Battle Best security suite/combo for a super-cautious newbie?

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Syrian

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May 11, 2015
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Hey guys, I've used Microsoft security essentials for years, but after I came across an article on PcMag about how obsolete MSE has become, I decided to install a "real" AV on my machine. My laptop runs Windows 7 on a second-generation core i3 and RAM 4 GB. I've read many reviews on acclaimed websites, and I narrowed my search to Bitdefender and Avast w/out an antimalware and a firewall. I found a poll on this forum about the best security suite and I'm quite surprised by the votes! Most reviews I went through put Bitdefender IS at the top of IS suites, and Avast free antivirus at the top of free (and lightest) AV.
 

FreddyFreeloader

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Jul 23, 2013
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Hey guys, I've used Microsoft security essentials for years, but after I came across an article on PcMag about how obsolete MSE has become, I decided to install a "real" AV on my machine. My laptop runs Windows 7 on a second-generation core i3 and RAM 4 GB. I've read many reviews on acclaimed websites, and I narrowed my search to Bitdefender and Avast w/out an antimalware and a firewall. I found a poll on this forum about the best security suite and I'm quite surprised by the votes! Most reviews I went through put Bitdefender IS at the top of IS suites, and Avast free antivirus at the top of free (and lightest) AV.

Ever gotten any infections while using MSE?
 
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Deleted member 2913

Ever gotten any infections while using MSE?
Personally, on Win 7 64 & XP 32 for a very long time, with Windows FW, I have used MSE, Avast Free, AVG Free, Avira Free, Forticlient Free, Bitdefender Free, Unthreat Free, etc... never got infected.

My cousin system once got infected with ransomware using McaFee Internet Security.
At that time, after reinstalling system, I installed MSE on his system & for 8 months no infection. Later he purchased Webroot on huge discount.
Currently he uses Bd free with Windows 7 FW.
On my family system, currently trying Avast Internet Security.
Personal laptop, Comodo Firewall.
 
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Exterminator

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First of all are you looking for a Free or a Paid software?
Free AV's:
Avast,Avira,Panda,Bitdefender with UAC enabled and Windows Firewall.MBAM would be used as an on demand scanner and I would suggest Sandboxie free as an additional software

Paid AV's & Suites:
ESET,Emsisoft,Bitdefender,Kaspersky,Avira,F-Secure to name a few

There is no "best" one.The only best one is the one that runs well on your machine.Most offer good protection,some have more of a system impact and others might be a little buggy depending on your other installed software.

Most all offer trials and promos so the best advice is to try them out on your machine and see what works best for you.Remember nothing is full proof as "operator error" is the cause of most infections.
 

Syrian

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May 11, 2015
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I've never gotten any infection while using MSE, partially because I don't go to "risky websites". I still have MSE on my device and I've recently installed free trials of Avast premier, Malwarebytes and Zemana (my device is slightly slower now with all this security software). Avast found no infections on my device, while Malwarebytes keeps nagging about PUP.optional.babylon.C. On Malwarebytes forum they explained how to remove PUP.optional.babylon.A, I'd have to give up on Babylon for good, I'm not sure the risk of this PUP (whether A or C) justifies deleting Babylon. As to free or paid versions, I would buy the paid versions if it's worth it.
 

Ink

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You can use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Free) for on-demand scanning. No need to purchase the Premium version. Your chosen Antivirus, whether Free or Paid, will provide adequate virus and malware protection.

Bitdefender Internet Security (or Free Antivirus)
Bitdefender is popular in Antivirus Testing results and usually scores at the top of the chart. Bitdefender hosts many Free Giveways for their Internet Security where you can get 6/9/12 months for no cost, legally. Bitdefender Free Antivirus is also available, but lacks finer control compared to Bitdefender Internet Security.
Find a Bitdefender Giveway: http://malwaretips.com/threads/bitdefender-giveaways-new-thread.43114/

You may want to briefly read these, before installing.
http://malwaretips.com/threads/short-trial-of-bitdefender-internet-security-2015.41361/ (In-depth Information)
http://malwaretips.com/threads/whats-your-experience-with-bitdefender-system-performance.38929/ (Varies per system)
More Bitdefender Talk: http://malwaretips.com/forums/bitdefender-software.45/

Free Firewall vs Windows Firewall
If you use Windows 7 SP1 or higher, then you may not need a third-party Firewall such as ZoneAlarm Free or Comodo Firewall. Windows Firewall is sufficient for most Home users that stay on their own Home network. If you use Public Wi-Fi, then you may want to consider these third-party offerings, as well as a VPN for piece of mind.

