing on the internet. If you download a virus, it traps it first and gives you the opportunity to delete it or move it to chest (a temporary place). You can also get infected with malware, which largely are unwanted popups, advertising etc. Malwarebytes is known to be one of the best not only for discovering malware, but for getting rid of viruses which somehow have found their way onto your PC. It is not running all the time, so you perform periodic scans - which you can do with Avast as well. The ideal PC has both pieces of software and are run in tandem. Both are free downloads

Buzzz

Ok, thanks for that.

I'm wondering whether to stick with what's worked so far, Spyot, which is free, and norton, which isn't, although seems to have kept us safe so far.

I'm really wary with free software as i've had problems with this in the past and wonder why it's free, especially when they offer a paid for version on the same site. Why would you want to pay when it's free?!

closed

Paid for doesn't always mean better. You might be surprised when doing a scan with one of these, it may find something your current AV has missed. The paid for version has some extra features, (they have to make their money somehow), but the core software to protect you from viruses/spyware/malware is the same.

You can try malwarebytes anyway, nothing to lose, and it doesn't interfere with your existing software, but it's not resident (catch it before you get infected) protection, it's an on demand scanner. Avast is a resident scanner.

Your pc may run a little faster with one lightweight resident scanner, instead of norton+spybot.

spud17

I'm really wary with free software as i've had problems with this in the past

There's plenty of threads on here from people who've paid vast amounts to certain stores, , and still get infected.

Geoffo_M

Buzzz wrote: »

Ok, thanks for that.

.. and wonder why it's free, especially when they offer a paid for version on the same site. Why would you want to pay when it's free?!

Usually free versions provide basic defence, whereas the paid version has more functionality. Avast has a free and a paid version. The free version provides good defence.

Buzzz

Ok, thanks for all your replies.

I'm still none the wiser what to do. I'm feeling if it ain't broke then don't fix it, i.e. Spybot & Norton.

I've already got spybot, which requires me to run it and seems to work quite well. Is Malwarebytes the same kind of thing as Spybot?

Would Spybot, Malwarebytes and Avast be enough to protect me?

Also, if I do go with Avast, I take it I need to download Avast and then just let Norton run out? (which is does in 6 days time)