best anti-malware software?

What's the best software to prevent malware infections? The best to detect infections? The best to eradicate them? The best single all-in-one product?

 

Hi,

I am not sure of it's removal capabilities because I have yet to get any malware while using it (also have pretty safe browsing habits) but I have been using "Avast!" and it functions as anti-virus as well as protection from spam/spyware/malware.
I am very happy with it, seems to use small amount of resources and has stopped several attacks from bad sites.
I use the freeware version however there is a paid version. It can be downloaded from this site.

I think your operating system would be a factor in deciding as well. Windows 7 is supposed to have pretty good free stuff with it and downloadable through microsoft.com

just my 2cents on it,
Mark

 

I use AVG, but with a custom install, their newer versions are rather bloated. So I choose custom install, then I untick everthing except for the anti-virus piece.

Also agree with SAS and malwarebytes. Cleaned a lot of machines with those, as well as the other tools recommended in the malware forum here.

Most important thing is your surfing habits/preferences. Especially if others are using your machine, and even for you, it is much safer to surf in a limited user account and password protect the admin account.

To be almost perfectly safe, I tell my students to ONLY download from MS or here at MG. Lots and lots of great freeware here. Or, if you find something else you are interested in, check here first to see if anybody can give you some feedback. Lots of helpful and well intentioned folks around here.:wave:wave

 

In addition to what Kestrel said, I'd say that one of the most powerful antimalware is the one sitting in front of the computer. Surf/browse with care but you already know that.

 

I run xp home as my os atm.

1. avast
2. pc tools firewall
3. malwarebytes
4. spyware blaster
5. windows defender

I cant say Ive had to many problems in the last year that weren't of my own doing.

 

Attention, brandypeppy:

I'm the only one using my machine.

I'm surfing in a "regular" user account. I'm a little hazy on all the ways that that limits the user's rights compared to the rights intrinsic to an admin account. Are you suggesting that the greater set of rights of an admin account is exploited by malware to do more serious harm? If so, could you briefly explain how that works?

I won't say you're wrong, but that sounds like an ENORMOUS limitation. And I'm not sure by the context, but by MS do you mean MicroSoft?

 

I know for a fact that MG is one of (if not the only) place that tests each and every file for viruses, spyware or generally not doing what it claims before putting it on the main site for others to download (if it gets approved). That's why I only download from here, you know you can trust them compared to some other download sites.

As for me - I also use Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, Windows Firewall, Spywareblaster and Firefox for my browser. I use AntiVir as my antivirus and I love it!

 

To Bob, I've read in these forums somewhere that most viruses require admin privileges to install on your machine, I don't know this for a fact but I'm pretty sure it came from one of the malware fighters.

Yes MS is Microsoft, I know it is usually M$. You've got to understand, my students are senior citizens, the target of many a scam and plot in this country. And I know, as pointed out by dyamond, all downloads are scrutinized and tested here at MG before they are put out there. I know for a fact there are other safe download sites, I know of several, but for every "safe" site, there are probably 3 or 4 look-alike, ready to "get cha" sites. And one mistype, and you're there.

So I try to keep it straightforward and simple to follow for the students.:wave:wave

 

Attention, brandypeppy:

I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean that a user has to be logged in as an admin in order to contract a malware infection? Because I'm pretty darn sure that I, having set up a "regular" user account, have never been logged in at an admin level of rights, and yet I've gotten malware infections twice over the past few years. Comments, anyone? And I AM correct that a "regular" user account is logged in at a lower-than-admin level of rights, right?

 

Assuming you're running XP, unless you have set up an account with limited privileges, you are using a default account with admin privileges.

Go to your control panel, click on "User Account" and you will see what kind of account your are in. You need to be in Admin for updates, but the usual advice for general surfing is to use a "Limited Privilege" account.

Another way to increase your security is to use a program called "Sandboxie", that can be found here. Then you can surf in your sandbox, and simply empty the box when you are done.n I THINK this also prevents viruses from intalling on your machine, but I don't know is this is a 100% shield.

:wave:wave

 

Personally I go with the following:

Panda Cloud Anti-Virus
Zone Alarm..more to track outgoing
Spyware Blaster
That's all folks.


.02 given,