News - Don’t waste cash on Antivirus software suggests new report

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Freebie antivirus software is the “optimal” solution says University of Tel Aviv study.

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Read more.

I've found that Windows Defender in Win8 is more than capable of removing malware. I haven't purchased an antivirus suite in nine years.

Have to agree with the article. I have been buying NAV for years and for other PCs installing free antivirus like AVG and all PCs are the same to date. Both types secure so.. The only thing is NAV package costs me €10 per PC so not that big of a loss annualy.

No surprise surely.

Well I work in a large firm who use one of the brand leaders for AV security and Malware detection and we still spend a lot of time re-imaging systems that have been infected. At home I use Microsoft Security Essentials and so far its been as good as anything out there. In the event I need an extra bit to remove something, Malwarebytes does the trick.

It could be a conspiracy!!:p

people still pay for antivirus ! the biggest resource hogs on old PCs are the anitvirus apps. Install Win Defender and MSE and you are set, plus it updating as part of WU is great

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Originally Posted by k4p84

people still pay for antivirus ! the biggest resource hogs on old PCs are the anitvirus apps. Install Win Defender and MSE and you are set, plus it updating as part of WU is great

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Windows Defender is replaced by MSE in Windows 7. In Windows 8 Windows Defender is effectively MSE so you install nothing :)

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Originally Posted by bridges009

No surprise surely.

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This.

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Originally Posted by ddg4005

I've found that Windows Defender in Win8 is more than capable of removing malware. I haven't purchased an antivirus suite in nine years.

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It's driven me insane a couple of times....

Most notably....deciding an APK for an Android rooting app is an exploit (which it is, just not for WINDOWS!) and then moving it to some stupid folder and not letting me move it back.

It's just more dug in and less visible then MSE.....which is a step backwards IMO

I just use the standard AV that Windows 7 have, with the Microsoft Security Essentials package installed. I use Zone Alarm for firewall, plus my router has built in firewall too.

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

It could be a conspiracy!!:p

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Dons the conspiracy cape - I wonder if the Mossad is involved in any way?? :p

I'm quite happy with Avast free - prefer it to Microsofts free effort as that feels like have all my eggs in one basket.

I think the biggest security risks I see nowadays are java, old IE (both are so full of holes and seem to have new exploits daily!) and not installing random stuff off the internet (which seems to result in Fake AV apps that I've had to remove from friends PCs). Not seeing much in the way of genuine viruses now - just malware.

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Originally Posted by cheesemp

I'm quite happy with Avast free - prefer it to Microsofts free effort as that feels like have all my eggs in one basket.

I think the biggest security risks I see nowadays are java, old IE (both are so full of holes and seem to have new exploits daily!) and not installing random stuff off the internet (which seems to result in Fake AV apps that I've had to remove from friends PCs). Not seeing much in the way of genuine viruses now - just malware.

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Well, malware includes viruses, but you're correct we don't see the binary counterparts of the real life viruses so often any more, thus all the new names to call different types of malware by. It could be due to advanced heuristic algorithms used in AV software detecting typical virus behaviour more easily than if they mask themselves as genuine user applications, who knows? But I doubt this being the case. We just have to look at what these malawares want to achieve and IMHO the answer is self-obvious: they need to rely on system libraries to effectively hide themselves from AV scanners, pretending to be of genuine value to the user. On top of that, they can be written faster (changing hash signatures before detection) and don't have to worry about finding doors to open when system APIs tell them where to look. They will get picked out by AVs in time, when their hashes find ways into 'virus' signature updates. Until then, they stay undetected, opening other doors to your system as they please. All they need is an unsuspecting computer user answering YES to a dialog box. How many do you know that actually read what's written in those warnings before giving an application permission to run? Personally, I don't know of many that do. There's no AV out there that can protect them from their own stupidity, and while MS is trying hard, they can only do that much before the system starts asking us questions such as "You moved your mouse cursor to the left. Are you sure you want to do that? Click on the button on the right to confirm.". Cheers!

Good God! People still buy Norton AV?

So research sponsored by a company that manufactures hardware security solutions has found that software solutions offer inadequate protection. Well I'm convinced.

Yeah right!

I haven't used a paid one since McAfee royally screwed up a pc once, that was a pain in the bum bum. I think that anyone who knows any better uses free ones. It's a shame they package norton and McAfee with new pcs, then I guess people just continue with the same thing when their subscription expires.

Im skeptical :P Im also going to keep with my paid-for Av, as I get it free from uni ^^

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Originally Posted by KeyboardDemon

So research sponsored by a company that manufactures hardware security solutions has found that software solutions offer inadequate protection. Well I'm convinced.

Yeah right!

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Look where the company is located too!! :p

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

Look where the company is located too!! :p

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lol. Good point. :clapping:

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Originally Posted by Onkston

I haven't used a paid one since McAfee royally screwed up a pc once, that was a pain in the bum bum. I think that anyone who knows any better uses free ones. It's a shame they package norton and McAfee with new pcs, then I guess people just continue with the same thing when their subscription expires.

