Free antivirus software for HTPC. MS or other? - Blu-ray Forum

househead · 10-15-2009, 02:13 PM

My current antivius software is about to run out.

Curious if anyone's using the free MS Security Essentials? I saw a few reviews that said it was decent.

What are you guys using?

Don't really do any surfing on my htpc. Any recommendations?

raaven13 · 10-15-2009, 02:47 PM

I've used AVG and it does a decent job.

If you are looking for cheap try Royal Discount, I bought TrendMicro a year ago for $20.

HotRats · 10-15-2009, 03:04 PM

AVG is still OK but hasn't really kept up. Most testers have been impressed with Security Essentials but Avira is worth a look http://www.free-av.com/ Obviously you don't get all the extras a paid for security suite gives you but you shouldn't need them on an HTPC.

Sponge-worthy · 10-15-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by househead

My current antivius software is about to run out.

Curious if anyone's using the free MS Security Essentials? I saw a few reviews that said it was decent.

It is decent. I've been using it since the beta, and I'm sticking with it now that it's in public release. It has the features you really need, and it's intuitive to use.

popcornninja · 10-15-2009, 03:29 PM

If you are going to go with a free anti-virus, I would go with MSE. I used to be a fan of AVG, then Avast but I've been very impressed with Microsoft's solution.

hoju3508 · 10-15-2009, 03:58 PM

I've been using AVG for more than a year now. Will check this out as well, thanks.

rob.sparrow · 10-16-2009, 03:26 PM

Try Avast. The onyl thing I would say is make sure you tirn the sound off. There is a nice voice to tell you when avast has updated and its every few days. I leave my PC on overnight and sometimes here a voice at 3am!!!!!

Even my small business machine is using Avast, along with 7 other computers for the last year. I have also installed on a number of PC's I have fixed/updated for friends and family. No one has had a problem in over a year

richteer · 10-16-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by househead

Curious if anyone's using the free MS Security Essentials? I saw a few reviews that said it was decent.

I think it was Einstein who stated that the kind of thinking that got you into a problem will not yield a solution. It is Microsoft's inability to write secure software that makes AV software a necessity on PCs running Windoze in the firstplace. Given that, why would anyone trust MS' solution to a problem of their own making?

Quote:

What are you guys using?

A Mac.

Clark Kent · 10-16-2009, 06:41 PM

I was a beta tester for Microsoft Security Essentials and have been happy with its performance for a free product. A good program that works in conjunction with an anti-virus program in strengthening your computer's security is from Secunia and is free also. It told me about vulnerabilities I did not know I had and how to fix them.

http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

Stillhouse · 10-16-2009, 07:45 PM

I like Avira. The only drawback is a nag screen asking you to purchase the pay version. Luckily this is easily taken care of by denying the Read & Execute permissions for the 'avnotify.exe' file.

SpoonMaN · 10-16-2009, 09:11 PM

if its free iv used it, but this time i have to hand it to MS. they took their pay for AV onecare, changed the name and UI and made it free. it just plain works great.

DBLN8 · 10-16-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoju3508

I've been using AVG for more than a year now. Will check this out as well, thanks.

Same never had a problem with it

Rojas · 10-18-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBLN8

Same never had a problem with it

I been using AVG Free version for years and now as of October 15
its now AVG 9 with free Anti-Spyware as well.
works great here is the direct link.

http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Vi...dlPid=11014801

Darkthrone · 10-19-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillhouse

I like Avira. The only drawback is a nag screen asking you to purchase the pay version. Luckily this is easily taken care of by denying the Read & Execute permissions for the 'avnotify.exe' file.

yeah avira is very good

it's very light on resources and scans very fast

10-15-2009, 02:13 PM	#1
househead Banned Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Sep 2007 Home Theater Gallery:9 Trading Score:4	Free antivirus software for HTPC. MS or other? My current antivius software is about to run out. Curious if anyone's using the free MS Security Essentials? I saw a few reviews that said it was decent. What are you guys using? Don't really do any surfing on my htpc. Any recommendations?

10-15-2009, 03:58 PM	#6
hoju3508 Senior Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Austin, TX Blu-ray collection:109	I've been using AVG for more than a year now. Will check this out as well, thanks. Last edited by hoju3508; 10-16-2009 at 03:50 PM.

10-16-2009, 03:26 PM	#7
rob.sparrow Member Member since:Dec 2008	Avast Try Avast. The onyl thing I would say is make sure you tirn the sound off. There is a nice voice to tell you when avast has updated and its every few days. I leave my PC on overnight and sometimes here a voice at 3am!!!!! Even my small business machine is using Avast, along with 7 other computers for the last year. I have also installed on a number of PC's I have fixed/updated for friends and family. No one has had a problem in over a year

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10-15-2009, 02:47 PM	#2
raaven13 Junior Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Florida 4K collection:83 Blu-ray collection:632 DVD collection:153 Trading Score:2	I've used AVG and it does a decent job. If you are looking for cheap try Royal Discount, I bought TrendMicro a year ago for $20.

10-15-2009, 03:04 PM	#3
HotRats Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2009	AVG is still OK but hasn't really kept up. Most testers have been impressed with Security Essentials but Avira is worth a look http://www.free-av.com/ Obviously you don't get all the extras a paid for security suite gives you but you shouldn't need them on an HTPC.

10-15-2009, 03:29 PM	#5
popcornninja Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Boise Home Theater Gallery:52 Blu-ray collection:507 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:272	If you are going to go with a free anti-virus, I would go with MSE. I used to be a fan of AVG, then Avast but I've been very impressed with Microsoft's solution.

10-16-2009, 06:41 PM	#9
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	I was a beta tester for Microsoft Security Essentials and have been happy with its performance for a free product. A good program that works in conjunction with an anti-virus program in strengthening your computer's security is from Secunia and is free also. It told me about vulnerabilities I did not know I had and how to fix them. http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

10-16-2009, 07:45 PM	#10
Stillhouse Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Deep In The South Of Texas Home Theater Gallery:1 Blu-ray collection:152	I like Avira. The only drawback is a nag screen asking you to purchase the pay version. Luckily this is easily taken care of by denying the Read & Execute permissions for the 'avnotify.exe' file.

10-16-2009, 09:11 PM	#11
SpoonMaN Member Member since:Feb 2009	if its free iv used it, but this time i have to hand it to MS. they took their pay for AV onecare, changed the name and UI and made it free. it just plain works great.

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