Best Anti-Virus Software?

[Matthew Olson]

Any recommendations for the best anti-virus software?
My laptop is infested with adware and I'm having a hell of
a time getting rid of it... it's driving me crazy!

Thanks in advance...

Matt

[Michael patrick]

I have always used Avast the free version. When I got my new laptop and didnt install it yet and got some adware and malware and spyware it took care of it. I also recommend spybot which is free and takes care of spyware and the others..double protection doesnt slow down my system at all.

[Magentaz]

Avast Anti Virus - easy to download and effective

[Debra Jane]

Try AVG anti virus software - the FREE version.
All anti virus software, even the free versions are aware of any new viruses within hours of it being released - they have to be, it's in their interest to block, cure and generally stop it.
As far as your PC being infested, my advice would be to go for a complete clear down and start again. Invariably you always get left with remenants of something annoying in your registry - unless you go for the total clear down.
All you files etc can be backed up before. I use an online back up like Carbonite, it's something like $45 per year and worth it's weight in gold.
When you pay for Anti Virus like Norton you end up with multiple problems as it tends to block so much, especially if you have a small network of PCs.
Go for a FREE one (AV) it'll be just as good, if not better, but irradicate the bugs first with a nice clean hard drive, there's no quick fix on this one!
Happy Bug Swatting

[Neil S]

Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware are the best.

[Oscar D]

I use Bitdefener Internet Security and it works so so well. There is a trial version available to download. It does not really slow down the machine and they have excellent support including a live chat feature where you "talk" to a technician in Romania.

Hope you get it sorted out.

[RichOnlineCEO]

NOD32 - it just works.

[SeanSupplee]

I used to use AVG myself however they recent have gone from what used to be a free virus scan on a costly one. My choice now hands down is a wonderful program that's free called spybot you can pick it up at spybot.com

[JAIDEEP2959]

Trend macro is the best anti-virus software.

[Lloyd Buchinski]

Since you already have a problem, Avast has a really good way to
deal with that. When you first install it you need to do a restart and
you have an option of doing a scan with Avast half way through the
restart, when nothing else is moving.

I wound up with a downloader trojan a few years ago that actually
disabled AVG and Windows Defender (surprising to me). Downloaded
Avast and it got rid of the problem during the restart.

[glofish]

Use symantec business class products. They're a little bulky, but very effective and excellent updating. I use Endpoint Protection. Zero issues.

No matter what, just browse/download smart.

[Matthew Olson]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions guys...

I used Avast and scanned during the reboot phase and yep, it got rid of several trojans and worms. All is good in the universe again...

Matt

[Eric Johnson]

NOD32 is by far the best. It's not even debatable.

[Rod Cortez]

Originally Posted by RichOnlineCEO

NOD32 - it just works.

Ditto on that.....AVG is OKAY, I use it in conjunction with NOD32. MacAfee and Norton used to be great a few years ago, not anymore. NOD32 simply kicks azz.

RoD

[bert81]

I've found that Avira works great for me. I can't stand AVG as it doesn't clean the crap that it finds.

[Michael Gentry]

Its kind of funny my favorite is the free AOL combined with McAfee. Its funny to me because I never liked AOL.

[Bishop81]

I would start with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, and then I usually follow up with Ad-Aware and AVG Antivirus.

[Josh Anderson]

Nod 32 + Spybot Search and Destroy with tea timer + practicing good habits will keep you clean

It sounds like you or the other people using your computer need to change their habits... people do not get multiple infections generally without having bad habits like downloading and installing a lot of apps from unknown publishers (free smileys, games, and downloading junk type stuff).

Yes,
I use Avast! and have had no problems for over
1 year

Gerry

[mrsteady]

kasperspy is also quite good.

[axeray]

AVG free does the trick for me and has done so for many years.

[babarapho]

AVG is the best. It cleans so perfect.

[polypro]

I personally use Norton Internet Security for firewall and anti-virus

However for Spyware, I also recommend Counterspy from Sunbelt Software - its light and does not slow down my PC unlike others

[Jordan Matthews]

I use ESET, which is the same technology as Nod32 I think. It's absolutely fantastic.

[Affiliate Inventor]

Originally Posted by mrsteady

kasperspy is also quite good.

I agree. You can also get a fully functional 30 day free trial download. It will catch all kinds of stuff Spybot Search and Destroy misses.

[twannahiga]

A great free anti virus is the AVG anti virus program. Of course it needs to be updated as regularly as possible, but its worth it in the long run for protect of your PC. If you're looking to clean up your computer you'd probably want to a reinstall and clean up your drive, a long way of doing things to be sure, but a very secure way! Try backing up your files first and then using the free solution, I've found that Norton's tends to slow everything down (for a good reason of course) so try a speedier virus checker. Free is sometimes the best source - good luck!

