Question Which AV are you using and why did you choose this one ??

Please provide comments and solutions that are helpful to the author of this topic.
After trying the top six free products (can't affor paid ones):
I settled upon AVG

  • RAM utilization midway between Kaspersky and Bitdefender
  • CPU utilization midway between Microsoft defender and Kaspersky
  • Interface midway between Microsoft defender and Bitdefender
  • Detection almost on par with Kaspersky and Bitdefender
  • Behavioral protection midway between Microsoft defender and Kaspersky
  • Web protection doesn't insert its own certificate: faster browsing and less vulnerability
  • The only one with controlled folder access, in addition to Microsoft defender
  • The only one with firewall; basic albeit interactive
  • Has a beautiful icon 👌I like watching it spinning
 
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Halp2001 said:
Hi, I use Comodo Firewall (configuration recommended by CruelSister) combined with Symantec Endpoint Protection unmanaged (only antivirus module and proactive protection, with some modifications that I think are more effective in protection). I use this combination because it is free and although I am not an expert in the field, I think they provide decent protection for a home user.
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I no longer use that setup. Nowadays, I rely on Windows Defender along with Andy Ful’s hardening tools, which help strengthen system security.
 
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Parkinsond said:
Dopo aver provato i sei migliori prodotti gratuiti (non posso permettermi quelli a pagamento):
Ho scelto A V G

  • Utilizzo della RAM a metà strada tra Kaspersky e Bitdefender
  • Utilizzo della CPU a metà strada tra Microsoft Defender e Kaspersky
  • Interfaccia a metà strada tra Microsoft Defender e Bitdefender
  • Rilevamento quasi alla pari con Kaspersky e Bitdefender
  • Protezione comportamentale a metà strada tra Microsoft Defender e Kaspersky
  • La protezione web non inserisce il proprio certificato: navigazione più veloce e meno vulnerabilità
  • L'unico con accesso controllato alle cartelle, oltre a Microsoft Defender
  • L'unico con firewall; basilare ma interattivo
  • Ha una bellissima icona, 👌mi piace guardarla girare
Click to expand...
Utilizzi ancora AVG Free?
Visualizzi fastidiosi pop-up che ti chiedono di passare alla versione a pagamento?
 
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Nunzio_77 said:
Utilizzi ancora AVG Free?
Visualizzi fastidiosi pop-up che ti chiedono di passare alla versione a pagamento?
Click to expand...
Not anymore; using MD tweaked manually (3 ASR rules and cloud block level through GP), with SAC on and Fort firewall.
When was using AVG free, I just block avgui.exe using AVG firewall; never got a single ad or popup.
 
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Parkinsond said:
Not anymore; using MD tweaked manually (3 ASR rules and cloud block level through GP), with SAC on and Fort firewall.
When was using AVG free, I just block avgui.exe using AVG firewall; never got a single ad or popup.
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Which NextDNS also did.
Parkinsond

Question Post in thread 'NextDNS setups'

Jonny Quest said:
I do find it a bit of housekeeping in using NextDNS as far as what it is blocking in regard to this Mullvad example (I'm only using the HaGeZi - Multi PRO++ blocklist).
From a Google search of the blocked connection, which I added to the Allowlist.


But, I also found this interesting in keeping track of some of the Avast (AVG free antivirus) blocked connections in that my AVG UI, no longer shows the scare banners or suggestions at the bottom. It's been a very clean UI, unless it's taking a time out and will eventually pop up? I've run some Smart Scan with the usual prompts of...
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It looks like your work around also applies to Avast, now it's a much cleaner ad free looking UI ;) :) Thanks, that was a nice tip, Parkinsond (y)
Screenshot 2025-10-27 115719.png

Screenshot 2025-10-27 115950.png
 
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Jonny Quest said:
Which NextDNS also did.
Parkinsond

Question Post in thread 'NextDNS setups'

Jonny Quest said:
I do find it a bit of housekeeping in using NextDNS as far as what it is blocking in regard to this Mullvad example (I'm only using the HaGeZi - Multi PRO++ blocklist).
From a Google search of the blocked connection, which I added to the Allowlist.


But, I also found this interesting in keeping track of some of the Avast (AVG free antivirus) blocked connections in that my AVG UI, no longer shows the scare banners or suggestions at the bottom. It's been a very clean UI, unless it's taking a time out and will eventually pop up? I've run some Smart Scan with the usual prompts of...
Click to expand...
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It looks like your work around also applies to Avast, now it's a much cleaner ad free looking UI ;) :) Thanks, that was a nice tip, Parkinsond (y)
View attachment 292378
View attachment 292379
Click to expand...
You are welcome, @Jonny Quest ☺️
 
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lokamoka820 said:
You can now completely disable pop-ups in AVG notification settings.

View attachment 292380
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Which Avast has that same option, but it didn't apply to the homepage promotions, "we have a gift for you", etc. as Parkinsond mentioned. Does the AVG home screen look like what I posted above for Avast?

Parkinsond said:
Blocking avgui.exe has an additional advantage of blocking the promotional data displayed on the home page.
Click to expand...
 
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Jonny Quest said:
Which Avast has that same option, but it didn't apply to the homepage promotions, "we have a gift for you", etc. as Parkinsond mentioned. Does the AVG home screen look like what I posted above for Avast?
Click to expand...
No, this option will only block annoying pop-ups, it has nothing to do with banner ads (UI ads).
 
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I have a valid license for both applications:McAfee Mobile Security,Bitdefender Mobile Security.
My phone: Samsung A56.
I would use one for phishing protection and fraud protection.
Which one do you recommend?
 
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