Do You Use Avast Anti-Virus?

[Guest GingerTom]

It now comes with some amazing and wonderful pop-ups--and I'm getting tired of it. (It also is slowing down my computer--I just googled the latest version and I'm not alone. It even installs Google Chrome without your consent (but I caught it before it did that--I don't trust it anymore.)

 

Any suggestions for a 'free' anti-virus that doesn't play that game? I want Avast off my machine and I'll never use it again (been using it for years.)

 

I don't mind paying for one but I don't want to pay for it everytime they upgrade it.

[Ark of Truth]

There's AVG Free but that's resource consuming. I'm using Avast and mines perfectly fine. As for Google Chrome that is a optional option during install as far as I recall which only appears sometime due to a bug. It's nothing major.

 

You can disable pop-ups in the user interface.

 

Most pay anti virus programs use licenses which give you core updates for free.

[gregathit]

You can turn off the popups, as well as silence it. If you put it into gaming mod it doesn't take up much at all as far as resources (at least for me). I too have been using it for years.

 

If you are determined to get something else then:

http://www.clamwin.com/

http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

http://home.mcafee.com/downloads/free-virus-scan?ctst=1

 

There really isn't that many out there that are truly free as most are 30 day trials. Unfortunately I am not aware of any pay once forever types unless you buy a for business package and those are generally quite expensive. Avast from what I have been able to determine, is the best free real time virus protection that is out there.

 

Perhaps one of our more techie forum members can make some suggestions.

[Ark of Truth]

Gaming mode disables all popups though. Including virus alerts.

[gregathit]

Gaming mode disables all popups though. Including virus alerts.

 

Yes but doesn't it change the symbol on the task bar when detecting a virus? Anyway I take it out of gaming mode when I browse with Firefox.

[Ark of Truth]

I just change the popup duration to 1.

[Guest Bacon]

I use Malwarebytes anti-malware myself but it's only for scanning (free version)

[Guest GingerTom]

@Ark of Truth

 

Thank you--changed a couple to 1 second pop-up. Kept alerts at 20 seconds (didn't know it had that feature.)

 

Ark of Truth said: Gaming mode disables all popups though. Including virus alerts.

 

Actually I see that there are two choices: Gaming (which I'm using) and/0r virus alerts so you can turn it off during gaming only (full screen check.)

 

Thanks everybody.

[adrenaline]

Have been using Avast + Comodo for many years. I changed the popup duration to 1 or 0.

For me it's capability is the same as some of the other antivirus softwares like Antivir. I choose it simply because it's easy to use and support traditional Chinese.

 

The worst antivirus I have used is N**ton.

[thesapien]

What's wrong with just using MS Security Essentials with Win7?

 

The only times I've ever used software like Avast is to quickly scan my system then turn around and immediate uninstall it. A firewall is the only thing I tend to keep running.

 

I seem to remember actually catching a virus once years ago... If it were to happen today, it would be a nice excuse to fresh install everything since I'm backed up and ready. Still, it's just such a rare thing for me in two decades of webbing.

[caperpp]

I use norton 360 :/

[Ark of Truth]

Then your computer is most likely infected to shit with virus. Norton is the worst anti virus program on the planet.

[Guest GingerTom]

@caperpp

 

I believe in 'pay once and never again'. I have the paid version of Superantispyware and swear by it. Paid once, updated free for life--no negware. You can get the free version but it isn't real time. Download the free version and see all the 'junk viruses' on your computer after you run it--scary!

 

http://www.superantispyware.com/

[caperpp]

Then your computer is most likely infected to shit with virus. Norton is the worst anti virus program on the planet.

 

[Ark of Truth]

What it is!! Ir's the worst one out there even MSE is better then it.

[The_Only_Janitor]

I've used MANY differnt antiviruses over the years, from Mcafee to Norton to Kapersky, Avira to AVG to Avast. Of all the programs i've used, none of them are as low-profile and nag-free as Avast. I used to swear by using AVG and Avira together, but lately both companies have started some competitive bullshit like refusing to install if the other program is detected (AVG) and destroying my computer's MBR during an update, Thank god I had a Linux partition to fix that mess (AVG). Also, Avira is rediculous with its popups and "Special Sales" unless you buy it. Norton is more difficult to remove than any "Malware" it claims to protect you from, It's not stretching the truth to say that Norton itself is malware. Mcafee is about as useful as Norton in actual protection, but at least it actually uninstalls when you uninstall it. Kapersky is basically the sportscar of the paid antiviruses, few people have it, it costs a lot, and it's considerably faster than the others. Unfortunately, also like a sportscar, most of the features are totaly useless apart from bragging "My antivirus can do X!" All in all, although antivirus programs can certainly help fix issues you run into, Windows' "User Account Control" + some common sense will prevent you from ever getting a virus/malware in the first place.

 

UAC popup: FACEMOODS TOOLBAR INSTALLER is requesting permission to run, allow? Y/N

User: Umm.. No! Kill it with FIRE!!

[creeposaurus]

I have Norton cos I get it for free. Before I even bothered with it though, I would just run Stinger once in a while. I had pop-up blockers installed on Chrome, Spybot, and hardly ever went on sites that install malicious software so I was never really paranoid about viruses.

[d2vis]

I just use MSE + Malware Bytes.

[Kamen Rider Kuuga]

I've been using Avira for years and it's never let me down.

[Jerbsinator]

That's odd that you don't like Avast. I find Avast to be the best antivirus I have ever used. Avast + Comodo is a great combo. Add in Spybot Search and Destroy and Malwarebytes Antimalware and your computer should have no problems with virus', spyware, adware. All those programs are also free.

[thesapien]

Oh, I get it. You guys are always visiting sketchy porn sites and downloading stuff while thinking with your other head. It's like using a condom. I'm like the odd one out here who doesn't have internet sex.

[Kamen Rider Kuuga]

Because everybody knows you can ONLY get a computer virus when looking at porn, right?

[creeposaurus]

That's what people tell you so you'll be too scared to look at porn. Sort of like how people tell their kids masturbating will give you hairy palms and make you go blind XD

[adrenaline]

Oh' date=' I get it. You guys are always visiting sketchy porn sites and downloading stuff while thinking with your other head.

[/quote']

 

[Guest GingerTom]

That's odd that you don't like Avast. I find Avast to be the best antivirus I have ever used. Avast + Comodo is a great combo. Add in Spybot Search and Destroy and Malwarebytes Antimalware and your computer should have no problems with virus'' date=' spyware, adware. All those programs are also free.

[/quote']

 

I like Avast I just don't like what they've done to it this time around with all the pop-ups etc.