Do you make use of of free or paid anti virus software?

[Heatman]

There's always a free and paid version of anti virus software. Which one do you normally make use of or you don't make use of anyone at all? I know some people who don't use anti virus software, it's their business because I always make use of the paid version. I make use of AVAST.

 

[Smiley]

I used to use free version of Avast, now I don't use any active scanner anymore, only manually activated ones (Malwarebytes and Spybot - Search & Destroy). We do use a paid antivirus protection at work, though.

 

[Marti]

i use paid antivirus

 

[Nebulous]

I used to use free version of Avast, now I don't use any active scanner anymore, only manually activated ones (Malwarebytes and Spybot - Search & Destroy). We do use a paid antivirus protection at work, though.

I use Avast too.

i use paid antivirus

Which one?

 

[Kale]

I use Windows Defender only nowadays. I have used paid antivirus before.

 

[passenger]

I use Windows Defender only nowadays. I have used paid antivirus before.

We have techs who work for our local InternetServiceProvider that will come to your house to fix things if something goes wrong. I have used paid antivirus before, but the last time I asked one of the local techs his opinion on this service he said that in his opinion the antivirus your machine comes with is good enough.

So, yes, Windows Defender is what I'm using now.

 

[Smiley]

No antivirus is perfect. Even the best ones don't offer 100% detection, and there are kinds of malware out there designed specifically to bypass antivirus detection. They may mimic the behavior of a legit software, thus fooling the antivirus into "thinking" it's harmless, or the malware can be so new the antivirus program doesn't have its proverbial ID in its database, therefore nothing to compare the incoming code with.

It's kinda like the DNA. The forensics need another sample to compare the one they found at the crime scene to, a sample with a name on it.

Fortunately, there are additional programs available that are designed to target specific types of malicious code which antivirus programs are likely to miss, programs like Malwarebytes and Spybot - Search and Destroy.

Of course, the best antivirus protection is the common sense. If it looks suspicious - don't click it.

 

[passenger]

No antivirus is perfect. Even the best ones don't offer 100% detection, and there are kinds of malware out there designed specifically to bypass antivirus detection. They may mimic the behavior of a legit software, thus fooling the antivirus into "thinking" it's harmless, or the malware can be so new the antivirus program doesn't have its proverbial ID in its database, therefore nothing to compare the incoming code with.

It's kinda like the DNA. The forensics need another sample to compare the one they found at the crime scene to, a sample with a name on it.

Fortunately, there are additional programs available that are designed to target specific types of malicious code which antivirus programs are likely to miss, programs like Malwarebytes and Spybot - Search and Destroy.

Of course, the best antivirus protection is the common sense. If it looks suspicious - don't click it.

Very good explanation IMO. Yes, I have used Malwarebytes in the past when I've had a problem or thought I've had a problem.
And, for the record, not only is Mr. McAfee a total psycho...so is his antivirus program.

 

[Smiley]

And, for the record, not only is Mr. McAfee a total psycho...so is his antivirus program.

How so? I've heard stories about him being a... well... a "unique individual"... *cough*, but his software is, or at least was, among the better ones. What am I missing?

 

[passenger]

How so? I've heard stories about him being a... well... a "unique individual"... *cough*, but his software is, or at least was, among the better ones. What am I missing?

Oh no, NEVER again do I want anything to do with that one. It's been so long that details are unclear....one of those deals I'd rather forget actually; but once upon a time, back in the dial-up days I had McAfee & they found a "bug" on my machine....after all kinds of contortions they wanted another $70 for their deluxe version that would fix it. At that point I went elsewhere for help.
Total big headache.
I expect that John McAfee might have still been active in the business at that time; the company in it's present form may be okay, I don't know or care.

 

[Smiley]

Ah. I see. Were you using a free version? Free versions always come with some limitations, with some of the program's functionalities disabled, usually some advanced features that may or may not be necessary for an average user.

It's how software companies make money. They give you the basics, just enough for you to get a taste of their stuff, but don't say they locked some parts of it out which will remain locked out until you cough up a few dead presidents and enter a registration code they give you.

It's a clever and very devious tactic. File recovery software comes with similar restrictions in their free versions. They allow you to run a scan for lost files, list everything they find and ask you if you'd like to start a recovery process. You click yes, and a new window pops out, informing you that recovery itself is not possible with an uregistered version of the program and asks you to buy a license, a registration code from the author(s) if you want the program to actually do what it was designed for.

Geeky bastards.

 

[passenger]

Ah. I see. Were you using a free version? Free versions always come with some limitations, with some of the program's functionalities disabled, usually some advanced features that may or may not be necessary for an average user.

It's how software companies make money. They give you the basics, just enough for you to get a taste of their stuff, but don't say they locked out some parts of it out which will remain locked out until you cough up a few dead presidents and enter a registration code they give you.

It's a clever and very devious tactic. File recovery software comes with similar restrictions in their free versions. They allow you to run a scan for lost files, list everything they find and ask you if you'd like to start a recovery process. You click yes, and a new window pops out, informing you that recovery itself is not possible with an uregistered version of the program and asks you to buy a license, a registration code from the author(s) if you want the program to actually do what it was designed for.

Geeky bastards.

I have no idea if it was a free or paid version....that was, leik, 18 lifetimes ago; but I'll just about guarantee that McAfee is stuck in a negative part of my brain. Us suckers come along all the time.

 

[Smiley]

Well, I've never used McAfee myself, so I'm not familiar with it. If you're looking for a good free antivirus, give Avast a try. I've used it myself until I grew a brain and realized I don't really need it since my judgement is good enough to detect potential threats.

If, however, I need to download something from a suspicious source, I use one of my virtual machines, an enclosed virtual environment which I simply delete if it gets infected and restore the virtual machine from a clean backup copy. It's basically like throwing your computer away and buying a new one.

 

[passenger]

Well, I've never used McAfee myself, so I'm not familiar with it. If you're looking a good free antivirus, give Avast a try. I've used it myself until I grew a brain and realized I don't really need it since my judgement is good enough to detect potential threats.

If, however, I need to download something from a suspicious source, I use one of my virtual machines, an enclosed virtual environment which I simply delete if it gets infected and restore the virtual machine from a clean backup copy. It's basically like throwing your computer away and buying a new one.

Well that's all well & good & very impressive; but I just ain't no tech!

 

[Smiley]

Do you have a family member who is a bit more tech...

 

[PGen98]

I use BitDefender Total Security, been using it for a few years at this point. Works for me

 

[Malevolent]

My favorite free AV is called common sense.
My second favorite is Windows Defender, as it comes with the OS.

 

[Sariki]

I personally use Bitdefender and I do pay for it.
Back in the day I used a combination of Spybot S&D and Malwarebytes as well. I also used to volunteer on the Hijackthis forums helping people get rid of spam and viruses off their computers. I have more knowledge then I would like too haha.