Anti Virus Softwware

[earthfriendly]

Please recommend a good software that will help clean out my computer to pristine condition. Anti-virus, malware, phishing, spyware........anything else I missed out? A quick search took me to the following site.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

[the lynx]

Please recommend a good software that will help clean out my computer to pristine condition. Anti-virus, malware, phishing, spyware........anything else I missed out? A quick search took me to the following site.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

Are you looking for the free version or are you willing to go for paid ones?

[earthfriendly]

I need it completely cleaned out, free or otherwise. Preferably user-friendly for the technologically-challenged.

[ecureilx]

Please recommend a good software that will help clean out my computer to pristine condition. Anti-virus, malware, phishing, spyware........anything else I missed out? A quick search took me to the following site.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

to get to pristine condition format your computer, install anti virus, then install other software ....and avoid opening attachments from strangers and don't click on any link that says click here to clean your computer ... there is no vaccine for self induced viruses, and the last two I mentioned are examples of self inducing ...

now if you are already infected many viruses are uncleanable ....

I would suggest go with the format plan,......

[AngMoG]

Please recommend a good software that will help clean out my computer to pristine condition. Anti-virus, malware, phishing, spyware........anything else I missed out? A quick search took me to the following site.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

to get to pristine condition format your computer, install anti virus, then install other software ....and avoid opening attachments from strangers and don't click on any link that says click here to clean your computer ... there is no vaccine for self induced viruses, and the last two I mentioned are examples of self inducing ...

now if you are already infected many viruses are uncleanable ....

I would suggest go with the format plan,......

Ditto. For AV, I think Symantec, ESET and McAfee are among the best. (I personally use ESET.) Just search for anti-virus software reviews, you should be able to find some comparisons.

[earthfriendly]

I am usually very careful but sometimes it is hard to tell if it is Microsoft trying to communicate with me. LOL!

[Beeroclock]

I am usually very careful but sometimes it is hard to tell if it is Microsoft trying to communicate with me. LOL!

Yeah some malware is obvious but others are quite hard to pick, I've had some mcafee lookalike pop-ups asking me to click to update virus registries, even on my work computer....

I rarely use laptop nowadays, but for a long while have got by with free antivirus such as Avast and even lately the Microsoft Security Essentials.... I'm sure many will say how risky/inadvisable that is, but luckily I've never had a problem (as far as I'm aware anyway !!!).

[aster]

I need it completely cleaned out, free or otherwise. Preferably user-friendly for the technologically-challenged.

Yeah, you need to do a fresh install of the system. It's the only way to ensure a totally clean system.

[Strong Eagle]

Try MalwareBytes as a starting point. You can download for free and run it on your system. http://www.malwarebytes.org/lp/lp4_r/?g ... 7AodDH0AXg

Install it, run it, then uninstall it.

Windows Defender also actually does a pretty good job of hunting down malware. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... s-defender

I'd only consider doing a clean system install if the products above found and could not remove malware, or you are unable to get your computer to run at the performance level you want.

I use Webroot as my regular AV/malware software.

[earthfriendly]

I finally have my Defender back, after uninstalling another virus program. Reason I started this topic was I could not find it on my laptop and thought maybe time for me to try something else. Plus I had an attack once, I think! Hubby did some quick cleaning. Macafee was installed all this time, without my knowledge. I may have accidentally clicked on something or somewhere for that to happen. Defender had worked well for me and I like to keep it that way.

[xvguard]

There isn't 1 Anti virus that cleans your PC 100%, the main thing is to use common sense, not open anything you are unaware of what it contains and have your PC maintained regularly.

I use Avast and previously used ESET, Symantec, Mcafee etc. I like ESET and Avast as they are simple and low resource consumption for me.

[rajagainstthemachine]

1. stop browsing porn and pirate bay

2. malware bytes

3. windows defender

4. are you watching any live streaming football games which ask you to install some kind of plugin? if so they can contribute to malware too.

5. keep your definitions up to date.

[ScoobyDoes]

1. stop browsing porn and pirate bay

2. malware bytes

3. windows defender

4. are you watching any live streaming football games which ask you to install some kind of plugin? if so they can contribute to malware too.

5. keep your definitions up to date.

Surprised you're not the one recommending wrapping the PC in a condom

[rajagainstthemachine]

1. stop browsing porn and pirate bay

2. malware bytes

3. windows defender

4. are you watching any live streaming football games which ask you to install some kind of plugin? if so they can contribute to malware too.

5. keep your definitions up to date.

Surprised you're not the one recommending wrapping the PC in a condom

condom? whats that?

[BillyB]

Please recommend a good software that will help clean out my computer to pristine condition. Anti-virus, malware, phishing, spyware........anything else I missed out? A quick search took me to the following site.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

It's not about just using 1 remover if your PC is heavily infected. You need to remove rootkits, trojans, adware and browser hijacks.

Try the following in sequence:

Windows defender
Malware-bytes anti-Malware
Ad-aware
Hijack this
Then run an online scan such as Panda, ESET, Trend etc.

A free scanner is good enough for PC protection if you are diligent - they are all much of a muchness. Try avast or AVG free editions.

Alternatively, try this for a more thorough clean:

http://malwaretips.com/blogs/malware-re ... r-windows/