What virus/malware scanners do you recommend?

**Ace22** · 03-05-14, 01:34 AM

I'm wiping my machine and moving to windows 8.1 pro from 7. I need to free up space on my ssd, and I haven't been running any virus scanner or malware protection.

This time around I'm thinking of running both.

My early thoughts are AVG and Malwarebytes. It's been a few years since I've ran these programs and I'm wondering if you guys have some insight on something better? I want something that will not slow my machine down and be highly invasive.

Thanks for any thoughts.

**Guyver** · 03-05-14, 01:40 AM

I use:
Malwarebytes
Spybot Search & Destroy
Microsoft Security Essentials

**salty99** · 03-05-14, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by Guyver

I use:
Malwarebytes
Spybot Search & Destroy
Microsoft Security Essentials

This ^

**DJ Ms. White** · 03-05-14, 04:40 AM

MSE very much sucks right now. I've been using Bitdefender for a while, which I like. Malwarebytes is also meh right now; a lot of people are recommending Superantispyware instead. Spybot is still good.

**Ace22** · 03-05-14, 05:07 AM

Are malwarebytes and spybot not doing the same thing protecting against all forms of malware? Is it really necessary to be running both?

**deputyfestus** · 03-05-14, 06:42 AM

This SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware! go with the pro edition it's only bout 20 bucks.

**iLLusioN** · 03-05-14, 07:32 AM

I'd run Malwarebytes and superantispyware. Spybot and Malware do mostly the same things...each finds some stuff that the other doesn't. MBAM has always found more for me.

**DJ Ms. White** · 03-05-14, 08:53 AM

Spybot's thing is immunization, though.

**Blood_Thirst** · 03-05-14, 10:15 AM

They cost money but I've been running ESET for years and have loved it. I also use Stopzilla which in it's newer versions seems like it may be adequate enough without using a virus program, but I keep both because I'm a creature of habit.

**rush2049** · 03-05-14, 10:35 AM

I use a combo of three things:
Spybot Search & Destroy (Immunization, system internals scan, edit startup items, and the normal scan) --NOTE: do not install the tea-timer option.

Microsoft Security Essentials (Inside windows 8 it is integrated as 'Windows Defender' and doesn't require installation) Yes this is not the best anti-virus software.... but the next is:

Common Sense -- Just plain don't browse to sites that look infected/sketch. Don't click on the popups. Don't follow links in the emails. etc. etc. This is good enough.

If you somehow get a rootkit, or suspect it.... you have to get a dedicated tool to remove each one anyways..... so yea, best to avoid those nasty things.....