Overall Best Anti-Virus Security Suite Software? (small footprint, light usage, complete internet security suite)

Hey Guys,

I currently have ESET Smart Security 4, but is about to expire in 2 weeks...should I renew? or is there something better now?

I want a complete internet security suite software that will also provide additional protection like firewall. It also has to have a very small footprint (ie: low memory usage). Keep top notch performance is KEY for me..no slow downs. I would rather give up a little security protection for better overall performance. I know ESET NOD 32 was the best back in the day for gamers..is that still true? Thought I check before I renew.

What you guys recommend? BitDefender? MSE? Webroot? Norton?


Currently thinking about ESET or Webroot....

 

MSE ftw. And add Malwarebytes.

 

In terms of firewall, you don't need anything else apart from the one coming with Windows Vista or 7.
As for an AV... I'd rather get a free one if I was in your position (no paying for it):
Avira, Avast, MSE or Panda

You can also install Malwarebytes (free) and keep it as an on-demand scanner just in case.

No need for Internet security suites... if you ask me, they are overrated.

 

MSE is only an AV, not a full suite.
I can recommend Norton/NIS but you're best of trying a suite yourself before purchasing it. They usually all offer 30-day trial periods.
You can also check the most recent performance test for security suites from AV-Comparatives from Aug. 2011 link.
They haven't tested 'gaming performance' specifically.
Free security software FTW though. I'd recommend a free AV and f.i. Sandboxie for securing internet facing apps.

edit; Btw, here is a nice 1-year Sandboxie license giveaway; link

 

Along with some people here I too can recommend MSE (along with Windows Firewall), in fact I've migrated a lot of my machines from ESET NOD32 to MSE given its small memory footprint, decent protection and best of all it's free to use on many machines as you like.

 

Kaspersky 2012 for the win

 

If you insist on a "full suite" and you also insist on paying for it, Kaspersky Internet Security is very low system usage and you can get it on amazon for ~$20-30 w/the 12 month license for up to 3 or 5 computers (I can't remember). I just switched over to Panda on my gaming laptop and desktop, MSE on my wife's netbook, and malwarebytes for all of our computers. Both Malwarebytes and Panda come highly recommended on this forum based on protection and low system resource usage (as far as the free avenues of protection).

I'm showing 1,136K memory usage for Panda Cloud Antiviruus and 3,888K memory usage for Visicom Media Anti-phishing Domain Advisor (another process of Panda), then I just use Malwarebytes for an on-demand spyware scanner.

 

+1. MSE's convenience has me using it on all my computers instead of some suites that I do like more, such as Norton Internet Security and Eset Smart Security. With these, at least, you can't really go wrong.

 

I was using Eset Smart Security for 3 years but after reading some reviews that its firewall sucks, I ditched it and bought Kaspersky Internet Security! Still very light on resources and offers way better security!

 

I currently used ESET Internet security suite and have been attacked 3 times this year by virus\malware by visiting unsuspected website. The virus\malware took over my laptop and wanted me to visit a site to pay for something before it'll clear.

On each occasion, ESET detected something but was powerless to block it. I used my skills to get out of the loop.

First question, is this a virus or malware? And what Anti-virus and internet security should I get to replace ESET?

 

No dude , ESET is a bull . Bitdefender free is the best ever.

 

Antivirus Market Share, Disk Encryption Market Share | OPSWAT Reports

 

I was using NOD32 since 6 years and the last 2 years I have been using Eset Smart Security. But everytime a review comes up online about antivirus comparitives, you find Eset's products at the bottom of the list, unlike the past years where they were always ranked no. 1.

What made me ditch my license for Eset Smart Seucrity even though ti was still valid until March 2013 for 3 users is the fact that I read in a review online that Eset's firewall is very bad as it allows many programs internet access by default. Also, everytime Eset updates the version from 3 > 4 > 5 it gets worse. After I upgraded to v5 my internet became horribly slow!

