Avast free V BitDefender free

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by Albinoni, Nov 15, 2005.

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  1. Albinoni

    Albinoni Registered Member

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    Out of these two free AV packages for home use which one would be your choice and why? Avast 4.6 for home or Bitdefender V8.0 Free edition for home. Or can you think of a better free AV software rather than the two above I've mentioned.
     
  2. bigc73542

    bigc73542 Retired Moderator

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    Bitdefender free doesn't have a realtime scanner. so if it is the only av you are going to use Avast would be the safest.
     
  3. Albinoni

    Albinoni Registered Member

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    When you say a real time scanner what does it mean ? Is that a scanner on demand. Say for eg if I get a virus/trojan on my current system which uses NOD32, NOD will pop up straight away and block it to prevent further damage.This means it's scanning in real time. Also the same would go for Avast free home edition.

    Now re BD free V8.0 does this mean it will only pick up a virus or detect one when I do a scan of my C drive manually?

    Do most free AV software have realtime scanner.
     
  4. bigc73542

    bigc73542 Retired Moderator

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    Yes the free ones do have a realtime scanner except bitdefender free which is just on demand, or manual scans If you install an antivirus with a realtime scanner make sure either nod or the free one has the realtime scanner disabled. Antivirus scanners don't do well when two realtime scanners are active. It can in some situations lock up your computer.
     
  5. Albinoni

    Albinoni Registered Member

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    Its not actually for me but for a friend if mine who has no idea on AV software and has a PC that is fully unprotected. Read my other post "My friends PC"
     
  6. bigc73542

    bigc73542 Retired Moderator

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    If they are wanting a free antivirus, Avast is a pretty darn good one.
     
  7. glenpinn

    glenpinn Registered Member

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    if its free you aint gunna get anything worth while, how can a free AV program offer you as good as a paid for AV program, it just wont happen, but if u insist on free, dont get AVG.
    bitdefender 9 is a brilliant AV, as too is KAV 5 (soon 6.0) but u gotta buy these, which means they gunna be better.

    with the free ones, what you get is what pay for it, and thats nix.
     
  8. Spyros

    Spyros Registered Member

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    I can name quite A LOT of av's that are worse or equal with avast & antivir and cost $40-50. Also, both of those programs have paid versions. So, what do you "expert" think, are those crap too?
    And if you don't believe me, here's what IBK from www.av-comparatives.org had to say about avast:
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2005
  9. Technodrome

    Technodrome Security Expert

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    There, I fixed it for you. ;) ;)



    tD
     
  10. JimIT

    JimIT Registered Member

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    Welcome to Wilders.

    Avast Free is better than many paid AV's--your comments notwithstanding.
     
  11. nicM

    nicM nico-nico

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    I like the new version :D


    ...especially since scanning engines are the same than in paid version (Avg/Avast); Avast home mainly misses the script scanner (vs pro edition), and is the best "price"/efficienty ratio ever around

    http://www.avast.com/eng/av4_version_comp.html

    ;)
     
  12. Arup

    Arup Guest

    Free security apps are the best method of getting a huge installed client base thereby giving them the best and fastest feedback, no paid AV product can have a feedback factor like that, the problem with Avast is that now, they really need to cripple the free version with just a basic scanner and go paid for full, this way, it will get appreciation that it truly deserves as people feel comfortable when they pay for an app, no matter how inferior or buggy it may be. There is hardly any difference between the paid and free so no respect sadly.
     
  13. JerryM

    JerryM Registered Member

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    Although I use BD 9.0 on my desktop, if I get a notebook I plan to use Avast free. It will not be used much surfing the web, and I do know several people who have used Avast free for at least a year with no infections.

    I believe that a combination of Avast free, A Squared free or Ewido, along with a firewall will keep one clean unless he does a lot of risky surfing. I will also use the standard AS programs that are free. Spyware Doctor has a free version that I use as a second opinion along with Counterspy.


    Jerry
     
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