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Is Free Antivirus Enough to Protect my Laptop?

post #1 of 79
12/24/09 at 4:52am
Thread Starter 
If I promised I wouldn't go to any naughty websites and just use my laptop just for checking email and go to family websites, do I really need to purchase something like Norton Internet security, or it would be okay just to use free antivirus ?

And if it's ok to use free one, which one would you recommend for use with laptop?

(I have Norton Internet security 2009 for my PC but it's only 1 user lincense, so I don't think I can run it for both PC and laptop...)
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post #2 of 79
12/24/09 at 4:58am
get Avast, its free, more than enough for your computer and way better than Norton
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post #3 of 79
12/24/09 at 4:59am
dont use antivirus. its for noobs
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post #4 of 79
12/24/09 at 5:09am
First off, it's a violation of the laws of physics not to go to any naughty websites. It's a physical impossibility. Second, read this on how to secure your PC.
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post #5 of 79
12/24/09 at 5:19am
If you have Vista or 7, just download Microsoft Security Essentials. It integrates itself seamlessly and unobtrusively int all the Windows security programs, and never bothers you to update or scan your computer (at least from my experience on two computers).
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post #6 of 79
12/24/09 at 5:30am
AVG and Avast are probably the most popular free antivirus programs out there.
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post #7 of 79
12/24/09 at 5:31am
I'm sure there'll be plenty of dissenters on this but you don't really need an AV app (even a free one) as long as you practice safe-computing habits and make sure that Windows is secure (latest updates and various settings tweaks to things like AutoRun - AutoRun might not be an issue with Windows 7 though). The only security-related app I use on my home computers is Spybot Search&Destroy, primarily for its Immunize feature. I also use Firefox with the NoScript plug-in. IMO the only thing you need is a software firewall (I use Comodo) and maybe Spybot S&D, as long as you know what you're doing and trust yourself.

Oh and before I get the PC geeks breathing down my neck, I'll also add my line of work is in Internet security, so there!
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post #8 of 79
12/24/09 at 6:48am
Thread Starter 
My laptop is with Windows 7, so what do you guys recommend for this? Maybe just avast and microsoft security essentials like recommended?
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post #9 of 79
12/24/09 at 9:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by backtofront001 View Post
get Avast, its free, more than enough for your computer and way better than Norton
This.
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post #10 of 79
12/24/09 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dj_mocok View Post
My laptop is with Windows 7, so what do you guys recommend for this? Maybe just avast and microsoft security essentials like recommended?
Go for security essentials.
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post #11 of 79
12/24/09 at 10:15am
avast is absolutely useless, I would recommend a-squared free and some firewall like comodo, but if you have no sensitive data in your computer, you can live with viruses, unless they slow your pc or begin sending spam. also, if you use usb stick, you will transfer viruses to your friends
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post #12 of 79
12/24/09 at 12:24pm
Seems a lot of pro's up here, which I am totally not, but one thing I would not recommend is Avast, useless indeed.
Not sure about what ever these security software's are really need it, but because I am just general consumer I bought McAfee Internet security online and quite happy with it. I even got 20% of the price, cos bought it online and it came to EUR 3,75 per month. Before McAfee I had same Norton as you and find McAfee bit better, doesn't slow my laptop that much, at least not irritating me at all. I do to have W7 with Intel centrino 2Duo P7450, 4gb internal memory, 2.13Ghz speed, which may play a part of the whole. The bottom line, as an option, I would recommend you to take a look at McAfee.
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post #13 of 79
12/24/09 at 12:29pm
What's wrong Avast? (I mean objectively, I switched over to it a few weeks ago) I'm using XP, soo far it's protected me from a few bugs, and hasn't caused any BSODs. I've also got spybot running.
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post #14 of 79
12/24/09 at 12:33pm
Well, I would recommend the "no antivirus" option.
Haven't used one in....well, ever, and I never really had any major problems.

The few times something turned out to be wrong it was obviously apparent and I just ran TrendMicro's HouseCall (on-demand virus scan). Both of the times it just turned out to be some harmless spyware.
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post #15 of 79
12/24/09 at 12:34pm
My old PC is dead because of it, also XP based, was bugged big time, however it can be just bad luck...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirosia View Post
What's wrong Avast? (I mean objectively, I switched over to it a few weeks ago) I'm using XP, soo far it's protected me from a few bugs, and hasn't caused any BSODs. I've also got spybot running.
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