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Introduction
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Antivirus software provides an essential layer of protection from a multitude of virus, trojan, worm, spyware, adware, dialer, keylogger and rootkit infections. Traditionally antivirus programs just detected virus and spyware removers just detected spyware but nowadays the boundaries between antivirus and spyware removers are unclear. Most current antivirus have at least reasonably good detection rates of all forms of malware. Malware (short for malicious software) includes virus, trojan, worm, spyware, adware, dialers, keylogger, rootkit and other hostile software that performs malicious activities on a computer. With the huge increase in malware, antivirus cannot fully keep up with detecting all of it. This is why it's so important to use a layered security setup. However, using more than one real-time antivirus can cause conflicts and uses much more system resources, so I recommend you only choose one antivirus for real-time protection. Instead, you can increase your protection using other security software. I looked at several free antivirus programs which are vital in protecting your computer from virus threats and other types of malware. |
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Discussion
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First, AntiVir does not include e-mail scanning, this is only available in the paid version. The lack of an e-mail scanner means that AntiVir won't warn you of infected emails before you open them. However, should you open an infected email, AntiVir will still spring into action, so it doesn't mean that you're not protected from email-based infections. Second, AntiVir's updates are very slow, and occasionally gets interrupted with server problems. Third, AntiVir has advertisements that appear with every update, altough you can disable these ads. Also, you can disable AntiVir's splash screen if you wish, as some people find it intrusive. Finally, AntiVir has a time-limited license. It is renewable, but be aware that you'll have to periodically go through the hoops. Neither Avast nor AVG is as effective in detection of virus infections and other malware as AntiVir.
On the other hand, Avast has a relatively high rate of false positives. Like AntiVir, it also requires periodic re-registration, whereas AVG Free does not.
The latest version AVG Antivirus free makes further improvements to an already solid antivirus program. It now includes spyware removal, phishing and email scam protection and LinkScanner Pro. However, AVG Antivirus free has grown considerably in size and resource usage, and has very slow scan speeds. AVG also had continuous problems with updating signatures on my computer. AVG has advertisements, but they can be disabled. These three free antivirus software are excellent free antivirus programs that provides a real alternative to the major commerical antivirus software. You can increase your protection if you run on demand scans with another antivirus. On demand scans can be run regularly to check for virus, trojan, worm, spyware, adware, keylogger, rootkit and other malware that may have been missed by your main antivirus scanner. If you have a good preventive security strategy in place, however, the extra protection an on demand antivius scanner offers is minimal. You can also use one of the free antivirus mentioned above as an on-demand antivirus scanner. One advantage is that you can set scheduled scans if you wish. Avira AntiVir Personal Edition: During the install, under "Choose Installation Type" select "Custom", and under "Install Components" untick "AntiVir Guard". Avast! Home Edition: During the install, under "Configuration" select "Custom", and untick all the items under "Resident Protection". AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: In the interface, open the "Resident Shield Component" and untick "Resident Shield Active".
Norton Security Scan and Clean is an outstanding choice for an on demand free antivirus. It has excellent detection rates, with very few false positives. The downside is that it uses an older engine, but the signatures are still updated.
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This is a good review, but I have a few qualms about this part:
Avira AntiVir Personal Edition: During the install, under "Choose Installation Type" select "Custom", and under "Install Components" untick "AntiVir Guard".
Avast! Home Edition: During the install, under "Configuration" select "Custom", and untick all the items under "Resident Protection".
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: In the interface, open the "Resident Shield Component" and untick "Resident Shield Active".
Why are you advising against installing these ESSENTIAL components?
These components are only essential if the program chosen is to be your main solution i.e. fully active. Some users may prefer to use another program for this and then add one of these as a secondary or "on demand" passive scanner. It is not advisable to use two "active" AV's together which is why the advice for disabling this part was given.
Microsoft Security Essentials Public Beta Download is not currently available at the official website, but can still be downloaded at:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Microsoft-Security-Essentials.sht...
I just wanted to mention that anyone interested in Norton Scan and Remove it is no longer offered I tried to use it today and noticed that it has expired...
Go ahead and trust Microsoft for your PC security. I'm sure their product will be right up-to-date, and right on top of critical problems, just like Microsoft Update always has been there for me.
Can also be downloaded at the following link... This was the leaked version that came out the day before they released it to the 75,000 people
http://www.jcxp.net/news.php?newsid=2804
I trusted Gizmo reviews and was using Avast for long.
Recently i tried downloading Spyware Doctor from Google and was quite astonished to find Spyware.Downldr!sd6 and few other trojans !!
