What antivirus program is best?

X2

 

What adaware/spybot program should I get? Also what is a C-Cleaner?

 

Just go to Cnet downloads and download whatever their most popular version is. C-Cleaner is a windows registry cleaner / defrag tool. You can download it from cnet as well.

 

Hey macgyver what c-cleaner tool do you use? I see a bunch to download but want to get one you recommend. Thanks!

 

http://www.ccleaner.com/

I think you ultimately end up downloading it from cnet anyways once you follow the links on their site to download it.

My boss recommended it to me. Works pretty well and runs a lot faster than the default windows cleaner and defrag tool.

 

You've got a couple of good choices and recommendations above.

Free AV,

look into Avira, Avast, AVG. Avira came out the best in the last testing of the freebies I saw in Maximum PC. But some of it depends what else you're running. I bailed on AVG because it conflicted with Thunderbird email.

To complete your security you need some other free tools.

Firewall
Zonealarm for non-techies, Comodo for techies.

Malware protection, use both
Super Anti Spyware
Malware bytes

Ccleaner is useful. So is Hijackthis. Spywareblaster puts lots of known bad sites in a disallowed file for Explorer and Firefox.

Firefox with AdBlockPlus and Noscript keep out the baddies pretty well too.

 

You're going to get different answers for everyone on this.
Important thing is to make sure you've got at least something protecting your PC.

I use Comodo Internet Security (free antivirus/firewall).
Also, use SpywareBlaster to inoculate your web browsers against malware.
It doesn't use any resources, just applies security settings to IE (or firefox).

 

I run Nortons, and have for years with no problems. I tried Kaspersky, but it made computer really lag.

 

For the C-Cleaner program... how do you operate it? When I have it do a search it finds files to delete that are in my programs that aren't bad programs. If I have it delete the files will those programs still work?

 

It just gets rid of temp and other useless files. see:

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/features

go ahead and remove these and your programs will run just fine.

I've been using Panda Cloud for antivirus; lite, quick and a huge database of definations (over a terabyte) that it uses for scans. Best part it's a small intstall which uses very little resources...you need an always on connection to get full protection, ie: Cable or DSL.

For spyware you're always better to use several programs, just be aware that like antivirus most antispyware programs don't play nice together...so run them one at a time.

Security browser add-ons are a good idea also (ie: FF with noscript and adblock). You can also get Sandboxie which will run your browser (and many other programs ie: email) in virtual mode it won't let them interact with your OS unless you ok it. That way if you get a virus or other nasty from the web it won't get into your system.

Software firewalls are good too but hardware ones are much better, ie: using a router after your modem/cable/DSL connection. However firewalls (hardware) are about prevention useless if your already infected.

The best protection is multi layered, ie: hardware firewall, antivirus, user accounts without administrative capabilities (limited user accounts), a suite of different antispyware software, sandboxed/virtual modes and a suspicious nature will keep you safe and secure.

 

AVG for antivirus. For malware and spyware get malwarebytes from malwarebytes.org . You can run a scan once a week and I have yet to find anything it couldnt remove.

 

A while back I switched from AVG to Avira because it was taking up too much of my resources. I hear good things about Kaspersky, but it's not free.

 

Today's news

"Th'Inquisitor was one of several readers to point out coverage of Apple's stealth security fix, included along with the recent Snow Leopard 10.6.4 update. Graham Cluley of Sophos first noticed the update to protect Mac computers from a Trojan, and the fact that Apple didn't mention it in the release notes. The malware opens a back door to a Mac that can allow attackers to gain control of the machine and snoop about on it or turn it into a zombie. "You have to wonder," writes Cluley, "whether their keeping quiet about an anti-malware security update like this was for marketing reasons." While he certainly has a point that Apple benefits by its users' belief that the platform is secure, you also have to wonder whether any such publicity from a security company has a marketing subtext, as well."

 

When I got my new hella fast pc I did alot of research because I wanted it well protected. I came up with Windows security being better than paid anti virus software, so I run that along with spy sweeper (for tracking cookies and spyware).

 

Avast = Free, Perfect for home user PCs
Kaspersky = $$$, Great for business networks (Sever/Client configs)

Everything that leaves my company usually has Avast on it. We install it on hundreds of PCs every year with hardly ever any complaints. Its actually bad for business because customers dont return as much lol. But I guess thats good for the ethics part.

We install Kaspersky at most of our big networks cause its so informative and easy to admin. Gives you alot of options for excluding software from firewalls and such.

Norton and Mcafee are like viruses IMO... The reason ppl say they never get infected with these products is usually because the products cant find the viruses.

 

^^^ x10

 

I like Avira and ESET.

Avira - www.avira.com.
They do have a free version as well - http://www.free-av.de/en/

ESET NOD 32 - www.eset.com
ESET offers a free trial

Check the comparatives...

http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_report26.pdf
http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_report25.pdf

 

Also check out Malwarebytes anti-malware at www.malwarebytes.org. They have a free version that I have used to save the bacon of more than a few clients.

 

I have Trend Micro pro. Not really sure how good it is?

 

You'll find out, Trust Me.