O/T request - best anti-virus protection?

SSI01 · 04-29-15, 05:40 PM

Hey guys - if this is in the wrong forum please let me know, I thought I could at least get it started here.

My A/V's last day was today. I am sick to death of having problems with anti-virus, for example, blocking installation of a program (even after disabling it temporarily) and other issues - you call to report this, and then you're shifted to a tech or some other help that has such heavily accented English you can't understand them or their instructions. Is there an anti-virus program you'd recommend that you can understand when you contact them with issues, that also provides good protection for your computer?

Sailor Steve · 04-29-15, 05:50 PM

Moved to where it will get the most attention.

HW3 · 04-29-15, 06:19 PM

I use Avast AntiVirus, it is free, though I can't comment about the support because I have had no issues with it in the 5+ years I have used it.

SSI01 · 04-29-15, 07:23 PM

Thanks Sailor Steve

Oddly enough I was using Avast Anti-Virus and had some stuff still get by it, causing problems that required the machine to go to the shop a couple of times. I had payware Avast and was thoroughly disappointed to call the support hotline only to be told by someone who could hardly speak English I had to submit to remote access while they did things to my machine to try to chase and eradicate the bug. Of course, in order for this to happen it would cost around $150. It wound up being inop and had to go the local shop. End result - I had the tech completely clean the thing up and it's now working OK.

I guess basically what I'm looking for is a US-made anti-virus program that has US-based tech support. Saw an ad on TV a little while ago featuring some gentleman saying his firm was just that, but I never wrote down the contact no.

Of course, now that the gov is pushing those immigrant visas (HB-1s?), American employees are being pushed out in favor of foreigners here on work visas, so you're still likely to get one of those incomprehensible voices on the other end, even with a US-based firm. Still, I'd like to try to find one . . .

Sailor Steve · 04-29-15, 08:39 PM

I use both Windows' own program Defender and Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes seems to do a good job weeding things out.

Jimbuna · 04-30-15, 06:13 AM

My anti virus is Microsoft Security Essentials (free) and is coupled with Spybot Search and Destroy, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Crap Cleaner.

d@rk51d3 · 04-30-15, 07:15 AM

Been using paid Avast for a couple of years now after a few major letdowns with MSE, but I dont think I'll go another round. It seems to be getting a bit bloated.

HW3 · 04-30-15, 11:35 AM

I should have mentioned I also use Malwarebytes and IObit Malware Fighter too. I have used ESET NOD32 in the past with good results. It does cost for it but does have a 30 day free trial.

Fubar2Niner · 05-08-15, 12:50 PM

Been using Bitdefender Total Security (paid) for for almost 2 years, no problems thus far and no viruses, malware etc.

Used to use Avast (paid) but as mentioned it bacame bloatware. Have used Sophos, exceptional but bloody expensive now.

STEED · 05-08-15, 04:12 PM

Avast free edition with Malwarebytes and Super Anti Spyware & Ccleaner job done.

HunterICX · 05-09-15, 04:25 AM

Avast Internet Security (paid)
Managed to stop quite the few nasties I stumbled upon but also has let me down once or twice when a new virus or variant of a known virus hasn't been taken into their virus definitions update yet.

But it was partly also my fault for browsing the web without No-Script added to my Firefox.

Rhodes · 05-09-15, 04:32 AM

Eset nod32 user here, but I have a 2 year subscription, so I am enjoying it.
Of free AV, Avira is one I know people around me use more and do the job quite good.
Microsoft Security Essentials is also referenced as a good free AV. And all of the others programs mention are a "must have"!

04-29-15, 05:40 PM	#1
SSI01 Loader Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 88 Downloads: 56 Uploads: 0	O/T request - best anti-virus protection? Hey guys - if this is in the wrong forum please let me know, I thought I could at least get it started here. My A/V's last day was today. I am sick to death of having problems with anti-virus, for example, blocking installation of a program (even after disabling it temporarily) and other issues - you call to report this, and then you're shifted to a tech or some other help that has such heavily accented English you can't understand them or their instructions. Is there an anti-virus program you'd recommend that you can understand when you contact them with issues, that also provides good protection for your computer?

