[Brady12]

Seen a lot of people say they only use free AVG, Avast etc and it's fine, but i'm a bit worried about online shopping, banking and log ins in general (which I have a lot of.)

I didn't want to pay out again as I also have a Chromebook so I can switch to doing certain actions like that if need be.

[Braunschweig]

I don't understand your question, OP?

I have used free anti-virus for years and never had any issues with online shopping or banking.

[alan1302]

It can't juggle three tennis balls whilst balancing on a tighrope

[Grouty]

I used to use AVG years ago, then i switched to AntiVir, its much better, and have had no problems shopping, banking ect... with either.

[Brady12]

Alan, i've spotted 1 thing you can't do which is read properly, I asked what I couldn't do not what AVG couldn't :-)

Grouty/Braunschweig, thanks for replies, I was under the impression that the free version didn't offer enough security/protection for banking, shopping etc.

[LION8TIGER]

Originally Posted by Brady12

Alan, i've spotted 1 thing you can't do which is read properly, I asked what I couldn't do not what AVG couldn't :-)

Grouty/Braunschweig, thanks for replies, I was under the impression that the free version didn't offer enough security/protection for banking, shopping etc.

Well now Brady that was a bit harsh on Alan.

AVG free, what can't I do?

It can't juggle three tennis balls whilst balancing on a tighrope

I thought that was a great reply until I read your comment and saw that you were talking about your personal experiences with AVG rather than the capabilities of it.

When I read it I must have subliminally added the T onto the I to make it read like an IT .... I'd imagine Alan thought the same ... or maybe not.

AVG is best removed , I did exactly what Grouty did , AVG to Avira years ago.

[Kargo]

Originally Posted by Grouty

I used to use AVG years ago, then i switched to AntiVir, its much better, and have had no problems shopping, banking ect... with either.

The only thing I dislike with Avira is the adverts promoting the paid version, I did the opposite and switched to AVG as they were showing up a bit too often.

[Fowl Fax]

Been using free avast for years, it does let me down every now and then but overall happy enough to continue to rely on it.

[MrQuike]

I use AVG and Malwarebytes (as required) on my windows machine.

This is what AVG say you don't get with AVG Free - and what you do get with AVG Internet Security 2013:

Download and share files safely
We check files are safe before you click

Stops instant messaging viruses
We check links are safe before you click

Keeps your email protected
Prevents online spam and scammers

Protected when shopping and banking
Ultimate protection for the personal information you enter online

Protects personal data from hackers
Blocks attempts to access data stored on your PC

Faster scan and video streaming
For the ultimate video-viewing experience

I'm not sure how valuable the extras are. I created a dual boot Windows/Linux machine and use Ubuntu for most internet access. As far as I can tell it's faster, safer and cheaper. All my Home files are encrypted. I set my email so that spam, automatically, goes straight into a junk folder. I do occasional virus and rootkit scans but never found anything.

[spiney2]

you could also look at drive sentry free. this stops malware by allowing only authorised software to access the hard disc.

other thing is the firewall. comodo free is excellent. it includes a process list showing what is running on your pc, lists all internet connections, and includes a sandbox if wanted so your internet browsing s separated from the main computer. and you can also use their dns servers for added protection.

of course there is no such thing as absolute protection !

[spiney2]

you can also use malwarebytes and superantispyware . as an added precaution.i have mine removed from startup list but run them manually occcasionally for a scan.

[spiney2]

good place to look is techsupportalert which has lists of best freeware. they claim currently avg has the best virus detection.

[spiney2]

you can also see the free antivirus packages at majorgeeks, antivirus page. they dont do reviews. but do have long lists includng shareware.

[spiney2]

..... especially for banking. thing to do is ask your bank what THEY consider acceptable malware protection. then if something does go wrong at least you followed their advice.

also be up to date with windows updates. again for the banking.

[Fowl Fax]

Originally Posted by Fowl Fax

Been using free avast for years, it does let me down every now and then but overall happy enough to continue to rely on it.

Got a bloody virus on my PC merely seconds after I praised Avast, that piece of shite.

Wasn't a very nice one either!

Malwarebytes managed to remove it but non of my bleeding programs could run. Only just finished reinstalling windows and all my programs.

I think I might try AVG, huge letdown from Avast.

[spiney2]

another thing is hard disk encryption. not a protection against internet malware, but good for if your computer gets stolen.

[spiney2]

for freeware as said i wd recommend avg and comodo together. browse in sandbox mode. then occasional scans with a different anti malware package.

[max99]

Originally Posted by Fowl Fax

Got a bloody virus on my PC merely seconds after I praised Avast, that piece of shite.

You've just nicely highlighted the futility of recommending an AV.

[noise747]

I been using comodo free security for months now and I have had no problems and i do online shopping and banking.

I using Windows 8 at the moment and comodo will not work with it, so at the moment I got AVG installed.


But as soon as they sorted out the problem I will be back with comodo if i don't put windows 7 back on first

[neo_wales]

Most of the free ones are pretty good these days, I mainly use MS Security Essentials on the home network of PC's but I have AVG on one machine. Read one online review and they say Avast is the best then the next month MS SE is the best then some other one the month after. Just pick one and make sure its up to date all the time. I shop online, bank online, have investment online etc and I've not had any problems. Two or three time a year I tend to change passwords, don't know if I need to, its just a habit these days I suppose.

[mac2708]

As above.
You really have nothing to be concerned about with free programs such as AVG/MSE/Comodo/Avast etc.
The point about changing passwords is, I think, valid and some sites remind you to change passwords regularly
I use https://lastpass.com/ which can generate really secure passwords and remember them for you

[JeffG1]

Originally Posted by Fowl Fax

Got a bloody virus on my PC merely seconds after I praised Avast, that piece of shite

Did the virus just arrive unbidden, or did you click on something that you probably shouldn't have done?

[chrisjr]

Just thinking about on line banking. Some banks offer free subs to Anti Virus/Internet Security suites. For example I get Kaspersky Internet Security for free with Barclays. And Kaspersky does seem to do well in AV tests.

Might be worth having a punt round your bank's website to see if they offer something similar.

[Fowl Fax]

Originally Posted by JeffG1

Did the virus just arrive unbidden, or did you click on something that you probably shouldn't have done?

Avast came up with a message blocking some form of malware when I was in an internet forum.

I requested Avast delete it and rebooted machine.

After machine rebooted Malwarebytes no longer could run, neither would Opera.

Rebooted PC in safe mode, ran Malwarebytes which detected two rootkits and removed them.

Rebooted PC and both Malwarebytes and Opera still did not run.

System restore would not work and XP repair only gave me the same issues regarding programs not running so went for the long haul and reinstalled XP over XP.

[Beachcomber]

I have used AVG for several years with no problems but since I upgraded my Windows 7 laptop to AVG 2013 it has started to hang on start-up just after the 'Welcome' screen appears. This may be a coincidence because I have also upgraded my Windows XP desktop to AVG 2013 and it is fine.

I bank online with Barclays so may try their Kaspersky offer to see if this solves the problem with the laptop.