Topic: Favorite anti-virus?

[Alieo]

Got a new computer; Windows 8. I remember WillyP saying a really good anti-virus software he uses... security essentials... or something... what was it? And is it free? Anyone else has any other suggestions?

Also, I got this Win8 because it DOES allow me to use the old MS-Paint from XP. Heck yes. Mario Maps lives on!

[Pumo]

Well, I've used both Security Essentials and Avast! Free Anti-Virus and I like both of them pretty much, although Avast! is the one I use on most of my computers.

And both are free, of course.

[Alieo]

Security Essentials! THAT was the one! Thanks!

[TechPro]

I much prefer running AVG, despite the occasional ad ("Please Buy Me!") and occasional attempts to convince me to ad their AVG Toolbar.   I've had to clean up too many systems that had only Security Essentials.  Haven't had to clean up very many systems running AVG.

[Pumo]

Good to know. In my own experience, I also haven't had to clean any of my systems that has Avast!, so I guess that AVG and Avast! might be better than Security Essentials.

I've used Security Essentials only on Windows XP Mode and it works fine, but I use Avast! on my main OS (Windows 7 64-bit or 32-bit, depending on computer) and I'm pretty satisfied with it.

[Scyphi]

Ditto on AVG. It gets the job done quite nicely, and for me, usually does it's job pretty quietly.

[Kaiaatzl]

I'm sane with AVG.  It doesn't use up more cpu and memory than it has to, unlike Norton...
That's important on a computer where I'm trying to play games like Maniaplanet, that it barely supports graphically.  I don't need to turn the antivirus off to get a decent framerate.

So I stay sane.

[Scyphi]

When I got my current laptop, it came with a free trial of Norton that I went ahead and used, just to see the results. The only thing I noticed that it did that AVG did not, though, was that it was more likely to bring up pop-up stuff reminding me of this and that, especially as said free trial neared it's end. Other than that, it felt like it preformed exactly like AVG, so once the free trial ended, I switched back to AVG...been using it ever since with no regrets.

Unfortunately, Norton hasn't taken the hint. Every now and then I still get an e-mail from them reminding me the free trial ended and that my computer is "at risk" unless I renew my subscription with them, like there wasn't any other options that I could pursue. 

[Kaiaatzl]

Well that's what they want you to think .
Such an arrogant program...

BTW Scyphi, is your sig quote from 8-bit Theater?  It sounds familiar, and it sounds like something Fighter or Red Mage would say...

[-<WillyP>-]

My son got a win8 laptop and I tried to install Security Essentials. However it wouldn't let me as there is something specific for Windows 8 that replaced it. Just needed to make sure it was turned on. Windows Defender, or something like that.

[TechPro]

Well that's what they want you to think .
Such an arrogant program...

BTW Scyphi, is your sig quote from 8-bit Theater?  It sounds familiar, and it sounds like something Fighter or Red Mage would say...

His sig quote comes from a very pink and 'energetic' animated character.  No 8-bit Theater.  . . . . . . . . .  You could google the quote.

[Kaiaatzl]

Well, I'm not one to judge.  I'm still hooked on Doctor Who...

[Scyphi]

Well that's what they want you to think .
Such an arrogant program...

BTW Scyphi, is your sig quote from 8-bit Theater?  It sounds familiar, and it sounds like something Fighter or Red Mage would say...

His sig quote comes from a very pink and 'energetic' animated character.  No 8-bit Theater.  . . . . . . . . .  You could google the quote.

Techpro would know, she's his favorite character.

[Foil]

My son got a win8 laptop and I tried to install Security Essentials. However it wouldn't let me as there is something specific for Windows 8 that replaced it. Just needed to make sure it was turned on. Windows Defender, or something like that.

Yep, the functionality of Security Essentials is now built-in to Windows Defender in Win8.

Personally, I've had zero issues with SE.  I use it on every Windows Vista/7/8 machine in my home.

[Matthew]

Yes, Microsoft's antivirus protection is become quite good. Not to mention it's free with a valid Windows license.