AvG Or Avast ? Free?

Mansonx

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What's the best free antivirus that detects quick and knows when it's something bad before running/extracting/etc
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista
none of them Windows Defender do the same job
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Avast crashes windows 8 as well, so does ESET, these are few known programs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I've used Avast for a number of years without problems on Vista & Windows 7. However when I upgraded to Windows 8 on the 25th October I found that 'Apps' were blocked. Being unable to solve the problem I first downloaded AVG, then removed Avast and finally installed AVG. This all on first day of Windows 8 and since then had no problems at all, AVG auto-checking mail and scanning without problems and so will stick with it as long as it works.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    pcspecialists. Fusion450
    CPU
    AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad-Core. 3.60GHz.
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7700 series
Avast is now fixed on Windows 8, new update made the blue screen error dissapear, so just make sure to download the lastest version from www.avast.com if your gonna use it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 + Win 8
Hi everybody
DON'T WASTE ANY MORE TIME on FREE AV software anymore on W8 or MONEY on PAID FOR for versions (Home users only - my remarks don't apply to corporate LAN users - different considerations apply in this case).

Windows defender (don't confuse with the rather hobbled version that exists in W7) is a perfectly good product now an integral part of W8 -- you CAN do manual scans with it --go to the search on the charms bar, enter windows defender and it will launch a screen like this (sceen shot enc).

Choose scan now or whatever you need.

It's far far better than the 3rd party Free apps as it's built right in to W8 kernel. W8 security is light years ahead of W7 security so forget everything you USED to be told about security on W7.

Those free security programs do nothing except consume resources on your computer.

(Note protecting corporate LANS is a different issue - but here you should use a professional PAID application designed specifically for weaknesses of large LANS).

BTW also forget any of those magazines listing "comparative values" of security applications or similar -- these results are ALWAYS at least 6 weeks out of date by the time you get to read them -- and 6 weeks is almost a geological age in computer security as new attacks can appear at any time. However Ms usually updates windows defender daily - and as it's part of the windows kernel Ms will be able to update far quicker than the 3rd party vendors who have to rely on a "Windows API" delivered by MS - updated far less frequently or attempt to "reverese Engineer Ms fixes -- which may in some cases be illegal anyway.

Remember the whole implementation of security in W8 is TOTALLY DIFFERENT to W7. - That's why some 3rd party security apps didn't work - and the effectiveness of those that DID might be questionable.

In any case NO package will ever be 100% secure --the best security mechanism is actually YOURSELF so surf safely, don't open dubious (or in some cases even innocent looking) emails unless you know EXACTLY where they came from, take regular system backups, do the windows updates reasonably and if you must use torrent sites download to a separate VM so if it gets infected you can just bin that VM and start another one.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I am not at all sure windows defender is the best long term option.

It is good MS include it.

At least there is some protection out of the box.

I don't know why that makes people think it must be great.

MS themselves described it as basic , and even Stevie S said 3rd party solutions are more complete.

Nothing strange about that - other programs MS include are basic - e.g paint - fine as far as it goes, but if you are serious about it, you will use something else.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I agree with Jimbo. The built in Windows Defender does the job, no need to spend $$ on an Antivirus program, like it was in the past with older operating systems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Why?

What basis do you have for thinking Defender is better than , or as good as 3rd party solutions?

None that I know of.

@Jimbo,

Those free security programs do nothing except consume resources on your computer
.
Avast is lower on resource usage that Defender.

However Ms usually updates windows defender daily - and as it's part of the windows kernel Ms will be able to update far quicker than the 3rd party vendors
No, 3rd party programs update much more frequently - typically every 4hrs - Avast does streaming updates.

BTW also forget any of those magazines listing "comparative values" of security applications or similar -- these results are ALWAYS at least 6 weeks out of date by the time you get to read them

They can vary somewhat - depending how they are conducted and the precise timing. Nevertheless, I trust PCPro - Defender gave the poorest showing by far. Better than nothing at all, they said - but all the well known 3rd party free programs are much better still.

Not surprising - it ties in with what MS said all along. It is basic protection out of the box.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
The last comparison I saw (not recent) had the MSE rated up on a par with other highly rated Antivirus programs such as Kaspersky.

Most of the "techies" that I know use and recommend MSE (and now Defender). I do PC support and have recommended it to all my clients and most are using the Microsoft product and no one has had any virus problems. I also use and recommend Malwarebytes for malware/spyware.

I have been in computers since "before PC's" and used McAfee for many years in the DOS and early Windows days. I'm retired but I was the Midwest LAN/WAN Network and Hardware Help Desk Manager for a Federal Government Agency for 23 years. I was also Novell 3.12 CNE.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Why?

What basis do you have for thinking Defender is better than , or as good as 3rd party solutions?

None that I know of.

@Jimbo,

Those free security programs do nothing except consume resources on your computer
.
Avast is lower on resource usage that Defender.

