Free Avast

We already use Comodo Firewall on all our computers. We installed Comodo anti-virus on my wife's netbook and it loaded a sandbox and other features that she would not use and did not need - plus the netbook slowed down to a crawl.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.

1775 wrote:
Comodo loads a lot of unwanted extras.

What are the unwanted extras? Actually, Comodo Internet Security Premium(CIS) is the most feature packed AV package I've seen available for Free.

Besides anti-virus/malware protection, which can use both file and cloud based signatures, it also includes a firewall. What Comodo describes as Enterprise class.

It's HIPS function if enabled, can monitor program behaviors typical of trojans and rootkits, such as buffer overruns or injections. Or WinEvent hook, which can intercept data between hardware and application. So can monitor for keylogging activity.

None of my previous AV software could detect when I was using a keylogger, as most aren't apparently designed to do so.

But its most useful option may be its sandboxing mode called Virtual Kiosk. When you click to activate, it loads your browsers and applications in an isolated desktop environment. So malware can't permanently make changes to original system or application settings, or permanently store data.

This can also be useful when trying out an unknown utility or app that may contain malware, spyware, or unwanted third party programs. If it does, you can just clear the virtual desktop, and start a new one with your original default settings intact. Nothing to repair.

CIS default settings should be fine for most users, so don't really need to make any security configuration changes. But allows some powerful options to fine tune it for specific security needs.

Avast has been a problem as you describe. I researched a lot of free anti-virus programs and decided on BitDefender (Free). It works well, is small and can run on Windows down to XP without bogging anything down. I tried Comodo and also AVG. AVG finds false positives. Comodo loads a lot of unwanted extras.

I use AVG Free and Malwarebytes Free on my desktop and laptop. No popups. Do weekly scans with both.

I've been using AVG free version for several years, no popups.

jcpainter wrote:


Can the Bitdefender antivirus program be easily turned off when you need to install other software?

Click the Bitdefender tray icon, and in the popup, click the Virus Shield slider to off.

Which antivirus software you use is going to be subjective in my humble opinion.

I have been working in IT for about 17 years now and been building/managing my own computers for 25. That said, nobody knows everything about viruses and malware, there are plenty of zero-day exploits. Each antivirus may catch or identify some things that others don't. I put whatever is currently easiest/best for me or DW. I used to run AVG - it was decent for many years. Now I run Avast with Malwarebytes scanning occasionally. My Windows XP/Ubuntu dual-boot machine has not had a virus in 5 years.

Microsoft Security Essentials is the "low" end, you get what you pay for. In some cases that's all you need. I've never used Kaspersky but some of my tech friends like it. Mcafee isn't my favorite, we had many issues with it when I worked for a contractor at a small business. I used F-prot (F-Secure) a long time ago and it seemed to work fine. Eset NOD32 antivirus is no longer free to use for the year (like AVG and Avast, etc)

The thing people forget about is your surfing habits and your browser. IE 10 has definitely improved but I've stuck with Firefox and sometimes Chrome because they don't have the same security vulnerabilities; you can also put in some addins like Adblock. Obviously if you go to sites that are questionable or that purport to offer "free" software that you'd typically pay for, you're increasing the risk.

I also occasionally scan for rootkits but I haven't found any. I used Rootkit Revealer and Rootkit Remover for that.

I've also used online scanners like TrendMicro and VirusTotal occasionally but mainly to compare specific files to files others have reported. There are sites out there that "measure" other sites' safety and reputation, like Webutation, Trendnet and Mcafee (Trustedsource.org). If there's ever a question about a site, just don't click! :)

There's much more to computer security and I am now rambling :)

Just so you all know. Malwarebytes is not an anti-virus program. it is an anti-malware program. really you should be running an anti-virus alongside it.

I chuck the other AV utilities and use Malwarebytes only. Not even MSE. No popups, no ads, decent protection, and it protects you from unknown malware by blocking bad guy IP addresses.

I have the free Avast and never get pop -ups. Have had it for years. all I get it about twice a week it comes on with voice and says"we'er back , your avast has been up dated"