Ok, so i know this isn’t gaming related, but i thought it would be interesting to discuss. My apologias if this is the wrong place for this.
So, for the Windows / Mac users (And Linux if you use a antivirus) what antivirus program are you using currently?
I am currently using Comodo Internet Security Premium, but am considering changing (Maybe to Avast Free?).
I use Webroot, but I am completely ignorant of which anti-virus/anti-malware/etc. is the better one, although I should probably be more aware of that kind of thing.
I just use common sense as to which sites I visit and only download from trusted sources, so I have yet to have a problem.
Over the years I have used a bunch of different ones but in my opinion I feel that MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is the best, at least for windows. And then I also use Microsoft Security Essentials (aka Windows Defender for Windows 8).
For my linux machine, I don’t really use any antivirus software. While I acknowledge the fact any computer connected to the internet can get a virus, I don’t really worry about my linux machine getting any.
I’ve used Norton 360 for years. It’s now known as Norton Security. It’s quiet, optimizes PC automatically, never gets in the way. So I couldn’t be happier.
I used to use and recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (which has bigbass1997 mentioned is now Windows Defender as part of Windows 8 and 8.1).
However, its effectiveness has degraded in recent antivirus tests so I have switched all my computers (and family’s computers) to Avast Free. Register your username and you get free and excellent antivirus for a year. Make sure to set it to Silent/Gaming mode so that annoying voice doesn’t interfere.
I would definitely recommend against Norton as its reputation is to be slow and bloated, however I do not know the performance impact of the latest Norton 360 to judge.
If you are on a Windows machine and not using an antivirus, you are, ehmm, in the most kind terms, an idiot. :point:
I don’t.
The same as @ra4king, I use Avast free edition. I just keep it installed though, never did any scan…
Looks like I’m an idiot then :
Defender. Although in all the years I’ve been using computers, I personally have not yet needed it.
If there wasn’t an option as lightweight as defender I probably wouldn’t run one at all. It’s just insurance at this point.
I also recommend against Norton. Almost every time I have had someone come to me with a tech question involving viruses on their computer, if they had Norton, it didn’t do squat to protect against or even remove viruses.
I have also noticed that, and that’s why I mainly just use Malwarebytes. While it has the title “malware” in its name, it searches and removes more than just simple malware. In combination with Windows Defender/Essentials, I seem to have a good time keeping viruses off my computers.
It’s been a while since I used Windows, but I used Avira when I was. It was nice and lightweight, and seemed to get the job done.
According to reddit, Avira+Malwarebytes is a good combination, using Avira for real-time protection, and Malwarebytes for scanning.
I’ve heard Avast was great in the past but that now it has sort of slipped.
Generally anything that comes preinstalled on a machine is crapware (Norton, Mcafee, etc.). Just because you get a paid product for free doesn’t mean it’s any good.
I’m on Linux, and I check everything I download before I run it, so I don’t bother with an antivirus. Worst case scenario I can just nuke the system partition, clean out my home folder, and reinstall Arch.
None.
Not used Anti-virus in 5+ years, it’s funny that I only ever get virus’ and slowdowns when anti-virus software flags it.
Also, I use private torrents as well so it’s pretty much impossible to get a virus, it’s ridiculously well moderated. Also stick to Pornhub as well :p.
Problems that most people think are related to viruses != problems caused by viruses.
Indeed I believe that windows protection is fine and as viruses are programmed before the protection I think that spending money on anti-virus is useless (maybe in some cases it’s usefull).
On unix-systems I don’t care about viruses at all ;D
What I tried:
Avira-antivir:
Norton 360:
Some other free software that didn’t last longer then one day on my computer.
As long as you don’t use java-applets and have no-script enabled you should be fine.
As I store most of my date in git repos I don’t care if I have to reset my system ;D
Indeed I haven’t got problems in years
MalwareBytes.
I use Sophos. Never had any problems with it and works great 
While I don’t use one and am on windows, whenever I do sense a problem or danger I use MalwareBytes, Avast and maybe smaller tools for specific problems… sometimes spybot
I’ve never had issues with Norton 360 (now known as Norton Security). And its not even a monthly subscription. You must be thinking of the crappy Norton Antivirus, which doesn’t exist anymore…
Tomsguide ranked it pretty high http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-antivirus,review-2588.html
Nope Norton 360, my inet provider has/had that subscription
I never use anti-viruses but I scan with malwarebytes every several months. Never been infected with serious viruses, get adware on rare occasions when I’m not careful.
Hi
When I’m forced to use Mac OS X, I don’t use any virus scanner.
When I’m forced to use Microsoft Windows, I use Kaspersky (proprietary, not free of charge) at work and preferably Clamwin (open source, free of charge) elsewhere. I use Spybot against the spywares.
I don’t use Clamav under GNU Linux yet, it could be useful to avoid being an healthy carrier of viruses targeting Windows. In my humble opinion, if you don’t want to get any virus, use carefully a computer under GNU Linux. I have always been occasionally bothered by viruses under Windows even though I don’t go to dangerous websites. I have been very seriously infected only once but even Kaspersky could do nothing for me. Malwarebytes Antirootkit can be useful too.