Battle Which do I choose? Antivirus, Internet Suite or Total Security?

Weebarra

Level 17
Thread author
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Apr 5, 2017
836
I would value your opinions on this query. It doesn't really matter to me who the security is from really but i had to put something in the box above (as long as it's easy-ish to use) because i am not too clever with the computer and don't know if i need AV, IS or Total ..... is there much difference in those 3 options. I have 2 days left of my current security which is Bitdefender Total 2016 so i need to make a decision pretty soon.

I only do a bit of web browsing, occasionally internet banking and obviously buying online.

I apologise that my question may seem a bit basic because you are all so knowledgeable ..... and i am NOT :confused:
 

Xsjx

Level 13
Verified
Feb 21, 2017
613
I would value your opinions on this query. It doesn't really matter to me who the security is from really but i had to put something in the box above (as long as it's easy-ish to use) because i am not too clever with the computer and don't know if i need AV, IS or Total ..... is there much difference in those 3 options. I have 2 days left of my current security which is Bitdefender Total 2016 so i need to make a decision pretty soon.

I only do a bit of web browsing, occasionally internet banking and obviously buying online.

I apologise that my question may seem a bit basic because you are all so knowledgeable ..... and i am NOT :confused:
1. Budget?
2. How many devices?
3. System specs?
4. What features do you want?

This could help for searching the best av ;)

I also have some discount coupons but we first need to search what you need ;)

I was a acting like a fanboy at first i was on the firum but now i am going to be independent, just ignore the fanboys that just say a antivurus without any reason.
 

Moi61

Level 2
Verified
Mar 19, 2016
61
Stick to using Bitdefender Total Security my friend like me.It's already enough. I have never got a problem with Bitdefender and its good for 5 devices now. There are a lot of Bitdefender promotions where you can buy for a cheaper amount. Couple it with Adguard and you are good to go. IBitdefender is not heavy and buggy anymore. Well, for me, consuming around 200 MB of memory is already OK.
 

Weebarra

Level 17
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Apr 5, 2017
836
Thank you all, i think i'm more confused now, lol. Do any of the companies i mention have a good customer support ? BD's is not very good as in they take about 3 days to contact you despite advertising 24/7 support



1. Budget?
2. How many devices?
3. System specs?
4. What features do you want?

This could help for searching the best av ;)

I also have some discount coupons but we first need to search what you need ;)

I was a acting like a fanboy at first i was on the firum but now i am going to be independent, just ignore the fanboys that just say a antivurus without any reason.


1 - not silly money as i am not in employment
2 - 1 device , laptop
3 - Windows 7 - 64 bit
4 - Features i want to be safe with an easy user interface

Stick to using Bitdefender Total Security my friend like me.It's already enough. I have never got a problem with Bitdefender and its good for 5 devices now. There are a lot of Bitdefender promotions where you can buy for a cheaper amount. Couple it with Adguard and you are good to go. IBitdefender is not heavy and buggy anymore. Well, for me, consuming around 200 MB of memory is already OK.

Thank you, but at the moment my Bitdefender is slowing things down and i am fed up of being nagged to upgrade and constantly told to reboot my system to apply updates and that has been pee-ing me off for at least the last 2 months. BD know about this and don't seem to be doing anything about the constant nag pop up.
 

Arequire

Level 29
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Top Poster
Content Creator
Feb 10, 2017
1,814
I suggest giving Kaspersky and Panda's 30-day free trial a whirl to see if you like them and see how they affect your laptops performance. I personally prefer Kaspersky over Panda (I feel it offers greater pro but you may feel differently.

As for which version you should go for, I suggest going for Kaspersky Internet Security/Panda Advanced Protection. Important features relating to protection are cut from both vendors paid Antivirus version and Kaspersky Total Security/Panda Complete Protection is a pointless upgrade unless you're looking for Android/Mac protection and some optimization features that can be done better and for free elsewhere.

If you're open to using a free AV then Avast, Bitdefender, Panda and Qihoo all have free versions that offer perfectly good protection. I suggest you try these out before shelling out money on a paid AV; you may end up liking one of them.
 
Last edited:

RVS2

Level 3
Verified
Oct 17, 2016
118
I'll change my answer to freeware. Since you want simple security without overexerting the machine :

Real time security : Panda free / Bitdefender free/ Qihoo total security/ Avast free (with several modifications)
On demand scanners : HitmanPro/ Zemana Anti Malware/ ESET Online scanner

Comodo Firewall on these settings Video Review - Comodo Firewall 10 Setup

Keep the junk to a minimum with CCleaner. Run its regular cleaner and registry cleaner.
 

Ink

Administrator
Verified
Staff Member
Well-known
Jan 8, 2011
22,361
Important:
  1. In general the more you pay, the more you get.
  2. It does not mean better protection, only additional services/components.
  3. Features will vary between vendors
  4. You may need to create an account with vendor, if you want Anti-Theft or use their Passwords Manager.
Differences

Antivirus: Core File and Web Protection against malware, viruses and other threats.

Internet Security
: Antivirus + AntiSpam for Email + Personal Firewall

Total Security: Internet Security + Anti-Theft + Backup/Storage + Privacy Cleaners + Multi-device license

What to do next?

Compare the differences - which fits your requirements - visit their website!
Decide between using Bitdefender, Kaspersky or Panda

Once your subscription expires, you can no longer access those services. For example, Virus updates, Secure Password Manager or Online Backup storage.

