Do I need to get anti virus protection if I now have Windows 7

[FELC]

Hello,
I got a new computer with windows 7. I did not take the free two month anitvirus offered by Norton. When it expired,I tried to install AVG as that was what we had been using before. I ended up going with MCAFEE out of desperation for the next year. We are a smallchurch and I would like more informatin about installing a free anti- virus. or do I have to with windows seven. some say no

 

[aford10]

Yes, you should still use an antivirus program. It doesn't have to be an expensive, full version, with all the bells and whistles. However, you do want a reputable one.

Here's a couple different quality free AVs:
Avira <--I use this one personally
http://www.avira.com/en/pages/index.php
Avast
http://www.avast.com/index
Microsoft security essentials
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

 

[Zoron]

Ugh... get rid of McAfee ASAP. I have never liked it... I've seen more problems as a result of it than not.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Also add ccleaner to clean up temp files and things like that!It is also a registry cleaner!

Also one more called malwarebytes free edition,a great spyware adware malware cleaner.
plus like aford said avast or avira!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Mcafee is one of the least effective on the market today,remove it right away!
have a great day!

 

[cscott_it]

Area 51 is right.
If you are going to pay for an anti-virus, at least get something that works.

Vipre is good for the price
However, I'm personally a huge Kaspersky fan. Great heuristics engine.

 

[The_Prophecy]

+1 for VIPRE. I've got it on all of my systems and love it. If you're into free alternatives, look into Microsoft Security Essentials, or Avast.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

vipre here also, home site license!

 

[saran008]

Uninstall MCAfee ASAP!
Then run McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe) to remove traces of McAfee left
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Then
Download & Install the following 3 freewares. It forms a free complete security suite for your system!
1. Avira Anvivir - http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html .
Avira has very good internet security, real time updates, great overall protection.

2. Malwarebytes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/ .
Malwarebytes is one of the best malware scanners.

3. Ccleaner - http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download .
Ccleaner is a great all purpose tool. The most useful tool is probably the registry cleaner.

The Best Security combo for all types of systems.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Uninstall MCAfee ASAP!
Then run McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe) to remove traces of McAfee left
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Then
Download & Install the following 3 freewares. It forms a free complete security suite for your system!
1. Avira Anvivir - http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html .
Avira has very good internet security, real time updates, great overall protection.

2. Malwarebytes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/ .
Malwarebytes is one of the best malware scanners.

3. Ccleaner - http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download .
Ccleaner is a great all purpose tool. The most useful tool is probably the registry cleaner.

The Best Security combo for all types of systems.

^ +1

I run all 3 of these and Spybot Search and Destroy as well. Spybot is still a great tool even after all these years. I leave it's Resident protection disabled though as I find it somewhat intrusive.

 

[drksilenc]

... spybot is the same type of software as malwarebites... you dont need both

 

[cscott_it]

Spybot's advanced tools is the main reason to use it in conjunction with other
anti-malware/anti-virus software.

 

[Scotteq]

Hello,
I got a new computer with windows 7. I did not take the free two month anitvirus offered by Norton. When it expired,I tried to install AVG as that was what we had been using before. I ended up going with MCAFEE out of desperation for the next year. We are a smallchurch and I would like more informatin about installing a free anti- virus. or do I have to with windows seven. some say no

(1) Avira is free (for registering) and works well.

(2) I also recommend using Malwarebytes - Also free for registering.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

... spybot is the same type of software as malwarebites... you dont need both

I have yet to find a single program that will stop or for that matter remove 100% of malware. For years Spybot and Adaware were the freeware combination that kept you safest.

 

[Zoron]

I always found Adaware extremely lacking... all it ever seemed to find were cookies. Malwarebytes is by far a superior product, but I rarely use it as I've never had the need... at least not on my home computers. All I have installed now is Trend-Micro Internet Security.

 

[The_Prophecy]

I have yet to find a single program that will stop or for that matter remove 100% of malware. For years Spybot and Adaware were the freeware combination that kept you safest.

Because no such program has ever existed. If you manage to create one, you sir, would make yourself a lot of money.

Unfortunately, the nature of malware and malware scanners being what it is.... no such program logically can ever exist. Each company that produces an anti-malware product must write definitions for that program to detect anything at all. And what one company considers malicious, another company may not.

This leads into my conspiracy theory about how many anti-malware companies have large corporations (Microsoft for example) stuffing bills in their back packets to detect (whether they contain any malicious code or not) things like key generators for the large corporation's products. Not specifically picking on Microsoft here, but it seems like anything that may or may not lead to one of Microsoft's products being used illegally is automatically detected by every malware scanner out there - again, whether it really contains any malicious code or not.