Good Free Virus Scan For Older User

[az99]

Is there a free virus scan with not as many or no popup scams like Avast has gone to? My elderly mother,with no computer knowledge, is a minimal PC internet user. I had Avast Free on her PC and told her to just ignore the popups. Well after a while she forgot and their deceptive scamming popups got her to buy a self renewing subscription for android.

I caught it when it auto renewed recently only from seeing an email as the Avast on the PC was still on the Free version.

Is there anything else out there that is not as deceptive with their attempts to lure unknowing people to purchase?

Thanx

[unbob]

1492 wrote:
BitDefender Free is pretty much install and forget it. Also, top rated for AV protection. Has very few options or settings, so ideal for the minimalist. As opposed to Microsoft Defender (aka MS Security Essentials), which has consistently rated at the bottom for protection for years now according to the top four independent security testing labs.

BitDefender was also one of the few major AV packages that didn't have vulnerabilities in its code base, that some of the top "paid" AV packages were found to possess, potentially making it more of a risk to have them installed than nothing at all.

Here's some other user experiences with BitDefender -
http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread.php/178247-I-m-finished-with-BitDefender?highlight=BitDe...
http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread.php/175876-Bitdefender-2016-PITA-Install!?highlight=BitD...

[mr__ed]

1492 wrote:

mr. ed wrote:

1492 wrote:
Unfortunately, Norton was named back in July by Google security researchers as containing severe vulnerabilities in its code base. Even US-Cert.gov issued a warning. See Security vulnerabilities in Symantec and Norton 'as bad as it gets' warns researcher. Updates "should" have corrected the issues?

I read the info on that link you provide. It was interesting, but nonetheless, I never experienced any malware problems on any of my computers while employing Norton as my security suite, It works for me, so I'll just stick with it.;)

Symantec patched it at the time the news broke on the vulnerabilities. The bigger lesson may be not to assume an OS or security software is without vulnerabilities, which have yet to be discovered? Best to use a layered approach to security. Assume you've already been hacked to some degree already. Use common sense when surfing the Net. Don't use an admin account in Windows. Keep OS and software updated. And disconnect from the Net when not using it.

BTW, you'll likely never know if a hacker has compromised your system with a potentially harmful payload? Even possible to do so with AV software installed.

Interestingly, I was reading a PC Pro magazine yesterday, where they had an article on the top anti-malware programs. Among the top contenders was Norton Security, with 100% zero day detection performance and 100% malware detection. Hard to improve on that! :C

[Rangerider]

Another vote for Bitdefender free

[filthy_beast]

powderman426 wrote:

wildtoad wrote:
Do your mom a favor and give her an IPad. Very few updates, no viruses, and it just works. I have pc's, iPads, and there is no comparison in ease of use.

While Apple makes nice devices, they are always in the pay me mode, which is how they got so rich. For someone who doesn't understand that clicking things have ramifications, I think the Amazon fire tablet is better. Cheap and easy to operate. 😉

What do you mean by "they are always in the pay me mode"? I don't need much for antivirus and all my software updates have been free.

[mr__ed]

1492 wrote:

mr. ed wrote:

1492 wrote:
Unfortunately, Norton was named back in July by Google security researchers as containing severe vulnerabilities in its code base. Even US-Cert.gov issued a warning. See Security vulnerabilities in Symantec and Norton 'as bad as it gets' warns researcher. Updates "should" have corrected the issues?

I read the info on that link you provide. It was interesting, but nonetheless, I never experienced any malware problems on any of my computers while employing Norton as my security suite, It works for me, so I'll just stick with it.;)

Symantec patched it at the time the news broke on the vulnerabilities. The bigger lesson may be not to assume an OS or security software is without vulnerabilities, which have yet to be discovered? Best to use a layered approach to security. Assume you've already been hacked to some degree already. Use common sense when surfing the
Net. Don't use an admin account in Windows. Keep OS and software updated. And
disconnect from the Net when not using it.

BTW, you'll likely never know if a hacker has compromised your system with a potentially harmful payload? Even possible to do so with AV software installed.

I agree with everything you said. I'm already well backed up and disconnect from the web when not in use. I will admit to using my admin account when on the web. Probably not a good idea, but so far I've dodged the bullet. ??

[1492]

mr. ed wrote:

1492 wrote:
Unfortunately, Norton was named back in July by Google security researchers as containing severe vulnerabilities in its code base. Even US-Cert.gov issued a warning. See Security vulnerabilities in Symantec and Norton 'as bad as it gets' warns researcher. Updates "should" have corrected the issues?

I read the info on that link you provide. It was interesting, but nonetheless, I never experienced any malware problems on any of my computers while employing Norton as my security suite, It works for me, so I'll just stick with it.;)

Symantec patched it at the time the news broke on the vulnerabilities. The bigger lesson may be not to assume an OS or security software is without vulnerabilities, which have yet to be discovered? Best to use a layered approach to security. Assume you've already been hacked to some degree already. Use common sense when surfing the Net. Don't use an admin account in Windows. Keep OS and software updated. And disconnect from the Net when not using it.

BTW, you'll likely never know if a hacker has compromised your system with a potentially harmful payload? Even possible to do so with AV software installed.

[RetiredBob]

Bitdefender

[mr__ed]

1492 wrote:
Unfortunately, Norton was named back in July by Google security researchers as containing severe vulnerabilities in its code base. Even US-Cert.gov issued a warning. See Security vulnerabilities in Symantec and Norton 'as bad as it gets' warns researcher. Updates "should" have corrected the issues?

I read the info on that link you provide. It was interesting, but nonetheless, I never experienced any malware problems on any of my computers while employing Norton as my security suite, It works for me, so I'll just stick with it.;)

[bcsdguy]

Get her a Chromebook. No virus programs needed and they are still a computer and not a tablet. They are web based of course, but if she doesn't do much more than email and web surfing, this could be the answer. So many people overlook the chromebook but it is at least worth looking into.

[The_Texan]

Fizz wrote:
Ive been running the free version of Bitdefender for a few years with no problems or nagging.

http://www.bitdefender.com/toolbox/freeapps/desktop/

Been using this same program for 3 years and it is non intrusive with NO pop-ups and has done a fabulous job of protecting the system. Was recommended by a good friend who is a true techie.

[Charlie_D_]

What internet provider are you using? Mine has free McAfee. May not be the best but I have had no issues.

[1492]

Unfortunately, Norton was named back in July by Google security researchers as containing severe vulnerabilities in its code base. Even US-Cert.gov issued a warning. See Security vulnerabilities in Symantec and Norton 'as bad as it gets' warns researcher. Updates "should" have corrected the issues?

[mr__ed]

I use Norton on my Windows 10 PC. I also used it in my previous XP machine. It's not free, but includes firewall and anti virus, plus additional useful tools. I've never had any serious issues on my computers since using Norton. It's done a good job on both my Pc's and well worth the$50 or so for a year's protection, IMHO. BTW, that $50 covers some extra computers, also, if you wish.

[1492]

BitDefender Free is pretty much install and forget it. Also, top rated for AV protection. Has very few options or settings, so ideal for the minimalist. As opposed to Microsoft Defender (aka MS Security Essentials), which has consistently rated at the bottom for protection for years now according to the top four independent security testing labs.

BitDefender was also one of the few major AV packages that didn't have vulnerabilities in its code base, that some of the top "paid" AV packages were found to possess, potentially making it more of a risk to have them installed than nothing at all.