Re. SECURITY SOFTWARE – ANTIVIRUS and ANTISPYWARE
In recent years Computer Trader has commonly supplied AVG Free, Windows Defender, Microsoft OneCare and Microsoft Security Essentials. If you rely on any of these to protect your computer, and if you would like our advice about security protection, this may be of interest.
Microsoft Security Essentials is performing well. It protects against both viruses and spyware (it incorporates Windows Defender technology). It is well supported with regular automatic updates, and does its job with minimal nuisance. Best of all it is free of charge, and free from advertising. It is recommended for use in small office/home office and home computers.
Windows Defender (antispyware) has commonly been installed by Computer Trader to complement AVG Free (antivirus) on Windows XP computers. Defender is built in to Windows Vista and Windows 7. It has performed very well to date, however we have learned that if AVG is updated to version 9 then Defender is automatically disabled.
AVG Free antivirus has been extremely popular and has performed well, especially when complemented with Windows Defender antispyware. Version upgrades do need to be performed from time to time, and AVG rarely misses an opportunity to try to get you to pay for one of their commercial products. Many have done so, the only technical drawback of the commercial products being that older computers may become noticeably slower.
AVG Free 8.5 is being discontinued and all users will have been getting notices from AVG advising them to upgrade. AVG Free continues to be available however new versions do NOT download and install automatically. You will need to either download and install either AVG Free v9 OR another antivirus product.
It has however come to our attention that AVG 9 (free or commercial) automatically disables Windows Defender.
Microsoft OneCare is now discontinued and will shortly have to be replaced on all computers. The antivirus and antispyware protection is now available free of charge in Microsoft Security Essentials.
Malwarebytes is useful for a ‘second opinion’, it is sometimes able to detect things which other programs do not. It runs on demand only, so will not conflict with other antivirus programs, and will not slow down your computer except while in use. It can be downloaded free of charge and can, if you like, be used from time to time as an extra check.
RECOMMENDATIONS
You should only use one ‘constantly monitoring’ antivirus program such as Microsoft Security Essentials or AVG. Using more than one can be counterproductive as they can interfere with each other. (Malwarebytes is different – it runs only on demand).
If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials (“MSSE”) then we recommend that you keep it as is. On new computers we currently install MSSE, which is particularly easy to use and maintain. We also use MSSE on some of our own computers.
AVG remains a perfectly reasonable alternative, however AVG Free does require intervention each time a new version is released, AVG commercial versions have to be paid for, and all AVG9 versions disable Defender. AVG commercial versions do have advantages in medium and larger offices.
D.I.Y. METHOD TO CHANGE ANTIVIRUS
- Decide on Microsoft Security Essentials or AVG Free.
- Download either of the following (always choose save rather than install when downloading)
Microsoft Security Essentials from http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
OR
AVG Free v9 from http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?part=dl-10044820&subj=dl&tag=button&cdlPid=11014801
- Once you have downloaded the replacement, uninstall your existing antivirus software (control panel – add/remove programs)
- Install your downloaded software and update (double clicking the downloaded file will start the process)
- (optional) Download Malwarebytes from http://www.malwarebytes.org/
IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE then just contact any of us here at Computer Trader, we will of course be pleased to help.