Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? in Security http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20445171 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37:36 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37:36 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20464505 jram : I don't use a AV that slows me down, don't care about the detection hype, care about speed. Tried them all, found Avira AntiVir the best at keeping my machine running fast. I don't use the AV program I have on my machine to scan, if it didn't stop the virus from getting on my machine, why would I scan with that AV, I always scan once a month or when I think there might be a problem with one of the many on line free scanners to get a second opinion. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20464505 Sun, 11 May 2008 08:09:41 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20464147 james : I used avast until I noticed some fishy things going on in my computer, when I installed AVG it detected 3 or 4 trojans and viruses (not in quarantine or anything either) and had a couple of false positives in some really old maktone cracktros I had saved from the old old days.
I'd rather have a couple of false positives than have a false sense of security. I will say that both products were WELL worth the money I paid, which was $0.00, so I can't complain too much.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20464147 Sun, 11 May 2008 02:49:18 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20463433 Surfinusa : Thanks Everyone for your contributions. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20463433 Sat, 10 May 2008 22:44:09 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20455146 Barbara Ann : Another vote for Avast free version!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20455146 Fri, 09 May 2008 03:23:53 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454955 Trel :
said by X35098374 :

"Avira runs a lot smoother than Avast."
This is only your opinion. The only thing that's smooth is the constant pop-up ad spamming it's payware product.

Avira AntiVir Home Edition has had update issues for years. Just do a Google search and check your (lack of) facts. Even the most die-hard Avira fans acknowledge this fact.
1. The smoother scans is not an opinion, no matter which way you take it. If you want experiance, then it's because you can choose a default action for dectections, otherwise, its because it uses less resources.

2. I don't care what other people say, I've never had any problem updating. And while it used to be slow, since the new version, I've had no problem updating, plus it's fast.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454955 Fri, 09 May 2008 01:35:12 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454954 C DM : It all works fine, as people mentioned, just depends what you like and/or can live with.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454954 Fri, 09 May 2008 01:35:04 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454833 anon : "Avira runs a lot smoother than Avast."
This is only your opinion. The only thing that's smooth is the constant pop-up ad spamming it's payware product.

Avira AntiVir Home Edition has had update issues for years. Just do a Google search and check your (lack of) facts. Even the most die-hard Avira fans acknowledge this fact.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454833 Fri, 09 May 2008 00:50:00 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454770 Trel :
said by X35098374 :

Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169 = 21.46MB "BLOATED"

Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8 = 21.28MB "NOT NEARLY AS BLOATED"

Huh?

AntiVir has unreliable updates.
AVG is slower than it used to be but has better protection.
Avast is completely configurable - install only what you want.

The winner is ... Avast.
Avira runs a lot smoother than Avast.
Avira has perfectly reliable updates.

At least check your facts.
--
/chown -R us:us /yourbase]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454770 Fri, 09 May 2008 00:28:00 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454423 anon : Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169 = 21.46MB "BLOATED"

Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8 = 21.28MB "NOT NEARLY AS BLOATED"

Huh?

AntiVir has unreliable updates.
AVG is slower than it used to be but has better protection.
Avast is completely configurable - install only what you want.

The winner is ... Avast.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454423 Thu, 08 May 2008 22:53:37 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454273 Toby983 : With a good detection rate, good online realtime protection, and AS+RK detection Avast is hard to beat IMO.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454273 Thu, 08 May 2008 22:22:25 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454177 GeekGirl1 : Just switched from AVG free 7.5 to Avast. My company offers McAfee free to home users under a corporate license. Sorry, my free Avast! is better.

There's a web site that ranks antivirus programs: »av-test.org/, which eventually points to here: »sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2008/03···rus.html

Follow that link to see that AntiVir, Avast!, and AVG all rank fairly close together in terms of detection and cleaning performance.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454177 Thu, 08 May 2008 22:06:30 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454017 Interceptor : I've got to put in a vote for Avast, also. I've been using it on three computers for the past three or so years, ever since I quit upgrading the truly bloated software, McAfee. No offense, McAfee users, it was just eating up most of my resources. Avast works great!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454017 Thu, 08 May 2008 21:38:45 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454011 Kerodo : I like Avira best also, although I'm using the Premium version right now. The 2 drawbacks to the free version are rather flakey update servers, by that I mean it's sometimes difficult or impossible to update unless you do it at the right time of day. And 2nd, the nag screen, which, as Bellgamin mentions, can be disabled, just use any HIPS or program which prevents "avnotify.exe" from executing.

Avira Premium doesn't have the above issues, and I have no FP issues with it either, just using it stock, out of the box, and it's fine.

