Protecting your PC

[Tueartsoverhead kick]

I'm getting a renewal message from McAfee for the yearly subscription , is there any better options out there that people use ?

 

[mindmyp's_n_q's]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.proxybay.eu/torrent/7624132/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_PRO_1.65.0.1400_-_Final_-_FULL__with_K" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.proxybay.eu/torrent/7624132/ ... LL__with_K</a>

 

[Centurions]

And anyone who downloads their PC security software from a torrent site deserves everything they get.

I personally use Microsoft Security Essentials with the occasional scan from Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition. I've never had any problems but it does help if you avoid dodgy sites like ragcafe and rawk...

 

[mindmyp's_n_q's]

And anyone who downloads their PC security software from a torrent site deserves everything they get.

Never ever paid for virus software and have never ever had any issues with my computers. Have had versions of mainstream virus software given to me (Spare keys from work, friends etc) and have always removed them as 1. they never catch all the things my dodgy copy has 2. They usually (Norton especially) make my computer run like shite every time it either tried to scan or do an update.

If you know the person that puts up the torrent and can trust them (as in this case and all the software I use) then I do not see an issue.

 

[Centurions]

And anyone who downloads their PC security software from a torrent site deserves everything they get.

Never ever paid for virus software and have never ever had any issues with my computers. Have had versions of mainstream virus software given to me (Spare keys from work, friends etc) and have always removed them as 1. they never catch all the things my dodgy copy has 2. They usually (Norton especially) make my computer run like shite every time it either tried to scan or do an update.

If you know the person that puts up the torrent and can trust them (as in this case and all the software I use) then I do not see an issue.

If you know them then fair enough.
I wasn't having a pop at you BTW. It was more a warning to the, shall we say more technically challenged folk that I'm trying to keep out of deep shit.

 

[Tueartsoverhead kick]

http://www.proxybay.eu/torrent/7624132/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_PRO_1.65.0.1400_-_Final_-_FULL__with_K

So do I just download this from the link and then everything is OK no fee etc ?<br /><br />-- Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:55 pm --<br /><br />

And anyone who downloads their PC security software from a torrent site deserves everything they get.

I personally use Microsoft Security Essentials with the occasional scan from Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition. I've never had any problems but it does help if you avoid dodgy sites like ragcafe and rawk...

Is this free ?

 

[TCIB]

If you read the comments on torrents and download the trial from the official site, you may be in business :)
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.proxybay.eu/search/malwarebytes/0/7/0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.proxybay.eu/search/malwarebytes/0/7/0</a>

 

[bluebloodmcfc]

I use Microsoft Essentials it's free

 

[Tueartsoverhead kick]

I use Microsoft Essentials it's free

OK cheers !

 

[MCFCinUSA]

AVG is also free (for their basic protection)

 

[Rösler von Stretfordbömber]

I use Microsoft Essentials it's free

Not only that, it is generally better than most things you need to pay for.

Avoid Avast anti-virus. That thing has gone way off the rails lately. Deletes important business applications, etc. I replaced it with MSE and have been very happy with it.

 

[BongoBlue]

Like others on here, I use Malwarebytes and MS Security Essentials. I also use SpyBot and CCleaner for a cleanup of cookies, registry entries, adware etc.
All free and downloadable at their own sites or at someplace like CNET downloads. No need to go to a torrent site.

Plus I use Chrome or Firefox to browse t'internet. Do NOT use Internet Explorer. That most bug-ridden and security-hole filled pile of shite is an open door to viruses, bots etc.

 

[Skashion]

You can check out comparisons of anti-virus products here: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.av-comparatives.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.av-comparatives.org</a> They publish reports on many different things, some of it you might find hard to interpret. They produce annual summary reports which are easier to understand but as they do them in December, the current one is nearly a year out of date, which is a long time in the world of the anti-virus. Here is 2012's: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/avc_sum_201212_en.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-conte ... 212_en.pdf</a>

Their top-rated products for 2012 were:

• Avast
• AVIRA
• Bitdefender
• Bullguard
• ESET
• F-Secure
• G DATA
• Kaspersky

You can see a chart of real-world blocking of threats here which is updated monthly: <a class="postlink" href="http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php</a> There's no need to consider anything that has less than 99% effectiveness as far as I'm concerned because both Avast and Avira have free versions.