So I've shifted to use Avast as my main and randomly downloading spyware and checking every specific interval
I downloaded the Trial of Spyware Doctor with their Registry Mechanic & within a couple of days suddenly had a ton of malware including some High Risk Trojans & lost my ability to make IE Internet Connections saying I lost my LAN because of a cable disconnect which wasn't true when I checked the NEW cable.
In addition I was told to update my MS so I'm wondering where this malware came from so suddenly upon following the directions to Download PC TOOL'S Spyware Doctor & Registry Mechanic & the sudden influx of problems which I didn't have before. It makes me wonder if this was as an enticement to purchase quickly, or if this problem was from the MS Update. I've seen both of these problems happen in the past a few years ago when Updating MS, AND when also trying a Trial Anti-Malware Trial program.
Did you download the software from a trusted site such as download.com?
By the way, I suggest you do not use a registry cleaner as they could potentially damage your system.
Did you download Spyware Doctor here?
http://download.cnet.com/Spyware-Doctor-Starter-Edition/3000-8022_4-1070...
Are you sure it wasn't a false positive by Avast?
Which antispywares are you using now?
Here is the PCMag review of Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2348996,00.asp
The cons are enough to turn me off.
PCMag itself is enough to put me off but I did agree with their final analysis.
"At this point, Microsoft Security Essentials is a decent anti-malware product. Its success rate isn't spectacular, but that could improve during the beta testing process. And of course it has one big selling point: It's free"
To me, the only worthwhile tests for us average folk are those carried out on a clean machine to see if it stays that way. To this end the MS program scored pretty well. What point is there in doing anything with a "heavily infested" computer other than reformat? If you are this way inclined on a dark night then there are plenty of free established removal tools you can employ without resorting to beta software. I also don't see the activation of full automatic updates as a "con". With so many users not bothering to fully patch their system this would be one thing less for them to think about.
There are few here less critical of Microsoft than myself but this development has to be seen as a step forward.
I personally think auto updates ARE a 'con'. If I let all my programs run amok with auto updates whenever they feel like it, I would be continuously interrupted and slowed down. I turn them all off or set them for reminder only, run regular scans with Secunia PSI, then decide when to run the updates, depending on the severity and what I am doing at the time.
If people don't want to take the time and responsibility to be interactive and insure the safety, security, and proper operation of ALL their equipment through regular maintenance, they most likely get what they deserve.
I'm certainly in agreement with program auto updates in fact I block nearly all of mine with my firewall settings. I can think of several occasions where the "updated" version of the software was worse than the existing one so in this respect it's good policy to allow yourself the choice.
I also accept where you're coming from with the system updates but the problem here is that people with un-patched systems are more likely to pass on "what they deserve" to the rest of us. Containing the spread of malware amongst the apathetic is the biggest challenge today but at least an auto-updated system is one small step in the right direction.
Well, according to AV-test it's 'success' rate could be interpreted as 'spectacular' (or thereabouts!) for a beta!
'We scanned a set of WildList malware (on-demand test) and we also tested the on-access guard with the same set of samples. Our set included 3,194 common virus, bot and worm samples from the most recent WildList 05/2009, released about one week ago.
All files were properly detected and treated by the product. That's good, as several other AV scanners are still not able to detect and kill all of these critters yet...'
As is pointed out, it's still in beta with more tests to come, so it's probably too early to judge either way. But, if a beta does better than some other established AV's....!
It did well on AV-test.org though! http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/24/ms_morro_review/
Each test to its own!
Another way to kill the Avira Antivir Notifier popup without modifying the Avira software, and possibly screwing up your registry, is to use a program called Clickoff. You can download at: http://www.johanneshuebner.com/en/clickoff.shtml
Clickoff is a neat little program that will automatically close windows and popups, click on dialog buttons, and minimize or maximize windows, add text etc.. Among other things, I use it to close Avira Notifier, and to automatically select the Yes or No dialog buttons for other programs such as Internet Spades.
This is a safe program. To be sure of this you can download it then check for viruses before installing at http://virusscan.jotti.org/en. This web site checks for viruses from 21 different AV providers.
A little more info about Clickoff.
The program install will add Clickoff to the Startup menu and place an icon in the tray. To access a popup menu right click on the icon.
You can get some help by selecting the 'Help' button, but is not very detailed.
When you select 'Show Clickoff', you can then access the Advanced options by highlighting an item on your list and selecting the 'Advanced' button. It's really quite simple once you play with it for a while.
