Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 04:26 PM Jun 2014

Antivirus and Firewall recommendations

I'm looking for a new antivirus and firewall program. I want one that I can set to turn off the computer if no issues are found when I run a scan. I also am looking for one that doesn't day 7 hours to do a scan.

Any recommendations?

26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Antivirus and Firewall recommendations (Original Post) ohheckyeah Jun 2014 OP
free Malwarebytes is excellent steve2470 Jun 2014 #1
I use Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware ohheckyeah Jun 2014 #2
those two programs will take care of viruses also steve2470 Jun 2014 #3
Okay - ohheckyeah Jun 2014 #4
answers steve2470 Jun 2014 #5
Thanks very much. ohheckyeah Jun 2014 #6
yes they are but... steve2470 Jun 2014 #7
I'm using ohheckyeah Jun 2014 #8
yes that's fine nt steve2470 Jun 2014 #10
You need an antivirus program in addition to Malwarebytes. bananas Jun 2014 #12
same is true of SAS, my bad steve2470 Jun 2014 #14
No, they don't take of viruses also bananas Jun 2014 #13
thanks - I noticed that when I checked out their ohheckyeah Jun 2014 #15
Avast! Pharaoh Jun 2014 #9
Agree with Avast. JBoy Jun 2014 #11
Kaspersky is the best IMHO frylock Jun 2014 #16
Yeah, we've got a three-computer license for it. Denzil_DC Jun 2014 #17
Free AVG and Malwarebytes Drew Richards Jun 2014 #18
Antivirus and Firewall recommendations George Janis Jun 2014 #19
Welcome to DU gopiscrap Jun 2014 #20
would also recommend Avira free edition and it has browser safety as well CountAllVotes Jun 2014 #21
try the info in my link here steve2470 Jun 2014 #22
I'm using a free trial of Norton Internet Security and so ohheckyeah Jun 2014 #23
AVG 2014 glenmarth Jul 2014 #24
I'll give it a try. ohheckyeah Jul 2014 #25
love AVG free TorchTheWitch Jul 2014 #26

steve2470

(37,456 posts)
1. free Malwarebytes is excellent
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 05:02 PM
Jun 2014

Super anti-spyware is good also. I'm sure others have recommendations too.

As far as firewalls go, if you have a good router (such as Linksys, D-Link, Cisco, Netgear, etc), you don't really need another firewall. Simply make sure your router's firewall is turned on and configured properly. AFAIK, the only reason for a software firewall (such as the built-in firewall with Windows XP and 7 and 8) is to prevent "phone home" from trojans already infesting your system.

If you are on dial-up, then yes, a software firewall makes complete sense. Zone-Alarm worked for me in the past: http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm

Link for Malwarebytes: http://www.malwarebytes.org/free/

Link for Super Anti-Spyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
2. I use Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 05:15 PM
Jun 2014

for malware and trojans. What about a virus program?

I can't seem to find the firewall settings for my router. I have a Netgear router, WNDR3400v2.

steve2470

(37,456 posts)
3. those two programs will take care of viruses also
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 05:21 PM
Jun 2014
http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/WNDR3400V2/WNDR3400v2_UM_23JAN2013.pdf

That link will give you a downloadable PDF file that will tell you how to find the firewall settings. If you need help, please ask us.

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
4. Okay -
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 05:43 PM
Jun 2014

the NAT filtering is set to secured. Should that be sufficient as a firewall for my whole network? I was unaware that I was running two firewalls - the router and McAfee.

If I do away with my McAfee, should I set SuperAntiSpyware or Malwarebytes for real time protection? If so, which one? I have the pro version of both and a lifetime pro version of SuperAntiSpyware. They really take the place of a security program like McAfee?

PS - thanks so much for the help.

One more question - does either SAS or MB also protect email programs?

steve2470

(37,456 posts)
5. answers
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 06:16 PM
Jun 2014

1- As long as your entire network is behind your router (meaning, everything is plugged directly into it and NOT into a modem), you should be protected. Just to be 100% clear:

Your cable modem plugs into your router on the WAN (wide area network or internet) side. Usually there's only one place to plug your ethernet cable from your modem to your router. Then, there's usually 3 to sometimes as many as 8 ports for your internal network computers (also called hosts in jargon). You plug your ethernet cables from those computers into those LAN (local area network or your home/small office setup) ports. Do not ever directly plug a computer directly into the modem unless you are doing testing of some kind (and after that test, use at least two programs to thoroughly clean your computer of any possible nasties).

When you configure the router, make sure the DMZ is OFF completely.

