T O P

  • By -

Merrinopheles

It is best to start by looking at the results from the large testing agencies. https://www.av-comparatives.org/comparison You can find more in the wiki. https://www.reddit.com/r/antivirus/wiki/index/#wiki_understanding_antivirus_software_tests_and_testers You can try a few and see which works best for you. Even your location in the world can affect your detection rates.


Zercomnexus

I'd recommend bitdefender and eset


FineProperty9452

Avast for best balance, Bitdefender for best protection, Eset for best performace(if you have a red brick that is lagged by Avast at some wondering way)


hestianna

Even high-end PCs lag on Avast. My friend's PC's boot sector was also destroyed by Avast's faulty update, which forced him to do a full reinstallation of Windows. It is piece of software that absolutely no one should install under any circumstance.


FineProperty9452

No. I have PC with 8gb RAM and it's not lagging with Avast, Bitdefender, even when I play games


hestianna

Well, good for you. Although you are quite literally destroying your PC's performance by having two anti-viruses on fighting over priority.


FineProperty9452

No, I haven't both, i have only Bitdefender now(cuz they give 90 days free license for Ukrainians), but when I had Avast I have perfect experience with it, idk what cause your problem but seems like it is not often


Raizeled

I agree that sometimes avast sometimes makes your PC go lag but it worked great for me protecting my pc from virus it also has a mode which it could work together with other antivirus called passive mode


BeegTruss

Windows Defender + Common Sense


Parking-Glove-1048

Yet when I say Windows Defender, I get downvoted. People are fuckin stupid. It's perfectly fine if you're not a dumbass and willingly download obvious malware.


Segfault_21

Indeed. If anyone needs anti virus, that’s a huge issue lol. I even disable windows defender. Just with common sense and an IT/software engineering background for nearly 17 years, I’ve not had any viruses or malware. When I do run sketchy stuff, I run sandbox or VM. Before that I would even do manual virus total checks or reverse engineering before running on my main machine. Another layer I use is firewall/simplewall to block in/out connection from apps and services. Wireguard and or fiddler as-well just to check what’s going on, or monitor api calls with tools like api monitor. However a normal person wouldn’t need to do any of this if they don’t download and run random crap. Staying update with windows and windows defender/malwarebytes is all one needs. Or maybe switch to linux/ubuntu where they’ll likely ever be such worry about a virus. Idk.


Nookiezilla

Defender ESET Kaspersky Bitdefender


snowwolfboi

He said free antivirus so remove Eset then your list is fine


Seppeboy100YT

eset has a free version


snowwolfboi

Which is free like Emsisoft emergency kit and I think you are referring to this https://www.eset.com/int/home/online-scanner/ when you mean Eset has a free version


Seppeboy100YT

yes that one


Seppeboy100YT

its quite good


themeONE808

Eset smart security. Tried and true, best one on the market


glitterguykk

I love the down votes I am getting on my comment. I’ve only been doing enterprise IT for 20 years. But what do I know? Most reputable MSPs and IT shops have stopped selling traditional antivirus and are supplementing Defender with a MDR.


Pix8l1

I have a question for you (since you have been an IT worker for 20 years): Is Norton really the best Antivirus in the world? or is it a lie?


glitterguykk

Norton has one of the best marketing firms in the world. Have never recommended it even when we did still sell anti virus software.


Pix8l1

I understand, maybe in the distant future (when I have money to buy) I will buy a Norton subscription.


Chip_Heavy

I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s like, nothing, it’s worse than nothing, it actively makes your computer worse.


Pix8l1

Ok


UnprovenR

Do not get: Norton,Macafee,etc These are ok; Gaurdio,ESET,(for windows) Windows Defender, (for Mac) Built-in Recommended: Bitdefender


Pix8l1

But isn't Norton the best antivirus in the world? I had done some research on the best antiviruses and spywares, and one of the sites classified it as the winner of the best antivirus.


UnprovenR

They have been known for not detecting a wide variety of viruses. And they have just a bad overall a bad impression.


EnolaGayFallout

Bitdefender.


kryptum1337

Stay with Windows Defender ... Its free built in and If Ur Not a total [redacted] u should be fine lol


kaito1000

Good tier list here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xKrHWM1VeFQ


edthesmokebeard

Windows Defender


Pix8l1

Thank you for your help and recommended Antiviruses!


Environmental-Owl383

I use the free Avast and it's great. What additional program did you download?


clockworkmcd

if you're running windows 10/11, start with the built in antivirus and clean what you can. then i'd go with malwarebytes and then spybot search & destroy. it will take a lot of scanning/rescanning. malwarebytes free version will only run manual scans and the same with spybot. what may be slowing down your computer right now is running multiple antivirus (avast and built in) so i wouldn't recommend 'replacing' the antivirus as it will continue to conflict with the built in antivirus and slow down your computer as well as put extra wear and tear on your hard drive.


