ZAM-Premium: Which free Antivirus to combine with?

Discussion in 'other anti-malware software' started by Hiltihome, Apr 5, 2016.

  1. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    I'm looking for a free AV, that goes together well with Zemana AntiMalware Premium (paid version)

    The free AV should be slim, free from nag-screens, Advertisement pop-ups and without bloat.

    ZAM and the free AV should complement one another.

    The AV should be compatible with WIN7 and WIN8.1
    If WIN10 compatible, it's welcome.

    I'm looking for an AV that is slim, quiet and easy to use, compatible with Jon Doe and Lieschen Müller.

    I'm explicit not looking for solutions for nerds.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2016
  2. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    Since it has improved greatly, I can now recommend - Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows 7 and below) / Windows Defender (Windows 8.1 and above)

    If you're not comfortable with using a Microsoft based AV, then the closest thing to as you described (free and no nags), would be Qihu 360 Total Security / Total Security Essential.

    Everything else that is free is either out-dated, heavy or full of advertisements, so what I listed above is what I recommend.

    I guess you could also include Comodo Cloud Antivirus as light and nag free.

    But, if it was my choice, I would go with Microsoft Security Essentials / Windows Defender - More stable and compatible with the operating system, the engine is improved, not that heavy anymore, no nag screens.
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2016
  3. atunis5804

    atunis5804 Registered Member

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    try Avira free - I have been using both for months, and they work well yogether. Avira's ratings are the highest out there.
     
  4. fblais

    fblais Registered Member

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    I second MSE/WD.
     
  5. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    The original poster stated a free solution with no nag screens, Avira currently nags the user via notification popups (not often, but it does happen).
     
  6. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    @Tyrizian :
    THX for your suggestions.

    I already have some AVs on my radar.
    MS Security-Essentials/Windows Defender (with PUPs.reg tweak) is one of my favorites, but it is sometimes a hoog,
    and detection is not top notch. But it is very well integrated and fulfills most needs.

    360 TS is to blooded, for my needs, but 360TSE would make a nice fit. But I have concerns about the cloud component in 360TSE.
    If the user has a line with slow upload, it could probably slow down the machine, because ZAM is also looking in it's cloud.

    The same goes for Tencent PC-Manger, which is slim, but also has it's own cloud component.

    Haven't looked in Comodo Cloud AV very much, but have the same concerns.

    Bitdefender-free is another option, but it is outdated, and not recommended for WIN10.
    So far it performs well on WIN7/8.1 machines.

    What about Sophos-free AV? I have concerns about the configuration, which is done in online control center...

    To make things clear:
    I'm not looking for a solution for myself, but for an average user and elderly people.
     
  7. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    And the annoying launcher..., even in the paid version!
    The launcher can be uninstalled (IOBit Uninstaller), but will most likely come back, when a major upgrade comes out.
    Avira is a nogo.
     
  8. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    If this is for an average user and elderly person, then Microsoft Security Essentials / Windows Defender is what I would still recommend - Consider that most average and elderly people buy computers with Windows Defender already in place. So, in my opinion, a Microsoft AV solution is defaulted towards many, if not all demographics.

    As far as Comodo Cloud AV goes, then I would ignore that for such a person(s) as you described, as it does require a bit of thought and configuration.

    Sophos might be a good option, but I would definitely use that as a test first, rather than a permanent solution, as you don't know how the program will behave long term (Talking about FP's wise)
     
  9. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    That's why I started this thread, to gather experiences from others, because I do not have enough time and computers, to test all myself.
    (I do not evaluated in virtual machines, but only on real machines)

    I already made a decision to include unchecky in my setup, but that needs to set an exception for host file, because host file is modified with every updated. MSE/Defender can be easily set to ignore host file changes.
    https://unchecky.com/
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2016
  10. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    If you want my honest opinion, I wouldn't even implement Sophos on an average or elderly persons computer.

    It does provide great protection, but I honestly just see the average to elderly person calling you up about every issue they might have.
     
