i'm using MBAM + ESET NOD 32 Read this privacy-pc.com/antivirus-software-review Best Antivirus review and tests to choose one for you
Best options so far, additionally you may use free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Avoid any kind of pirated software that may cripple your system and data.
I use Kaspersky Internet Security of Avast if I want to go FREE STAY AWAY from Microsoft Security Essentials! that is an antivirus WANNEBE and is crap in detecting viruses
I use windows security essential (free), for browsing firefox with adblock and ghostery. (comodo firewall - only is on background ...)
Here are the latest Anti virus test results: av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/mayjun-2012/ From this list bitdefender may seem like the best choice. It is definitely a powerful antivirus but I used it (BD total security 2011) for a year and here are some of the problems I encountered: 1-Overall slowdown of computer: The slowdown is very noticeable 2-Slowdown of Internet connections: Bitdefender meddles with HTTP traffic (to scan and report unsafe websites and place check marks beside google search results etc.) but I often simply couldn't open safe webpages for no reason ! (no reports, nothing ! just couldn't open the webpages) 3-VMware: I couldn't run 64 bit operating systems in VMware while bitdefender's active intrusion detection was on. This is a known problem. 4-Any changes I made in bitdefender such as stopping the antivirus, I had to actually restart my computer for those changes to take effect. (This was very annoying, every time I wanted to use VMware I had to restart my computer!!!) 5-Bitdefender blocked the internet traffic of one of my applications and even though I put that application in every exclusion or white list I found inside the security suite, it still couldn't connect to the internet (no warnings, no pop ups, nothing !!! just couldn't connect) Overall, although I spent the year I had bitdefender with absolute confidence that my laptop wouldn't get any viruses from websites or USB flash drives, I finally decided that the frustration it gave me was not worth it and uninstalled it. I think Kaspersky seems the best choice as a paid antivirus and I don't think it has any of the above problems. Also, if anyone is going to buy a security product I recommend them to buy the version that has just the antivirus in it. I found all those extra bloatware such as firewalls, site security advisers and spam checkers completely unnecessary and troublesome, not to mention that most of today's attacks are caused by Malware, worms and viruses and the age that firewalls could provide security for home users is long gone. I personally am using the freeware Microsoft Security Essentials now. No problems so far. I also use NetLimiter. Besides its main function which is throttling the upload and download traffic of processes, it also has a firewall built in. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (wf.msc) seems perfect but since applications can change windows firewall settings and sometimes I don't want them to, I use Netlimiter to block them.
IMHO the best antivirus/internet security suite is imaging software (Acronis True Image, Paragon Backup, Macrium Reflect etc.) coupled with an external hard drive. Since ultimately no antivirus is impervious to zero day attacks, and the human brain is no less invulnerable.
I do the same, using Acronis with a cloning schedule every couple of months. It recently came in handy when I was hit with what I believe was a Malware hit. I've been using ESET SS4 for a couple of years. I was impressed with the reviews elsewhere about its system resource rating but I'm probably going to try another AV product when my 1-yr license expires in a few months. I've been hit with a 2-3 Trojan's during the time that I've been using ESET. They were not serious hits and recovery was easy but I was disappointed in ESET's track record for preventative actions in both circumstances. ESET detected the main Trojan presence but wasn't able to prevent all of the effecs of the hits. I was hit recently with what I believe is a Malware variant but I'm not an expert on this subject so I'll describe what happened on my PC. I'm running Windows 7 with IE9. I rarely have any problems (Trojan's, etc). I had 2 instances of Trojan's in 2011 and one this year. Regarding the recent hit, the symptom was that one of those "official-looking" MS dialog windows appeared and asked permission to install a bogus MS program. I tried to click "no/close" but of course, that doesn't close these windows. I had to reboot in "Safe" mode and clean the HD with an ESET scan. That cleaned most of the issues but I had to do a "System Restore" to complete the repairs. During that time (referencing "Speed'ys" post), I was not concerned as I always have a cloned HD in the drawer. ESET SS4: The disappointment is that ESET didn't detect the Malware, and didn't record a "threat" occurrence in the log file. There was no indication that any intrusion had occurred. I've heard about Kaspersky and I might try that product in a few months. My experience regarding researching these paid AV's is that there are many pov's and diverse opinions about which one is best to use on a home desktop PC. I'm running Windows 7 with IE9 which I know isn't as secure as a MAC system or a Linux-based PC. I guess I'm going to stay with MS though as I'm getting a little too old to try and re-learn another PC system
Any anti-virus solution won't protect you against everything. There will always be something that get's through. People should develop good browsing habits such as not clicking on ads, etc. You can also be hit by viruses through software exploits, common in Java, Flash and Adobe Reader (might be how you got the trojans). Install OS updates via Windows Update and keep other software up to date using Secunia PSI. It will automatically scan for outdated and vulnerable software and even install it automatically most of the time. Another consideration is to use SpywareBlaster, which works by blacklisting certain domains in your browsers to prevent being infected by different threats. It doesn't use any memory because it's passive protection, not active. Another consideration is to scan regularly using anti-spyware/anti-malware software using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and/or SUPER Anti-Spyware as they scan the registry and mainly target rogue software as well as other threats AVs might not pick up.