Avast Free vs Avast Premier
Personal opinion: The core protection features are identical, but Premier offers additional side-services such as Software Updater and Shredder. Both features can be done for no cost and with better, free alternates. Avast Premier includes all features of Avast Antivirus and Internet Security.
Comparison: https://www.avast.com/en-us/index ** Avast Premier offers a 30-day Free Trial **

upload_2015-5-11_19-21-1.png


If you chose avast, their Free Antivirus is sufficient. ** Remember to pick a custom install **
Android users beware: http://malwaretips.com/threads/how-did-avast-know-i-have-a-google-account.45388/

These may be resolved or removed from avast, but you can read up about it:
http://malwaretips.com/threads/avas...s-softonic-partnership-and-free-adware.27402/ (Adware warning)
Avast + Bundleware - http://malwaretips.com/threads/avast-online-installer-offers-dropbox-software.33315/ (Dropbox bundleware)
http://malwaretips.com/threads/avast-antivirus-was-spying-on-you-with-adware-until-this-week.35704/ (avast SafePrice extensions)


Once decided, I recommend creating your own topic: Security Configuration Wizard forum.
 

jamescv7

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Mar 15, 2011
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You may consider install and forget mechanism where the default settings are good at prime especially cloud: Norton AV/ Norton Internet Security which pretty much straightforward.

However since super cautious newbie then here's the following combination:

If you don't like UAC then Voodoshield (UAC type version) + SecureAplus/Xvirus/Crystal Security (choose one) + Traditional AV (as per mentioned from numerous post) + Firewall (Comodo/ Zonealarm or Privatefirewall)

But you don't need to be so cautious, remember less is more (can be vice versa).

So pretty much a suite combination or AV + Firewall combination fine already; others are making system backup and on demand scanners enforce.
 
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Atlas147

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Jul 28, 2014
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A good install and forget AV is Bitdefender Free because it's such a barebone AV. If you're into more of a customizable AV maybe you can go for Avast or event Avira. Honestly, it's quite rare to run into malware these days if you're visiting reputable sites like facebook and youtube. If you're torrenting stuff and visiting risky websites (ie pornographic, dark web, etc) then you might wanna strengthen your defences with a stronger AV like ESET, Kaspersky or even just go with Avast Free but enable hardened mode aggressive which blocks off all unknown files that are not flagged by avast as a clean programme.

If your system is slightly slower you might want to consider having a cloud based AV like Panda or 360TS, some may have opinions about this but hey I'm just giving some advice.

You can continue using your windows firewall, it's quite good, maybe you wanna add glasswire to it, I've been using it for some time and I quite love the design of it. If you want HIPS and sandboxing together with your firewall maybe you can go along with Comodo firewall, which I've used for some time in the past but have dropped because it's quite heavy and a little buggy at times. But your experience could differ from mine and I urge you to try out the programme yourself before deciding.

Lastly would be anti-executables, VoodooShield worked great for me as an anti executable but I found that it was alerting me too many times and I felt that it was annoying, again my personal preference, you should try it you might love it.
 
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Syrian

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May 11, 2015
5
Emsisoft Anti-Malware is a full featured Anti-virus / Anti-malware program, with methods to prevent to malware damage with it's Behaviour Blocker (Mamutu). They also offer an Internet Security suite with the addition Firewall, for complete protection.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware is not an Antivirus, therefore cannot replace standard AV software. It's great for on-demand scanning on infected computers. However, some users may use MBAM (Premium) alongside their current Antivirus, but this is something I do not recommend for a few reasons.

If you're looking for an Antivirus, go for Emsisoft Anti-Malware, or for complete protection Emsisoft Internet Security. For on-demand use, the free version of Malwarebytes would be sufficient for weekly/monthly system checks.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware - http://www.emsisoft.co.uk/en/software/antimalware/
Emsisoft Internet Security - http://www.emsisoft.co.uk/en/software/internetsecurity/

About Free : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/
About Premium: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/premium/

What is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium?
  • Anti-Malware/Anti-Spyware
  • Malicious website blocking
  • Real-time protection
  • Heuristic detection
  • Integrated Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit
  • Hyper Scan mode
  • Scan/Database update scheduler
  • Integrated Malwarebytes Chameleon
  • Advanced malware removal
  • Antivirus compatibility
I quoted Huracan from another thread. So it's not recommended to have both Malwarebytes and Emsisoft antimalware (or another antimalware like Hitman pro or Comodo cleaning) at the same time? I have MSE, Avast free AV, Malwarebytes and Zemana free antilogger installed (performance has improved after I replaced Avast premium with Avast free AV), and now I want to install Emsisoft antimalware or Hitman Pro, because the only infections I found were some PUPs that were detected by Malwarebytes not Avast or MSE. My understanding is that malwares are my primary concern (and I'm worried about espionage software/spyware/phishing too).
 
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R

Rod McCarthy

I would have to say what many here have said in the past. You have to try them on your PC...

I'll give you an example.

I used Avast last year and it ran really fast, this year avast slows my browsing speed significantly.
Kaspersky ran good last year and this year also.
Emsisoft IS slowed my PC last year but not this year.
Bitdefender last year was unbearable this year it doesn't effect my PC.
Norton ran good last year and this year too.
Mcafee ran great last year and this year too.
Bulldog ran good last year and this year.
 
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