Since someone on DPC seems to have a malware infected computer on almost a weekly basis, I thought this reference to be worth posting.
PC Magazine has just posted a review of free antivirus and malware software. Some are better at cleaning up an already infected machine, while others excel at protecting from potential threats. Of interest to me is that they were unimpressed by Microsoft Security Essentials, which has been highly rated by many other sources that I trust.
Keep in mind that due to constantly changing threats as well as regular updates to these software packages, the best one right now may not be as good next year and the low rated choice today may become the best one in another 6 months.
Also, Installing an A/V application is not enough. Don't click on links in suspicious e-mails, even if they come from someone you know. Just yesterday, I got an odd email with a link that appeared to be from a lightly used email account of my wife's family reunion group. If the email seems odd, something that the person would not normally send you, then don't click on any links in it. Many malware infections are spread through such social engineering these days.
Another good option that I credit with helping to keep own my system clean is a custom hosts file, which blocks browser requests for thousands of known malware and advertising sites. It functions invisibly and actually helps speed your web browsing up. I try to remember to update mine periodically. (Looks like the latest update was posted just this past Saturday)
stay away from porn and pirate software and they all work equally well.
but +1 for MSE, very light and efficient. i stopped using norton (which i get for free form my ISP) them and mcaffee just seem to want to do too much. i just want you to run in the background and watch for viruses.
If using a Microsoft product gives you a warm, safe feeling you may consider relying on Microsoft Security Essentials for antivirus protection.
it's unfortunate that his bias is so prevalent, sort of ruins his opinion in my mind
I most certainly cannot speak for anyone else on this site, but I use Microsoft Security Essentials on two of the computers I have at home and can attest to the fact that (so far) it has detected any attempts made on my systems.
Highly recommend MSE, and I have an anti-Microsoft bias. I switched to it for all of our computers after using a number of other solutions. Also, use a good firewall like ZoneAlarm or Comodo (just don't install the antivirus) and use MalwareBytes AntiMalware and SuperAntiSpyware (both on demand scanners).
For even more protection, use a non-Admin account for most of your browsing and surfing.
Another good option that I credit with helping to keep own my system clean is a custom hosts file, which blocks browser requests for thousands of known malware and advertising sites. It functions invisibly and actually helps speed your web browsing up. I try to remember to update mine periodically. (Looks like the latest update was posted just this past Saturday)
Another good option that I credit with helping to keep own my system clean is a custom hosts file, which blocks browser requests for thousands of known malware and advertising sites. It functions invisibly and actually helps speed your web browsing up. I try to remember to update mine periodically. (Looks like the latest update was posted just this past Saturday)
This is an awesome idea!
Only so long as you update it manually, retain all the original security settings on the file and don't ever allow anything to auto update it. You also need to be very aware of what you're putting in there.
A malicious setting in the hosts file could result in something along the lines of your browser telling you you're on your banks website, but you're actually on a phishing site handing over your login details.
I feel we should not download from untrusted sites or unreliable one, which is the most likely to have virus in that.Using a Microsoft product gives you a warm, safe feeling you may consider relying on Microsoft Security Essentials for antivirus protection
