Is Anyone Else Tired of Bloat?

I have been testing a bunch of security products lately because my ESET license ran out. I am very disappointed in the amount of bloatware that is now contained within many security suites. Companies like Avast, Norton, Bullguard, AVG, Avira, BitDefender and others have started to include online backup, social media advertisements, news and other annoying things that nobody cares about. It is very annoying to me to have this type of crap bleating up my system. Seems like nowadays only Kaspersky, ESET, and Emsisoft make reasonable security products anymore. Is anyone else tired of this?

 

Yes, very. I don't use social media and have tools for backups and such. I just want something that is stable and works well. The more features they add, they farther they get from that.

 

I think I have started to like bloat.

Over time, we all get used to things that we thought we would not.

Now bloat seems good to me.

All that extra space needed and the slowdowns that can come with bloat... it's all good.

I wish that software would advertise "Extra Bloated" or "Loaded with Bloat"..

Dish me up some more software bloat baby..

 

Custom install?

 

Only a few vendors offer this, such as Avast.

 

Yes I agree with OP. Here is a thread that we had on this subject a while ago: https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/why-cant-we-just-get-an-av-these-days.361329/

 

Thank you, I found this thread very helpful!

 

Just buy the AV version of a product like ESET.

Avoid the "internet security" and the "super wizzy mega total protection" products

 

Your right Frank,why question the bloat ? Its there for a reason and I like it.

Thinking of ditching Sandboxie as I find a complete lack of bloat with this product.(Must remember to email Invincea about this problem.)

Bloat lets not forget uses up valuable system resources that otherwise would sit idle on your computer doing absolutely nothing.

How about a security app with so much useful bloat that there`s no room to include the security function. Now we`re talking.

Malware probably likes skinny systems and would most likely avoid rotund bloated systems.

The bloat has a purpose embrace it.

Nag screens also are starting to "wink" at me.

 

Kaspersky is still ok. They didn't add much bloat. I used their product since 2009 and what they add have more or less the same stuff. Nothing much changes. Can't say for bitdefender cause have never use them.

Used to be an avast fan until I found Q360IS. The old avast have high detection, its free, hardly ads. Detection rates dropped, excessive marketing and now they push ads to you everyday. Saw it on my parent's pc. If they want to add extra stuff, go ahead. No point keep blasting popup everyday asking you try Secureline, Grimefighter. besides there are other cheaper and better VPN like PIA, cyberghost. Had they maintain their detection rates, light marketing, no ad popup, it would still be in my good book and I would still recommend to people. Not anymore.

But now I am Q360IS user now. Why pay when you can get a free good one? Why go for a product that promises but never keep its promise? The only extra stuff which came with it was cleaner and sandbox. Is nice as it found stuff CCleaner miss. The sandbox is also another nice feature they added. Something which I miss from the old Kaspersky. It works like sandboxie. No ad popup from Qihoo unless it is security related.

Sorry. I am not bashing anything. Just writing what I feel.

 

This is generally a rule of thumb.

 

ESET NOD32 and Emsisoft AntiMalware are my two top picks. They do their job well and they do it quietly. Also, when purchasing an av, I take into consideration which one is the least problematic. An antivirus might have the top detection rate, least false positives, least system impact, and least bloat, but if I have to continuously fight with it to get it to work properly, then it's not for me. The two I mentioned (and you mentioned) have been, for me, the best programs I have come across in quite some time.

When mentioning bloat, you should also take into consideration your needs and interests. If you don't need everything in the Super Duper Security Package then don't buy it. Others may like all this extra junk thinking that the more there is, the better. I only use an antivirus and build from there because I can't tolerate upgrade pop-ups, up-selling, and other junk that is only a fraction of the quality of what you can get from a free program.

 

True. I think IS is till ok. But totally avoid Total Security, xxx 360 stuff.

 

Sure I am. Even though I have been with ESET for quite many years I still haven't needed to look for another product due to bloat or anything else for that matter. I don't think ESET will ever add bloat to their product, as in defragger, system optimizers and so forth. They probably know it's a bad idea adding features like that.

I agree with your list of bloat free vendors, Ikarus is also bloat free last I checked.

 

Addressed this very thing in a recent thread of mine. The bloat is absolutely ridiculous these days!

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/why-cant-we-just-get-an-av-these-days.361329/

I'm running ESET these days - multi-device deal, and find it really good - and like how I 'expect' an AV to be - just a good AV with strong PUP/PUA protection. Not all of the useless garbage they keep adding into their products. Even Webroot is adding 'stuff' into their product these days, gone are the simplistic, and effective PrevX days. Desktop Widgets, and other crap.. Ugh.. Personally I think Eset, F-Secure, and Emsisoft are the only ones worth considering anymore. Avira if they stop messing around, fix the problems, and update the interface.

Apparently there is a market for these half-baked additions or they wouldn't be adding them? My guess - they've all hired some really misguided, and technologically inept marketing suits.

 

I had Nod32 v6 on my old AMD K6 III 550mhz, 512 ram XP system up to last year and I couldn't notice hardly any slowdown. I only had to stop using it on that old box because v7 wouldn't support the i586 cpu's lack of CPU instructions. But yeah, that's the main reason I've stuck with ESET. I don't get the bloat with the other AVs, even in this age of 6+ cpu cores, GBs of ram and SSDs.

 

Count Agnitum Outpost on the short list that doesn't do any bloat, other than product news. One reason I like it so much.

 

Nowadays seems a lot bundled with
- so-called safezone with outdated chrome
- url scanner, addon, discount toolbar
- the so-called "system optimizer" saying you have thousands of fixes need to be fixed (like thos avg's one)

 

After quite a few years using Avast Pro AV and Free before that, I really got tired with the bloat. I know you can do a custom install, but why pay for an app and then disable half of it. After a search for an AV that is more acceptable I settled on Emsisoft Anti-malware and am very happy with it.

 

@Jeterol

I feel the same.Bloatware everywhere look at the new 2.0 Version from MalwareBytes Antimalware it is the best
Example what happens since Version 1.75.They made a big Mistake and further including a Marketing Modul.This
is a absolute NoGo for pay User.Look at Bidefender the Same Crapware Nonsens Useless KiddyPlaytrix Software
with Advertising,naggscreens and Damned UserLogin/Panel Mess.I hate all of them since i wipe out this MessWare from
my System i fell better and my System too.Now i play along with AppGuard and Hitmanpro.I'am not comfortable with
all this AV-Bloatware.Most of them only care about how much Money they can take from you nothing more.

 

Just out of curiosity since I didn't try MBAM 2. What do you consider to be the added bloatware?

 

As as far the bloat do not impact on performance or usability then I simply ignore it.
No need to worry about something that has no impact on my daily use of the system.

 

I hate bloatware. That's why try to avoid IS and total or complete versions. I'm using WSA AV version. Super slim and no bloat. I'm happy with it.

 

Too much bloat persuaded me go with Windows 8.1 and use secure boot. It's another reason I use standard accounts for my web surfing. Trying to use innate security features over bloatware. Imaging is the key for getting back to a safe state. Different standard accounts for different tasks.

 

no offense but imo kis is bloated. very much so and causes some major slowdowns. ive been called out to actually remove it fully by customers who bought it .. they actually paid me to remove it. does that tell you anything...otherwise YES YES YES im sick and tired of it. and it sadly seems soon every company will head that way. i just hope the last few that are not super bloated will hold out and fight the mainstream and not go that way. so sick of it all.