Virus checkers antivirus

[gr9ce]

Is it possible that 'free trial' anti virus programmes can highlight the most minor tracker as a big deal to frighten people into purchasing the software?

Had an incident of google search misdirection, installed antivirus didn't pick anything up. Via a help site downloaded another programme (having to uninstall existing freebie!) and all manner of low risk 'infections' were highlighted, trackers etc but only way to remove was to purchase the programme.

Trying again with Ad-Aware and so far nothing coming up...1 1/2 hours into scan.

Am i too cynical?

 

[Websitehandyman]

AVs are a bit hit and miss, Microsoft's free one seems decent and Avast is better then most. This is not only based on what they find but also how much the impact on your computer but all of them you need to configure to get the most out of them.

But in the end 90% of AV is down to you, don't open emails you don't recognise, don't go to place on the net that might harm your computer, don't download files like torrents.

I might add I do all of those but been on the internet wonks and maintained AV and firewalls in a past life so I can stop a wrong'un most the time

 

[DrEfficiency]

You can also try super antispyware and ccleaner.

 

[KM-Tiger]

Am i too cynical?

No, it's been like that with all "security" software for as long as I can remember. The more and bigger the "threats" the better. Interrupt the user's work with scary messages.

 

[mit74]

Is it possible that 'free trial' anti virus programmes can highlight the most minor tracker as a big deal to frighten people into purchasing the software?

Had an incident of google search misdirection, installed antivirus didn't pick anything up. Via a help site downloaded another programme (having to uninstall existing freebie!) and all manner of low risk 'infections' were highlighted, trackers etc but only way to remove was to purchase the programme.

Trying again with Ad-Aware and so far nothing coming up...1 1/2 hours into scan.

Am i too cynical?

are you sure they're real infections? There are many rogue AVs that say you have infections to scam you into buying their products. Also what do you mean by trackers? If you're refering to cookies then they can all be deleted manually without AVs plus I wouldn't worry too much about them.

 

[vmhosts]

Microsoft Security Essentials is fairly good

Others may have some value add but in most cases I am finding them to become very bloated, trying to offer a world of features. Most of which I never use

 

[larrypahe1956]

Try Norton 360 V6 it's easy to use.

 

[gr9ce]

I think it was one of these scam messages trying to appear to be part of Windows Defender.
Adaware does a good job of removing the tracker cookies.
So far computer seems ok.
thanks

 

[henryc]

i always reccomend Kaspersky. It does exactly what it says on the tin, yes you pay for it (about £30 iirc) but it works very well.

 

[itboffins]

What about Microsoft Intune, you can monitor all your devices from one place, only around £8 per month but with that you get a license for Windows Enterprise Edition (Win7 at the moment but will give you license for Win8 when released around October time). Great Antivirus for all of your PC's/laptops and easy to keep virus definitions up to date.

I find other solutions just too much of a drain on your system..... I wouldn't touch any 'free' virus checkers, especially from dubious looking sites....

You can find out more about Intune or sign up for a trial on my site

 

[avjy27]

windows proividing now microsoft essential security download it free my microsoft sites.........

 

[Laurenpears]

If its a personal pc i would say to use AVG its free and is pretty good
Better than norton anyway!
And for business use would look at Panda Security

 

[pcproblems]

If you're still concerned, boot into safe mode, grab a copy of Rkill and do a full scan with malwarebytes. I've been clearing PCs for years and it works 99% of the time, if not more.

 

[WilliamsData]

I used to recommend AVG free version until my notebook got infected so dont touch it with a barge pole these days. Downloaded a USB key boot image from the AVG site to clean it up, and it couldnt clean it.

In the end I had to get a mate to create a USB key boot image using Norton, which cleaned it up straight away.

So I would recommend either Norton or Microsoft Security Essentials (free) is pretty good these days. I have that on my main laptop and havent had a problem yet.

I know Norton used to be notorious for really slowing down your PC though, not sure if that has got better?

 

[bdw]

Norton is a dog of a system. It crashed my previous PC. I paid them for support and they couldn't fix it. I would not touch it with a bargepole.

I use Kaspersky, which I pay for but I use Windows the free Windows Security Essentials on my laptop and it has been great.

.

 

[AJCant]

Macafee has a free trial version. However when it expired, it still left the basic's such as which websites are safe, and which websites may not be safe.

 

[ITsoldUK]

I am a Kaspersky user and have never had an issue in nearly 10 years on my various machines (currently using Pure 2) bootstrapped with McAfee security scan via desktop for a safety net.

On my wife's machine she had AVG and Panda installed and corrupted my network with a malware trojan.

Cleaned it up with K and Mcafee and no issues since.

I am a heavy user and can say that I have tried Norton (many moons ago) and found it a massive PIA. It reminded me of the old AOL system that cocooned my machines and took forever to remove.

JMTC.

 

[brianabbott]

I use Avast free antivirus software plus Kingsoft Antivirus (with cloud protection), before anyone tells me that I can't run two antivirus programs in tandem, yes I can. Kingsoft does not conflict with other AV software.

Malwarebytes is good at finding rootkits, I use the free version, which you need to run yourself, it's not proactive.

I also use Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search and Destroy, both free. Also Superantispyware Professional (one off payment for lifetime updates).

Overkill? Maybe, but my computer never gets infected.

I also use the tool Advanced System Care by Iobit, which has a level of malware protection.

 

[Steve Sellers]

Malwarebytes, AVG, spybot S+D. Regular scans and not downloading rubbish seems to keep all my machines clean.