I use NIS 2011 as my main source for protection and malwarebytes free along with hitmanpro as second opinion scanners.
Thanks for the info. To provide some background, I entered the home 'net PC scene somewhat late in the game, in 2004. I'm a fairly safe 'net surfer, mainly frequenting the same sites daily, and never click on ad's. My add-on's (Adobe Flash, etc) are up to date. I run OS updates nightly. I was curious about how my "batting average" looked, from the standpoint of the # of hits that have affected my PC's during the 8 years that I've been a home 'net user. I've been hit about 7-8 times over an 8-year period, averaging 1 hit per year. I'm not sure how that stacks up compared to the experienced PC guys. Thanks for the suggestions. I google'd Secunia PSI and will look into it. I have been relying on AV "all-in-one" software approaches (ESET, and prior, Trend Micro) but I see what you're getting at, needing additional protection, ie Malwarebytes, etc, that is specifically designed for Malware detection. Are you using the purchased or free version of Malwarebytes? How does Malwarebytes perform when there is another AV product running on the same PC? Thanks, I'll check that one out. Norton is among the ones that I'm considering once my ESET liscence expires. I have a friend that's been using NIS for years and has had no problems (hits). He's also running Windows 7 but he's using the Firefox Browser which, I've been told, is more secure that IE. I've wondered if that's still true with IE9 vs Firefox. Regarding your earlier post about cloning (being the best protection), I'm inclined to agree and have wondered if, considering that I'm not "hit" that often with these problems, it's almost as easy to wipe my HD (format) and just clone it using my safe cloned HD, instead of trying to repair/scan/clean, when these hits occur.
I am currently using the paid version. MBAM and ESET conflict with each other, causing internet to not work for a minute or so after updating it or adding a ignore rule for an IP. Since I'm using ESET too, despite buying it, I've disable the protection module. It comes with a free 14 day trial on first installation so you can test the features out Pretty well, it's not very heavy on memory and is lightweight. Will use alot of CPU though when the IP Blocking database is updated but it doesn't impact the computer much, not unless you have an ESET product installed, afaik. The protection module provided in MBAM's paid version also is pretty good, displaying alerts when a malicious application/executable is launched with the ability to choose what to do (eg. ignore, quarantine). A quote from one of the moderators at MBAM:
^ Thanks for the info I purchased MBAM and am running it on my Desktop. So far, no conflict symptoms seen with ESET SS4. I'm running with Protection Mode enabled for a while to check for conflict issues. ** I'm used to scheduled scans with ESET and I'm curious as to how MBAM works. Is it constantly scanning the HD? I looked at the "Protection" tab and clicked on the "Scheduler" button in MBAM and I didn't see what I expected to see, something similar to most AV products where one can set up a scheduled HD scan, daily, overnight, etc. I guess that's referring to setting up scheduled updates, to define and set up the frequency that polls the MBAM server to insure that the user has the latest updates installed. I talked with a knowledgable friend, after I had registered here and posted earlier. He also recommended MBAM in conjunction with an AV product for better PC protection. When my overnight ESET SS4 HD scan ran last night, it didn't detect any issues. When I ran my 1st MBAM scan, it detected and quarantined 2 "adware" issues within the Registry. ** [edit] I see how to set up a scheduled custom scan from the "Protection" tab, clicking the "Scheduler" button.
Every security product has it's pros and cons rather it's payware or freeware, In my years in the IT field I have tested many security products and have came to the conclusion that you need more than just a basic Anti-Virus product you really should have a multi layered security suite with a good firewall and host intrusion protection. In my opinion Mcafee should be put out of business and not even be mentioned on any list of top AV products I don't know how they have survived all this time being as bad as they are, Eset is a decent AV engine but people using their suite should be aware they have a poor firewall, Norton has managed to improve itself over the last several years compared to what it used to be but again their suite has a poor firewall. My top pics for security products in order would have to be: 1. Kaspersky Internet Security 2. Emsisoft Internet Security 3. BitDefender Internet Security 4. Comodo Internet Security I picked these products because of their completeness offering good AV engines with very good firewalls and host intrusion prevention making them complete protection options but you can also assemble a good suite of individual products that would offer good protection as well but for the novice who wants to get just one product that offers the most protection stick to my list
I haven't used some of the products in the poll, but for me, I use KAV, with FF, Adblock Plus, and Ghostery. The kids, who click on anything, well this setup has kept me going so much that I have not had need to look elsewhere. For a firewall, the basic Windows one, and a decent Broadcom based router with Tomato, serves me well.