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What do you feel is the best antivirus to use or someone should be using? My subscription to Bullguard is about up and I was wondering if I should stick with them or move on.
Best Antivirus to use?
- Thread starter Demon_Skeith
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Dr. Web offers a free 3-month trial of their security suite (Dr. Web Security Space), which includes antivirus protection and several other features, and if you like its performance during the trial period, you can purchase a 1 year license for about $30: Dr.Web anti-virus / Download
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BitDefender is one of the best antivirus according to AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Real World Protection Test Overview
Maybe it just me but I don't bother with those reports because every year one antivirus will be better than another. In general I just stick with one software for several years then switch if needed.
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Right now I am using ESET internet security
Whats good about it?
hey long time no see, so whats good about it? Also do you still use bullguard?
I have been looking at that as it does seem to be good, for a price.
For me I found it fast and lightweight. I used others before like Norton and bitdefender and I found then heavy on the computer at the time.
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does it ever find anything?
Considering that I use Adgurd DNS along with ad blocking software, the chances of me getting anything is low, however I don't go to shady sites and such.
The only time I've used Bullguard was several years ago when I tested their trial version. I didn't like it.
As for Dr.Web, it is an old Russian cyber security company (they were founded in the '90s - it's basically Kaspersky's father on steroids) that has recently resurfaced and created one of the strongest anti-malware software ever: Dr.Web Security Space. You can read a full review of it here:
Dr.Web Anti-virus 10 Review - Hits All the Right Notes
Their tech team also promises that they will try and recover files encrypted by ransomware if the suite should not prove 100% efficient against any new ransomware attack.
About encryption ransomware that extorts money to decrypt compromised data
Doctor Web prides itself to be the only company whose experts are able to recover compromised files with a probability of 90%. Still worrying about that small percent of a new virus that Dr.Web can't catch? That's why Dr. Web Security Space comes with a simple solution to the problem of data security — the “Data Loss Prevention” feature. Even in the unlikely case in which a Trojan gets to your files, you will be able to restore them on your own without having to request support from Doctor Web. Unlike common backup programs, Dr.Web creates and protects backup storage from intruders.
You also get a top notch firewall, parental control to filter NSFW sites, anti-spam and anti-phishing to secure your emails — all bundled together in a powerful security suite that can rival in price and efficiency most other antivirus vendors.
Some people have called Dr.Web overprotective, but better safe than sorry, right?
Still not convinced? That's why they give you a 3-month free trial that comes with almost all the features! Test it for free for 3 months to convince yourself before you buy a license.
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Sticking to one antivirus software for many years can work for users who are more careful when using Windows, and don't have very important and private files on their hard drives which they don't want to be stolen or locked out of if their computer is infected with ransomware.
There is always a chance a hacker can steal your files, and threaten to release your files like photos, videos, home address, and banking statements to websites like social networks, and the darkweb if victims don't pay them ransom money. Viruses like Ransomware can lock you out of your own files which maybe worth a lot to you, so using a better antivirus may decrease the risk of being locked out of your own files.
A lot can also change in a few years when it comes to antivirus software. Antivirus companies sometimes get sold like how McAfee antivirus is now owned by Intel, and the antivirus company may no longer have its best workers working for the company, so the detection rate becomes worse because fewer good workers are maintaining the antivirus program.
Antivirus virus detection and protection ratings reports are useful for new users who are having a hard time choosing one of the many Antivirus software which they can install onto Windows.
Computer tech support workers or computer sales workers at a stores like Best Buy or Staples are less likely complaints from customers if they recommend an Antivirus with a high virus detection rating, and reliability scores.
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In the past, Windows Defender has the lowest virus detection percentage out of most of the popular antivirus software brands. I usually disable Windows Defender, and install another antivirus like Avast, AVG, BitDefender, or Avira depending on which Antivirus has the most best reviews from users, and highest virus detection scores.
Low virus detection is bad, but high virus detection is bad too.
On one hand, scanners that detect too few viruses are bad, because they can allow too many viruses in that may harm your PC.
On the other hand, scanners that detect too many viruses are bad too, because this leads to many false positives, effectively confusing the end user.
On one hand, scanners that detect too few viruses are bad, because they can allow too many viruses in that may harm your PC.
On the other hand, scanners that detect too many viruses are bad too, because this leads to many false positives, effectively confusing the end user.
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I use ZoneAlarm for both Antivirus and Firewall. Used the package for many years and never had a problem.
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I agree having a high detection rate may confuse the user. Users can copy the file, and upload it to an online antivirus forum, or online virus scanning service like VirusTotal to get a second virus scan opinion if it is a false positive or a real virus.
If you go with Bitdefender, send me a PM. I keep getting emails from them with some of their best deals because I was a past customer.
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There are most likely very few average users who will upload their files to Virus Total and other second opinion virus scanning websites. But, some average users maybe recommended, by their more tech savvy friends or computer forums, to upload their suspicious virus infected files to Virus Total.
The local news, newspapers, tech-related TV shows, and tech websites for Windows PC beginners sometimes recommend useful websites like Virus Total to their viewers, so more average users may know that Virus Total exist, and how to use the website.