Need new free antivirus for windows 8.1

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
R

ro0415

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
140
1
10,680
I've been using windoes defender fpr Windows 8.1 since i got this computer, but recently i felt that my internet and some other Things were begining to get slower, so i googled Windows defender and People said that it was not a very good antivirus program.
So i was wondering if anyone know good free antivirus programs that I can use for the best protection of my computer when browsing, downloading and just other stuff. I don't mind having mroe than one program if it helps protect my pc, but i'd like to have as few programs installed as possible so it will be easier to work With. I've heatd People sayingh that avast is a good free antivirus program, but that there's stuff that it doesn't cover which i need other programs to take care of. What do you think i should do?
thanks in advance :)
 
Solution
V
I'd suggest using Avast! with MalwareBytes. Forget about Defender, disable it once you have something else installed. Definitely get MalwareBytes though, it is a gift from the Gods!
Sort by date Sort by votes
christinebcw

christinebcw

Honorable
Sep 8, 2012
472
0
10,960
If you're going to purchase a package, make sure their website offers a downloadable ISO so you can build a bootable "fix disk" for the occasions when an off-line fix is needed. Most of the Pay-For packages do, but if you're going to spend money, then you also should volunteer to download this, build the CD (or DVD) and make sure it will boot your computer up on a Restart.

If you're not willing to do this, then I'd say "stick with Freebie stuff and hope for the best."

BleepingComputer is a good source for some manual 'fixes', by the way.

(And to agree with the above-notice, MS Essentials is the Win7 version that MS Win Defender replaced for Win8.x. All of these freebie packages are sort of religious - those who detract from one were raised in another 'church', and if I read enough mass comparisons, I seldom see the same comparative ratings from any two reviews. One approach might be "Install one for a month or two or three, then uninstall it and choose a different one..." But always uninstall the one active package before installing the next one.)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vinushka

Reputable
Jun 27, 2014
75
0
4,660


MBAM is great, but the free version doesn't scan on a schedule. Therefore it can't scan newly acquired files or scan the system every day.
I'd advise AVG alongside MalwareBytes
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
christinebcw

christinebcw

Honorable
Sep 8, 2012
472
0
10,960
MalwareBytes can serve as a non-active Big Stick anti-virus; that is, it sits on the computer as a dormant program and, if needed, the User can call it up to carry out AV services. It's rather handy like that but, yes, Users must be willing to run it manually, on THEIR schedule. The Pay-For version is an active, fully-featured product that has its fans, too.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

ro0415

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
140
1
10,680
I've installed the free Versions of malwarebytes and comodo firewall. I've disabled the Windows fire wall as People said that it may cause incompatibility. I don't like avg as it messed up my previous Laptop, but i'm considering downloading the free avast antivirus, but i have a question first: if i download it do i need to disable Windows defender?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vinushka

Reputable
Jun 27, 2014
75
0
4,660


Enable Firewall. It shouldn't be causing problems, if you have problems, I doubt Firewall is the culprit.

Okay, if you don't like AVG then that's fine. AVAST! is a decent alternative. Disable Defender in Control Panel if it doesn't do it automaticalyl when installing Avast!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

ro0415

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
140
1
10,680


Okay thanks I will do so :)
But i have two more questions: whn i download avast and disable Windows defender, will the files i download still get scanned? And is there something i can do or download so that i can scan folders/files that are already on my pc (so i can right click on a file/folder and press "scan With....")?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vinushka

Reputable
Jun 27, 2014
75
0
4,660
I believe Avast! should have a right click > scan this file option. AVG does. If Avast! does not, I use VirusTotal as a backup. This awesome tool scans a file using all the best and most popular Anti virus tools and tells you which AV software has flagged it as malware etc.
Yes, Avast! can be cofigured to scan a freshly downloaded file.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

ro0415

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
140
1
10,680


Do you think i should download avast or just stick With Windows defender? what do you think of the setup i have now? Do you think malwarebytes + comdo + Windows defender/avast (don't know what to chopose yet) is good? Is there anything you think i should change?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vinushka

Reputable
Jun 27, 2014
75
0
4,660
I'd suggest using Avast! with MalwareBytes. Forget about Defender, disable it once you have something else installed. Definitely get MalwareBytes though, it is a gift from the Gods!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
R

ro0415

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
140
1
10,680

what about comodo? should i use that or Windows firewall?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

ro0415

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
140
1
10,680




Yeah i was just about to say that i didn't like comodo so i was gonna uninstall it, but i'm gonna install avast and see if i like tit thanks for the help :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
christinebcw

christinebcw

Honorable
Sep 8, 2012
472
0
10,960
Comodo, like all 3rd party firewalls, do require a commitment to learn. But most virus-attacks these days rely on You The User inviting the viruses in - users open the door to them, and no Firewall can prevent Users from this poor choice. So I've let my favorite 3rd party end-user firewalls slip by the wayside.

Of course, the same can be said for Anti-Virus programs - the worst of the hijacker viruses use the User's "invitation" to disable all kinds of user-rights, including those granted to the running AV program. "Good - now I have permission to shut those down too!"

All it takes is that fake pop-up - "Do you want me to save your computer? YES NO?" and the inattentive user will almost always click on one of those choices - both of which do the same thing - and kablooey...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom