what's the best free anti virus software nowadays ?

Anything + Malwarebytes. I tend to stick with MSE but then again I'm the only one who uses my PC, if others were on it I'd probably bolster that.
 
I use either MSE on windows 7 or defender on 8, I like the fact they don't pop up asking you to change to a paid licence like avg used to...
 
I can't stress how good the real time protection from Malwarebytes is btw folks, saves the odd PUP etc getting on no matter how safe you are.
 
Dont want to be pedantic but this is the PC Games forum. There is a seperate forum for Windows Software.

Maybe a mod can move this.

Whilst on the subject MSE is awful. I thought it was good till I scanned my wife's laptop with Malwarebytes and it found 9.

Lets not forget you can easily get a virus via email if you are using no protection and you wouldnt necessarily know about it.
 
This will be staying here - it is a specific question regarding the affect of software on the functionality of PC games.
 
And in answer to that, as long as you don't schedule it to scan whilst playing a game, they shouldn't affect performance

Most people have 8GB Ram+ now as well, so it's not a resource hog either.

But that's why I use the Microsoft one, because you hardly know it's there. I've never known a developer recommend you disable your MS Anti-virus, though they often recommend doing it for other developers AV programs such as Norton.
 
Avast for free is what I would recommend, Microsoft Security Essentials was crap for me, having used it for a few years, I switched to Avast and it picked up loads of viruses that MSE didn't pick up.

I currently use Kaspersky Internet Security 2015, if you bank with Barclays you get a free license every year.

I think most anti-virus software have a 'Gaming Profile' option, which disables notifications etc while you playing, Kaspersky does anyway.
 
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VincentHanna said:
And in answer to that, as long as you don't schedule it to scan whilst playing a game, they shouldn't affect performance

Most people have 8GB Ram+ now as well, so it's not a resource hog either.
Click to expand...

It's not just performance hits due to active scans though, I've had all sorts of strange problems on various games, caused by things like on-access scanning locking files, or even some legitimate game DLLs being detected as false-positives and quarantined while in the middle of a game :p
 
I have used NOD for years granted it is not free but trial keys are easy to get once every 30 days trial has no limitations.

But the best 100% free one tbh is using your head.
 
Thanks for all the replies folks ! :) might give avast a try ...

What's mse? I have win 7 .. is it built in or is it a separate download all together and is that free ?

And it's not due to anti virus being a resource hog and slowing down games , but Norton would affect mainly multiplayer games , as in it wouldn't let me even open some games would just come up with error messages , then I would have to mess around for ages sorting it out in Norton
 
Only use MSE and even then I only scan it when the caution sign shows in taskbar because it hasn't been scanned in ages.

Never had anything, but it's just me using it, if it were a communal PC then I'd probably be tempted to put a free thingy on it.
 
MSE sort of equals Windows Defender.

In Vista Windows Defender was just a built in anti Malware program. It was then released as a standalone package, renamed Microsoft Security Essentials and became a full blown AV solution. In Windows 8/8.1 it was integrated into Windows again but was renamed back to Windows Defender, but is still a full AV. In all cases it's free.

I've personally used MSE/Defender in combination with Malware Bytes and careful surfing for years, and have not had any viruses during that time. Makes me wonder how my various family member's PCs with paid tools are like virus breeding grounds :rolleyes:. As I "work with computers" I am inevitably tech support for my local family members.
 
Vtec9k said:
Example of a site we have all probably used - speedtest.net
http://www.invincea.com/2013/02/pop...mised-by-exploitdrive-by-stopped-by-invincea/

Angler EK using multiple 0 day (ie. no patch from vendor available) attacks.
http://threatpost.com/latest-flash-0day-under-attack-possible-ties-to-group-behind-angler-ek/110847

Sure AV isn't perfect but it's far better than nothing.
Click to expand...

Best to use click-to-play plug-in mode to avoid this type of attack.

Chrome: chrome://settings/content > Plug-ins > Block by default
Firefox: about:addons > Ask to Activate
 
It sounds bad to use a MicroSoft own brand version but MSE has been pretty good to me.

Then again, I'm not exactly going out there looking for viruses and I know the sites to avoid.
 
How about the one that ocuk stocks Eset Smart Security AntiVirus and Internet Security. Anyone have and experience with this good or bad????
 
Avast / MSE / Nod32 (didn't use the latter for that long, but it seemed to get a good rep at the time).

AVG wasn't too bad either.
 
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Is mse free? And is it already on my windows 7 or is it a separate download ?

And also if I decide to use this ? Do I need to use avast along side it or get away with just on its own ?
 
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