And remember there are subscription-less services available. You can mix and match services and don't need to stick to a single provider. Just don't use multiple real-time security.

Bottom line

Research your options thoroughly.
 

Xsjx

Level 13
Verified
Feb 21, 2017
613
Thank you all, i think i'm more confused now, lol. Do any of the companies i mention have a good customer support ? BD's is not very good as in they take about 3 days to contact you despite advertising 24/7 support






1 - not silly money as i am not in employment
2 - 1 device , laptop
3 - Windows 7 - 64 bit
4 - Features i want to be safe with an easy user interface



Thank you, but at the moment my Bitdefender is slowing things down and i am fed up of being nagged to upgrade and constantly told to reboot my system to apply updates and that has been pee-ing me off for at least the last 2 months. BD know about this and don't seem to be doing anything about the constant nag pop up.
So easy...

As munch as i love Avira ( and i can give 60 % off )

I would say you can best get F secure ;)

24 hour support
Great protection
Firewall
No slowdown
 

Faybert

Level 24
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Jan 8, 2017
1,318
I would tell you G Data Antivirus, since the Windows firewall is already sufficient, but since you mentioned internet banking and buy online, I choose G Data Internet Security, it has one of the best behavioral blockers on the market and excellent detection rate :)
 

Cats-4_Owners-2

Level 39
Verified
Honorary Member
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Dec 4, 2013
2,800
Hi Weebarra,
with such a wealth of sensible tips, and comparative explainations that have already answered your questions, I won't offer you more names to wrap your head around.:confused:
I agree with Arequire's suggestion to use 30 day trials:rolleyes: to help you decide which works best for you & your system!
https://malwaretips.com/forums/MalwareTips-giveaways.114/
MalwareTips Giveaways

is another good place to explore!:D
 

Amelith Nargothrond

Level 12
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Mar 22, 2017
587
Hi Weebarra,
with such a wealth of sensible tips, and comparative explainations that have already answered your questions, I won't offer you more names to wrap your head around.:confused:
I agree with Arequire's suggestion to use 30 day trials:rolleyes: to help you decide which works best for you & your system!
MalwareTips Giveaways
is another good place to explore!:D

This is exactly my thinking as well. Test them, all of them, this is the only way. The best AV is the one that fits your needs the most, but you will never know which one is that if you don't test them. It's almost useless (for you) if I (for example) suggest something that it's good for me. If I define what's good for me, for you may be the opposite of good.

You also obviously have a list of 3 AVs. You got that list somehow, so some research was done. Finish it by testing all of them. From a security point of view, I personally would not include Panda on that list, but I'm not the one who has to decide here. I had issues with all of the big AV names, so there is no perfect protection, there's always a compromise somewhere. I would look for those compromises and check which one affects me the most :)
 

Amelith Nargothrond

Level 12
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Top Poster
Well-known
Mar 22, 2017
587
Do any of the companies i mention have a good customer support ?

If you're not a big name with many licenses, all of them will prioritize support. That's just the nature of the business, no matter what they advertise.

i am fed up of being nagged to upgrade and constantly told to reboot my system to apply updates

Nobody will ask you to reboot if not necessary. Most probably they updated the driver(s), so a reboot is in most of the cases mandatory. This is for your own good. If any of the AVs update their driver(s), will also ask for a reboot. I think you will prefer a reboot and get the updated protection, then have a product which doesn't update when this is needed. Without the drivers, most AVs would be completely useless. And of course, there's the case when they cannot replace files "in use" - this is also fixed with a reboot.
 

inuyasha

Level 4
Verified
Well-known
Apr 9, 2017
186
I wasn't too thrilled with kaspersky internet & total security suites when i had them. i don't think security suites are my thing tbh they seem too invasive and feel like they're taking over my computer lol. i can see how it could benefit someone with multiple devices in their homes and people with children who go on all kinds of crazy sites. but for a single user who reasonably knows their way around the internet i think avast free or windows defender with zemana is just fine
 

Weebarra

Level 17
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 5, 2017
836
Thank you all so much for your advice, it has helped me (i think) to clarify that i don't reall need the "Total" suites as i have now because there are quite a few features i do not use within them so probably no point in paying for something that i don't know how to use.

Really good advice on trying the "trial" ones that are mentioned here on MT so i will go down that route firstly and see how i get on. Off now to check out some of the posts that are on site and try my luck at a "giveaway. Thank you again everyone.
 

Khairul

Level 2
Verified
Feb 3, 2015
90
Based on my personal opinion, if you are regular user, not a heavy porn surfer (where usually those nasty malware came from) and atleast aware of not voluntarily opening malicous software, and want to save cost, go for ESET Nod32 AV is more than enough, no need for IS and so on.

If you surf blog more, just install some adblocker (Im using adblock plus) is already sufficient enough for regular user. Want to ensured nothing got pass through, on demand scanner such as malwarebyte might do the trick.

My recommendation is based on Malaysian University student condition. Students didnt have that much of money, so when they came to my shop with a problem and ask for a reinstall their windows, and i install and recommend as above. I would say, they never come back for virus problem. They only come back for additional software installation only. And it did stop the ransomeware and trojan and adware problem outbreak happened in the past with this products.

Its just based on mine and my client experience. You might want to try that out.
 

monkeylove

Level 10
Verified
Well-known
Mar 9, 2014
489
My budget is 0, so I select the free version of the antivirus that does best in terms of performance, detection, etc. I do the same for the firewall, and then select some security add-ons for the browser and free versions of offline scanners.
 

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