So i bought a Kaspersky Internet Security 3 year license and foramatted my computer as I wanted a clean registry with no Eset tracks, and my system has never been faster! Kasperky is a REAL antivirus with a REAL firewall, it has protected me many times from opening fishy websites, it has a virtual keyboard module for times where you are entering your password and don't want any chances for keyloggers/hackers catching your keystrokes (if you were infected offcourse), it is much more customizable as well!

 

ESET Smart Security 4 is great - it blocks suspicious sites, files and the firewall is awesome, but only in interactive/manual mode. Version 5 uses more resources, however, but you can always use v4 (I hope they fix it, though).

Symantec's suite (whatever it's called...) was awful last time I tried it, Kaspersky's detection of various *potential* (better strict than sorry) keyloggers and other malware wasn't as good as ESET's 2 years ago, I don't know about now...

 

Yes, that's what the site where I reviewed ESS recommended; since their Firewall automatic settings are crap, the only way to overcome this was to set ESS to manual mode. But then again, do you know how many popups you'd get of this and that trying to access the web including system processes until you actually finish this initial headache of every thing trying to access the web? its a LOT! Also, I am no pro to know whether svhost.exe should be allowed internet access or not. Kaspersky's Firewall's built in settings work out of the box and they KNOW what to block, what not to block, and what to leave as user prompt.

Example, I installed a program called SECURITYKISS (which is a VPN software that is similar to Hotspot shield), now Kaspersky wasn't familiar with that program, it didn't block it, but didn't give it full access, it just kept it as a ? mark for me to act upon. So me knowing what that program is, I went into the firewall settings and granted it full permissions. That's teh beauty of teh Kaspersky L4B

Read the online reviews, you'll know why people swear by Kaspersky. Now I am not a biased person as I have been a loyal Eset fan for many years. They just spoiled a perfectly working product. I was using v4 after my disappointment in v5 but then again, one shouldn't feel the need to roll back to an old version just to run fine, I like having my programs up to date and properly working

 

Cleaning and protecting 2 very different things, Army and your local dry cleaners to understand what I am talking about watch the video at the end of this post very interesting can you tell I am a comodo fan? thats what I would personally use requiem86 comodo AV software plus Comodo cleaning essentials that's a "full suite" Top Antivirus Software

Baserk is right though it's is good you have 30 days free also a interesting you have to work out what's best for you and you PC and what works for you, A software package that you enjoying using

Results and comments - www.matousec.com (really the only viable AV for 64bit computers as none of the others seems to have self defense against malware)

 

Nevertheless its been rated in the top 3 of every rating I've checked over the past 5 year. The only one!

I can also say that I haven't had any virus since I installed it 5 years ago.Its pretty quick on the trigger when it comes to keeping you out of trouble.

 

ive been using avast internet security for past 2 years and it runs out in 3 days. actually been great compared to my previous avg.
ive had 2 false positives in all that time and no viruses or spyware.
was about to renew a week ago for £49 for 2 years/3 computers but thought i would hold out to see if they lowered the price at the last minute but now its showing £59 for 1 computer

so i will be taking note on this thread as well. like OP i want a full paid suite for piece of mind.

 

As do I. However, keep in mind that a suite does not make the anti virus better, just more convenient. ou likely could get the same protection for a collection of individual freeware, however, it would take a lot more time and management.

 

I find myself getting rid of Avast recently from people's computers (the latest version).
Most systems I find it on seem to be somewhat sluggish.
After removing Avast and replacing it with MSE however, the system becomes more responsive.

Its possible I might be imagining it, but regardless...

 

I use Bitdefender Antivirus 2013 very light and it has the best detection rates every time in every test I see online.

I tried the Suites but didn't like them because their firewall gives a high performance hit when browsing websites. I am behind a router and the Windows Firewall is more than enough for me.