Cool. I hadn't seen this one before - thanks for the link
Microsoft Security Essentials beta just came out and apparently it is doing amazing so far. BTW it is freeware. Pls check it out
They are getting ready or already have launched the newer beta version and its been doing better then when they originally released it might be comparable to the free microsoft version if not a bit better check it out as well. For those of us who would rather free security we should be helping panda since when its all said and done we all are rewarded with the collective intelligence server based detection of threats that might have even got by Avira and Avast... Its next generation technology time not the old signature based Detection. Even Rising AV Free 2009 has cloud technology and should be replacing AVG shortly as the third place company. I guess the forums are not gaining as much hype as they once were...
Yep, it looks very interesting. But I'll wait to see some more test results first before I include it in the review.
At last the trend towards providing freeware security solutions seems to have been confirmed with the inclusion of Microsoft. If the industry is truly concerned about malware prevention then this has to be the way forward especially as PC ownership and Internet use spreads into the developing world.
I'm also impressed that Microsoft is restricting the availability of this software whilst it's in beta format. (Did I just say I was impressed with Microsoft?!)
Well, as JT says we still need time to analyze the results from this venture but I too am hopeful of the outcome.
Here's an 'early' test report re AV-test.org: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/24/ms_morro_review/
And it is no longer available for download at MS!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/24/mse_beta_halt/
Rootkits are now a part of very many malware attacks. Since AVG reserves its anti-rootkit capability for its paid version, why would it be recommended, even as third choice?
I guess it's because rootkit protection can be achieved to varying degrees with secondary software like DSA for instance.
Your point though is a valid one and maybe in the knowledge that many users prefer to install only one application in each category, we should focus on those providing protection across the whole spectrum of threats.
Rising and CIS (Comodo) would fall into this group and might now be worthy of inclusion in a future review.
DSA is a panacea to you, MIDNIGHTCOWBOY.
Like the DEAD RealTime Defender.
You are Stuck in the past...
Panda Cloud Antivirus, the new boy in antiviruses, says on its blog that it will ALWAYS be free, even after beta, and doesn't say anywhere that only one part of it will be free, and even jokes about buying licenses, however, midnightcowboy says that once it comes out of beta you will have to pay for the full protection, so I'm a little confused, can someone clarify with a link or something whether it will be completely free or not?
Why would they make it like prevx3 and let you know of new attacks but not protect you from them is there even a point to having in the cloud detection if you can't remove a problem? Maybe they aren't getting the support they require and need to have a benefit in place so that they get the people to test their product as a beta. I'm considering trying it out again and I'm going to stick with using DriveSentry as a back up since its know to run along side my existing av AVG Free. I remember reading that Avira and DriveSentry were a good combo. I've got to say that I'm tired of goning back and forth between AVG, Avast, and Avira... AVG might not have the best detection but it give me the fewest problems and is the easiest to use. I just hope it becomes a more solid free product with web scanning and Root-kit enabled in the free version. Then I would put it over the other two of at least second place. More people need to talk to avg about adding those two features... It seems to me that ads in free products are on the rise never thought Avast would sell out and turn into Avg or Avira with the ads. Anyone else have any ideas on a good solid free AV anti-malware product since we are getting tired of the ads and nonsense they keep adding.
Panda Cloud has changed from this:
'Once the Beta period has finished, the detection capacity of the antivirus will reduce considerably as it will no longer have access to our Collective Intelligence servers.
From then on, you can get the free version and benefit from special conditions when you buy the full service.'
To this:
'Once the Beta phase is over, you can continue using the FREE version of Panda Cloud Antivirus. This version has the same detection power, as it will continue connecting to Collective Intelligence and working 100% at all times.'
See FAQ http://www.cloudantivirus.com/help/01/en/nnv_en.htm#05.htm
A truly miraculous turnaround. First you have to pay, then you don't.
Call me cynical (and of course I could always be wrong) but I've seen too much of this stuff amongst security software to believe anything until after the beta testing period has actually finished. My own guess is that it will end up like Prevx in that it will find a whole PC load of malware for free but then want money to take them out. I see nothing anywhere (unless I've missed it) about the 'free' Panda retaining it's Automatic Management and Delete services once the test period expires. I just think it strange that the emphasis is placed on "detection power" with no mention of anything else.
It's also worth noting that there are a lot of comments like these two around:
"Nice article. But visiting hxxp:(known malware link).cn/load.php?id=x worked without any interruption. Panda CloudAV didn’t do anything at all ... I could even run the .exe file. A manual scan said the file is fine :-|
BTW, Prevx 3.0 alarmed me immediately."
"Hey great article! First one I've seen done with some fresh live Malware. Interestingly, I downloaded and tested the Koobface file (setup.exe), and they had changed the file to a different variant. Panda Cloud AV failed miserably trying to catch and remove this one. I've done a general write up on it on my blog but will be doing some more detailed testing in the near future with this and other samples."
