What is Your Favorite Antivirus? AntiMalware Software?

This one usually sparks a nice wakeup call! What is your favorite Antivirus program and the same for AntiMalware software.
As long as I asked it I will start with mine which is Nod32 Antivirus, I have no use for the Higher priced Smart version. And for now Malwarebytes Pro Lifetime but I wish there were something better. They are about to go to $24.95 yearly from $24.95 for life and it concerns me because the program to me is not as good as it used to be and we all know what that means. Before you know it it becomes useless and I sure hope not. I am not convinced that it is good value at a yearly fee but the only other real option now is either Hitman Pro or Emsisoft and both have a heavy "footprint" on your system, especially the latter!

Anyone have anything else for Malware?

 

I was using NOD32 Pro but it played havoc with my computer booting up. I'm now using Avira Antivirus Suite with Malwarebytes Pro & SAS Professional. So far no 'KNOWN' problems.

 

I use Windows Defender since it is built in to Windows. I also have MalwareBytes installed.

For a long time I didn't run any virus/malware protection. I tried just about all the popular ones and all of them ate resources so I would uninstall them and run barefoot. That was then. Now not using any is insane. Windows Defender works well and is easy on resources. It combined with MalwareBytes have been good detecting baddies.

 

Bob is that Mbam Pro or free version?

 

I always liked Avira until they started screwing around with toolbars, and especially Ask Toolbar is insidious but the paid versions never applied those in the past.
Yes Cindy Ad Muncher drove me nuts with too many site and search issues. For a while it was better and then worse again. In addition to all I listed I also use WOT (Web of Trust) on all browsers and Adblock Plus as well on all.
Recently I added Spywareblaster to the mix as well because it fights toolbars and servives also if you look "under the hood".

 

One thing I forgot to mention about Nod32 I really don't see with any others is excellent site protection from all types of Malware lurking.

 

Its pro version. I always pay for software because as a developer myself I know what it takes to create software.

 

OK I should have realized that based on what Cindy told me, and I sure agree with that.

 

I have Nod32 on one computer, Avast on another, Avira on another.
All have Malwarebytes Pro, SAS , WOT as well.
Test machine (this one) only has Malwarebytes free.
Once a week a full scan in safe mode.
I like AVAST.

 

Just curiosity why safe mode Douggie?

 

Hi Rich. Some products have trouble running in normal mode due to being blocked by infections, and in safe mode only necessary windows files start so best to run full scans in safe mode in my opinion.
Sometimes even Malwarebytes will not run in normal mode and in some cases Malwarebytes will not even run in Chameleon mode for the reason stated above.
Even Malwarebytes suggest running scans in safe mode if problems running scans in normal modes.
I run quick scans in normal mode and full scans in safe mode normally out of habit without issues.
How often I have traced nasties only to find them hidden in Zip files and restore points.
A lot of programs find Zip Files and restore points hardest to scan, I have found.

This is Microsofts own words.

QUOTE.
"The benefit is that some processes and services are not loaded in Safe Mode so there is less chance
that malware can load and interfere with the process"
UNQUOTE

 

I agree with all that Doug, when there is an infection present sure, but not when there isn't and I assume your pcs wold be clean and you are only running scans as a safety precaution is all so when you run a weekly scan in safe mode
you really need to run again in Windows to make really sure you are clean is all.

 

I agree with you,Rich.
If I suspect a virus I always run a scan in Windows after as well and with more than one program as well to make sure in my mind I have completely got rid of the sucker.
I only have one Av full time scanner and also have other static Av programs I then run as with one AV you can't be guaranteed it will find everything as different AV programs look for different malware.
Unless I suspect something then I just run quick scans in normal mode, and once a week as I said full scans in safe mode regardless.
Being staff we run a greater risk of infection as it's our job to check out links posted by members and in turn give warnings or remove links quickly so to protect our members.

 

Actually with Malwarebytes Marcin told me years ago to use only the quick scan that the full scan was meaningless and long Doug and I seem to remember the same being true of Sas in the days we even used it according to that owner Nick. He liked to be called "Superfly"! I wonder if he is still around I know he made a fortune when he sold that company. Too bad the product became useless though.

 

I can only speak from my own experiences with Malwarebytes.
I have found more malware on ocasions after completing a quick scan, and then doing a full scan.
I suppose if a full scan scans thousands more files then there is a chance of further finding a hidden infection.
I don't doubt what you have said, Rich.
We are all entitled to an opinion.

 

Logic tells me if full scans were absolutely useless AV companies would have done away with full scans years ago, Rich.

 

Well Doug that is the owners of the AntiMalware scan companies talking. I think Antivirus could well be another story but truthfully I don't have the patience to even get through the short virus scans either, especially since they never find anything it is maddening. According to Marcin, the full scan makes people feel safer even though it really does no more in truth, just takes longer to complete. In the field I have never run a full scan for anything. Actually that was the scene of one of my first Seth problems at KH when I said I could install Windows "soup to nuts" faster than the Kaspersky Rescue disk could run a scan booting a system to check for Malware. And one always needs to remember clients pay us hourly for this stuff.