[tommen]

I also recommend AVG free.For your adware problems, download "windows advanced care" from iobit.com (Works with all Windows versions)

[MikeWords]

Here to set the record straight:

NOD32 - Most effective, and zero cpu slow down

END THREAD

[BeauJustin]

The new class of malware, specifically the XUL strains can't be defended by any one product alone. Not even the finest anti-virus will be able to stave off these extra-ordinarily complex viruses, which hide in the system root, duplicate themselves through various processes which mask one another, and protect one another from detection, and deletion.

If you've ever gotten an annoying pop-up for something WinAntiVirus 2009 or Anti-virus 360 (not to be confused with Norton 360) then you know what it means to be infected. These things mask themselves as legit software and then totally infect your computers.

They've gotton so sophisticated that, even with multiple pieces of protection running, once a file is detected, it duplicates itself into harmless file fragments which, upon the next install completely reinstall the virus.

Here's my opinion. For about the last six years, Nod32 has been consistently in the top 1 or 2 providers of anti-virus protection. I had never seen a piece of software be able to do so much, using such tiny resources.

I am sorry to say that the new version, while it still occupies the upper rungs of anti-virus software, it falls short of its precessors. I always thought NOD was enough, but it isn't anymore. It cannot block or remove the new strains of XUL virus, and for some reason, recent updates haven't corrected this problem.

Someone mentioned Kapersky. Kapersky is an unsung hero in anti-virus community which deserves a lot more credit than it gets. It's one of the top five programs, and is darn near perfect.

Do not bother with Norton's and McCaffee. Not because they aren't fine pieces of software, they, for the most part are amiable. However since they occupy a majority of the marketshare, a majority of anti-viral exploits are written specifically to attack their weaknesses. Furthermore, both of them are enormous resource hogs.

Someone said the business class was good, and it is, but it isn't any better than the original. It's packaged better, and given a slightly different user interface, but isn't any better than the home version.

AVG, the paid version is better than the free version, but both still have the same exploit in them which has been there since the first inception of the software. They do not, and will not scan and protect the system volume folder, which is the part of XP which houses your system restore files. Viruses can simply take up residence here without fear of removal.

Malwarebytes (malwarebytes.org) is one of the best malware removal programs available, though the new strains of XUL are still able to bypass it, for the most part.

Probably one of the best features of malywarebytes is it's file assassin tool, under the extra-tools section. You can delete virtually ANY file regardless of the processes running, so be careful.

My pick for the current top of the anti-viral pack? I was stunned to find that it is freeware: Avast! The new version of Avast! dominates the competition currenlty. it uses 32 methods of anti-virus/malware detection, and still manages to be ultra-light on the resources usage. I use this in conjunction with the following pieces of software:
Spybot S&D - not because of the scans, but because of the Tea-timer. It asks you to approve any and all system changes. You'll know instantly if you're infected with malware because it will keep asking over and over again if you want to make a system change. Usually when this happens you can just shut down your browser to prevent further infection.

Browser Hijack retaliator - prevents browser hijacks.

Spywareblaster - Not a scanner, but keeps a constantly updated list of new spyware and malware and prevents installation. It's like an innoculation pill.

I use zone alarm as my firewall.

Finally, I use a Baracuda hardware firewall. Even with all this, I still get the occasional infection.

[jmjjmjghafar]

my best software is nod 32

[nhynes57]

I use AVG and Malwarebytes and have found this the best combination. Spybot Search and Destroy is also good.

[techno]

Bit defender is best antivirus software...

[BeauJustin]

Originally Posted by techno

Bit defender is best antivirus software...

I forgot Bit Defender. I think Bit Defender is great software, as well. I go to their web site sometimes and use the free scanner, just because it's so thorough.

[MIB Mastermind]

I use avast, SuperAntiSpyware and ccleaner. ccleaner cleans your registry and internet history and also removes unused files on your pc.

SuperAntiSpyware detects and removes Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, KeyLoggers, HiJackers, Parasites, Rootkits, Rogue Security Products and many other types of threats.

Avast is an anti virus software. These keep my computer running great constantly, so I would advise using these if your not already. Hope this helps.

Good luck,
Bryan

[dwshoup]

I currently use avg the paid version with follow up scans by superantispyware the free version. It is rare for anything to remain on my computer.

On my laptop I am using trend micro internet security it was recommended to me by a programmer I know and I have not regretted installing it.

[Consof]

I recommend Trend Micro Pc-cillin, it rocks. Good GUI and very regular updates. I never had any problems with it.