Ethernet cable (for clarity's sake):





2- Either one should protect you, but everyone has their own personal preference. Malwarebytes is better known and is pretty much universally lauded.

3- Unless I'm mistaken, your McAfee setup is only a firewall and not a malware program. If it has a malware component (which should be indicated somewhere in its help files), then you may not need SAS or MB. You should be able to simply turn off the McAfee firewall. If you can't turn it off, then yes, you will need either SAS or MB.

4- Only run ONE anti-malware program at a time. They tend to conflict with each other. It's ok to turn one off and then run another one, but again not two at the same time. Make sure Windows Defender is turned off also. You have to go into Control Panel to turn it off.

5- I don't know about the email programs. You'd have to carefully read the documentation. Sorry I can't be more helpful there.

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
6. Thanks very much.
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 06:34 PM
Jun 2014

Are my devices that are wireless protected by the router firewall? I would assume they are, but could be wrong.

steve2470

(37,456 posts)
7. yes they are but...
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 06:42 PM
Jun 2014

make sure: 1) your wireless security is ON and NOT WEP. Use WPA, at least; and 2) you have set your wireless password to something OTHER than the factory default and something very hard to guess. Oh yea, obvious point, the wireless devices need to be getting their signal from a secured router and not a insecure hotspot.

The SSID (service set identifier or network name) doesn't really need to be hidden, because apparently any competent cracker can sniff out your SSID very quickly. Just make your SSID something UNIQUE from your neighbors.

bananas

(27,509 posts)
12. You need an antivirus program in addition to Malwarebytes.
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 11:19 AM
Jun 2014

That's probably also true for SuperAntiSpyware.

From the official FAQ pages at malwarebytes.org:

https://helpdesk.malwarebytes.org/entries/20818081-Does-Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware-replace-antivirus-software-

Does Malwarebytes Anti-Malware replace antivirus software?

Support
posted this on January 04, 2012 10:45 AM

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not meant to be a replacement for antivirus software. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a complementary but essential program which detects and removes zero-day malware and "Malware in the Wild". This includes malicious programs and files, such as virus droppers, worms, trojans, rootkits, dialers, spyware, and rogue applications that many antivirus programs do not detect or cannot fully remove. That being said, there are many infections that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware does not detect or remove which any antivirus software will, such as file infectors. It is important to note that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts. In some rare instances, exclusions may need to be set for your specific antivirus product to achieve the best possible system performance.


The other FAQs are at http://www.malwarebytes.org/support/consumer/

They have a support forum at http://forums.malwarebytes.org/

steve2470

(37,456 posts)
14. same is true of SAS, my bad
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 11:25 AM
Jun 2014

Is SUPERAntiSpyware an antivirus program? Click here to return to the FAQ page!

Strictly speaking, SUPERAntiSpyware is not designed to be antivirus software. We target spyware, adware, worms, trojan horses, rootkits, and crimeware, a focus that allows us to respond quickly to the ever-growing groups of hostile software we address, with new definitions released multiple times a day, and concentrate on the technology that targets the most common threats in the wild. There are a lot of things that are often called viruses (many trojans, worms, and so on) that SUPERAntiSpyware will remove, but it won't remove many true viruses or boot-sector viruses.

SUPERAntiSpyware has been designed to be compatible with popular antivirus and antispyware applications such as ESET NOD32, Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware, AVG, McAfee, Norton, Symantec, Kaspersky, Webroot, PC Tools, Malwarebytes, Avast, Avira, and more.

http://www.superantispyware.com/supportfaqdisplay.html?faq=91

bananas

(27,509 posts)
13. No, they don't take of viruses also
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 11:20 AM
Jun 2014

From the official FAQ pages at malwarebytes.org:

https://helpdesk.malwarebytes.org/entries/20818081-Does-Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware-replace-antivirus-software-

Does Malwarebytes Anti-Malware replace antivirus software?

Support
posted this on January 04, 2012 10:45 AM

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not meant to be a replacement for antivirus software. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a complementary but essential program which detects and removes zero-day malware and "Malware in the Wild". This includes malicious programs and files, such as virus droppers, worms, trojans, rootkits, dialers, spyware, and rogue applications that many antivirus programs do not detect or cannot fully remove. That being said, there are many infections that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware does not detect or remove which any antivirus software will, such as file infectors. It is important to note that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts. In some rare instances, exclusions may need to be set for your specific antivirus product to achieve the best possible system performance.


The other FAQs are at http://www.malwarebytes.org/support/consumer/

They have a support forum at http://forums.malwarebytes.org/

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
15. thanks - I noticed that when I checked out their
Wed Jun 4, 2014, 11:27 AM
Jun 2014

websites. I'm giving BitDefender a trial run. It has good reviews on a number of sites and so far I like the interface.

