As Avira users may already know, Avira partnered with malware/crapware companies ask.com and uniblue awhile back and started offering the $%*$@ ask toolbar as part of the install. This wasn't a big problem, since you could just decline to install the malware. Well, that's changed. The latest version of Avira installs a background process that checks to see if you've got the toolbar, and offers to install it if you don't. Additionally, Avira delete-protects this malware process. (All this is just that much more ironic given that Avira used to detect the same toolbar they're pushing now as the malware that it really is.)
So, I'm thinking it's time to ditch Avira for another antivirus. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Per av-comparatives.org, G-Data and Panda seem like strong candidates. Does anyone have any experience with either of them?
(FYI: In case anyone wants to know how to delete the delete-protected ask.com malware, here's how: (1) Open avira, configuration, check the box for "expert mode," general, security, uncheck the box for "protect files and registry entries from manipulation." (2) Now you can delete ApnStub.exe, ApnToolbarInstaller.exe, and ApnIC.dll from the <programs folder>\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ directory. (3) Reverse step 1 then reboot to restore delete-protection for the legitimate Avira files.)
Replacing Avira Antivirus
Chthon
Axel Zinfandel
Microsoft Security Essentials is pretty much all you need.
hahahi20
avast anti-virus is a really good virus scanner, i am using it for years now, never had any problems, on my other pc I have AVG a really great virus scanner to. both are free
www.avast.com
www.avg.com
www.avast.com
www.avg.com
drowze
Avast is pretty good, but I like avg better.
Now I've been using MSE for about a year and never had any problems with it.
Don't take my word for it, because I'm no expert, but I think MSE is also pretty light on resources.
Now I've been using MSE for about a year and never had any problems with it.
Don't take my word for it, because I'm no expert, but I think MSE is also pretty light on resources.
wilebill
Used both Avast and AVG. Both good. I like Avast a tad better.
And scan with Malware Bytes free edition once a week.
And scan with Malware Bytes free edition once a week.
Cuilan
I liked Avast enough to have eventually bought the paid version. It has a silent mode and a pleasant default interface.
SpyderArachnid
Avast is a fav here. Used it enough that I just got the paid version. No hassle or anything.
Chiliad
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Axel Zinfandel
Microsoft Security Essentials is pretty much all you need.
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LifeInfusion
I think avast / AVG. AVG is lighter on resources faster to scan with though, iirc but it has a bit lower detection rate.
Avast for lower resource use, AVG to on-demand scan I guess.
MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) has a lower false positive than either due to being from MS.
Avast for lower resource use, AVG to on-demand scan I guess.
MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) has a lower false positive than either due to being from MS.
Merciless Crusader
I use Avast also, along with the paid version of Malware Bytes, and my Puters been clean as a whistle for as long as I can remember...
Just my 2 Cents
Of course decent browsing habits go a long way to a clean system too.
Just my 2 Cents
Of course decent browsing habits go a long way to a clean system too.
Gladiator Steven
avast! is my personal choice.
Bristlebane
Been switching between AVG and Avast. I do like both of them it's hard to decide a real favorite. Right now I run AVG and it's running quietly in the background.
cosyfiep
a few years ago I had avg...then everyone was singing the praises of kapersky, avast and avira (and how bad avg was) ....so when my 2 years was up I started looking around...I tried avira..was not impressed, nor was I happy with kapersky....so right now I just renewed my avast...not the best one I have used, but better than most.....(have yet to look into panda or nod32...but have heard good things about both---)
Tarun
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Axel Zinfandel
Microsoft Security Essentials is pretty much all you need.
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Sadly, avast and AVG offer browsers and/or toolbars.
RotteN
I also swapped from Avira to Microsoft Security Essentials. Runs good, never seems to slow down my computer.
Ghost Dog
I think I'll look into MSE, I have always used nod32 and have no issues, lighter resource use is big for me.
Bristlebane
I'm gonna change to Avast soon since it seems to have a generally good score on av.comparatives.org, but then I'll run it in permanent gaming mode because all the constant popups just to tell you "all is well" is annoying.
Question though .. permanent gaming/silent mode.. I assume it will still tell me if there's any serious threats like an actual virus?
Question though .. permanent gaming/silent mode.. I assume it will still tell me if there's any serious threats like an actual virus?
Draca
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Axel Zinfandel
Microsoft Security Essentials is pretty much all you need.
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gremlin
Just dumped my ISPs security software and moved to Microsoft security essentials.
Initially I got the blue screen of death thanks to windows deciding to update while I was installing mse.
All running fine now and I am now relying on mse windows firewall and my router firewall to protect the system.
Initially I got the blue screen of death thanks to windows deciding to update while I was installing mse.
All running fine now and I am now relying on mse windows firewall and my router firewall to protect the system.
Kunder
MSE is excellent and lightweight. Its a sad fact of life that no matter what, a paid-for program with a free version is going to make its free version suck more and more as time goes on. Not just antivirus, its true for every program that tries to split along that line.
As with all antivirus questions, I feel compelled to give a reminder: Antivirus has a near-zero detection rate against viruses that you install yourself. Statistically the average infection is from a user running lolcats.avi.exe or something, try not to do that stuff.
As with all antivirus questions, I feel compelled to give a reminder: Antivirus has a near-zero detection rate against viruses that you install yourself. Statistically the average infection is from a user running lolcats.avi.exe or something, try not to do that stuff.
gremlin
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Kunder
MSE is excellent and lightweight. Its a sad fact of life that no matter what, a paid-for program with a free version is going to make its free version suck more and more as time goes on. Not just antivirus, its true for every program that tries to split along that line.
As with all antivirus questions, I feel compelled to give a reminder: Antivirus has a near-zero detection rate against viruses that you install yourself. Statistically the average infection is from a user running lolcats.avi.exe or something, try not to do that stuff. |
That's why I liked Avast.
Most of the time when my virus scan finds problems its either in the temporary internet files or a cookie.
I only access the internet through a user account not an admin one.
Browse with firefox and have noscript, ghostery and adblock plus installed.
Sometimes its a pain and it may be ott but I feel safer.
Wenspire
I run MSE and AVG on separate PCs, along with paid Malwarebyte's. Whatever you end up running, I would highly recommend picking up Malwarebyte's considering it has free lifetime updates. I think most of the things that people get hit with is usually from the browsing of bad website links rather than running an infected program.
Just my $0.02...
Just my $0.02...
Tarun
Never run two or more antivirus programs on the same machine. You only ever need one.
Wenspire
To clarify, I run MSE on one PC and AVG on a second PC. On both, I also run Malwarebytes which does not conflict with the AV programs.
Merciless Crusader
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Tarun
This. Exactly this.
Sadly, avast and AVG offer browsers and/or toolbars. |
This is true, but remember all you have to do is uncheck or decline said browser/toolbar and job done.
I used Nod32 in the earlier days and it was my preferred AV but since it's become a "Security Suite" I find it bloated and slower.
Since then I've used only avast on all my systems and any systems I've worked on.
also for those who recommend MSE don't forget to take into account not everyone is as legitimate as you or I and may be running bootlegged Windows and as MSE uses MS update... need I say more?
Edit: Comparison Video for MSE & Avast 6 Detections: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AzWIYvl39Y
Tarun
If you run pirated Windows, it's your own fault and you will receive zero assistance here.
Merciless Crusader
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Tarun
If you run pirated Windows, it's your own fault and you will receive zero assistance here.
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I still stick to my first recommendation of Avast with paid Malware bytes for the real time protection.
inti melch eye
Personally the way I have Avira set up on my machine I don't have any issues.