Recommended free anti-virus?

Hey there,

I'm trying to decide on a quality free AV. I'm currently using Comodo CIS, but after recent research I have come to the conclusion that it may not be the best free anti-virus currently available.

I was looking at a few alternatives; AVG, Avast, and MSE. However, I can't really decide on what would be the best option to go with. Would anyone mind offering some insight from personal knowledge and experience? Or perhaps offer a better free alternative?

Thanks.

 

Your going to need to be more specific. This classifies as an A vs B thread.

What exactly are you looking for? Light on system resources, high detection rate, simple user interface, no configuration required, etc?

 

Sorry, I wasn't trying to turn it into an A VS B thread, I was just looking for personal experience.

My main concern is for it to have a high detection rate; if it's light on the system it is a bonus.

 

Nothing is 100% in the market at detection. This is why people recommend a multi layered setup. Most people will run something like Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) and Hitman Pro as an on demand scanner.

 

I would recommend Avast, Panda Cloud, MSE, AVG, Kingsoft AV and Roboform IS.

Just try out these and see which one fits your expectation better. As dragon already mentioned it will soon turn into A vs B thread. One member will recommend an AV and another will recommend the other. Then it'll come to which is better. A layered security approach is the best setup.

 

+1 for above comments

 

Thank you.

I understand that nothing is 100% securing (With 0-day attacks, etc, etc). I'm just interested in trying to find a solution which is relatively secure at most times (As I know from month-to-month there is a new contender for highest detections).

I currently have MBAM installed as an on-demand scanner, but I'll look into Hitman Pro.

*EDIT: Is it possible to keep the anti-virus in CIS as an on-demand scanner and keep another AV as a real-time scanner?

I'm also partially pulled towards Avast, so I might go check that out now then. Thank you again.

 

Layered is always the way to go, rather than sticking with one single solution.

For instance, I use Comodo Internet Security + Malwarebytes PRO + Keyscrambler Pro

Even though some may say that CIS is enough, I like covering what I can.

My other computers contain different setups, but are multi layered as well.

You can try one of these - Avast, Panda, AVG, Roboscan, CIS, Etc (All good AVs). and run what you choose alongside Kingsoft Antivirus, since it's compatible with other AVs.

That would be a good start to layering your setup.

 

What backup solutions are you using? Drive and important files backup? I'd suggest an disk imaging software and files backup to Skydrive.

 

I'm currently using AxCrypt to encrypt personal documents which I then backup to Google Drive.

Mind explaining a little more about "compatible AV"? I was under the illusion that two AV's can't run side-by-side?

 

No, it's not a good idea to run two AVs along side each other...You're right.

But....

Kingsoft Antivirus has a compatibility mode built in, that allows it to run along side other AVs without any conflicts. Kind of the same approach Webroot Secure Anywhere takes.

You can read more about KAV here https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=326172 and here http://www.kingsoftsecurity.com/

 

Any disk imaging solution?

 

Honestly, no. I wouldn't have the slightest idea of how to make an image of my disk or even reinstall an image of my disk. Not to mention, I would lack the storage space to save one.

Well then, I'm convinced. CIS can stay and I'll install Kingsoft! I'm a sucker for packaged software.

 

It's not recommended to ever run two AV at the same time do to confilcks or even loss of effectiveness.A few are designed to run along side another but IMO I still would never have two.I would try any one recommended above,Keep Malwarebytes and if you like can add Hitman Pro for a multi vendor on demand scanner.

My other suggestions would be look to harden the system. For example, a standard user account helps solve many problems to begin with as limited rights.Harden your browser as much as possiable,Software restriction policys and so forth.

Also have a recovery plain in place other then system restore if all the above fail.Image replacement,snapshots can save you a lot of aggrevation and Data lose.I wouldn't depend on online back ups but off line instead.

 

Roboscan free IS!!! AV+FW
BD+Tera Engine but Much lighter than BD!!!

 

Thank you for your insight; is the main reason for not running two AV's just compatability issues? ie, they both will fight to remove the same malware file?

As for hardening my system, is there anything you can suggest to strengthen Google Chrome? Or is there another browser I should be using?

 

@Cerburus
a must have - Sandboxie

 

You must have an imaging app. You'll regret it when disaster strikes.

 

Any suggestions as to what applications I should look into?

 

Are you ready to go for a paid app? Or wanna look for a free one?

 

I would prefer free, but not opposed to paying for an app if it is worth it.

 

I'd recommend Macrium Reflect for free. Apps worth paying for- Image for Windows from Terabyte Unlimited, Drive Snapshot and Macrium Reflect.

 

Thank you, I'll look into them all.

Considering I already backup my photo's to DVD's and my personal file's to Google Drive, do any of them just store an image of my current PC setup? ie, OS, installed apps, settings, etc, without backing up my current photo's and such?

 

Honestly CIS cover all you need since it is designed to prevent the malware to enter your system, detection is important only after the malware entered in it. but if like me you need a layered protection, you can add EAM full version as a companion AV (it is STILL designed for that purpose even if now it is considered as a Full-fledge AV, i explained about it in another thread) as i set it up here , Webroot SA is a good companion too , you can set it up to run alongside here

If you really need to replace Comodo AV, i suggest Panda Cloud AV, Avast or roboscan (even if i found its database auto-update features slow like hell)

 

The two AVs will always scan the same thing and would slow the computer down drastically. Yes, they can also fight to remove the same malware file and can cause sometimes the drivers in low level can cause BSODs because of incompatibilities. As for Google Chrome, you can add NoScript to protect from Javascript attacks and others. You can add EMET against exploits.

For backup I am using EaseUS Todo Free. I find it very easy to use.