OT - Which Anti Virus?

This has been a frequent topic, but things change and evolve over time. My PC came with ESET anti virus when purchased almost 2 years ago. The ESET expires in 8 days, so I need to get ESET again or another anti virus. What are the expert opinions?

This is tractor related because if I get a virus in 8 days and my computer crashes, I won't be able to get on YT!
 
I have been using Norton 360 for several years now and have had zero issues with it. I know some don't like it but I have had good luck.

It costs around $80 for three computers each year. There are specials on the price. So shop around.
 
I've been using nothing but the free stuff from MS the past several years with no issues.

In years past, I've used both Mcaffee and Norton and found that both caused performance issues.

Dean
 
I don't run antivirus software. If you don't go in the regions of the 'net where angels fear to tread, and stay off of fakebook and make it a point NOT to click on illicit popups, you will be FINE!

Firefox and Abine are your friend.
 
I have been using Norton Antivirus for years with no problems. I also have the paid version of Malwarebytes on my computer.
 
Not so. I got a new computer in December that I just had to take to the shop on Monday to get checked. The only major things I had knowingly downloaded was my CAD/CAM program from the mfgs. site, and Office 360 from Microsoft's web site. Both had to have authentication codes that allowed them to be downloaded and run. I also opened a few files on my email from folks that had sent me parts quotes, etc. Beyond that, and going to a couple of sites I frequent, like here and a gun board, the computer wasn't used for anything else.

Unfortunately I hadn't taken the time to download any type of anti-virus program to it yet, as I hadn't really planned to do anything with it that I thought would require one. It's intended purpose was to run nothing but my CAD/CAM program, the Office products I wanted for my business and the occasional business related venture online. Unfortunately the one I'm on now is having some issues and I had to use my new one to check email several times to download the files containing some parts lists, and some quotes.

The guy checked mine out, and after running some diagnostics determined that it had been infected with some new virus. He had just seen another computer last week, that was brought in by an old lady, that had acquired the same virus mine had. He said it's one of the latest and greatest that encrypts your files, along with some other stuff, and was currently impossible to get rid of without wiping and reloading everything. Thankfully I've still got this one to use until it comes back...and then I can get this one fixed too....

Like I said in the beginning you do not have to go to any 'adult sites' or anywhere else that you would think these types of viruses thrive (((if so I must share the same tastes in my 'adult' viewing as an old lady....LOL)))).....now days all you need to do is open an email, and your computer is toast.
 
I use Mcaffee. My son prefers Kapersky. Anything is better than nothing. Don't think for a minute there's a safe place on the net. It's been a few years but I've picked up a virus here at YT and johnnypopper.
 
Using a pay for version AVG Antivirus. Priced reasonable, compared to others. Working great. Does not adversely affect computer speed or operation. Some don't like this but also have auto updates turned on for IE-version 11 security updates. This gives a 2 prong defense against viruses. Would never go on internet or read emails w/o some type antivirus software loaded and operational. AVG auto updates itself every day or two.
 
I use AVG free version at the shop for the last five years or so. I had used Norton for a while but performance really took a hit after the last time I upgraded it. I also never use Internet Explorer. Either Either Firefox or Google Chrome. I also run Malwarebytes but I don't remember it finding a problem. Every now and then AVG will put up a pop window with a message that it has stopped an intrusion event so I assume it does work.

We run Avast on the home computers and other than the grandson allowing some of the things he has downloaded to change browser or home page there hasn't been a problem there either.
 
I used Norton for years and started having problems just before it was time to renew so I changed to AVG. It worked fine for a while until I got a bad case of malware. I ran malwarebytes and changed back to Norton 360 and have had it for a couple of years on 2 computers and it seems a lot better than the old Norton.
 
I have been using AVAST free for over 10 years. Nothing but good luck with it. AVG free before that. There both good. I also use Malwarebytes and Spybot S&D weekly for the stuff that anti-virus cant get. It does find a few things once in awhile.Other than that No problems.
 
I have nothing. Zip, nada.
Been 7 years now without it.
I wont even let windows or anything else auto update.
I've had to do a restore a bunch of times and recently had to format.
When you think about what you've paid over the years to protect your computer you could buy a new one every few years.
 
Amen brother! The penguins "just smile and wave boys". Some folks refuse to give up their Edsel just because they are afraid of change.
 
I have been using Firefox and Windows XP with the award winning Bitdefender for a couple of years along with the free version of Malwarebytes and so far no problems with this setup. Had a few problems before.
 
I've been using Microsoft Security Essentials since it was in beta.

