Latest free anti-virus anti-malware?

[MaryAnn]

My newish Win 7 computer has slowed down, which makes me suspicious. My brother, who is a higher level programmer at Microsoft, told me to take the Norton off of it, saying it got in the way and was not needed. However I'm not using Explorer (sucks) but Firefox, and I have no idea if its firewall is worth anything.

So I'm looking for something that is either really cheap or free, that will check out my computer and remove any crap I have accumulated.

MA

[Rick F]

Hi MaryAnn,

I happen to agree with your brother on getting rid of Norton. It works, but is demanding on processor time and takes up a lot of memory resources.

Take a look at avast FREE antivirus (link below). If you think you might have some computer infection (virus or Trojan), download the latest "Malwarebytes" (also free). It's very good at getting rid of any infections. Run it first before installing avast... if you decided on it. What ever you decide to install, be sure to un-install Symantec's Norton AV first.

For independent AV test results, see this link:
AV-Test - The Independent IT Security Institute

Malwarebytes

avast! FREE

I used to be a moderator for the help forum for McAfee. I switched to Avast about 5 years ago and it's worked for me.

[Ace]

It's not free, but System Mechanic software ($19.95 at Target) did the trick for my computer. I've used System Mechanic for 3 years, and my Gateway desktop stays faster now than when it first came out of the box.

Ace

[Dan Schultz]

I'm certainly not an expert here. However... I am running Windows 7 with all the latest updates AND Norton. All seems pretty normal as far a processor speed goes. I'm quite willing to put up with the frequent 'background' work that Norton does (and sometimes slows things down) for the peace of mind that my computer remains running as it should.

I use Firefox and seldom open Internet Explorer. I use Thunderbird for email. The only time I seem to encounter problems is sometimes when Windows downloahttp://forums.chisham.com/ds" target="_blank 'updates'. Windows stays on the 'bleeding edge' of technology!

I have a couple of friends who insist on using the 'freebie' anti-virus software. It seems like they are ALWAYS having problems! It occurs to me that perhaps the same guys are writing the virus stuff AND the free stuff!

[oldbandnerd]

I used to use Malewarebytes as well because it was free and really seemed to do the job.But after going for months with an issue that I knew was related to some sort of adware or malware I finally stopped using it and loaded up Microsft Security Essentials. It found 18 tracking adware that were slowing my computer down. Malwarebyte never did find them.
For cleaning your hard drive of cookies and old useless files I reccomend CCCLEANER: http://www.piriform.com/" target="_blank . It will get rid of excess stuff that is slowing down your computer as well

[gwwilk]

I used to use Malewarebytes as well because it was free and really seemed to do the job.But after going for months with an issue that I knew was related to some sort of adware or malware I finally stopped using it and loaded up Microsft Security Essentials. It found 18 tracking adware that were slowing my computer down. Malwarebyte never did find them.
For cleaning your hard drive of cookies and old useless files I reccomend CCCLEANER: http://www.piriform.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank . It will get rid of excess stuff that is slowing down your computer as well

+1

[AndyCat]

I used to use Malewarebytes as well because it was free and really seemed to do the job.But after going for months with an issue that I knew was related to some sort of adware or malware I finally stopped using it and loaded up Microsft Security Essentials. It found 18 tracking adware that were slowing my computer down. Malwarebyte never did find them.
For cleaning your hard drive of cookies and old useless files I reccomend CCCLEANER: http://www.piriform.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank . It will get rid of excess stuff that is slowing down your computer as well

+1

+2 Microsoft Security essentials and regular Malware Bytes/CCleaner.

[MaryAnn]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure I have that tracking adware; ads for similar things to stuff I looked at online keep showing up on sites that I go to, that have nothing to do with what is in the ads. Although I'll stay away from those stores in the future (the ones that use the adware) I need to get rid of the stuff now, and I'd rather not wipe and re-install like some of my friends.

I use very little capacity of the computer; just browsing, email (gmail) and youtube mostly.

MA

[MaryAnn]

mse found nothing.....so I don't know why those ads keep showing up.

MA

[davidgilbreath]

MaryAnn,

At my high school, even though we have fairly good network protection, I use SuperAntiSpyware (http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html) on my four classroom computers. I have learned over the years that a combination of anti-malware, anti-spyware, anti-virus programs will keep most nasties at bay but NOT all. I currently use MSE, MalwareBytes, SuperAntiSpyware, and CCleaner on all my classroom computers. Norton Anti-Virus doesn't play well with others in my experience.

[scottw]

mse found nothing.....so I don't know why those ads keep showing up.

MA

I believe what you have are simply cookies. These keep track of your tastes and display choices based on that. Ever notice the members online down at the end of the message board, below "clip art"? There are bots operating all the time whose jobs are to match your tastes with the ads offered. I may not explain it very well [knowing very little about how this operates!], but I think this is your concern. you can solve it by accepting no cookies, but your browsing will be very slow!A trade-off.

[Tubaryan12]

I used to use Malewarebytes as well because it was free and really seemed to do the job.But after going for months with an issue that I knew was related to some sort of adware or malware I finally stopped using it and loaded up Microsft Security Essentials. It found 18 tracking adware that were slowing my computer down. Malwarebyte never did find them.
For cleaning your hard drive of cookies and old useless files I reccomend CCCLEANER: http://www.piriform.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank . It will get rid of excess stuff that is slowing down your computer as well

+1

+2 Microsoft Security essentials and regular Malware Bytes/CCleaner.

+3 I've been using this combo since Security Essentials came out. If you are a safe surfer, this should be more than enough.

[scottw]

A terrific [free, too!] product is this: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/" target="_blank

Excellent results through the years, quick, easy and effective.

[Alex F]

I just had a tech on-site to jump start this old clunker until I can buy a new one. He installed the superantispyware program (the free version), and it seems to catch a bunch of stuff that McAfee ignores. Of course, he also cleaned up my hard drive and did some other work to make this computer work a bit faster. Nevertheless, 10 years is a lot to ask for and this one is about to be replaced.

[MaryAnn]

I fired up my old Imac yesterday because I needed to print Wade's quartets and it was the easiest way to do it, rather than loading drivers etc on to this laptop. I have to say that I am still impressed with the Mac....I don't even know how old it is, but it just keeps going and going and going. It lived outside on a back porch for several months last spring, it has spent its entire life unprotected on the internet, and zero problems with it. I got the PC laptop as an expendable machine (on sale) and still am happier with the reliabilty of the Mac.
MA, who hopes that "Mac vs. PC" isn't in the realm of "politics."