The Official Computer Tech Support Thread

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Frownland

Do you consider donations given to charity for self-congratulatory purposes to be less valid?

I consider that person to be a twat. I'm not gonna argue a point I'm not making.

[SmokeAndMirrors]

What's the best recommended free virus scanner that people are using these days? I don't want to have to pay for a monthly subscription, so I figured I'd ask here. It's been a while since I've had to switch around. I was using Avast, but my computer bluescreened during the recent Avast update, and Avast seems to have lost my long-standing subscription from the Free Home Edition that I'd carried over. I logged into my account and it's not available there either. So, what's the recommended free virus scanner that people are using these days?

[Trollheart]

AVG Free is good, so is (believe it or not) MSE (MicroScum Security Essentials).

[grindy]

AVG got spammy as hell the last few years. A day didn't go by without it telling me to upgrade to premium, and in really annoying ways.
Switched to Avast since then, but looks like it's not an option

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by SmokeAndMirrors

What's the best recommended free virus scanner that people are using these days? I don't want to have to pay for a monthly subscription, so I figured I'd ask here. It's been a while since I've had to switch around. I was using Avast, but my computer bluescreened during the recent Avast update, and Avast seems to have lost my long-standing subscription from the Free Home Edition that I'd carried over. I logged into my account and it's not available there either. So, what's the recommended free virus scanner that people are using these days?

I've used the free version of MalwareBytes in conjunction with AutoRuns.exe and ProcessExplorer.exe for years with no problems, and just let Windows Defender do it's thing. Minimal bloat and no subscription.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Plankton

I've used the free version of MalwareBytes in conjunction with AutoRuns.exe and ProcessExplorer.exe for years with no problems, and just let Windows Defender do it's thing. Minimal bloat and no subscription.

MalwareBytes only does spyware though, doesn't it? I use both the ones I mentioned, in conjunction with MWB and Hitman Pro. Works for me.

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

MalwareBytes only does spyware though, doesn't it? I use both the ones I mentioned, in conjunction with MWB and Hitman Pro. Works for me.

No, it does quite a bit more. Even the free version will detect and quarantine trojans and worms. Most antivirus 'bloatware' isn't needed if you know how to use what I mentioned. Windows defender works just fine, but isn't fool proof for people who aren't intuitive about threats and when to act on them. That's when I run ProcessExplorer and Autoruns to kill the process of the immediate threats, then eliminate any recursive startup processes. I use Malwarebytes to detect and quarantine, then run a Boot Time Scan as a final 'polish'. I've been doing this for over a decade with 100% success with my own PC's and about 99% with coworkers and friends. Once in a great while I'll come across someone's PC that has been infected for too long and the infection is too deep.

Edit: I should mention that I disable Malwarebytes until needed.

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

AVG Free is good, so is (believe it or not) MSE (MicroScum Security Essentials).

MSE is basically Windows Defender now. You must be on an older PC. Like I said, AVG and even Avast! (Grindy) is bloatware that isn't needed, but hey, as long as you're protected and having your system resources hogged up doesn't bother you, then no harm no foul.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Plankton

No, it does quite a bit more. Even the free version will detect and quarantine trojans and worms. Most antivirus 'bloatware' isn't needed if you know how to use what I mentioned. Windows defender works just fine, but isn't fool proof for people who aren't intuitive about threats and when to act on them. That's when I run ProcessExplorer and Autoruns to kill the process of the immediate threats, then eliminate any recursive startup processes. I use Malwarebytes to detect and quarantine, then run a Boot Time Scan as a final 'polish'. I've been doing this for over a decade with 100% success with my own PC's and about 99% with coworkers and friends. Once in a great while I'll come across someone's PC that has been infected for too long and the infection is too deep.

Edit: I should mention that I disable Malwarebytes until needed.

Okay. This is news to me. While we're on the subject, do you get the annoying "new update available" screen constantly from MWB? I keep getting it, downloaded, installed and it STILL keeps hinting at me. If you know how to disable/sort that I'd be in your debt.

Originally Posted by Plankton

MSE is basically Windows Defender now. You must be on an older PC. Like I said, AVG and even Avast! (Grindy) is bloatware that isn't needed, but hey, as long as you're protected and having your system resources hogged up doesn't bother you, then no harm no foul.

Yeah I'm on Windows 7, so I still have MSE. You reckon AVG bloats out the resources? I could do with a little more speed for sure. If I disable it, then MSE and MWB are adequate protection?

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Okay. This is news to me. While we're on the subject, do you get the annoying "new update available" screen constantly from MWB? I keep getting it, downloaded, installed and it STILL keeps hinting at me. If you know how to disable/sort that I'd be in your debt.

Yeah I'm on Windows 7, so I still have MSE. You reckon AVG bloats out the resources? I could do with a little more speed for sure. If I disable it, then MSE and MWB are adequate protection?

I disable MWB all together until needed and then update the virus database before a scan.

You only need to have MSE (in your case) running. Anything else is just just overkill and will battle for system resources. Also, make sure you're up to date on your security patches, since a lot of that legacy stuff is susceptible to viruses with the old architecture.

I've never totally trusted the MSE, or Windows Defender, which is why I use it as well as MWB, but not at the same time. The Windows stuff is good, but if one doesn't catch something the other more than likely will. It's just a system with safe catches that has worked through the years.