  11. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    THX,
    I'm looking for a foolproof solution.
    A setup, that potentially makes my phone ring, is the least I'm looking for.
     
  12. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    It will give the users a hassle free solution, but not the best possible protection.

    As I am an IT-Tech, I always have to look for a solution, that people will afford.
    If you look at my signature, you see my own solutions, depending on risk and cost, I use free and paid versions.
    But most costumers are not willing to pay for two, or more security products,
    otherwise, I would run ZAM together with Kaspersky AV , Unchecky and HMP.A
     
  13. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    I agree, there is better combos out there, but as far as free goes, your options are limited, especially if you're looking for a solution for the average, as well as the elderly.
     
  14. DavidE

    DavidE Registered Member

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  15. bellgamin

    bellgamin Registered Member

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    What do you define as "elderly"? When I went to UTEP, there were 3 profs of Computer Science. One was 82 (my teacher), one was 74, & I don't know the age of the 3rd, but he musta been in his late 50's or 60's. The computers in our lab were Wangs & Jacquards. We had to learn COBOL (fairly easy) and assembly (NOT easy). My prof had a kindly heart, so I passed -- with a 3.0, which was jolly generous of him.
     
  16. pb1

    pb1 Registered Member

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    Since Zam is like a classical Av and doing a very good job at it according to resent tests and only laks the process/hips protection that modern ones have one really do not need a Av at the side of Zam. With that said why dont you rethink and go for process/hips instead as a companion. Spyshelter freemium is one example and Comodo firewall with the Fw shut of and...well - you understand.
     
  17. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    From the replies of the original poster, I assumed that the individuals wanted a worry free and easy setup.

    If they want a worry free and easy setup, I would imagine they don't want to be bothered with any problems. If they trust him or her to set up something for them, I am sure they would call him or her if anything wrong happened...that is all I am implying.

    Please know, I'm not speaking about all average or elderly individuals, just the ones he or she has talked about.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
  18. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    Panda (cloud) Antivirus is not an option for the described use.
    It displays advertisement (inside UI) and it is cloud based, so the same concerns as with other cloud based AVs.
    Also Panda-free download is linked to download.cnet.com, which links to a downloader... (possible adware)
    Nogo.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2016
  19. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    Zemana AntiMalware is a second opinion scanner.
    ZAM does not register in Action Center.
    Zemana does no recommend to use as only AV solution, so do I.
     
  20. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    I decided to go with Windows-Defender, with PUS-patch, on WIN10, and Bitdefender-free on WIN7 and WIN8.1

    Defender is a worry free AV, that may not offer the best protection, also it is not updated very frequent, but it's rock solid and quite.

    Bitdefender-free has proven to be a reliable, quite and solid solution on WIN7 and WIN8.1 (according to my expirence, on fresh installed WIN)
    It updates within 5 min. from Windows start and then every ~2 hours.
    Some may call it outdated, but it got a version update, a few days ago, and should be fine for some time.

    If you want to comment, you are welcome, but keep in mind what I'm looking for. (See first post)
     
  21. anon

    anon Registered Member

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    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/zemana-antimalware-2-beta.372569/page-71#post-2575806
     
  22. PeZzy

    PeZzy Registered Member

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    ZAM is primarily a cloud scanner and should only be treated as backup protection.
     
  23. anon

    anon Registered Member

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    ZAM is "on execution" / cloud / second opinion scanner.

    It detects files before they execute.

    .
     
  24. Dave Russo

    Dave Russo Registered Member

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    This is a configuration I now just started using,I disabled Windows Defender and use Zemana, comodo firewall ,Adguard and Malwarebytes anti-exploit,What do you mean by Fw shut off and why? appreciate any help Thanks
     
  25. You probably missed MBAM life time licenses, but MBAM paid is a perfect match with Windows Defender.

    Another reason to use MBAM is you could drop ZAM, (I remember the Loman brothers were not amused with ZAM V2, because its GUI was a clone of HMP which was sold as ZAM V1).
     
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