04-29-15, 05:50 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Moved to where it will get the most attention. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-29-15, 06:19 PM	#3
HW3 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gresham Oregon Posts: 6,574 Downloads: 458 Uploads: 0	I use Avast AntiVirus, it is free, though I can't comment about the support because I have had no issues with it in the 5+ years I have used it. __________________ "Some ships are designed to sink...others require our assistance." Nathan Zelk

04-29-15, 08:39 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I use both Windows' own program Defender and Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes seems to do a good job weeding things out. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-30-15, 06:13 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	My anti virus is Microsoft Security Essentials (free) and is coupled with Spybot Search and Destroy, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Crap Cleaner. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-29-15, 07:23 PM	#4
SSI01 Loader Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 88 Downloads: 56 Uploads: 0	Thanks Sailor Steve Oddly enough I was using Avast Anti-Virus and had some stuff still get by it, causing problems that required the machine to go to the shop a couple of times. I had payware Avast and was thoroughly disappointed to call the support hotline only to be told by someone who could hardly speak English I had to submit to remote access while they did things to my machine to try to chase and eradicate the bug. Of course, in order for this to happen it would cost around $150. It wound up being inop and had to go the local shop. End result - I had the tech completely clean the thing up and it's now working OK. I guess basically what I'm looking for is a US-made anti-virus program that has US-based tech support. Saw an ad on TV a little while ago featuring some gentleman saying his firm was just that, but I never wrote down the contact no. Of course, now that the gov is pushing those immigrant visas (HB-1s?), American employees are being pushed out in favor of foreigners here on work visas, so you're still likely to get one of those incomprehensible voices on the other end, even with a US-based firm. Still, I'd like to try to find one . . .

04-30-15, 07:15 AM	#7
d@rk51d3 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,951 Downloads: 207 Uploads: 0	Been using paid Avast for a couple of years now after a few major letdowns with MSE, but I dont think I'll go another round. It seems to be getting a bit bloated. Last edited by d@rk51d3; 04-30-15 at 07:21 AM.

04-30-15, 11:35 AM	#8
HW3 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gresham Oregon Posts: 6,574 Downloads: 458 Uploads: 0	I should have mentioned I also use Malwarebytes and IObit Malware Fighter too. I have used ESET NOD32 in the past with good results. It does cost for it but does have a 30 day free trial. __________________ "Some ships are designed to sink...others require our assistance." Nathan Zelk

05-08-15, 12:50 PM	#9
Fubar2Niner Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: London. UK Posts: 4,175 Downloads: 279 Uploads: 0	Been using Bitdefender Total Security (paid) for for almost 2 years, no problems thus far and no viruses, malware etc. Used to use Avast (paid) but as mentioned it bacame bloatware. Have used Sophos, exceptional but bloody expensive now.

05-08-15, 04:12 PM	#10
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Avast free edition with Malwarebytes and Super Anti Spyware & Ccleaner job done. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

05-09-15, 04:25 AM	#11
HunterICX Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2006 Location: Malaga, España Posts: 10,750 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Avast Internet Security (paid) Managed to stop quite the few nasties I stumbled upon but also has let me down once or twice when a new virus or variant of a known virus hasn't been taken into their virus definitions update yet. But it was partly also my fault for browsing the web without No-Script added to my Firefox. __________________

05-09-15, 04:32 AM	#12
Rhodes Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal Posts: 4,515 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	Eset nod32 user here, but I have a 2 year subscription, so I am enjoying it. Of free AV, Avira is one I know people around me use more and do the job quite good. Microsoft Security Essentials is also referenced as a good free AV. And all of the others programs mention are a "must have"! __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16416646@N05/