I'd take Avast second I guess, and AVG last, especially since I got a BSOD during install of AVG 8 Free just recently. Seems quite buggy at this point.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454011 Thu, 08 May 2008 21:37:15 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453929 bellgamin :
said by Surfinusa See Profile :

Are there pop up ads? And if so how do you disable them?

Thx
When updating, Avira-free manifests a pop-up (filename "notifier.exe", as I recall). You can easily block notifier.exe if you are running a HIPS such as System Safety Monitor, or Prosecurity, or Comodo Firewall's Defence Plus. Otherwise, just bear with the pop-up -- it takes 1 second to clear the pop-up each time.

P.S. I have used Avira for several years, with heuristics set at medium level. False-positives are VERY rare.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453929 Thu, 08 May 2008 21:18:17 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453611 Grail Knight :
quote:
Mele20, They want Avira to be only for newbies and users who know nothing about using an antivirus program, thus, they refuse to make it so that one click from the detection popup would exclude the file with all paths to that file.

Mele20 do you have any links to prove what you say is nothing more then your interpretation of things?

quote:
I probably wouldn't believe Avira if ever did find a real virus because it has cried "Fire" in a crowded theatre too many times when there was no fire and has never found a real virus

So are you hoping for a virus just so you can see if Avira works? :uhh:

The goal is not to have a virus infect your computer.

Your whole post from what I can decipher reads like a cautionary note to:

1. Stay away from Avira as it has a lot of issues.

2. Avira is slow to respond or does not respond at all to user requests.

BTW when was the last time you tried out Avast and if you think it is bloated why because I have run all sorts of AV programs including Avira, AVG, and Avast and Avast is no more bloated then Avira.

I do believe that AVG 8 is not an exemplary release and does consume a tad more memory over AVG v7.5 but you will get that with software from time to time and AVG can correct any short comings in an update.
--
"When the questions get tough the tough pull a MuMu". - unknown]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453611 Thu, 08 May 2008 19:56:58 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453410 Mele20 :
said by antivir :

Antivir is a much cleaner and well-coded engine. Also: as a side benefit it has BETTER DETECTION RATINGS.

I find the Avast and Grisoft software bloated and unwieldy. Neither have been able to figure out how to simplify and organize their programs properly. No serious complaints against their similarly great detections, though.
I agree that Avast and AVG are too bloated (and always have been) but then Avira 8, except for the free version, is also getting bloated but still not nearly as bloated as Avast and AVG and the free version is not at all bloated.

The one problem with Avira, and it is a big problem, is the large number of False Positives. It detected a new, free program from DiamondCS two days ago as being a trojan. :( Then today it detected Javacool's ver1 of his Eulalyzer as being a trojan. :( Avira detects about ONE FOURTH of the programs in my Downloaded Programs folder as FP's. I have submitted so many FP's in the 16 months I have used Avira that I have lost count. All FP's from other antivirus applications that I have used over the years put together would not equal even one fourth of the FP's from Avira. I submitted both of these and yesterday, I got back an email saying Oops! Sorry, the DiamondCS file is clean ...we will remove detection. It's too soon to hear back about Javacool's file but since I have had that file for two years, and it was never detected until after the new engine update yesterday, I know it is an FP. I hate it when Avira updates the engine as I know that means I will see FP's. Both these files were detected on the basis of the packers used. (The current Eulalyzer file -ver2- is not detected and it uses different packing from ver1).

It's ironic because I have Avira mostly so I can scan newly downloaded programs before executing so I can't exclude the Downloaded Programs folder and it is a hassle to exclude items in Avira. Avira is arrogant about fixing that also. They want Avira to be only for newbies and users who know nothing about using an antivirus program, thus, they refuse to make it so that one click from the detection popup would exclude the file with all paths to that file. I had constant FP's when Avira had Applications and Security Privacy Risk checked by default under Extended Threats. They changed that last September and removed those from being checked by default because of so many FP's. But I still get way too many FP's. I have to turn Guard off anytime I want to enter my Downloaded Programs folder. I probably wouldn't believe Avira if ever did find a real virus because it has cried "Fire" in a crowded theatre too many times when there was no fire and has never found a real virus (I have submitted a few that it did NOT find that were real viruses and other AV were detecting and Avira could not because its unpacking is not that great for real detection but is hyper for false detection).
--
"The same ferocity that our founders devoted to protect the freedom and independence of the press is now appropriate for our defense of the freedom of the internet. The stakes are the same: the survival of our Republic". Al Gore, The Assault on Reason]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453410 Thu, 08 May 2008 18:57:59 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20452514 Trel :
said by Surfinusa See Profile :

Is this ad supported? Are there pop up ads? And if so how do you disable them?