Integrates almost seamlessly, uses very little system resources, and updates right along with the normal MS updates. Plus, it's free.

As for you Linux users, I wouldn't be so smug:

http://www.hardocp.com/news/2015/01/27/critical_linux_security_hole_discovered#.VMjOhqN0yUk

The reason Linux and Mac users don't see much in the way of viruses is that their user base isn't large enough for the virus writers to bother with. Why aggravate 100 people when you can aggravate 1,000,000 people?
 
Norton 360 Premier with Power Eraser. To keep the speed up I also have System Mechanic. Norton takes care of itself but I have to start the System Mechanic when I suspect clutter. System Mechanic also helps control add ons and will tell you which ones to turn off on start up.
Its a great advantage for an old man that needs help to turn a computer on.
 
I wouldn't be too smug using MSE either. Do a Google search for "Microsoft reveals that it sees its own antivirus as a "baseline" and advises users to install third-party antivirus"
 
Yep. This computer has Ubuntu (a Linux variant) on it and I've used it for over 10 years without a single problem. The OS is free and updates are free.
My daughter was a staunch Windoze supporter when she was in high school, but now is a junior at the University of Nebraska majoring in computer science. She also works 30 hours a week part time designing web pages for a fairly large company in Lincoln. She, nor any of her classmates, would touch Windows unless they absolutely have to.
 
Check with your internet carrier. Many offer (free) virus protection with your subscription. They help with the download & installation too.
 
if you would like free anti virus software, my computer guru guy uses this site. go to ninite dot com. under the apps for security, select the following. avast, malwarebytes, ad-aware, and super. then click on the big green get installer button. it bundles all the software and does the down load. also, use mozilla firefox. you would be amazed at how much spyware and tracking cookies are on your system. i run full scans one a week, and quick scans every few days. the website is run by computer geeks.
 
That works for me too. Avast, Malwarebytes and
I use Eusing daily. Old computer, is still quick
and no hang-ups.
 
MSE and Malwarebytes (paid version) keeps this old puter healthy. Oh viruses can be picked up anywhere even on this site.
 
If you go to ANY sites that have rotating ads, you are susceptible to virus attacks. I had one from my Yahoo home page. Many newspaper sites are infected.
Are those the regions where "angels fear to tread?"
 
I have been using Trend Micro's products for years. Either the antivirus or the Internet Security. I usually get them off eBay, since the renewal costs twice as much as a whole new product.

On one occasion, I was attacked by the FBI Ransomware scam. I ended up calling for technical support. At level 1, they read from their scripts, and were unable to help. As a courtesy, they kicked it up to level 2, and there was a really sharp lady in the Philippines that unraveled the whole thing for me and got me free of the attack.
It has done a good job for me.
 
Free AVG always running on PC & smart phone. Malwarebytes, Ad-Aware & Spybot scans on scheduled scans 1x per week.
 
I use the paid version of AVG and have been well satisfied. Recently they are using pop-ups to try to sell me more of their programs. A big annoyance and I am considering getting rid of AVG when my subscription expires.
 
> As for you Linux users, I wouldn't be so smug:

>http://www.hardocp.com/news/2015/01/27/critical_linux_security_hole_discovered#.VMjOhqN0yUk

>The reason Linux and Mac users don't see much in the way of viruses is that their user base isn't large enough for the virus writers to bother with. Why aggravate 100 people when you can aggravate 1,000,000 people?


Not so fast, Bucko. It is true that Linux malware does exist but the rarity of malware on Linux is not entirely due to Linux's smaller installed base. It's a situation where one OS was designed from the ground up to be secure, while the other was designed from the ground up to be CONVENIENT (which is to say INsecure). There are more than enough Linux clients to attract the attention of the Russian crime syndicates behind most malware, but it's not worth their time when Windows is so easy to crack. Should Microsoft ever clean up its act, maybe we'll see some Linux viruses.

As for the alarmist article you posted, everything is not as it seem. This is a VULNERABILITY, not a virus. Discovery of a vulnerability doesn't mean anyone has exploited it. It may not mean an exploit is even possible. It's a bug someone found in the code and fixed. All the major distributions have already posted fixes for this bug; most folks running Linux apply updates regularly (I update my system every day or two) and will get the vulnerability patched the next time they run their updates. This particular bug is what is known as a "buffer overflow". Buffer overflows are fairly common in programs written in the C language; they are considered to be very serious bugs, but not all buffer overflow bugs can be exploited by malware. Fortunately there are thousands of programmers constantly reviewing the Linux code base, so these problems are usually found and fixed long before they can be exploited.
 

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