I've seen 1 friend subscribing, but not posting. I'll remind two of them - the rest? Go to /dev/null ;P
Anyways, as part of the deal... Which antivirus to use?
Well, for almost a decade this was an easy no-brainer: avast antivirus.
But, when Google stopped with its Google Pack collection and I started to download Avast manually, I had huge problems on many machines when working with chrome. 3 Months ago I tried for the last time, but on my (mostly Dell) systems, somehow, somewhere: avast screws up my browsing speed.
So I had to search on : (
I tried Microsoft Security Essentials (rated surprisingly well for detection), and removed it again. Why? Once in a while SLOW boot times (up to 5 or 6 minutes) and while windows was running, it hogged my CPU once to many times.
I tried Panda Cloud Antivirus. At first, reasonably well for performance. But again, CPU problems. This time luckily only when installing a new program. But at those times... Unwilling computer due to antivirus activity. So removed.
I really really really don't like AVG. For all reasons I could mention, the best one is that it's the only AV program that not even once but TWICE blocked an essential Windows system file, rendering the system completely useless. So, not even installed ;p
I always loved PCtools anti spyware doctor (also, free with google pack) as a backup with Avast v4 (and even v5). I haven't extensively tested the new version as a stand-alone AV yet - for I don't know if I can trust it enough. Also, performance (memory) might be a problem. Still, I'll test (give me time!) on a laptop of a friend of mine to see how it holds up. Download:
http://free.pctools.com/free-antivirus/Other solutions out there usually are more like a safety net for your regular antivirus programs. Zemana is one of those programs. BUT it specializes REALLY WELL in a very TOUGH niche: keyloggers! The program NEVER interrupts you OR your system. Low mem requirements. Low cpu requirements. None of my friends complain if I install it for them.
All testing shows its detection rates to be excellent. Too bad it has no free version :(
In the end, for my friends I install (currently) AnVir antivirus. In the old days really the WORST antivirus. And I still do not trust it THAT much ;p BUT it is LOW on system resources. NO CPU hogging! Not very low on RAM, but still - reasonable. And its detection rates seem to have improved (according to some tests...).
On my own computer I'm unprotected, except by Chrome, SystemProtect & Zemana!
In the end, it turns out that all my friends benefit most (when it comes to virus protection) by ONLY browsing the internet with Google Chrome. Its sandbox technology isn't mentioned that often, but still it's almost unbreakable (only one company succeeded at cracking chrome, once in all those years). Use chrome, schedule cleanup! by steven gould at user logon; and 95% of my friends remain virus and spyware free.
Still, I'd LOVE some licenses. It just feels so naked without anything else on : >>
For your interest:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-anti-virus-software.htmhttp://www.freebyte.com/antivirus/#preventionPeace!
Devvie
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Cuisvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore persevare
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