Thx
said by alamarco See Profile :

Hearing of AVG 8 woes I decided to try out Avira AntiVir. It was light weight, but the constant ad turned me away. Almost every time I logged into my PC I'd see an ad from Avira.
Avira displays an ad for its pro version when it updates.
(I find that a very small price to pay for the best Antivirus I've used)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20452514 Thu, 08 May 2008 16:16:28 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20452225 Surfinusa : Is this ad supported? Are there pop up ads? And if so how do you disable them?

Thx]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20452225 Thu, 08 May 2008 15:18:39 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20452216 Surfinusa :
said by alamarco See Profile :

Hearing of AVG 8 woes I decided to try out Avira AntiVir.
Interesting what woes have you heard With AVG 8.0? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20452216 Thu, 08 May 2008 15:17:02 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451653 La Luna :
said by antivir :

I find the Avast....bloated and unwieldy....
You're kidding, right? Please explain how Avast is "bloated and unwieldy".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451653 Thu, 08 May 2008 13:16:36 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451460 alamarco : Hearing of AVG 8 woes I decided to try out Avira AntiVir. It was light weight, but the constant ad turned me away. Almost every time I logged into my PC I'd see an ad from Avira.

Right now I'm using Avast and so far I'm pleased. The only thing I dislike is the rotating system tray icon. I turned off the option to rotate, but it still rotates. Might need a restart, which I haven't done, but besides that Avast seems to be the next free antivirus for me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451460 Thu, 08 May 2008 12:43:05 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20450459 anon : Antivir is a much cleaner and well-coded engine. Also: as a side benefit it has BETTER DETECTION RATINGS.

I find the Avast and Grisoft software bloated and unwieldy. Neither have been able to figure out how to simplify and organize their programs properly. No serious complaints against their similarly great detections, though.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20450459 Thu, 08 May 2008 09:24:52 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20450015 Trel : I'm an Avira user and it's the best scanner I've used.
I used to use Avast, but there's a downside in which you can't run an unattened scan because when it finds something it prompts you every time with no option to have it carry out a default action.
--
/chown -R us:us /yourbase]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20450015 Thu, 08 May 2008 05:46:37 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449769 jadinolf : Let me jump on the avast! bandwagon.

I have it on 5 computers and am extremely satisfied with it.
--
This post printed on 100% recycled bytes]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449769 Thu, 08 May 2008 02:25:12 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449723 Surfinusa : Thanks all. Sounds like most of you like Avast in here.

If anyone else has any other suggestions. Love to hear them.

Thanks again.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449723 Thu, 08 May 2008 02:02:54 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446584 bellgamin : By actual tests, Avira-free has THE best detection. However, it does not cover spyware in the free version.

Avast is just a hair behind Avira-free on tests, plus Avast DOES cover spyware. Ergo, if you do not plan to run a stand-along antispyware app, then I recommend Avast. If you do intend to run an antispyware app, then Avira-free is the better choice.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446584 Wed, 07 May 2008 15:33:52 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446068 poppster : Use the site's search function, it will bring up loads of information about this question, (a very frequent question).

»/nsearch?q=Fre···42881773

But we are always here to help those who have queries. :D

Try Avast 4.8. Everything you need, plus rootkit detection.

Goodluck!
--
What else would you do?
--
There is hope!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446068 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:05:16 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446038 Bubba1 : Well, I'm new to Avast. Installed the free version less than a week ago, getting a taste of their paid Pro (60 days) now. Very impressed thus-far.

Too, there is Avira's Antivir.
--
"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything" --Wyatt Earp]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446038 Wed, 07 May 2008 13:58:31 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445649 sded : Avast! 4.8 free does antivirus, antispyware, antirootkit and does email scanning just fine. I use it on 4 computers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445649 Wed, 07 May 2008 12:58:17 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445627 Grail Knight : I just started using Avast again after a few years away from it and it is a fine program.

An AV programs resident scanner should be able to handle email by itself IMO but I have resident scanning and on-access disabled and the email scanner active.

It depends on each user and how they set up their AV program options.
--
"When the questions get tough the tough pull a MuMu". - unknown]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445627 Wed, 07 May 2008 12:52:36 EDT Re: Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445171 jerry666 : email does not stop after 30 days with AVG free , that is AVG trial .
I've used AVG for about 10 years and have switched to avast as they let you turn off features without the your system is vulnerable warning]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445171 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:32:01 EDT Best Truly Free Anti-Virus Program still out there??? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20444922 Surfinusa : I hear AVG 8.0 email scanning cuts off after 30 days in the free edition.

Is there any good free Anti-virus program left out there?

Anyone know any good ones that still are free and have email scanning built in ????]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20444922 Wed, 07 May 2008 10:52:02 EDT