Free Antivirus + Firewall Software For Windows in 2015

[Over-Dose]

Hi,

I've seen this question being asked in other posts, but all replies are over 6 months old now, and I would appreciate any feedback that is based on recent info of what other forum members / tech gurus are doing.

Am on the hunt for software for Windows based machines, which is free, effective and non-invasive to the point of wanting to bash your computer screen in due to pop-up alerts OR ad-ware that installs itself during an update etc.

Hopefully it has decent detection results, along with short-ish scan times of the system it is installed on.

I am aware of the Avasts, Avira, AVG, MSE etc. But I've moved from using Kaskersky Internet Security and want an alternative that will not offer the annual subscription (which I don't get just by the way), and be installed once and just work on most Windows machines, no matter how dodgy the usage of the machine is.

Any decent recommendations?

NOTE: This is not a post about MAC/Linux vs Windows, so please refrain from going on that tangent. I would appreciate honest advice on this.

 

[Bryn]

The best anti-virus software requires a subscription. If you refuse to pay for that you may as well stick to Windows Defender and add something like Malwarebytes in.

 

[rrh]

The best anti-virus software requires a subscription. If you refuse to pay for that you may as well stick to Windows Defender and add something like Malwarebytes in.

+1

 

[LazyLion]

This is my package...

1) Common Sense
2) Microsoft Security Essentials / Windows Defender
3) Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free version
4) Spybot Search and Destroy 2
5) CCleaner
6) MVPS Hosts File Blocker No longer works from Win8 up.

 

[DA-LION-619]

Eset or Kaspersky every other AV is **** in comparison, yes even Bitdefender.

 

[Over-Dose]

The best anti-virus software requires a subscription. If you refuse to pay for that you may as well stick to Windows Defender and add something like Malwarebytes in.

I have done this on an old machine I used to have. I ran MSE and Malwarebytes and never had any issues, even when I did ignore my better sense. Thanks.

+1

This is my package...

1) Common Sense
2) Microsoft Security Essentials / Windows Defender
3) Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free version
4) Spybot Search and Destroy 2
5) CCleaner
6) MVPS Hosts File Blocker No longer works from Win8 up.

I have used this combo before, as stated in my above response, however I tend to ignore No. 1 at times, but have not lived to tell of any horror stories. As for 2, 3, 4 & 5, I have never had issues with using any of these. Thanks for the comment.

Eset or Kaspersky every other AV is **** in comparison, yes even Bitdefender.

I've used Kaspersky, and have nothing but good memories of my time using it (apart from it being exteremely resource intensive on the machine I ran it on). However, I have come to a realisation that annual subscriptions are not for me. That's more than just a money thing I'm afraid. Hence me looking for free alternatives. Thanks anyway.

 

[[email protected]]

Eset chaps.......

 

[Bryn]

Eset chaps.......

I'm currently using ESET Smart Security, and when the subscription runs out I'm going back to Kaspersky.

ESET suffers the same problem that BitDefender does - it's incapable of intelligently determining what should be allowed through the firewall. I'm sick and tired of troubleshooting firewall problems. Just getting my shared folders to appear on the network was a mission. AVG and Kaspersky have been the best in this regard from my experience over the years.

 

[DA-LION-619]

I'm currently using ESET Smart Security, and when the subscription runs out I'm going back to Kaspersky.

ESET suffers the same problem that BitDefender does - it's incapable of intelligently determining what should be allowed through the firewall. I'm sick and tired of troubleshooting firewall problems. Just getting my shared folders to appear on the network was a mission. AVG and Kaspersky have been the best in this regard from my experience over the years.

Never had this issue, although their firewall rules could be better.

 

[Bryn]

Never had this issue.

Perhaps my setup is more network oriented than most. Regardless, I just want the issues to no longer be in my life. I also take issue with how pathetic ESET's customer support is. I've had prompt responses to issues from every antivirus provider I've ever had, except ESET. They usually never respond, and when they do there's a 50% chance it won't be in English or an acceptable standard of English.