Now these in themselves don't make Panda Cloud any worse than a lot of others, but why use something that's relatively untested beta status software when there are better established solutions available?
As I've said in previous posts, the concept looks good but it needs more time to become proven and more time to be confirmed as "free" in all departments.
A "free lunch" might exist - but not usually once you've already seen the menu with a price attached. My guess is it's the appetizer here that's free, but the main course has a cost.
Then I hope that both the main course AND the appetizer here is free, this is such a good idea, and its only cloud antivirus I know of, and definitely the only free one I've ever seen, if it won't be free, then I'll just have to switch back to Antivir Personal
I hope it does become a proven solution and fully free too. I didn't test it but I did trial it and was well impressed with both the minimal system impact and ease of use. Fingers crossed!
Frome this, 'Once the Beta phase is over, you can continue using the FREE version of Panda Cloud Antivirus..' it looks like there will be a paid for version!
Is it normal for Avira AntiVir Free to have update issues for many days in a row? I have been doing manual updates all this week as the normal auto updates fail. Even updates I initiate fail. Anybody else having this problem?
I have been having the same issues lately too. I have also noticed that my firewall crashes when I do an Avira Update so I have to keep windows firewall enable in case Webroot Desktop firewall 5.8 fails. I recently switched back to avira and before that I was using the Panda Cloud AV it seems to be doing ok... I also use OpenDNS and other scanners and they never found anything... I use geswall sandboxie and RETURNIL and they seem to work just fine. I use Returnil with sandboxie and they work good together...
Without more information it's difficult to be precise but maybe it is the DSA component in Webroot which is crashing and not the firewall itself. This can sometimes happen with this component when an application is not registered correctly at install for some reason or maybe as a result of a conflict with remnants of another program left on your system. Although I appreciate your circumstances you are also likely to have conflicts by keeping the Windows firewall active.
Try going into the applications settings in your firewall, deleting all the references to Avira, rebooting, then adding all of the individual components back in manually, including the update modules.
Does this only happen when you try to do a manual update with Avira, or when your scheduled update activates as well?
Your other security applications are fine and a good choice.
DSA SUCKS!!!
Why?
Examples?
Evidence?
Operating system details?
Information about other installed applications?
Someone deleted my evidence:
http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/reports/PS...
Try temporary to disable your firewall.
I deleted my firewall and turned off Windows Firewall permanently.
I got rid of my anti-spyware and malware crap.
I did keep my Anti-Virus, but I turned off real-time protection.
There are no real threats out there. It's a conspiracy, I tell you.
Now I run DSA and nothing else and I tell you I am perfectly feeling safe and secure right now.
lol I just have to laugh at your response
Although I'm a huge fan of DSA myself this is not the kind of "solution" we would recommend. Disabling software firewall protection for instance without a router will leave your PC highly vulnerable to inbound attacks. The majority of these are now made by automated software scanning 1,000's of IP addresses at random in a very short space of time. Most industry experts I've spoken to say you can be compromised on the net in less than 60 seconds. I appreciate the paranoia surrounding PC security at the other end of the scale but I would not use just DSA on it's own.
If I remember correctly DSA actually has inbound protection, except it's not very configurable. I'm not sure about this though, maybe you could check with Privacyware.
Yes, you're right and people with the right knowledge and vulnerable ports blocked anyway could well use DSA for the purpose stated, but for average users I still wouldn't recommend this route.
Outgoing DNS requests and attempts to initiate a TCP connection have more options available via the popups.
This is the PDF link for anyone interested in the full capabilities of DSA which gives more comprehensive information than that available on the vendors website.
http://www.privacyware.com/DSA_UserGuide.pdf
Yes that worked for me. Thanks for the tip.
It isn't good policy to disable your firewall for anything.
It just needs configuring correctly to allow your update requests through. If you can tell us which firewall you have then maybe someone can advise the settings for you.
Midnight Cowboy I am using PC Tools firewall and am having issues with Avira...How do I configure it to allow Avira updates with no interference? Thanks
Hi
Even assuming that you have Avira configured correctly for updates the problem may still be with them. There are several reports about update problems on the Avira forum. Try doing a manual update from the Avira GUI and then look in your firewall log to see if anything to do with this has been blocked. If it has, or maybe the simplest solution anyway, is to delete the Avira entry from your firewall applications list which will prompt new popups to appear for network access next time you run the program. If you then answer "allow" for these then everything should work.
If you have difficulty with firewall settings then the anonymous reply below, although infantile in tone, is still not a bad recommendation. For people requiring adequate protection with minimum fuss Windows firewall is a very good choice.