computer security

[REDACTED]

Hi, Do any of you use Avast as their only security? I've never used a free antivirus ,only free malware software. I've always had Norton, McAfee, or Symantec for internet security.  At the moment I have McAfee as well as the free version of Avast.  Since I bought a new computer, I will still have McAfee for a year but I am wondering if when this protection expires would I be safe in only having security through the free version? I, like everyone else need to save the cost associated with previous security programs if Avast will be enough security as compared to the programs I mentioned.

[Pondus]

  At the moment I have McAfee as well as the free version of Avast.

never install multiple AV as this will give you a slow machine, mysterious windows errors and false detections

so you need to uninstall one, and then run the vendors removal tool to make sure all conflicting files are gone
you find the tools here  http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/


most avast users here in the forum have Malwarebytes as extra scanner   www.malwarebytes.org
i also use MCShield  http://amf.mycity.rs/mcshield/

[DavidR]

All of the paid AVs would have you believe free is bad and only paid can truly protect you. This is not the case and there are many instances of avast free beating the paid options in independent tests.

I don't really collect test results as I'm not a great believer in them, I just go on my personal experience of over eight and a half years using the free version of avast (no infections).

The only thing most of the paid options are suites with firewall, avast free doesn't have a firewall but the avast Internet Security suite does along with an anti-spam, Full featured Sandbox and Safe Zone - so if you feel more comfortable with a paid solution or want to use a suite then avast! Internet Security is you option.

[Lisandro]

You can safely go for avast! Uninstall any other antivirus before installing avast!
Happy New Year! Be free!

[Para-Noid]

1) Hide your email unless you want spam.
2) See http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic260844.html/page__p__1441638#entry1441638
3) avast free has your back. 

[mchain]

1) Hide your email unless you want spam.
2) See http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic260844.html/page__p__1441638#entry1441638
3) avast free has your back. 

+1

Been using Avast! Free since version 4, no infections.  That is what, going on four? years now.  Remove a second resident a/v unless the risk of having one a/v detect the malware definition signatures of the other in memory is an acceptable risk to you.  Worst case would be a lock-up of your system; this risk of a system lock-up is definitely increased just by running two a/v's at the same time.  There are other known possible causes of a system lock-up, but this one is easily avoided.  Plus, you won't see BSOD's just because of this.