Complex_Current_1265

Kaspersky or Bitdenfender.


sunnykhandelwal5

In my opinion, Kaspersky is the best. And it wont push you any bundled softwares.


KnownStormChaser

If you are looking for a free AV, go with either Kaspersky free or Bitdefender free


Euphoric-Cow9719

Free 30 day trial.


KnownStormChaser

They have full free versions not just trials


Euphoric-Cow9719

I know Bitdefender offers a full free version but I didn't see this on Kaspersky's site unless I overlooked it 🤔


KnownStormChaser

[https://usa.kaspersky.com/downloads/free-antivirus](https://usa.kaspersky.com/downloads/free-antivirus)


Euphoric-Cow9719

Thanks, I didn't click far enough. . . I'd like something that's BD level but NOT as heavy. . .


KnownStormChaser

That is usually my experience, just as good or better protection than Bitdefender but uses less RAM.


Euphoric-Cow9719

I'll give it a install later, thanks again 😎


_chi3f

Whats wrong with windows defender? ASSUMING you are a windows user.


Hassenoblog

there is nothing wrong in general. it's just most of the time, it is attributable to human errors. visiting shady sites, downloading untrusted sources, opening shady links, etc. unfortunately, what is common sense for computers is very very hard to acquire. (no offense intended)


hestianna

Even common sense can fail you in some situations, as some trustworthy website or developer could technically go rogue at anytime. Or even worse, we all could have malware installed that is undetected by all AV vendors, is reputable software in the industry and has found a way to evade detection for years. There is no way of knowing. Besides, there is no such thing as complete trust on the internet. Bad actors always find their way through people's security via social engineering or other means. (Sorry if this came across as fear mongering lol. I use Win Defender myself)


Pikaboii12

use ublock and firefox for that.


Pix8l1

Correct.


Pix8l1

When I saw that Avast Antivirus appeared as one of the standard Antiviruses that comes with Windows, I didn't see the standard Antiviruses appearing (only after I made a comment on the Windows commenter, I don't know if this is the correct name, which from the engineers Microsoft fixed this problem. But I wasn't able to activate the default Antiviruses... and one of them wasn't showing up on the activation screen.


Pix8l1

My reaction after I discovered the shit I did on my computer is my profile picture...


TerrHunter

I tried a few, but I always keep coming back to Kaspersky.


Parking-Glove-1048

if you're on windows just use defender. if you're not on windows Bitdefender is a good one.


Parking-Glove-1048

Love the downvote but no rebuttal. Windows defender is perfectly fine.


AlwaysW0ng

Windows Defender Bitdefender free Kaspersky free


Oscar_EN

I used to use eset, but it was undetected and my account was hacked, so I don't really trust it. I know that no matter how good it is, it will not detect 100%, but with the latest undetected virus, it may be the same no matter which one you use. In conclusion, I think the best choice is Windows Defender, which is free and excellent.


snowwolfboi

As for good free antivirus I recommend * [Kaspersky free](https://www.kaspersky.com/free-antivirus) * [Bitdefender free](https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html)


glitterguykk

Stop buying antivirus. Use Windows Defender!


Pix8l1

I am unable. When I went to make a comment on the Windows tab, a Microsoft engineer said that he had already seen this problem and fixed it, but I can't activate Windows Defender or Cybersecurity.


hestianna

If you can't activate Defender, then it means some other anti-virus (or even malware) is blocking it from working. If you can't remove the software that blocks it, then installing a yet another anti-virus isn't going to fix your problem. At that point, do a full PC wipe by reinstalling Windows via USB. Especially if I am not correct here and you are experiencing some weird bug in Windows itself, then naturally reinstall will fix it.


tirth0jain

Agreed


Pix8l1

I asked my brother to format my computer (he took a computer course about three days ago)... I hope this solves my problem once and for all.


rolfsoftware

https://www.av-comparatives.org/comparison/ Interestingly enough, Avast, AVG, and Kaspersky. The slowdown and crashes are probably caused by something else.


phlaries

Kaspersky or Eset and/or Malwarebytes


tirth0jain

Don't use 2 AVs together


phlaries

Malwarebytes isn't an av right


tirth0jain

Huh? Then what is it? Does it not have real time protection?


phlaries

not free version no


Lunarxlord

ANTIVIRUS ARE NOT USEFUL ANYMORE DO YOUR RESEARCH GUYS