wherein Liz asks for help with antivirus protection and other computer security

[edenfalling]

My computer has been glitching and crashing these past two weeks, and one of the crashes or system repairs wiped my Norton antivirus and internet security programs completely off the hard drive.

I have heard that Norton is not the world's most efficient (or memory-efficient) security program around. It's also kind of expensive.

But I don't like having my computer unprotected.

So.

Does anyone have recommendations for good security programs? I am currently running Windows Vista (yes, I know, but I couldn't get XP when I bought the computer and Windows 7 wasn't out back then, and if you can give me advice on the feasibility of changing operating systems without losing all my files, that would be great too...) on an HP Pavilion. I am also pretty much programming-illiterate, so if you recommend anything much more complicated than "go here, click this, pay that, and the wizard will set it up for you," I am not going to use your recommendation.

Also, please do not comment just to talk up Apple and/or Linux, because frankly, I do not give a damn about the evils of Windows or the superiority of open-source or anything else along those lines. (Like I said, programming-illiterate.) I just want functional antivirus software.

All advice is greatly appreciated!



ETA: Thank you to everyone for all the advice! I am currently trying out the free versions of avast and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware; if those don't work out, I will look into the other options you guys pointed out. *crosses fingers that these programs don't get mugged by a system restore like the Norton did*

Comments

[somnolentblue]

I've been using uni-supplied antivirus for a chunk of time now, but the last time I was looking a friend of mine recced avast, which is free! (Or at least, it used to be.) It's what I downloaded on my parents computer - I think you can get it through cnet.

[amaresu]

When I had a Windows machine I used AVG for my anti-virus. Never had any problems with it and it's free.

[ineptshieldmaid]

Seconding this comment! AVG is free, simple, and in my experience quite efficient.

[autumnia]

I am thirding the suggestion to use AVG; it's what I've been using since I've stopped paying for McAfee (which is great, if you want to pay for your anti-virus software).

Also, if you haven't already, I'd suggest installing the AdBlock Plus add-on if you're using Firefox. It really helps to block annoying ads (I despise the flashy, memory-hogging ones) from loading.

[pineapplechild]

AVG is okay, and free.
Avast is one of the best, in my opinion, and also free. It does require you to reregister it annually, but I have never ever gotten any spam I can even point back to them.

[pineapplechild]

Also, I heard something about the free AVG now having ads. This is unsubstantiated.

[speakr2customrs.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend Microsoft Security Essentials - available from http://www.microsoft.com/security/products/mse.aspx

Absolutely free and much, much, better than Norton.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sabriel/]

There are actually three that I would recommend:
AVG Free, Avira Free, or Avast Free.

[purple-alicorn.livejournal.com]

We use avast and have been very happy with it!

[askerian]

I use a combo of Avast Free and Malwarebyte anti-malware and it works really nicely. And the one time I had a virus that didn't let Avast just clean it easy, I went to their forum and the people there were very helpful with easy step by step processes to fix it.

[rurounitriv.livejournal.com]

Malwarebytes is definitely my first line of defense - and usually my last, as it managed to wipe out at least one virus that killed my Norton-protected nice computer (I'm now stuck using my mom's old computer at home, which got the same damn virus but was saved by Malwarebytes. Wish I'd known about it before my nice comp died!)

[lady_songsmith]

Nth-ing Avast; I got it back when Norton was such a resource hog it killed systems (admittedly the newest versions are lighter) and have loved it ever since. Malwarebytes is a recent addition to my security, and definitely a nice one!

[monkey5s.livejournal.com]

I have been very happy with Avira, the free version. I also recently added Spybot Seek and Destroy, free version, after I was unable to keep a pop-up malware attack from hitting (the Avira pop-up to block it kept popping up, but each malware pop-up was nearly instantly up as well, and I accidentally hit the OK on the malware pop-up instead. D'OH!).

I have the hated Vista, myself. And I do have the Microsoft Security Essentials, too- this machine came with Norton and MacAfee trial versions installed, but by the time the trial was over, I was not willing to do anything but uninstall the resource hogs and leave it to Microsoft. I seem to recall there being lots of pop-ups from Microsoft about everything, when I was using Security Essentials only. Now I still have that installed, but nothing seems to trigger it past Avira and Spybot.