Free AV that doesn't call Google, Yahoo, etc

I just dropped Avast because of it's partnership and entwinement with Google. AVG ties to Yahoo, I've read.

Is there an effective AV that stands alone and doesn't call all those megabases (regardless of what they say they don't tell)? Preferably free?

This is a simple tech info question. Please don't ask or lecture on the virtues and power of Google, Yahoo, and their ilk.

BTW, Firefox auto-connects to Google to check your surfing for malicious sites, so they say, and of course this info goes into your Google profile. Opt out available if you find this out and look in the right places.

The first time I connected my new Linux Mint to the Web, it immediately pinged Google, no ask, no tell.

 

Go with Panda Cloud AV...All my "Wilder Brothers" will suggest you Avira too, but i won't suggest you the same. Reason? No frequent updates...

 

I'm confused, are you looking for a Linux AV or were you just using that to mention the connection? Anyway, MSE doesn't have any ties to Bing or anything like that. You just need genuine Windows (if that's a problem). Panda Cloud might also have no ties but I'm not 100%.

edit: beaten.

 

Yes my vote goes for PCAV (Panda Cloud Antivirus) as well

 

Hehe ... but Avira has great heuristics, you don't need regular updates

 

OOps i guess he's looking for linux..

Me Too Confused...

 

No, I think I'm the confused one!

 

I m not at all Avira hater...But really i don't like its free version.

No free updates and bla bla bla...

 

I am Not sure if he's looking for a Linux AV either

 

I don't know why he mentioned Linux Mint here? Is he's looking for linux AV or what?

 

A real Avira fanboy doesn't need frequent updates

 

That's supercool. Probably you are using the paid version...

 

eset linux version (in beta) is free, at least for now. works great and no links to any companies.

http://beta.eset.com/linux

 

But AVira updates 4-5 times a day atleast but Avira updates once automatically but can be manually updated. In contrast Panda offline update occurs only once a day, but you are talking about cloud.

 

if u r using firefox check this little addon. its in beta but works fine for me and promises to stop sending "stuff" to google.

http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

i would also suggest using the secure google search engine, which can be be implemented in the search box of firefox with this :

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/161977/

 

I am talking about Avira free. You can browse the history where people complained about no updates and other issues for Avira free.. As far as Panda Cloud is concerned i found it one of the best free AV ITW. Thanks to collective intelligence and in-cloud tech.

BTW its not clear whether the original poster is looking for Free Linux AV or Windows AV...

 

SORRY!

Ambiguity on my first post.

I am running XP and Firefox, and not too happy with either.

I jumped to FF a while back to escape MS IE. I recently tracked the FF malicious site option to GoogleCode, which said info would be recorded. Of course there is no way to know which sites Google is noting and judging, only the ones FF/Google tells you are bad. Last I read, Google is 91% of Mozilla's funding. At least they're not evil.

I mentioned Linux Mint as an BTW because it was my first attempt to escape MS and Firefox/Google. Now I'm not sure that any Linux learning curve will get me privacy.

In the open source community opt out morphed to opt in, and now to opt in ignorance.

 

Thanks, guys.

Wow, active forum.

I'll check out avira; not quite ready for the cloud.

When I have a little more time I'll try to find a Linux build not automatically linking to places i don't know.

 

Re: Thanks, guys.

I believe Avira connects to google-analytics.

 

Yes, Avira links to Google.

After logging in, Avira's very clearly worded privacy page informs;


"This website uses Google Analytics, a web analysis service of Google Inc. ("Google"). Google Analytics uses so-called "cookies", text files that are saved on your computer and that make it possible to analyze your use of the website. The information generated by the cookie when you use this website (including your IP address) is transferred to a Google server in the USA and is saved there. Google will use this information in order to analyze the use of the website in order to put together reports about website activities for the website operator and to provide further services for website and Internet use. Google may also transfer this information to third parties provided that it is legal to do so or if Google commissions the processing of this data by a third party. Google will never associate your IP address with other data Google has collected. You can prevent the installation of cookies with a corresponding setting in your browser software. However, we would like to explicitly point out that if you do so, you will not be able to fully use all of the functions of this website. By using this website you agree to the processing of your personal data as collected by Google in the aforementioned manner and purpose. "

Hmmmm. Maybe I'll check out your privacy forum.

Nice of them to let us know before it happens.

 

Re: Yes, Avira links to Google.

i dont know... personally if you dont want the google stuff from avast imo dont install it.. simple... otherwise you can also uncheck the send stuff to avast as well. most free programs are doing this now and imo soon they all will be to bring in the extra money for the program being free...

 

Don't you have to deliberately choose to install Chrome when installing Avast Free? Or for that matter, deliberately choose to install Skype, Firefox, Avast, PC Tools Spyware Doctor, Picasa, whatever, from Google?

Is anyone dropping Google because they "partner" with Firefox?

Seriously - make your choice but it all seems pretty up front and obvious. Google advertises Avast, Avast advertises Google.
I'm more worried about the unknown partnerships.

 

That's a simple choice. use microsoft security essentials, its free and has good detection.
So if you use Windows, you probably trust Microsoft. So why step outside the bubble

 

That is not a valid point. I use Windows , too and I respect Microsoft very much but I'd never use MSE . It is way too slow when it starts updating and requires me to have Microsoft Updates installed + turned to ON (Automatic) . Additionally , the initial MSE update installs all updates for all MS applications I might have .

No , no - I want only Windows Updates and I update my OS manually . I have last tried MSE about a month ago and this still hasn't changed.

I like Microsoft but not their AV products (incl. Forefront, too)

 

Hi all.

Please forgive my ignorance, but coud I ask what partnership Avast has with google? Is it the same as the Avira issue read recently (google analytics) or is it different.

If this has allready been answered then I apologise beforehand and slip back into the darkness.................