Personally I use Avira because it is feather light (the best of all anti viruses) for taking up system resources (i.e. apart from when doing a full scan will not slow your computer down at all). Avast is also excellent in this respect, and is only marginally behind it. I continue to stand by Avira because it has served me very well for years and is very very consistent. Some of these anti viruses experience big swings in effectiveness, some of the ones which used to be bad are now good and vice versa, Avira has always been one of the best for protection. However, I cannot pretend it's perfect, I think Avast is more user friendly. With it being very popular though it may suffer from the 'tallest nail' effect where it is purposefully targeted and therefore whilst very little gets through, what does get through will be more likely to effect Avast than Avira. Sometimes there is such a thing as 'security through obscurity'. That's probably just me being paranoid though. So, if you're thinking free only, those two are your best bets and I see no reason not to use one of those two and pay for one of the other ones.

An anti-virus is not enough though. An anti-virus is like having a burglar alarm and a weapon in the house to twat a burglar with, and having an effective weapon does count, you don't want to be hitting the fucker with a pillow when you needn't. However, the best thing is to stop them getting in in the first place. For that, make you sure you sure you've got a decent firewall. I use Comodo but I'm a geek and security paranoid. Even I find it a little bit annoying. Most people would lose their rag with the amount of alerts it gives you. For that reason, I do not recommend it to people who already find computers annoying because it will drive you around the fucking bend. ZoneAlarm, like Avast, is also excellent and more user friendly.

You may want to consider a HIPS. I won't go into what it stands for, I'll just tell you what it does. If a firewall is locks for your doors, an anti-virus is a combination of burglar alarm and a weapon to twat him with, a HIPS is the last defence if the burglar has found your keys or picked the lock, deactivated the burglar alarm so you're still asleep with your weapon upstairs or else has tied you up, the HIPS is like having all your most valuable possessions glued down so the clever burglar can't take them. What it does is monitor key files and settings for changes so that anything that gets in finds it really difficult to change anything important. Most people don't bother with one and that's fair enough, they can be a bit annoying because they give off alerts when you install new software because it is you changing those key files and settings. However, with all the trailware you get these days, you know, the shit that frustratingly adds new toolbars to your browser and a new fucking home page and changes your search engine, they can be useful against other annoyances as well. There's a lot less choice here but they're all free: Malware Defender, WinPatrol, MJ Registry Watcher.

Finally, there are the dedicated malware removers when the worst has happened and something has got through and infected your system. Malwarebytes is the best and it's free.

Have inserted download links for all products mentioned.

 

[roach3]

if you use good security practices "ie your a pc geek" then security essentials is fine but the average user wouldn't know if they are infected before its to late.

The plus side is that it uses a very small footprint on your system unlike Norton etc which will bring your system to its knees if its more than 5 years old or a newer one with a poor spec

MSE comes last in the all important malware detection tests and even Microsoft recommends using a third party anti-virus if your an average user.

Avira comes out on top at the moment.

your better off learning good housekeeping and do regular sweeps and scans with ccleaner/malwarebytes, stay away from dodgy fake porn sites
don't open email attachments without scanning them first.

get into these good habits and you will get away with MSE if not then go buy or download a fully dedicated security suite.

 

[TCIB]

If anyone wants eset nod32 just give me a pm or post here and i shall pm you.

 

[Centurions]

There's an article on http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/free-anti-virus-software which claims that :-

"All MBNA cardholders signed up for Online Card Services can get a year's free access to McAfee's Online Banking Suite, which includes its pro antivirus, virus and spyware programs, and more. It's normally £59.98. If you don't cancel before the complementary year's up, it takes £29.99 for the next year's access (50% off the RRP). "

Also :-

"Barclays' online banking customers can grab a free 12-month Kaspersky Internet Security antivirus subscription (RRP £50). It comes very highly-rated by various tech publications, so it's a must-have if you bank with Barclays. It's renewable free of charge after the first year - you just have to reactivate it."


Kaspersky especially is highly regarded. Could you open up a Barclays account with a fiver, start up your online banking and have Kasperky's free for ever? I'm probably hoping for too much there :(

 

[supa-dapa-dan]

If anyone wants eset nod32 just give me a pm or post here and i shall pm you.

I'll have a bit of that please Mr Dingle.