 

theve just launched a new version 8 today avast! | Download Free Antivirus Software or Internet Security
version 7 ran a full scan of over 300gb ssd in around 10-15 minutes for me so in my eyes thats very good.

very true what you said above that various free software will do as good a job. i just like having it all in one for simplicity.

 

All you need is:
EMET, sandboxie, shadow defender, zemana antilogger, comodo firewall
No need for an antivirus, only an on demand scanner like MBAM for when you commit a file to your real system

 

I just got BitDefender since its only 29$ at the moment. It has some great review and is working pretty well so far.

 

If I had to choose then I would go for Immunet cloud based antivirus. It is light antivirus with complete internet security suite and overall a good antivirus for your PC/lappy. I have been using this antivirus from quite long time.

 

Hi TimeandSpace,

Is MBAM the only thing that you are running on your PC as AntiVirus Protection?

Thanks!

G!

 

Hi All,

I am also thinking of buying full suite protection just for my peace of mind as last year my PC was protected by free avira but it crashed so bad because of viruses.

I am confused now as my money is kinda tight, so of course if I can have it for free it would be the best, but if not I will just take the cheapest one.

Some people say I dont really need to use the paid version as long as I dont click ads, spams & download from torrent etc. Unfortunately sometimes I or people using my laptop clicked it by accident

Can anyone recommend me the best value for money full suite protection with low resources usage?

At this moment my best choice would be bitdefender although I read on other thread it kinda takes plenty of resources.

Moreover, if it says good for 3pc, can I sell the other 2 licenses to someone such as my friends from school? If thats possible, would it be a hassle for them if they want to renew it the year after?

Thanx

 

I would have to agree with some of the others on Kaspersky internet security. I have been using it for three years and haven't even had anything close to what you've described above. On Amazon you can get it pretty cheap for 1 year - 3 PC's. It probably would not be a hassle to sell the other pc licenses, but I can't really attest to the legality of that.

Goodluck.

 

I use Bitdefender and would definitely recommend it. It's very light and It's rated number one by almost every antivirus review site I've come across like toptenreviews and laptop mag:
Best AntiVirus Software Review 2014 | Compare Antivirus Software | Best Virus Protection - TopTenREVIEWS
Best Antivirus - Best Antivirus Software Review | Laptopmag.com

 

Im running MSSE along with ClamAV running daily scans. It is pretty light weight and MSSE at least doesn't have many false positives. If you are downloading lots of sketchy stuff you may want something heavier for sure

 

Every year in January Privacy PC publishes it’s impressions, observations and perspectives with regard to the state of security software industry.

We have singled out leaders in the following categories: antivirus, internet security, antispyware, encryption software, online privacy utilities and three more groups.

The software rating has been formed in accordance with the following benchmarks: usability (ease of setup and product usage intuitiveness) features, efficiency, help & support, and pros/cons. You can find it here: Best Security Software 2014 | Privacy PC

 

I am wondering why no one has recommended the free Comodo Internet Security.

 

That's probably comodo is quite heavy on the system. It really slows down the system. I use quick heal and run malwarebytes occasionally. Works quite well for me. And importantly it doesn't slow the system.

 

I am running CIS + MBAM on my laptops + HTPC and don't experience any slow downs. Especially not when you look at it as an AV + FW + HIPS + BB + Sandbox tool + Online Lookup

 

Fine, if you don't mind managing it. To me the best AV are those that you set and forget. They work completely behind the scenes and unobtrusively. You also gain additional controls that allow you to temporarily turn them off (for a set time) with one click.

Additionally, they can warn you of suspicious websites and/or activities. You can check a sites reputation and auto scan any external devices connecting to your system (my system's most vulnerable position),

That's just some of the convenience you typically get with paid AV. They also perform additional task (like backup, and system performance scans, disc defrag. etc.) that you may or may not need.

In any event, the best AV is YOU. Your vigilance and awareness of what's going into your computer, cannot be overstated.

 

Malewarebytes, but not bitdefender. It's not lightweight at all