Anti-Virus Recommendations?

[rosarugosa]

In the past few years, Norton has gone from $50 to $60 to $75, so I'm interested in finding a more cost-effective solution. Does anyone have any input on the free anti-virus products? Kristen the Frugal Girl recommends Avira (they offer a free program in addition to a paid one) and Microsoft Security Essentials. Any experience with either of these? Thanks in advance.

[creaker]

I'd install Microsoft Security Essentials regardless of what anti-virus product you install on top of it.

But I've been running a Linux desktop for years - specifically because I didn't want to pay for anti-virus products (or the OS for that matter).

[Tenngal]

I second the Microsoft Security Essentials.......along with running Malware Bytes on a regular basis.........

[ToomuchStuff]

I don't really use Windows much, Linux user here. I know I can install ClamAV in Linux and lots of people use it to check for viruses on Samba systems (Windows/network storage computers), so they might have one for Windows for free as well.
When I did last really run Windows, and the only time I had a virus, I ran AVG and as a backup I would google Online virus checker and use it as a backup. The only time I was infected, the virus attacked the antivirus program.

[Tammy]

Since switching to the apple universe I don't think about virus protection like I used to. With their continuous updates things seem more secure. I hope I'm not missing anything. 🤖

[razz]

Since switching to the apple universe I don't think about virus protection like I used to. With their continuous updates things seem more secure. I hope I'm not missing anything. ��

When you find out differently, please let me know too. I love my Macbook and iPhone working together.

[oldhat]

I've stuck with Norton despite its being pricey. I got a virus on my work laptop once, and it was a real headache, but fortunately it was tech support's headache more than mine. I haven't had any problems with my personal laptop with Norton, so it's worth paying a few bucks extra each year to avoid them.

[jp1]

I agree with Microsoft essentials and possibly something else as well. I run spybot once a week. It always catches and deletes a couple of tracking cookies. Haven't had any issues for years.

[Rogar]

I use Avast freeware after mindlessly plunking down money for years on McAfee. It was rated highly by what seemed like respected references at the time. It has some slightly annoying little pop up ads in the lower corner occasionally always wanting you to up grade to a paying version with more bells and whistles, but it better than paying an annual fee, for sure. It seems to update itself routinely with new virus definitions, just like a paid version. Every several weeks I get a reminder of a newer version that has to be downloaded, which takes just a couple of minutes.

[pony mom]

I also have Avast. Since I have no techie skills at all, this was the easiest thing for me to use, and so far it's been good. Not that I'm an expert....

[mountianangels]

:)I have avast had it for a few years now and haven't had an issue.

[SteveinMN]

I recommend Avast and Microsoft Security Essentials to those running Windows. I'm also running Avast on my MacBook Pro because it flags and kills a lot of malware.

By far the best action to take, though, is to get rid of Adobe Flash if it's at all possible for you to do so (that is, no on-line services you need run it and you are willing to walk away from stuff like Facebook videos that run in Flash). Flash is just an accident waiting to happen, and the number of "critical" updates they issue for it every month has to tell you that its foundation was not written with security in mind.

Java (n.b., not JavaScript; that's a different beast) is another app/plugin that most people would never miss but which serves as a vector for all kinds of bad actors.

When I got my current MBP, I never installed Flash or Java. I've spent a lot less time maintaining this computer as a result.