Eukaryote
Deity
The anti virus software that comes with my computer is long expired. I have great anti spyware software but I want good anti sirus stuff too to make sure nothing's screwed up in my machine. Any suggestions?
Good Free Anti-Virus Software?
- Thread starter Eukaryote
- Start date
Genocidicbunny
Bug squasher
Second for Avast and AVG. Just dont use both at the same time, that will cause issues on its own.
aimeeandbeatles
watermelon
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2007
- Messages
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AVG and Avast were already recommended. I also recommend MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. But since it doesn't have the auto-scan in the free version, I recommend it as a secondary antivirus, don't do it as often as your primary one.
EDIT: Also don't run both at the same time. My mom used to do this on her computer and it kept freezing up, plus it's generally disrecommended. I don't remember if you're supposed to close it down completely or just not have them scanning at the same time, though.
EDIT: Also don't run both at the same time. My mom used to do this on her computer and it kept freezing up, plus it's generally disrecommended. I don't remember if you're supposed to close it down completely or just not have them scanning at the same time, though.
PeteAtoms
FormulaRandom
I use Comodo Internet Security.
The AV isn't the best, and a lot of people say it sucks, but it works for me.
It doesn't really take up a lot of memory either, I can't even tell it's running
But the Firewall is consistently regarded as the top software firewall (or one of the best)
I also use Malwarebytes Ant-Malware and CCleaner.
The AV isn't the best, and a lot of people say it sucks, but it works for me.
It doesn't really take up a lot of memory either, I can't even tell it's running
But the Firewall is consistently regarded as the top software firewall (or one of the best)
I also use Malwarebytes Ant-Malware and CCleaner.
Bratmon
Super Bratmon 3
<Completely generic semi-troll comment>
Spoiler trollish link for context :
Genocidicbunny
Bug squasher
<Insert witty reply about Ubuntu not being an antivirus>
aimeeandbeatles
watermelon
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2007
- Messages
- 20,112
Integral
Can't you hear it?
The best antivirus is frequent system wipes.
Failing that, use AVG or Avast. I've used both and slightly preferred AVG.
Failing that, use AVG or Avast. I've used both and slightly preferred AVG.
aimeeandbeatles
watermelon
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2007
- Messages
- 20,112
The best antivirus is to never use a computer.
Failing that, a little common sense will go a long way.
Failing that, a little common sense will go a long way.
Integral
Can't you hear it?
'Frequent system wipes' isn't outlandish advice, assuming you maintain proper backups.
Genocidicbunny
Bug squasher
Well, see, that still doesnt make Ubuntu a Windows antivirus.
Bzzt. Try again! ( On second thought, don't try again)
aimeeandbeatles
watermelon
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2007
- Messages
- 20,112
Actually, I do system wipes every couple months.
Genocidicbunny
Bug squasher
Which is why Integral said they're not outlandish.
PeteAtoms
FormulaRandom
I also do a system wipe every 6 months or so (at the end of a semester of college
) Just keep all my files I wanna keep on an extra external hdd, and I'm good to go. Takes a little less than 2 hours for me to do a system wipe and reinstall all the programs I like.I used to wipe regularly. But that was mainly a function of a Windows install rarely lasting more than 6 months. But now I have a personal record of a Windows install stable and slowed down for about 2 years. I used to think that was impossible. But since it's not, I'm reluctant to do anything about it.
Integral
Can't you hear it?
I wipe about every four months: late December, early May, and mid-August (corresponding to the end of fall semester, end of spring semester, and end of summer break, respectively). I've found that the list of 'core necessary programs' is far smaller than I initially anticipated. Usually my reinstalls look like this:I also do a system wipe every 6 months or so (at the end of a semester of college
- OS (Windows Server 2008 R2 with all the cruft switched off)
- Internet (firefox + adblock + noscript) [first download is always firefox. No exceptions]
- Utilities (foxit reader for PDFs, some rar extractor, etc)
- LaTeX maker (TeXnicCenter + MikTeX)
- Data analysis software (Stata 11 + stat/transfer for weird file formats)
- Text editor (notepad++ or crimson editor)
- Sync utility (Microsoft SyncToy)
- Music player (foobar2000, though I'm looking around for an alternative)
- Movie player (Media Player Classic + CCCP. Handles every format with grace. VLC is the devil)
- Office suite (MS Office 2002)
Which totals about 10-12 downloads. The whole process takes less than an afternoon. I've even gone for a few months without installing Office, relying on LaTeX for documents and Stata for spreadsheets.
All of my core files are backed up onto a 4GB flash drive that is synced to my computer; I run sync checks pretty much every time I use the flash drive, so it's never more than a few hours out of date. Stable files (music, etc) are all backed up to an external hard drive.
I have a standing policy not to let a Windows install survive for more than 6 months. Things tend to randomly break or not work.
PeteAtoms
FormulaRandom
You can also get by without any office app's forever using ZoHo or Google Docs. But I'm sticking with Open Office
It would be cool to start a "software starter pack" thread. A lot of places online offer packs, but it would be interesting to find out everyone's custom pack
I also linked to a service for that in the Freeware thread.
http://ninite.com/
It would be cool to start a "software starter pack" thread. A lot of places online offer packs, but it would be interesting to find out everyone's custom pack
I also linked to a service for that in the Freeware thread.
http://ninite.com/
