Freeware Antivirus and Firewall Combinations

ExPrinceHairy on 13/06/2015 - 10:46

Hi all,

Firstly, I'll admit that I'm not exactly computer-savvy, so please be patient with me. I'm wondering what people are using and recommending for freeware antivirus and firewall programs nowadays? I'm currently using Avast Antivirus and Comodo Firewall, but am curious as to whether there are better free options out there. If there are better paid options, feel free to mention it as well. I have heard about ditching the firewall software and just using the router's firewall, but I know nothing about that (pros and cons, how to do it, etc.).

Computing Antivirus Software Software

Comments

  • nocure on 13/06/2015 - 12:14
    +1

    AVG - I have used the free version and worked fine.
    Bitdefender - My current choice..works fine.
    Norton - I have used the paid version..huge ram hog , slows you computer to a crawl , very hard to uninstall ,leaves traces of crap all through the registry…never going to use it again.
    Avast - I have used it before, seemed ok.

    My overall recommendation is Bitdefender but also be smart about what you download, and the sites that you visit.

  • FadeToBlack on 13/06/2015 - 12:27

    Also using Bitdefender.

  • spychiatrist on 13/06/2015 - 13:15

    Bitdefender + Malwarebytes for me. Both free

  • Kawaii69 on 13/06/2015 - 16:30

    AVG and malwarebytes

  • chill on 13/06/2015 - 20:14

    NOD32.

    Not free but was much cheaper from the singapore site (official) on my last renewal.

    I only use the antivirus component with router providing firewall.

  • scrimshaw on 13/06/2015 - 22:18
    +2

    3rd party firewalls are not neccessary for the average. It's only when you actually know how to configure a firewall, and understand how to effectively use firewall rules, that you should get a 3rd party firewall with more features and a better UI.

    Most inbound and outbound connections are actually allowed by the user without them actually realizing they are doing so. If you saw a dialog box that read "Firefox.exe is attempting to access the Internet; allow or deny"

    you have to make an informed decision, because by clicking either of those options you are in fact making a decision that overrides the default option, and the firewall cannot protect you if Firefox.exe happens to be a trojan horse — you, the user, allowed it network connectivity in the first place!

    The standard Win Firewall is actually pretty advanced already — if you do a search on your start menu for Windows Firewall with Advanced Security you can set any rule you want.

  • bambooculm on 13/06/2015 - 23:18

    I support everything scrimshaw says. Avast Antivirus is ok, as long as you update it often. The Windows 7 or Windows 8 firewall is really ok also, especially when combined with Windows 7 or Windows 8 Firewall Control a freeware program. I am using Avast at the moment, because a Norton product broke my Windows Defender program. I only use the Windows firewall, and do not use a router firewall at al, simply because it is easier, and less hassle. In one of my previous jobs, I was supporting Big Pond ADSL before the TeleTech jobs were transferred off shore. I discovered that several times a year, a Norton update would screw up pc settings all over the country, and it would take another update to fix it. With any antivirus program, you need to update frequently, and not rely on automatic updates. All of the talk about better paid options needs to be taken with a grain of salt. All of the antivirus programs I have used in the past have had the occasional problem with updates. The Windows Firewall Control by Sphinx software is great, and there is now a Windows 10 version as well. There are paid versions also. I also use Malwarebytes. Mcafee is just as bad as Norton. The average person can get away with Windows Defender and the Windows Firewall, with the free version of Windows Firewall Control to make configuration easy. Norton can be a pain to uninstall, and even the Norton uninstall software does not always work. It is tedious to do registry edits. The Free upgrade to Windows 10 may overcome my problems with Windows Defender, as I want to avoid a fresh install following a hard drive format. I did have a very bad experience with AVG once, but on my Android phone, the AVG mobile antivirus is great. I actually have some IT certifications, and have been playing with computers since Windows 3.1

  • AngryAlfred on 13/06/2015 - 23:31
    +1

    For ultimate protection I use a program called TinyWall. It works in reverse to a regular firewall, so instead of selecting which programs to block, by default it blocks EVERYTHING and you have to manually add programs that you would like to allow access to the internet.

