AntiVirus Recommendation ?

Hey Guys;

I'm looking for free antivirus recommendation, I'm currently running on windows 8.1 pro
I have a licence for avast for 2 years but I can't use it, as it seems avast fights with various programs which gives me audio feedback, as I tried watching a DVD through GOM Player and had a ton of issues, also have issues listening to music, but when Avast isn't on my system I have no issues... So I'm looking for a good/great recommendation of something free

Thanks in advance;
Ken

 

>> I'm looking for free antivirus recommendation, I'm currently running on windows 8.1 pro kennie M <<

As for a recommendation for an excellent freeware antivirus program, I'd suggest using AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition.

I have have used this freeware AV program for several years on all of my home based computers. Although I've had a few 'warnings' (which AVG Free immediately "healed") I haven't actually had a single virus infect any of my home computers since I started using it. Also the AVG Free Forum is excellent resource if you experience any problems or have any trouble getting used to the program. If you like using the free version, the shareware version of AVG Anti-Virus (called AVG Internet Security) is even better then the free version and also offers a lot more security more features.

Also, Avira AntiVir Personal Edition is a very reliable freeware antivirus solution.

Good Luck -- COMP
​

 

Hey kennie, I use Avast but I'm not running Win 8.1. I also agree with Compuable regarding AVG. I also have been hearing stories about AVs having trouble running on Win 8.1. So maybe the default AV, Windows Defender is your best way to go. Windows Defender is a re-vamped version of Microsoft Security Essentials, so it really is very capable of doing the job. Throw in Malwarebytes and maybe Superantispyware, and you should have no problems, but Windows Defender is already installed by default and a very good antivirus.

 

I use Norton360 and I know that a lot of people don't care for it. I didn't even like it for many years (I avoided Symantec like the plague) but it seems to have gotten it's act together in the last few years. Norton360 is a suite of integrated apps that includes antivirus, firewall, browser vulnerability blocker, password safe and inet form auto-filler, system backup, and a few system optimization tools. I've used it for 2 years and I've only gotten infected once during that time. Norton caught the malware but couldn't shut it down fast enough before it tore through my system. I think that more important that which scanner you use, it may be more important that you use at least 2 scanners (one real time scanner and one or two stand-alone scanners that you can schedule to run scans). No scanner is 100% effective. There are a whole host of very good stand alone scanners including Emsisoft and Sophos, which is what I use. I've heard many people rave about avast! free antivirus and it seems to always show up on top of the head to head comparison tests. These days, the commercial apps are not necessarily better than the freeware apps. The only good way to decide it to try them out and see how whether they play well with the other apps on your system.

You might also think about regularly using one of the many fine disk image backup programs available for free. You make a copy of your entire disk and if you get a virus you simply copy that clean disk image over your infected system, thereby restoring a clean system and bypassing the tedious, time consuming and often incomplete nightmare known as malware identification, removal, and system repair. It may even be a more important technique than hypervigilance for malware. Everybody is going to get infected... eventually. I'm not saying that you shouldn't use antivirus programs but you want to look ahead to what you want to do when you eventually get infected. Do you want to frantically seek help on malware forums and invest hours or days into the eradication of infection and repair of your trashed system, or do you just want to take just one hour to restore your system to a clean state. Not everyone shares my views but many do.

Hope that helps you rather than confuses you.

 

I prefer that my AV just gets on with its job and doesn't bother me unless there's something I should know. If that rings a bell then just rely on Win 8.1's built in Defender. I'm using that, and previously Microsoft Security Essentials, Defender's predecessor, for many years and have never had an infection. Defender is so unobtrusive you sometimes wonder whether it's still there and running at all

Also second rusty's recommendation to use an imaging program regularly. It's the ultimate defence should you get caught or have other serious problems you cannot quickly resolve.

 

I'm using avast Antivirus with Win 8.1 and have not encountered any issues. But, I think the answers given here regarding Norton and Windows Defender are both good suggestions.

 

My top 3 would be 1. Avast antivirus Free 2. Avira Antivirus 3. AVG Free.

 

WOW thanks for all your suggestions, I completely forgot I posted this... think the cold of the winter is causing my brain to freeze...

Well I'm still having audio issues so maybe i will give Windows Defender a shot.. got nothing to loose and if that solves the problem I'd be oh so happy.

 

The OP is running Win 8.1 Pro, so MSE isn't available, but Windows Defender is pre-installed, successor to MSE.

 

these are new winners in free antivirus.

<snip>

 

Do you mean that MG doesn't allow site linking or is it file linking..... or is it both?
For instance, if there was some app (not on MG website) that I wanted a reader to check out, could I provide the link to the app's homepage and let the reader decide whether to download it? Or am I expected to simply provide the name of the program and author, and let the reader Google it to get there? Or am I not allowed to even discuss a program that's not on MG website? :confused

 

This is different from what MA just posted. Being a newbie to this forum I am apparently barred from linking at any time to anything outside of the MG domain. That seems a bit totalitarian, but if that's the rule then I'll abide by it.

 

I hear ya. Thanks