Windows 8 & Anti-Virus

House said:
Hi Guys

I just need some recommendations in regards to the type of anti-virus you are using with Windows 8.

I have been using Eset Nod32 for some time, but on Windows 8 I tested its new Smart Security 5. My problems with Nod32 is that sometimes it does not boot up on startup. Also, if activated manually, it would just disappear during the course of the day.

I can't work like that and don't want to pay for the full version if that is the case and have to try something else.

I downloaded Bit Defender Total Security 2013 trial. Anyone have experience with this? Is it good protection for Windows 8?
Click to expand...

Been using eset smart security for 4/5 years now, no problems. Been using it on win 8 for 2weeks problem free too.
 
I installed Avast to use the sandboxing features and it is a complete ballsup in Windows 8. I immediately got Sws.sys blues screens and when I fixed that problem, I realised Avast was consuming nearly 3gigs of memory in the runtime broker. Switched back to Windows default and all is well.

It seems to me that Windows 8 doesn't like certain apps where competition exists. It certainly doesn't like my Chrome browser so far either...
 
DJ... said:
It certainly doesn't like my Chrome browser so far either...
Click to expand...

What's up with Chrome? I'm running both the desktop and Metro versions without any hiccups. As far as AVs go, in my testing I found that AVG gave me no headaches and Kaspersky was likewise pretty much okay. I have seen similar behaviour from Avast and won't install it again anytime soon - Windows Defender works just fine. Pity I don't have the right-click > Scan option but that's not a huge loss.
 
I suspect Avast might have been to blame for some of the Chrome weirdness too, although since getting rid of it, Chrome still launches differently depending on where I load it from. If I click on the shortcut on the desktop it loads my bookmarks and the exit, minimise expand buttons. If I load it from Metro none of these come up and if I alt-tab elsewhere, I have to reload Chrome. I also noticed that I had about thirty instances of Chrome loading in my startup settings for some reason, which I've had to disable...
 
Garyvdh said:
It didn't quarantine them on my test system, just deleted them outright.
Click to expand...
It gives you an option by default I think.

DJ... said:
I suspect Avast might have been to blame for some of the Chrome weirdness too, although since getting rid of it, Chrome still launches differently depending on where I load it from. If I click on the shortcut on the desktop it loads my bookmarks and the exit, minimise expand buttons. If I load it from Metro none of these come up and if I alt-tab elsewhere, I have to reload Chrome. I also noticed that I had about thirty instances of Chrome loading in my startup settings for some reason, which I've had to disable...
Click to expand...
I hate that about Chrome in Windows 8. You need to sign in two times. In Metro and the normal Chrome.
 
Garyvdh said:
Sure, after the fact, you can go back and re-install and then add an exclusion, but that's not much help AFTER it has already deleted the file.
Click to expand...

Okay so your issue is more wanting to recover the files you lost? In which case Recuva should do the trick.
 
dazzazzad said:
Okay so your issue is more wanting to recover the files you lost? In which case Recuva should do the trick.
Click to expand...

No, my issue is that I don't want any Anti-virus deleting them without my permission... which Windows 8 does by default.
 
Garyvdh said:
No, my issue is that I don't want any Anti-virus deleting them without my permission... which Windows 8 does by default.
Click to expand...

I'm confused. You're saying it deletes by default while a couple others are saying that's not the default setting. Tried a google search to see if others have had your problem and can't really find anything.
 
dazzazzad said:
I'm confused. You're saying it deletes by default while a couple others are saying that's not the default setting. Tried a google search to see if others have had your problem and can't really find anything.
Click to expand...

The only thing I know Windows Defender(MSE) removes by default without an option* is Windows Loader and actual Trojans. The rest it has no issue with. I should know as I have a couple of cracked games/programs, mostly to override the issues I have with Always online and other crappy DRM's walls on my legally bought products.

*You can add it back and exclude it afterwards, as I did with Windows Loader that I use on my VM's.
 
But the win 8 defender is different to the MSE version right?
 
AlphaJohn said:
Nope. In Windows 8, Windows Defender=MSE. There is no more separate Windows Defender app.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. So final question, what do you think happened to Gary? You say you can undo anything that Defender automatically removes and in Gary's experience the default setting saw his files pushed out the airlock.

Believe my system arrives Thursday or Friday so I'll be able to see for myself soon enough.
 
dazzazzad said:
Gotcha. So final question, what do you think happened to Gary? You say you can undo anything that Defender automatically removes and in Gary's experience the default setting saw his files pushed out the airlock.

Believe my system arrives Thursday or Friday so I'll be able to see for myself soon enough.
Click to expand...

I believe the apps in question had trojans. So was a valid hit, the product did exactly as it should.

What he should do is find better cracks that do not come loaded with Virii.
 
I don't have any experience with bitdefender. I am using ESET since 2007. I am satisfy with it's service and security.

Exceptions are always there. I am sure that not everybody is satisfied with everything.

But if you want to see and check. just go to http://www.ezcouponsearch.com/ESet-Coupons_cm_3149.aspx and check it. Free trial is available. You can also buy it on discount.
 
I don't see the the need for another Anti-virus then MSE. I have been using it for close to 2 years now and have never had an infection. My work also requires me to connect to a new network on a weekly basis and I have been to some nasty sites. Only rules are to make sure windows stays up to date and not to click on all kinds of unknown links.

I've never seen MSE delete anything it has always asked me what I want to do with the file.
 
since using MSE, I have only had quarentines, never auto deletes
 
MSE is a pretty basic solution, I only ever put it on someone's PC is they can't afford a paid alternative such as Kaspersky or ESET.
 
i have bit defender, kaspersky (both came free) and MSE is far better than those two IMO.

swear by MSE. It has never deleted anything for me and just quarantined stuff but I dont really get many viruses. I went a year without any av at all as i forgot to install it. I have a lot of cracked programs and mse is fine with those well
 
For an interesting read on which Antivirus is best (Windows 7) I found this review from PC Mag very informative.

That said, right now I will trust someone that wrote the API more with something new like Windows 8 than someone that only have access to the API's. Give me 6 months and my view might change completely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X