I think I'm going to go with the router firewall right now and see how that works for me. Using just the router firewall netted me the same results as using it and the McAfee firewall. The Windows firewall slows my Internet way down.

Denzil_DC

(7,187 posts)
17. Yeah, we've got a three-computer license for it.
Sat Jun 14, 2014, 05:38 PM
Jun 2014

It's a very solid antivirus. My partner was regularly picking up malware, some of it quite nasty, just visiting various political sites (some a bit off the beaten track, it's true), and our previous paid-for AV wasn't turning a hair. In the three years we've been using Kaspersky, she hasn't had any issues, touch wood.

The downsides are it can be quite slow to download updates (they really need to improve their servers) and it can be a resource hog. It may be necessary to tweak it to get it to leave innocuous programs and processes alone (like Word working on files that have already been scanned anyway), otherwise it can really snarl things up (for instance, locking up autosave). It's more easily tweakable now than it used to be, anyway.

George Janis

(1 post)
19. Antivirus and Firewall recommendations
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 02:50 AM
Jun 2014

There are so many antivirus programs available in computing world with different features and specialities. Generally, it is a tough task to choose among them that best suits your device. This is the reason whenever I felt any confusion regarding antivirus software or any other technical recommendations, I like to consult Click4Support people as they provide very good solutions for any kind of technical help. Some time back, they help me to choose suitable antivirus software for my PC and that was really helpful.


CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
21. would also recommend Avira free edition and it has browser safety as well
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 12:13 PM
Jun 2014

The Avira browser safety you can turn on and off. I'm using that with Superantispyware free edition. It seems to catch everything, more thing that the Malwarebytes did in fact! I'm now using a "new" laptop with Windows 7 Professional on it.

This also seems to work pretty good on an old desktop I have with Windows XP Professional on it as well.

Lots of crap out there on the www and yep, you can get hit an not know happened until later ... and then OMG (I should know -- happened to me last week and I then began searching for a new/free AV and decided to give Avira a try again ... so far so good!) !!

steve2470

(37,456 posts)
22. try the info in my link here
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 12:19 PM
Jun 2014
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1095&pid=11614

Best Antivirus, dead tree Maximum PC magazine, July 2014


9-Kick Ass (their best rating): BitDefender Internet Security, Norton Internet Security

9: WebRoot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus, ESET Smart Security,

8: Kaspersky Internet Security 2014, McAfee Internet Security 2014, Avira Free Antivirus, Avast Free Antivirus

7: Panda Internet Security 2014

6: AVG Antivirus Free 2014

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
23. I'm using a free trial of Norton Internet Security and so
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 04:56 PM
Jun 2014

far I'm happy with it. Never thought I would say that.

I tried WebRoot and within a couple of days it let through a bunch of junk that Super AntiSpyware found. McAfee sucks lately - I've used it for years, but it takes forever to do a scan with McAfee now.

I tried BitDefender and didn't like it but don't remember why.

Thanks for the information. If I find something I don't like about Norton, I'll go through the rest of your list.

glenmarth

(6 posts)
24. AVG 2014
Tue Jul 1, 2014, 09:17 PM
Jul 2014

A full scan usually takes time, and this depends on the definitions library. However, i have found AVG to be quicker then others. You can temporarily disable the protection from the system tray in the lower right corner, disable and enable firewall from settings quickly. One thing i noticed between AVG and avast! is that avast! has a lot of features, that we do not need hence it makes stuff super complicated to trace, allow win apps from it, therefore i conclude that AVG is the best of all. You can download a free version from [link:http://appuals.com/avg-free-edition-2014-0-4714/|

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts)
26. love AVG free
Mon Jul 14, 2014, 11:49 PM
Jul 2014

Been using it since 2000. One thing I love about it is that you can schedule the days and times for it to run scans, so you can have it doing a scan while you're at work or asleep.

My hard drive blew up last week, but fortunately the only thing that couldn't be reovered was all my mountains of saved emails in Outlook. Now that I only have a handful of emails in Outlook now that I've got everything back and running on computer with a new hard drive today's full scan only took 2 hours and about 10 minutes. I guess it pays to get rid of all those saved emails even though I was really good at completely deleting most things.

It can actually be a little TOO diligent though in sometimes flagging files that are fine. I guess it's a good idea though that they flag them and then you can decide on your own whether or not it's an issue.

Latest Discussions»Help & Search»Computer Help and Support»Antivirus and Firewall re...