What anti-virus software do you use? - 2014 edition

[marurun]

Does AVG Free block known malicious IPs like Malwarebytes, Norton, etc?

I used Avast for a while but it started to impact the speed of my machine, so I switched back to AVG. I do not know about IP blocking.

[ExedExes]

Does AVG Free block known malicious IPs like Malwarebytes, Norton, etc?

This is what pcmag.com said (they're a good place to compare the newest antivirus programs):

One feature of AVG's Web TuneUp browser extension is Site Safety, which promises to warn you before you visit a "risky or dangerous website." Apparently Site Safety doesn't apply to URLs that point directly to malware programs; Site Safety didn't kick in at all during my malicious URL blocking test. However, of the 100-odd newly reported malicious URLs I tried, the real-time protection component wiped out 38 percent. That's slightly below than the current average of 41 percent.

The phishing protection on AVG was also a little underwhelming. For virus protection AVG was still rated fairly decent, although a few other free programs were better.

[Exhuminator]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.maximumpc.com/best_antivirus_software_2015

[ExedExes]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.maximumpc.com/best_antivirus_software_2015

I had no idea MaximumPC was still a thing. But this link was good. Aside from games, I'm very passionate with antivirus. I'm happy to see they included Webroot as well as give it a good review.

[Ziggy]

^ They gave Avast an 8 and AVG a 6.

But like I said in the first post, things change over the years. Maybe in 2016 AVG will have a little edge over Avast. Who knows?

[marurun]

There's very little anti-virus software will do against the worst out there on the web, and I am a careful and cautious individual. My anti-virus is backup rather than the first line of defense (that's me). That means I care a little less about how it performs against badware and more about how it impacts the performance of my PC when I'm doing other stuff. This doesn't mean I don't care at all, but that I'm willing to sacrifice a little protection in the name of a better experience.

[noiseredux]

I had no idea MaximumPC was still a thing.

Maximum PC is still a physical magazine, which - along with PC Gamer - I read cover to cover each month.

[ExedExes]

I had no idea MaximumPC was still a thing.

Maximum PC is still a physical magazine, which - along with PC Gamer - I read cover to cover each month.

Yeah, I remember when it was known as boot.

[Ziggy]

I forget if I already posted this, but I don't think I have...

Anyone ever heard of Anti Malware Testing Standards Organization? They have a really neat feature on their site.

http://www.amtso.org/check-desktop

That's 5 quick tests to make sure your anti-virus or anti-malware software is configured correctly (or that it doesn't suck). It's a great way to put your own AV to the test, and a quick way to test the AV on someone's computer.

[ExedExes]

I forget if I already posted this, but I don't think I have...

Anyone ever heard of Anti Malware Testing Standards Organization? They have a really neat feature on their site.

http://www.amtso.org/check-desktop

That's 5 quick tests to make sure your anti-virus or anti-malware software is configured correctly (or that it doesn't suck). It's a great way to put your own AV to the test, and a quick way to test the AV on someone's computer.

Very cool. My Webroot was right on with all those samples (prevented from downloading first 2/phishing site warning displayed/threats removed from the last 2 steps)