Forum Discussion

camperforlife's avatar
camperforlife
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014

Free Avast

I am about to dump the free version of Avast. I've used it for years but they have really added a lot of pop ups telling you that there is grime and other issues on your PC trying to sell upgraded services. I can get Norton for free from Comcast but I want a smaller footprint on my Ultrabook's small SS hard drive. Suggestions?
  • WoodGlue's avatar
    WoodGlue
    Explorer
    Mar 18, 2014
    1492 wrote:
    I'm running Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition on both my WIN 7/8 Netbook, and WIN 8 Ultrabook SSD. Bitdefender received the highest rating along with Kaspersky in WIN 8.1, while being lighter on resources than Windows Defender(8/8.1), formerly known as Microsoft Security Essentials. Also, perfect score for protection in WIN 7. It's the most un-intrusive Free AV software I've seen yet.

    Microsoft Security Essentials/Windows Defender(8/8.1) scored at the bottom of all AV software tested for protection in WIN XP / WIN 7 / WIN 8.1.

    X2 on this advice!
  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Mar 18, 2014
    1775 wrote:
    We uninstalled Comodo antivirus and left the Firewall and then installed BitDefender Free which improved the netbook's performance back to where it had been before.

    Actually, this may be the ideal combo. Install Bitdefender Free Edition + Comodo Free Firewall. With Bitdefender, you get a top rated, lightweight unobtrusive AV package, along with an advanced firewall which comes with Virtual Kiosk, a complete sandboxing environment for net access and unfamiliar applications.
  • camperforlife's avatar
    camperforlife
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2014
    I appreciate all the comments. It looks like I will dump Avast and try Bitdefender if I can free up some time this weekend. I have used Malwarebytes for quite some time.
  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Mar 13, 2014
    Cookies are such small text files that they don't use up disk space to any significant degree. Browser cache files are the space hogs.

    Clearing out tracking cookies is a good idea, but you may want to make an exception in CCleaner or in your browser, not to delete cookies for specific websites you want to keep logged into.

    Cookies do on occasion become corrupted. But, generally, will be apparent due to login issues. In which case, you just delete them and log back in.

    BTW, if using Firefox, there is a handy extension Self-Destructing Cookies that delete tracking and cross site marketing cookies when you close your browser tab. You can whitelist sites such as RV.NET to keep you logged in.
  • Tvov's avatar
    Tvov
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2014
    I always thought that removing the build up of cookies is one part of "cleaning out" and speeding up a computer - which is the main reason I use CCleaner.
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Mar 13, 2014
    Tvov wrote:
    shakyjay wrote:
    .... Additionally I would highly suggest installing Malwarebytes and CCleaner. These can be run on an as needed basis my suggestion for most people is weekly but monthly works for many.


    That's similar to what I do. I don't usually run Malwarebytes unless I think there is a need, but I run CCleaner every so often as it seems to make a difference.

    Just remember to save all your log-ins and passwords! CCleaner cleans out all the cookies, which removes the saved log-ins and you have to enter all that for regular sites you go to.

    I know too many people that don't keep track of their log-ins and passwords, and depend on their computer to "remember" them.

    You can uncheck the box for "cookies" before scanning and then it will not remove them.
    Barney
  • Tvov's avatar
    Tvov
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2014
    shakyjay wrote:
    .... Additionally I would highly suggest installing Malwarebytes and CCleaner. These can be run on an as needed basis my suggestion for most people is weekly but monthly works for many.


    That's similar to what I do. I don't usually run Malwarebytes unless I think there is a need, but I run CCleaner every so often as it seems to make a difference.

    Just remember to save all your log-ins and passwords! CCleaner cleans out all the cookies, which removes the saved log-ins and you have to enter all that for regular sites you go to.

    I know too many people that don't keep track of their log-ins and passwords, and depend on their computer to "remember" them.
  • 1775's avatar
    1775
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2014
    1492 wrote:
    Is it an Atom based Netbook? My Asus Netbook with Celeron dual-core has Comodo Internet Security Premium 2014 installed on Windows 7, and Bitdefender Free installed on Windows 8.1 dual-boot. No noticeable slow downs.

    Atom processors are notoriously slow, in which case Bitdefender would be the better choice.


    Yes, it is an Atom based processor. One of the earlier Asus Netbooks. BitDefender Free works best.
  • shakyjay's avatar
    shakyjay
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2014
    I have been using Avira on several machines for a number of years. Works well and is free. Only pop up I ever get is to tell me it ran an update. You can schedule that to happen whenever you want. I do use Malwarebytes and Spybot Search and Destroy for the occasional malware scans. I also run CCleaner occasionally. It is not just a great registry cleaner but has other tools that are very handy such as a simple to use way to manage programs running at startup. The Drive Wiper is also easy to use and understand.

    Way back when I used Norton however over time it became quite the resource hog. I understand they have addressed that to some degree but can't say for sure just how well it works now. AVG was my choice when I dumped Norton. It worked well but I was noticing over time it too was becoming a little heavy. Not as bad as Norton. I put Avast on couple of machines and it was ok. About the same time I put Avira on a couple of others and I liked it. Bitdefender does have high ratings and a free version. Kaspersky ranks well. While it is not free it can be had on sale very reasonably. I have never used Security Essentials mainly because it has always been at the lower end of the ratings and there are so many other free options.

    I suggest trying out Bitdefender, AVG, and Avira which are all free. If you don't like one of them shop around for a sale and get Kaspersky. Additionally I would highly suggest installing Malwarebytes and CCleaner. These can be run on an as needed basis my suggestion for most people is weekly but monthly works for many.
  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Mar 12, 2014
    Is it an Atom based Netbook? My Asus Netbook with Celeron dual-core has Comodo Internet Security Premium 2014 installed on Windows 7, and Bitdefender Free installed on Windows 8.1 dual-boot. No noticeable slow downs.

    Atom processors are notoriously slow, in which case Bitdefender would be the better choice.

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