Free anti-virus software

[r642611]

As a customer of TalkTalk (I understand the hackers have my bank sortcode and account number and my e-mail address) and already being a bit paranoid about being hacked into I am now considering installing something extra like free AVG as an anti-virus program. I am already using Microsoft Security Essentials.

1. Is MSE sufficient on it's own to keep me protected
2. Will they work together or will I have to uninstal MSE

Any advise would be gratefully received.

Bev

[dermotdjt]

HI Bev

MSE is not an application I would put must trust in. It is very much a base line application and is outclassed by other free and purchasbale apps.

A relatively recent review of MSE can be found at

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/internet-security/1402050/microsoft-security-essentials-review-latest-results-highlight

Expertreviews.co.uk is a good site I have used for some years but with any review site you need to understand that there may be some persoanl inclinations involved.

The above article does suggest soem alternatives. See

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/internet-security/1402409/best-internet-security-software-2015-free-and-paid

On the free side AVG use to be pretty good but I think is slipping in recent years. Avast is again a top contender.

I've used Norton Security for some years now and I've not had any issues.

Another good tool I often use when helping out others is Malwarebytes. Not strictly an anti-virus application but very good at finding other 'malware' and so is often used in conjuntion with an AV program.

Hope this help.

And on an aside, you would be very unlucky to be one of the few truely affected my the breach of the TalkTalk website. i would say be vigilant, check your accounts regularly and if you note anything suspicious talk to your bank ASAP.

Dermot

[Anne in Carlisle]

Just to add .... I don't think an anti virus program will protect you from phishing emails or bank fraud. As Dermot says you will just have to watch out for yourself and be VERY suspicious of any calls or emails about your banking.
Anne

[PeteW1959]

Do not install AVG with MSE; one or the other, and the same goes for any anti-virus programs.

Having more than one anti-virus can be as bad as having none as the two programs fight over suspicious files.

That doesn't apply to anti-malware programs such as Malwarebytes, which does a totally different job.

Just a vote for MSE; I've been using it for years and it has worked well for me, but then I am very careful about accessing websites or opening email attachments.

[luddy]

As a customer of TalkTalk (I understand the hackers have my bank sortcode and account number and my e-mail address) and already being a bit paranoid about being hacked into I am now considering installing something extra like free AVG as an anti-virus program. I am already using Microsoft Security Essentials.

1. Is MSE sufficient on it's own to keep me protected
2. Will they work together or will I have to uninstal MSE

Any advise would be gratefully received.

Bev

Bev, I know some of this is messy and an inconvenience. As regards the Sort Code, that is the banks number. You can close your account and open a new one. I would change the email address by going if possible into a bank branch and getting them to do it for you there rather than doing it over the internet through your possibly but unlikely hacked email.
Banks will never ask you for passwords or other details in an email or over the phone.
Which anti-virus you choose is up to you but most people use the likes of Avast, AVG or Avira, they are all free.
Be ultra careful opening emails with attachments, if you have any doubts just dont open them.
As others have said Anti Virus etc wont protect you from scams & phishing emails etc.
A decent computer protection would be an Anti Virus & Malwarebytes and look at a site before you click to enter it.
Im sure other members can add to this.

[Guest]

I have MSE and find it brilliant as has been said just be careful what you click on.

[r642611]

Thanks to all who have responded (I responded to this thread yesterday but it seems to have got lost in the ether!)

I used to use Norton Security but it took so long on start up to go through my PC before I could actually get down to doing what I turned it on for originally that I let it expire and went on to try MSE. I was very happy with MSE until I read the review on Dermot's link and I am quite disappointed now. As we speak I now have a credit check set up and check the relevant bank account 2 or 3 times a week for unexpected expenditure. I also hover over the e-mail sender's name to check that it comes from who it says it is and in the website bar I check the site information. I have almost made the decision now to do away with MSE and go for an AV program and also Malwarebytes!

Once again many thanks one and all
Bev

[PhotoFamily]

Malwarebytes is great (malwarebytes.org) and comes recommended, tho I don't have a link

[luddy]

I should add that Free Malwarebytes will not prevent malware from getting onto your computer, it is purely a malware removal tool but the paid version will help prevent malware.

[r642611]

Thanks Photofamily and luddy

I decided on Avast and Malwarebytes and noticed Malwarebytes free trial only lasts a fortnight (Avast is only 30 days too!) so may well have to bite the bullet and ask for the paid ones as Xmas presents!

Bev

[Elaine ..Spain]

Thanks Photofamily and luddy

I decided on Avast and Malwarebytes and noticed Malwarebytes free trial only lasts a fortnight (Avast is only 30 days too!) so may well have to bite the bullet and ask for the paid ones as Xmas presents!

Bev

I use both Avast and Malwarebytes - and both are free.
It's possible you have clicked on the "pro version" or whatever they call it, which only gives you a limited time free trial.

[AntonyM]

Malwarebytes and Avast are both available in completely free versions. The paid for options give you additional functions (most of which you would never use). If an A/V program significantly slows down your machine then it will be something to do with the way it is set to run and scan ( although Norton is infamous in this regard).

Neither of the above will protect you from most phishing attacks - or from your data being compromised when it is held by anyone else.

A decent free A/V program (AVG, AVAST etc..... or a few others ), and an occasional scan with (free) Malwarebytes, and a lot of common sense and care when on-line is all that is really needed.

[Olde Crone Holden]

I am with TalkTalk and am not affected - I wasn't particularly worried anyway as I do not bank on line and any online purchases I make come from a low limit credit card.

I have had free AVG and malaware for the last five or six years. In 15 years that I have owned a computer I have only once had a problem and that was someone getting into my hotmail account and sending daft messages to everyone in my address book. A change of password sorted that.

I get very little spam mail, most of it goes directly to junk I think.

OC

[r642611]

Elaine - You might be right about hitting the 'pro' version. Once it has expired I will have another go!

Antony - Thanks for your advice. I'm always on the lookout for phishing etc and reject anything I am not expecting or familiar with.

OC - I have now been advised that I was one of the lucky ones too but will keep alert anyway. Like you I don't bank online either - never trusted it whatever my bank says! Good to hear you also recommend the free software.

Thaks to one and all
Bev

[GallowayLass]

I never use the email address given by my internet provider, in fact after nearly 10 years, I haven't a clue what it is! I have 3 different Hotmail addresses for different purposes and I find the block senders function very handy. I like to think I can spot a duff email no problem but some scammers are very good and occasionally I'm not sure. The senders address that appears on the left of the message in my inbox looks genuine - say from a company I have purchased from etc. - but to be sure, I tick the box to the left of the email and then choose the block feature. Up comes a box asking me if I really do wish to block this sender and their email address is shown. Quite often it's totally different to the one shown in your inbox list. It's an easy way of double checking scammers. If the address does match the one in my inbox then I click no to the blocking question.
Just to make doubly sure, I go back to the inbox and right click on the email. This opens up all the tracings on the message and you can also see the content of the message without actually having opened it in the normal way. That way you can check for dodgy spelling and grammar etc. which are dead giveaways that something is wrong. I've had emails where the blocking trick shows an exact repeat of the address as shown in the inbox and it seems to be from a genuine sender but the tracings have revealed that the text of the message is an invitation to a porn site. I then go back and get rid of the email.

[r642611]

Thanks for that Galloway Lass. I had a hotmail account when I first started out (It's still a valid account) but have since gone on to gmail. Now it seems a lot of work to go through advising and changing all contacts etc. There are always some that you have forgotten about!

Regards
Bev