    Unfortunately it doesn't have a profiles option so when you want to add a program you need to do it manually and remove it manually. I would love to be able to just block via profiles but no. Actually now that I looked in the settings again I see I have blocked file sharing, no wonder I couldn't send a file to my TV to play. That's a prime example of the negative side, but the positive side is it blocks literally everything unless you choose to allow it.

    • DARK KHAOS on 14/06/2015 - 10:16

      Nice find. Reminds me of Tiny Personal Firewall before Kerio got a hold of it.

  • TheGMan on 14/06/2015 - 08:59
    -1

    Does no one just user the inbuilt windows malware, firewall, and anti virus? Apart from me? Works great never had an issue… Yet…

    • ThirdRonnie on 14/06/2015 - 12:38
      -1

      Absolutely. It would have been helpful if the OP had mentioned which OS he is using.

      If it's Windows 7, then Microsoft Security Essentials works well and is widely acknowledged as robust and does not slow down your computer as many others do.

      If you're running Windows 8/8.1 then Windows Defender does the job.

    • PVA on 03/08/2015 - 21:11

      I agree.

  • bambooculm on 14/06/2015 - 22:12
    -1

    "Independent" antivirus comparisons are often suspect. The av-test org compares basic antivirus programs with full internet security systems that include a firewall. If a user runs Windows antivirus, Security Essentials for Win 7 or Defender for Win 8, and uses the Windows firewall and also runs tests with an updated Malwarebytes, then the user has basic protection. If the user downloads zipped files from dodgy websites, and visits numerous porn websites, then basic protection may not be enough. Antivirus, firewall and Malwarebytes or malware protection equals an internet security suite.To compare Windows Defender alone to a full internet security suite is a deliberately unfair test. There are numerous examples in tech forums of people who get away with simple basic protection simply because they do not download and open dodgy zipped files, and do not visit porn web sites. Some of the websites that offer downloads of Cantonese movies or television shows are also suspect. Let us not pretend that a test that compares a basic antivirus program alone to a full internet security suite is independent or fair in any way.

    • Max Power on 15/06/2015 - 14:04

      There are many specific tests done, not just overall. Have a look for yourself.
      While I agree Windows' inbuilt firewall is good, its default antivirus is not. It used to be, but not any more.
      While I also agree that being careful when browsing the web and downloading files is sensible, it's naive to think that will protect you. I don't visit dodgy sites, yet I've had problems with reputable news sites.
      Anecdotal examples where someone says they have never been infected while using a specific solution is not empirical evidence.

  • maybe a bot on 15/06/2015 - 08:19

    Avast + MBAM (Malwarebytes) Pro.

    Avast does AV assisted by MBAM.
    MBAM does Anti-Intrusion and website blocking.
    Windows Firewall is good enough.

  • jonno82 on 18/07/2015 - 20:33

    Anyone having problem with Bitdefender? I'm on Win 8.1 and every now and then I get a blue screen with various messages like bad pool caller or something else, and I have done a google search and they seemed to be relating to BD?

  • NeilBritto on 21/07/2015 - 01:09

    Bitdefender is the best you find now.

  • NeilBritto on 21/07/2015 - 01:11

    Bitdefender is the best you find now.

  • rayski57 on 02/08/2015 - 14:09

    I'll chip in with my 2c worth. I won't weigh in on firewalls as that's a much more personal thing.
    If using your PC for stuff where security of your credentials is a concern, you need to take a multi-layered approach. It's no longer enough to use X anti-virus or Y anti-malware.
    They will individually not be capable of mitigating all risks. I'll make reference here to what we use on all of our PC's, you use what you feel best meets your needs.
    As a minimum, you should be looking at using a passive threat blocking solution (has no impact on performance) say like spywareblaster as well as a good anti-malware product like MBAM/Avast (free or paid) and periodically (weekly?) running a scanner that is uncompromised by anything already on your PC like Eset online.
    Each day that you are going to undertake a financial transaction you should shutdown all browsers and apps, then run updates and your scans.
    That may seem like overkill, but it sure beats having your savings drained (like happened to my friend an IT Engineer), your ID stolen (only to find you have a mortgage you didn't sign etc.) and so on.

  • moza on 03/08/2015 - 21:08

    Can you turn this thread into a vote??… It could list the ones people have said they're using. It would be great to see a tally of what is the most common.

  • 7hours 44min ago on 04/08/2015 - 09:14

    Avira, just Google how to remove the ad.

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