OMO - free antivirus choice?

[NTECUK]

Never had issues with Norton on the gaming pc
Others we just use avast

Use avast or ditch windows and run linux, no antivirus required.
Android is linux based, no antivirus required.

[L3nny]

Originally Posted by ralphsterz

Use avast or ditch windows and run linux, no antivirus required.
Android is linux based, no antivirus required.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malware

[kaivalagi]

Originally Posted by L3nny

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malware

Yes, but Linux (*unix) by default will not let any priviledges be available for any infected files which means worst case the same infected files in may go out (not found by an AV) but they wont infect and multiply on the host.

As long as the Linux system you run is running in the default secure way and a user of the system won't allow any unwarranted escalation of priviledges to an invading file, all is fine. Most apps are installed from a repository hosted by the distributor so software is good by default too.

The above link also mentions a lot (if not all) of this

However in comparison Android's app store is not as secure as say Ubuntu's or Debian's, as anyone can upload self signed apk's without vetting...

On windows however it's a whole other issue...things are not so restrictive by default, there is no proper central repository for software (free or otherwise) and virus/malware can get a hold much much easier, hence the booming AV industry

The basic recommendation to run a Linux desktop without any AV rather than Windows with one is still a sound one

edit: can you tell I'm bored with Christmas already lol

i use Kaspersky free with Barclays, i think its a 3 pc product code you get too

[flymo]

For Windows AV protection on a home/personal PC I would highly recommend the free Microsoft Security Essentials software. Its very good quality, runs very efficiently and us updated extremely regularly.

I do not disagree with any of the other recommendations but I would challenge anybody claiming that one is better (at providing virus protection) than another.

Any claim that unix derivative OSs are immune to viruses is seriously flawed. Your only protection lies in the lower popularity of those OSs compared to Windows on PCs, security theatre in my opinion.

I use Avast. Seems to catch stuff it should and doesn't foul up stuff it shouldn't. I have it running on our home PC, the laptop and this tablet. Oh, and on my Android phone. On the odd occasion when I've had Avast go rogue on a PC, I use AVG as an alternative.

Microsoft Security Essentials - it's free and works well. If something does get through - try Kaspersky Virus Removal - it is free and gets rid of most things.