[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Free Antivirus You Can Trust here

[DBA1980]

Too bad they didn't test the newest version of Microsoft Security Essentials. I would have liked to hear the results of the latest release and not one that is over a year old.

[KLanD]

I use MSE. it incorporates well with windows and it takes next to no resources to run.

[crabbing]

what the world really needs is a direct, head-to-head comparison of free AND paid antivirus programs.

[GiancarloFava]

Applause for malware antimalware.Indeed a great product

[blottobot]

Is it just me, or did PCWorld once again dodge a real review of Ad-Aware? Why do they keep pushing Lavasoft's programs on us when they only urk most users? I for one abandoned them years ago and see nothing (once again) to make me try again. The article should not have even mentioned Ad-Aware.

[RickDobbelmannqbtt]

blottobot, on 01 May 2012 - 12:22 AM, said:

Is it just me, or did PCWorld once again dodge a real review of Ad-Aware? Why do they keep pushing Lavasoft's programs on us when they only urk most users? I for one abandoned them years ago and see nothing (once again) to make me try again. The article should not have even mentioned Ad-Aware.

There is no reason to ever have to run virus protection.

Virus protection and malware programs are just bloatware hogging your resources.

Have not run any type of virus program for over 2 years.

FREE YOURSELF!!

[AakashRaval]

I use AVG free for about 6-7 months now and it works fine for me ,Laptop speed is also not affected and no virus problems and the best part is that it is free.

[kenski]

Did you folks look at the March report from AV-Comparatives.org? Much different test results. People should look at the document.
http://www.av-compar...012_intl_en.pdf

[amark]

kenski, on 01 May 2012 - 07:11 AM, said:

Did you folks look at the March report from AV-Comparatives.org? Much different test results. People should look at the document.
http://www.av-compar...012_intl_en.pdf

Thanks for the link. Interesting data.

I myself use MSE, but the update, not the one tested from both pcw and avcomp tests.
Gulp, at AVComparitives MSE 2.1 was a bit shorter than all the others in detection...but it was the absolute winner in fewest false positives.
AVG was high in FP's in the test. Does AVG do that old mcafee trick of getting a false positive and then routing you to their web page and for a slight fee of around 80 bucks they will help you sort it out?
Seems detection wise their winner was Avast.

Eye's spinning.

Anyway..would rather not change A/V's yet, looking forward to tests on MSE 4.0

[DavidBRosen]

Huh?? Malwarebytes free version is on-demand-scan-only! It doesn't have any real-time protection, nor I believe does it have automatic scheduled scans or updates. Nobody should be expected to manually run scans like Malwarebytes (free) except when they already have an infection!

[DavidBRosen]

Why is it that there's so little agreement among the so-called experts about the effectiveness of different a/v? Look at the various tests on av-comparatives, virus bulletin, av-test/pcworld, and pcmag and you get completely different answers. Even looking at the same source three months later and you get different answers, even when the products haven't changed much. It's maddening.

[Fuzmor]

DBA1980, on 30 April 2012 - 07:01 AM, said:

Too bad they didn't test the newest version of Microsoft Security Essentials. I would have liked to hear the results of the latest release and not one that is over a year old.

The free on demand tools that play well with Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool and Microsoft Safety Scanner also were not mentioned as options or tested.

Were these tests conducted in USER mode? Requiring the User to provide the Admin password can block a lot of mall-ware.

This post has been edited by Fuzmor: 03 May 2012 - 05:12 AM

[gundark]

Does AVG Free still slam you with pop-ups urging you to purchase the retail version of their software?

[RonGraves]

amark, on 01 May 2012 - 08:22 AM, said:

kenski, on 01 May 2012 - 07:11 AM, said:

Did you folks look at the March report from AV-Comparatives.org? Much different test results. People should look at the document.
http://www.av-compar...012_intl_en.pdf

Thanks for the link. Interesting data.

I myself use MSE, but the update, not the one tested from both pcw and avcomp tests.
Gulp, at AVComparitives MSE 2.1 was a bit shorter than all the others in detection...but it was the absolute winner in fewest false positives.
AVG was high in FP's in the test. Does AVG do that old mcafee trick of getting a false positive and then routing you to their web page and for a slight fee of around 80 bucks they will help you sort it out?
Seems detection wise their winner was Avast.

Eye's spinning.

Anyway..would rather not change A/V's yet, looking forward to tests on MSE 4.0

Not surprised at avast! I've used the free version for many years (currently using the paid option - I thought it a good idea considering I now spend about 16-18 hours a day online - I'm housebound), and I've never had a virus or malware infestation. It's flagged plenty of alarms for infected websites, but absolutely nothing has got past it.

[shanaza]

kenski, on 01 May 2012 - 07:11 AM, said:

Did you folks look at the March report from AV-Comparatives.org? Much different test results. People should look at the document.
http://www.av-compar...012_intl_en.pdf

PC World cannot compete with real AV labs such as av comparatives.

[deepsand]

RickDobbelmannqbtt, on 01 May 2012 - 12:44 AM, said:

blottobot, on 01 May 2012 - 12:22 AM, said:

Is it just me, or did PCWorld once again dodge a real review of Ad-Aware? Why do they keep pushing Lavasoft's programs on us when they only urk most users? I for one abandoned them years ago and see nothing (once again) to make me try again. The article should not have even mentioned Ad-Aware.

There is no reason to ever have to run virus protection.

Virus protection and malware programs are just bloatware hogging your resources.

Have not run any type of virus program for over 2 years.

FREE YOURSELF!!

Once again, nonsense from a Linux zealot.

[deepsand]

crabbing, on 30 April 2012 - 09:14 AM, said:

what the world really needs is a direct, head-to-head comparison of free AND paid antivirus programs.

In the case of those vendors providing both, many (most/all?) use the same engine for both the free and paid versions, with the differences being mainly in the administrative features and level of support.

[My2w0S3n5e]

Greetings folks!
Let me toss in my 2 cents, by saying this:

1.There is no "ONE" AV product that protects against ALL viruses/malware/spam/phishing/zero day threats etc. Free or Paid. Period. To think that there is a magic shield app out there that will keep you "safe, warm and protected is unwise. Just because these product fall under the "Anti-Virus" umbrella and get a bad score, it doesn't make them useless. As you can see from the article, they all have their varying strengths and weaknesses.

2.Multilayer protection is a necessity for ALL Windows PC users. (Hats off to you Linux folks!..)

3.Unless you are downloading hacked appz, gamez, keygenz and surfing 1000 porn sites a day; along with opening every attachment and link in all those spammed e-mails you get from people you do not know... you are not likely to be infected by 129,000 viruses and their variants.

AV developers do their best to create these applications, to both protect your computer and to make money. REMEMBER: The biggest threat to your PC is YOU (the user) and ignorance..If your not programming your own AV app, you have no reason to complain. If you are THAT worried about security; don't get internet service or hit the button on it labeled "Power".

Just my two cents...

Much Love 2 MBAM,GMER, www.bleepingcomputer.com,Kaspersky,Avast!,PC Tools and all the other dev's and people out there doing their part; Working hard to provide protection and support for our PC's; even giving away their products and making great efforts to keep the public safe...from themselves.... ~;-)

[deepsand]

My2w0S3n5e, on 12 May 2012 - 02:04 AM, said:

2.Multilayer protection is a necessity for ALL Windows PC users. (Hats off to you Linux folks!..)

Huh?