However Ms usually updates windows defender daily - and as it's part of the windows kernel Ms will be able to update far quicker than the 3rd party vendors
No, 3rd party programs update much more frequently - typically every 4hrs - Avast does streaming updates.

BTW also forget any of those magazines listing "comparative values" of security applications or similar -- these results are ALWAYS at least 6 weeks out of date by the time you get to read them

They can vary somewhat - depending how they are conducted and the precise timing. Nevertheless, I trust PCPro - Defender gave the poorest showing by far. Better than nothing at all, they said - but all the well known 3rd party free programs are much better still.

Not surprising - it ties in with what MS said all along. It is basic protection out of the box.


It's easy to state that Windows defender is "Fit for purpose" -- if you READ AND UNDERSTOOD my post I said that the Windows security is now implemented IN THE WINDOWS KERNEL ITSELF (a protected part of the OS) - W8 not W7 so any ramblings about security based on W7 are OBSOLETE in this discussion.
Unlike previous iterations of Windows security was "Bolted on" as an afterthought.

Now Since third party developers don't have access to Windows source code --certainly not the kernel -- they have to rely on published API's or "Get arounds" to "simulate" or "reverse" engineer what Windows defender actually does already -- and since MS provides constant windows updates it's easy to see that Ms windows security will always be more up to date than the third party suppliers.

Q.E.D ------ argument proved conclusively --end of.

As for the resource consumption -- Windows defender is ALREADY integrated into the system -- you can't uninstall it like a norma application program so in essence any other program you add for security is just consuming EXTRA resources.

You really must READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND the post you are replying to before making refutations that are obviously incorrect.

Windows 8 operates DIFFERENTLY to Windows 7 from all sorts of points therefore you can't base you reasoning on what previous versions of Windows did. (This is NOTHING to do whether you like or dislike the new GUI etc etc --but purely on how the system itself is built and how the internal components now react with themselves and outside applications and code whether malicious9Viruses etc) or benign - normal applications.

Finally comparisons aren't really of any use for these reasons

1) by the time the list is published its out of date already
2) End users use their systems probably in totally different ways to the testers so the whole testing mechanism is suspect anyway.

Finally Chapter and verse please for "Ms says Windows defender is basic security" for W8. From what I read Ms was making stringent efforts to make the Windows OS (W8) as SECURE as it possibly can be. Ms is really putting efforts into this area so I really doubt where you get your information from.

@ fireberd -- I'm referring to W8 here so MSE doesn't come into it --although excellent for W7 the whole mechanism is different in W8.

Cheers
jimbo
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I switched to Avast free . Microsoft security software defender is a little heavy, more memory consuming and makes my pc less responsive. I experienced it especially on folder and file operations . So I turned defender and smartscreen off and installed avast free. I am happy with the result. Avast has more features and less dependent and now is windows 8 compatible avast! Free Antivirus | Download Antivirus Protection Software

I usually like microsoft operating systems but not microsoft security softwares. Often I replace microsoft software with free and trustable third party softwares. For example , I don't use microsoft image viewers . Instead I install and use irfanview software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro x64
    CPU
    Q9300
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43 Es3g
    Memory
    8 GB of ddr 2
    Graphics Card(s)
    sapphire hd 6850
    Sound Card
    sound blaster titanium x-fi pci-e
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inches
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 2 TB st20001dm001
    Samsung 2 tb sata 2
    Hitachi 500 gb sata
    PSU
    fatality 550 w
    Case
    spike
    Cooling
    air
    Mouse
    wired A4
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 8 MB / 1 MB
I switched to Avast free . Microsoft security software defender is a little heavy, more memory consuming and makes my pc less responsive.

Your PC is not responsive because it is 4 generation OLD. Defender ( or even MSE) heavy, do you have something to support it ? because it's not what I can feel from my own experience.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Not because it is old . It may be old compared to new cpus but you don't get what I mean by saying less responsive. I don't mean it is very slow. My pc is still fast enough to do any tasks. I don't see any need to upgrade it. I see a difference between defender and avast in my pc. Do I have to prove it ? No. I just say what I experienced.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro x64
    CPU
    Q9300
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43 Es3g
    Memory
    8 GB of ddr 2
    Graphics Card(s)
    sapphire hd 6850
    Sound Card
    sound blaster titanium x-fi pci-e
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inches
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 2 TB st20001dm001
    Samsung 2 tb sata 2
    Hitachi 500 gb sata
    PSU
    fatality 550 w
    Case
    spike
    Cooling
    air
    Mouse
    wired A4
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 8 MB / 1 MB
But I experience differently, in hundreds of PCs that I install anti-virus, so it's why I ask if you have something to support it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Everyone has their favorite, for whatever reason. I'll stick with MSE/Defender as its worked for me, my clients and all my techie friends.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
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