OT: AVG Free Antivirus

PeterDuke wrote on 3/21/2016, 8:38 PM

Arrrghhh

The popup has popped up again!!!!

John222 wrote on 3/21/2016, 10:09 PM

I was an early user of AVG. Unfortunately its turned into bloatware. Just use malwarebytes and whatever virus package comes with Windows.

Former user wrote on 3/21/2016, 10:19 PM

I stopped using AVG free after the developer basically told some people online that they had no right to complain, because it was free. He has a point, but I also have the option to use others. If you want somethng other than the Windows options I would suggest AVAST. It only pops up a couple of times a year and you have to renew every year, but I find it is a good option. My wife's computer is running XP so I use it on that computer. Otherwise I use the Windows defender and watch what I download and surf.

ushere wrote on 3/21/2016, 10:21 PM

+1 john222

PeterDuke wrote on 3/21/2016, 11:47 PM

I usually cycle through AVG, Avast and Avira. When one annoys me too much I step on to the next one, and so on. Someone said that Avast has a silent mode where it tells you nothing (useful or annoying), but I haven't investigated that.

Someone said that Windows 10 Defender performance has improved recently, but I have seen no other confirmation yet.

Bitdefender Antivirus has also had a few honourable mentions, but apparently requires you to create a login account.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware is supposed to be good for removing infections, but the free version doesn't run automatically.

ushere wrote on 3/21/2016, 11:59 PM

i have used various iterations of m$ antivirus along with weekly malwarebytes scans as my ONLY protection for over 10 years.

i use chrome with script blockers, etc., and visit places i shouldn't.

i NEVER open attachments without knowing who they're from, i NEVER open any attachment without scanning it first, and i NEVER open an .exe unless i downloaded it from a reputable source myself.

i haven't had a problem in 10 years, but during that time i've had to clean up numerous friends pc's that WERE running proprietary antivirus software because they THOUGHT they knew what they were doing when they clicked on ______ (fill in blanks yourself)

NickHope wrote on 3/22/2016, 3:00 AM

I also used AVG Free for many years and have now given up on it. With Windows 10 I let Windows Defender do it's thing behind the scenes and I don't even notice it's there. Life is more straightforward.

Besides the common sense ushere just described, the browsers and email services do more these days to keep you out of trouble.

The biggest risk I reckon, as long as you don't click on things you shouldn't, is probably inserting other people's thumb drives and HDDs.

diverG wrote on 3/22/2016, 6:53 AM

@ Nick,
Do you exclude and folders? eg c:\Program files\sony or your media folders?
G

rraud wrote on 3/22/2016, 11:24 AM

I used AVG for a while as well, but switched to AVAST along with ZoneAlarm which worked w/o issue. I'm currently using Norton 360 which is free from my service provider.

riredale wrote on 3/22/2016, 3:22 PM

Was with free AVG for many years, then also got tired of the nags and switched to Avast a couple of years ago. Currently running Avast version 6 (don't know if that's the latest, since I usually decline the program updates--but not the data updates) and I like the program a great deal. Also running ZoneAlarm 6.5, no issues.

I have found over the years that software evolves as newer versions come out but in many instances things change for the worse. So I stay with what works.

I have a socket wrench set that we bought for my dad for Father's Day many years ago (and which he promptly gave to me, since he had zero mechanical ability and saw through my ploy). Still works great, so I have no reason to replace it.

NickHope wrote on 3/22/2016, 10:38 PM

"Do you exclude and folders? eg c:\Program files\sony or your media folders?"

Are you missing a word there G?

If you mean in Windows Defender, I don't think I've excluded anything. Should I? It's so unobtrusive I actually had to search yesterday to check I have it installed and running.

john_dennis wrote on 3/22/2016, 11:11 PM

I use Microsoft Security Essentials. Normally, I don't notice it but when I happened to be looking at disk activity while preparing a Blu-Ray image I noticed MSE disk activity on the folders involved in the prepare processes. Out of boredom I excluded some of the folders. It made about as much difference as a FFIAWT.

PeterDuke wrote on 3/23/2016, 8:56 AM

Fat *art In A Wind Tunnel?

diverG wrote on 3/23/2016, 9:07 AM

Typo

Should read: "Do you exclude any folders from being monitored by Antivirus software"

Tend to use MSE or Defender but currently running Sophos on W10
Out of habit I tend to exclude NLE programs/folders and media folders after performing an initial scan u[on installation.

Sorry

john_dennis wrote on 3/23/2016, 9:47 AM

"Fat", no Fly.

PeterDuke wrote on 3/24/2016, 6:42 PM

Well I changed AVG for Avast

It complains about outdated software, insecure passwords, etc. etc. and collects info about me (which it says I can disable).

The world is crumbling around me.

John222 wrote on 3/24/2016, 10:21 PM

To be honest, I wouldn't give 2 cents for Avast either. It's really only slightly less bloated than AVG. There really isn't a need for these 3rd party virus packages any more. Backup you hard drive regularly use windows defender and malwarebytes and you will be fine.

PeterDuke wrote on 3/25/2016, 1:38 AM

I am looking for something for my Win XP box. I am happy to rely on Win Defender plus sensible surfing for Win 10.

I am now trying Avira Free with XP.

I think I successfully traversed the mine field of bloat during installation, and it is now 6 hours into checking my system (about 2 hrs more to go!). So far it has found 46 "detections". I will be surprised if they are genuine threats. There are also 18 warnings. (I tremble in my shoes.)

PeterDuke wrote on 3/25/2016, 5:53 AM

Well, Avira finished its scan and flagged 93 "detections". Some well known ones like MediaInfo have EyeCandy, in it, it says. Others it flagged to be quarantined included Red Giant Colorista II (paid for) and NewBlue Stabilizer (paid for).

I will spend some time sorting out what is what and then uninstall Avira.

Sighhhhh!!!

JohnnyRoy wrote on 3/25/2016, 9:16 AM

> "I was an early user of AVG. Unfortunately its turned into bloatware. Just use malwarebytes and whatever virus package comes with Windows."

+1

I used AVG for many years until I couldn't take the bloat anymore. I switched to Avast and couldn't take the false positives telling me that software that I had written myself was a virus and not letting me run my own programs!!! Finally switched to just Malwarebytes and Windows Defender.

Another BIG help is to install the WOT (Web Of Trust) plug-in in your browsers. Let's face it, you are not going to get a virus from a floppy disk anymore... it's going to come from a web site so your first line of defense should be to make sure that your browsers keeps you safe. WOT is an awesome plug-in that will flag bad sites right in Google searches so that you don't click on them to begin with. If you do click, it warns you that the site is unsafe and gives you an opportunity to leave. I wouldn't surf without it. ;-)

~jr