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Reminds me of this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HgTvjxpofa...29-1c3a818.png

That would have been me then ;)

Never used AV software, worse than actually having a virus imo.

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Originally Posted by howdee

There's no AV out there that can protect them from their own stupidity

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Pretty much sums it up imo!

Ive used AVG Free for at least the last four years, installed it on countless upgrades Ive done for friends and family, must be 60 plus PCs and lappys, and never had it come back to bite me once, despite some users being silly people !

This study makes sense. For a few years now I have used, without problems either AVG, Avast or MSE as the main security programme with Malwarebytes, Spybot and Trusteer Rapport all working in support of the main one on all my PCs. I know that others in universities and similar institutions are now doing the same, using various levels of filtering. I wonder how many PC Magazine editors and staff who review 'paid for' programmes actually use free ones at home--I would bet on quite a few!

So a security company who doesnt provide antivirus is telling us antivirus is crap and to buy their products instead. that is quite normal for advertising. Does this company not know that avast is only free for home users and mse is only free for home and small business up to 10 computers?
I feel that some antivirus products are better than others. the main problem is the user. antivirus companies already tell us that by keeping software such as flash player,java,adobe reader, browsers etc up to date you will reduce the chance of getting around 90% of malware. there is no magic bullet. It is a cat and mouse game. I feel that all free antivirus products have some flaws. I dont see a problem with spending a little bit of money for a decent antivirus which provides better protection and more frequent updates.

Depends on the user. Good users know how to avoid installing dodgy software and toolbars etc onto their PC. If you are careful, you are more than likely to be OK.

Personally for businesses, I wouldn't be happier without something more robust like Sophos or Kaspersky. I still recommend the latter for home use. Those 'uncareful' users who I have had to deal with have pretty much not phoned me for ages after Kaspersky.

im not buying that Ive had viruses get me with free stuff never with Webroot, i have way to much invested to take a chance like that, with that said so many viruses released everyday its hard to believe that anything is a sure thing.

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Originally Posted by Stringent

Personally for businesses, I wouldn't be happier without something more robust like Sophos or Kaspersky. I still recommend the latter for home use. Those 'uncareful' users who I have had to deal with have pretty much not phoned me for ages after Kaspersky.

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Its not about been robust, its about having central managment for your network. Been able to have a rule that says no your not allowed to install that toolbar.

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Originally Posted by Dutchjonsey

Im skeptical :P Im also going to keep with my paid-for Av, as I get it free from uni ^^

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I use a paid subscription package, mine is paid for by my bank as I bank online with them. Nice. :cool:

I think I''ll still stick to using a paid for third party security solution such as Norton. I can't accept that Norton is basically the same or less effective than the various free security packages currently on offer.

I must be doing something wrong. I have Windows Defender disabled and haven't installed any anti-virus protection for .. months, years? I'm not getting any viruses and I use the computer online all day. Help, what do I have to do to get infected? ;O)

I tell a lie. I did have one virus pop in and I had it classified and removed, followed by removal of the remover, within half a hour. Then it was back to unprotected peace.

In a comparable context I still recommend using a condom, though. A quick internet search and download won't clear an STD that easily. ;o)

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Originally Posted by THESPECIAL1

I think I''ll still stick to using a paid for third party security solution such as Norton. I can't accept that Norton is basically the same or less effective than the various free security packages currently on offer.

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You've got to be kidding right?

For home use, most of these suites are completely useless, as if your retarded enough to download a virus that say MSE would identify, your going to be dumb enough to overrule Norton or McAffee home products anyway.

Thats before we even get started on the number of crashes these apps are responsible for. Norton's helpful email filtering has bugged software I've written before now, with no obvious way of me knowing its responsible, the client, naturally just blamed me until I saw the one machine in question.

I have been using free anti-virus programs for years and have not had a problem that I know of... I would say that Avast 2012 is currently the best of the lot, but download.com do a fairly thorough review each year when the latest updates come out. One thing's for sure: if you download enough hooky games and software, or are partial to a bit of porn, the chances are you will catch something you didn't want.

Looks like MSE has lost a certification:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11...certification/

The problem with suggesting that your company uses products like AVG Free or Avast Free is- they're not licensed for business use. The only free AVs I'd recommend for business use are Comodo and ClamWin, both of which *are* permitted to be used.

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Originally Posted by Stringent

Depends on the user. Good users know how to avoid installing dodgy software and toolbars etc onto their PC. If you are careful, you are more than likely to be OK.

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They're getting sneaky these days. Its akin to trying to order something without scansure.

Never betrayed AVAST antivirus, since I remember I am using it, I got some problems in the past but that is history, and now I am very satisfied with AVAST. I got 3 PC's at home, and they rock with Avast. Since paying is not an alternative for me :D.

I haven't paid for anti virus software for years anyway. It's going to stay that way.