What's everyone using to remove mal ware?

EsoxLucius wrote:
Pay under $100 for Kapersky and Malwarebytes and you will get what you pay for.

Not necessarily... All the AV and anti-malware vendors offer free versions of their paid software. They use the same definitions and detection engines as the paid versions, just fewer bells and whistles like real time detection, integrated firewalls, password managers, PC tuneup capabilities, and the like. After all, it's to the vendor's advantage to make sure their free stuff works well, since they're hoping you'll decide to pop for the aforementioned bells and whistles.

I have used free AV and malware removal software for years, and never had an issue. If you don't want or need the extras, there's no reason to pay for them.

Malware Bytes free version here, also.

Pay under $100 for Kapersky and Malwarebytes and you will get what you pay for.

Malwarebytes works very well for cleaning malware. I've had to use it on other people's computers that were giving them problems. I've run it occasionally on my machine, but there's never anything to find.

I recently asked the forum posters about how anyone can just give away free computer protection support.

Really did not get an answer.

Either they got the virus sigs from someone (MS, perhaps) for free themselves, and use it to naybe snag a few people willing to pay them for a glossier 'premium' program, or, as I suspect they sell the data they glean from freely scanning your PC.

If I am gonna let someone freely scan my PC, I figure it may as well be MS. I mistrust them a bit less, I guess.

The major source of the 'internet trash' that we protect from comes from games, social networking, toolbars and e-mails from who know who.

I restore, fix and re-load many computers every month for people (just for friends - never charge more than a coffee).

Many of these 'troubled machines' have toolbars or trial-things that offer eye-candy and ease of use. I suspect they do much more. I also suspect that they install a tame version and at a later date install an update that will enhance the service (and their ability to obtain other data and do other things).

My experience for an average user (and no I do not know everything):

- Have an online security service of some sort. Lots of free ones.

- Have a malware product running of some sort.

- Never use Norton or McAfee for anything. They will own your machine.

- Once a computers software is installed and working fine turn OFF auto updates that are not related to mickeysoft or security updates. Manufactures already provide driver updates to mickeysoft for distribution.

Why allow your computer manufacturer to install web services and do auto updates to things you don't use, know about nor asked for? It is working just fine and people nowadays don't plug in different hardware a few times a year.

When I feel that popular software (like Java, Adobe etc..) need updating I do the following: 1) uninstall it. 2) go get the latest.

- It is OK to auto update mickeysoft. Just the way life is and it will be that way for years to come.

Always have an SD card or USB stick handy with all the free trial malware, security, scanners etc..... So if needed you can run them from an external device (by plugging it in - I store mine on the router USB port).

Doing a 'full scan' monthly is more than enough for an average user.

You may need more protection if your computer skills cause you to obtain, browse, inspect and try 'on the edge' stuff like downloading and installing software, watching TV online, streaming services and generally getting 'free' stuff. Nothing is FREE. Except my time to undo all of that......:?

Figure out how to do a backup & restore.

Back it up when everything is working great.
Restore it when it is not.

I know I typed a lot here that may be unnecessary.

It is my considered opinion that the most exhaustive, intense and intrusive thing you will ever do on your computer is running those security and malware scans. What is needed is a tool that tells us over the last 30 days which programs used the most processor and disk reads/writes. Just a summary for the month. Burning out a hard drive by design.

wa8yxm wrote:
Long ago the best advice I received was to have at least 3 anti=malware programs.. Today I'm told that can be a problem.

I have Malware Bytes free version as the 2nd one on this system.. I do not like to give out what is #1 but

A recent review listed as I recall, Norton, AVG AVAST Malware Bytes all among the top five.. Microsoft Defender did not make the top 10 list but was farther down.

What would be MS's incentive to under-protect its OS and add to its already bad rep as viral code.

A reputation which they are foolishly further worsening with all the incomprehensibly bad marketing strategies surrounding their mishandling of XP EOS.

Long ago the best advice I received was to have at least 3 anti=malware programs.. Today I'm told that can be a problem.

I have Malware Bytes free version as the 2nd one on this system.. I do not like to give out what is #1 but

A recent review listed as I recall, Norton, AVG AVAST Malware Bytes all among the top five.. Microsoft Defender did not make the top 10 list but was farther down.

The people who made your MS OS are already protecting it with antivirus - MSE - and antimalware - MSRT.

Run a third party app - Malwarebytes - once and a while in case MS misses something.

tmmar wrote:
I downloaded malware bytes but they only give you a 'trial' program that expires after a week or two. Does anyone know of any other free malware removal programs that do a good job? I have Kapersky installed but not sure if that does malware removal.
Thanks

When you install Malwarebytes, it activates the pro version trial by default unless you uncheck the option. Just change over to Malwarebytes Free which will function as an on-demand scanner.