Curse

Chthon · Oct 18, 2011, 05:00 PM // 17:00

As Avira users may already know, Avira partnered with malware/crapware companies ask.com and uniblue awhile back and started offering the $%*$@ ask toolbar as part of the install. This wasn't a big problem, since you could just decline to install the malware. Well, that's changed. The latest version of Avira installs a background process that checks to see if you've got the toolbar, and offers to install it if you don't. Additionally, Avira delete-protects this malware process. (All this is just that much more ironic given that Avira used to detect the same toolbar they're pushing now as the malware that it really is.)

So, I'm thinking it's time to ditch Avira for another antivirus. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Per av-comparatives.org, G-Data and Panda seem like strong candidates. Does anyone have any experience with either of them?

(FYI: In case anyone wants to know how to delete the delete-protected ask.com malware, here's how: (1) Open avira, configuration, check the box for "expert mode," general, security, uncheck the box for "protect files and registry entries from manipulation." (2) Now you can delete ApnStub.exe, ApnToolbarInstaller.exe, and ApnIC.dll from the <programs folder>\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ directory. (3) Reverse step 1 then reboot to restore delete-protection for the legitimate Avira files.)

Axel Zinfandel · Oct 18, 2011, 05:28 PM // 17:28

Microsoft Security Essentials is pretty much all you need.

hahahi20 · Oct 18, 2011, 05:28 PM // 17:28

avast anti-virus is a really good virus scanner, i am using it for years now, never had any problems, on my other pc I have AVG a really great virus scanner to. both are free

www.avast.com
www.avg.com

drowze · Oct 18, 2011, 05:50 PM // 17:50

Avast is pretty good, but I like avg better.
Now I've been using MSE for about a year and never had any problems with it.
Don't take my word for it, because I'm no expert, but I think MSE is also pretty light on resources.

wilebill · Oct 18, 2011, 06:37 PM // 18:37

Used both Avast and AVG. Both good. I like Avast a tad better.

And scan with Malware Bytes free edition once a week.

Cuilan · Oct 18, 2011, 06:58 PM // 18:58

I liked Avast enough to have eventually bought the paid version. It has a silent mode and a pleasant default interface.

SpyderArachnid · Oct 18, 2011, 07:10 PM // 19:10

Avast is a fav here. Used it enough that I just got the paid version. No hassle or anything.

Chiliad · Oct 18, 2011, 07:15 PM // 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel Zinfandel

Microsoft Security Essentials is pretty much all you need.

Agreed, I use it too.

LifeInfusion · Oct 18, 2011, 07:18 PM // 19:18

I think avast / AVG. AVG is lighter on resources faster to scan with though, iirc but it has a bit lower detection rate.

Avast for lower resource use, AVG to on-demand scan I guess.

MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) has a lower false positive than either due to being from MS.

Merciless Crusader · Oct 18, 2011, 07:31 PM // 19:31

I use Avast also, along with the paid version of Malware Bytes, and my Puters been clean as a whistle for as long as I can remember...

Just my 2 Cents

Of course decent browsing habits go a long way to a clean system too.

Gladiator Steven · Oct 18, 2011, 07:36 PM // 19:36

avast! is my personal choice.

Bristlebane · Oct 18, 2011, 10:13 PM // 22:13

Been switching between AVG and Avast. I do like both of them it's hard to decide a real favorite. Right now I run AVG and it's running quietly in the background.

**cosyfiep** · Oct 19, 2011, 03:24 AM // 03:24

a few years ago I had avg...then everyone was singing the praises of kapersky, avast and avira (and how bad avg was) ....so when my 2 years was up I started looking around...I tried avira..was not impressed, nor was I happy with kapersky....so right now I just renewed my avast...not the best one I have used, but better than most.....(have yet to look into panda or nod32...but have heard good things about both---)

Tarun · Oct 19, 2011, 05:07 AM // 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel Zinfandel

Microsoft Security Essentials is pretty much all you need.

This. Exactly this.

Sadly, avast and AVG offer browsers and/or toolbars.

RotteN · Oct 19, 2011, 05:30 AM // 05:30

I also swapped from Avira to Microsoft Security Essentials. Runs good, never seems to slow down my computer.

Ghost Dog · Oct 19, 2011, 06:40 AM // 06:40

I think I'll look into MSE, I have always used nod32 and have no issues, lighter resource use is big for me.

Bristlebane · Oct 19, 2011, 09:49 AM // 09:49

I'm gonna change to Avast soon since it seems to have a generally good score on av.comparatives.org, but then I'll run it in permanent gaming mode because all the constant popups just to tell you "all is well" is annoying.

Question though .. permanent gaming/silent mode.. I assume it will still tell me if there's any serious threats like an actual virus?

Draca · Oct 19, 2011, 11:17 AM // 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel Zinfandel

Microsoft Security Essentials is pretty much all you need.

if we are talking free AV then i fully agree

gremlin · Oct 19, 2011, 03:44 PM // 15:44

Just dumped my ISPs security software and moved to Microsoft security essentials.
Initially I got the blue screen of death thanks to windows deciding to update while I was installing mse.

All running fine now and I am now relying on mse windows firewall and my router firewall to protect the system.

Kunder · Oct 19, 2011, 09:15 PM // 21:15

MSE is excellent and lightweight. Its a sad fact of life that no matter what, a paid-for program with a free version is going to make its free version suck more and more as time goes on. Not just antivirus, its true for every program that tries to split along that line.

As with all antivirus questions, I feel compelled to give a reminder: Antivirus has a near-zero detection rate against viruses that you install yourself. Statistically the average infection is from a user running lolcats.avi.exe or something, try not to do that stuff.