Windows 8 Anti-virus

[JimmyG]

Is there a free anti-virus for widows 8? I bought an HTPC that came with windows 8 and Norton anti-virus. I checked out MS security essentials and it doesn't support windows 8....bummer. Norton is expensive. And, it is annoying!

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Its now built into Windows 8, Norton will have disabled it. You'll have to re-enable it manually.

 

[Ajay57]

Could do no harm to look at these and choose which one you would like after doing some checking out first with the latest reviews etc. AJ.

1, http://www.eset.co.uk/Landing/Antivirus-Security-Free-Download?gclid=CN7Hs8--xbgCFcLHtAodSioAFA

2, http://www.avg.com/gb-en/av_downloa...tivirus Free&gclid=CLKwoa6_xbgCFbMbtAodIUkAcQ

3, http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

 

[EarthDog]

Its now built into Windows 8, Norton will have disabled it. You'll have to re-enable it manually.

Right. Windows defender. It is all one needs really.

 

[Johan45]

I've been running Win 8 for six months now and occasionally run malwarebytes and spybot out of habit and not once have they picked up any hits. I think that the virus/malware suite that windows runs is actually quite thorough.

 

[scoutcamper]

I always run 3rd party anti-virus(im paranoid about my data) and Kaspersky has treated me well over the years. It does cost some $$ but if you watch amazon and newegg you can get it for cheap.

 

[JimmyG]

Its now built into Windows 8, Norton will have disabled it. You'll have to re-enable it manually.

How would I go about re-enabling it?

 

[TiZakit]

I don't have win 8 with me right now, but open the control panel and search for defender. It should bring it up.

 

[c627627]

Avira AntiVir Free version is a little more difficult to set up than their paid version but they both have definitions which beat most pay-for alternatives.

http://www.avira.com/en/download/product/avira-free-antivirus

Here's how I set mine up:

Spoiler

Avira AntiVir Personal 13.0.0.2832


[Follow-up Build 2890 does not have the option to disable product updates. It is important to disable automatic product updates (but leave definition updates ON). Product updates may affect the Windows operating system. They should preferably be downloaded only *after* imaging the operating system partition so that if they cause problems you can reimage back to the state before product updates were installed.]


Disconnect Internet connection. Double click on Setup.exe to install the program.
Ignore Avira's warnings to uninstall Comodo Firewall or similar programs which intercept phone-home attempts.

SELECT: Custom and CHECK: I accept the End User License Agreement > Next >

UNCHECK everything when asked to install Avira Toolbars > Next > Next > Next > Next


Welcome to the Configuration Wizard > Next > Next >

Allow the configuration wizard to keep the default Express Setup options. [Do not Select All.]
(UNCHECK: Application, Games, Jokes, Programs that violate the private domain, and Unusual runtime compression.) > Next > Next >

UNCHECK: Performs a quick systems scan after the installation

Next > Finish >

*ABORT any update process when it automatically pops up!* (If you haven't disconnected Internet connection as instructed above.)


Setup the program before connecting to the internet [then block apnstub.exe and ipmgui.exe from accessing the internet].


Subscription to new virus definitions for this program is renewed automatically through product updates. It is not renewed through virus definition updates. If product updates are disabled in order to prevent installation of a newer version of the program, download the latest key file from

http://dl2.avgate.net/down/windows/hbedv.key

and either copy it to
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop
and restart or go to Help > License management > click on the blue hbedv.key link > browse to the new downloaded hbedv.key > Open.


Options:
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avcenter.exe

System Scanner (upper left) > Configuration (upper right) > Yes >
UNCHECK: Follow symbolic links (on right) > System Scanner > Scan > Action on detection >
Set for Automatic, Primary action: Ignore [if you want to just scan folders and get a scan report without deleting files or being prompted what to do if virii/malware are found.]


> Click on + next to Update > Product Update > Do not download product updates.
[This option is only for Avira Antivir product updates (Antivirus definitions will still be downloaded automatically.) Product updates should be downloaded manually by going to Update > Start product update... because they may affect the Windows operating system. They should preferably be downloaded only *after* imaging the operating system partition so that if they cause problems you can reimage back to the state before product updates were installed.]


> General > Security >
Disable being notified every time USB drive has an AUTORUN.INF file:
UNCHECK: Block autorun function
> General > Events > Select: Limit size to max. >
> General > Reports > Select: Limit number to max. >
> General > Alerts > UNCHECK everything except Dial-up connection is used

> OK

> Scheduler [on lower left] > UNCHECK everything.


Set Avira Free Antivirus to Always show in Windows Taskbar.


To disable Notifier nag screen: Windows 2000/XP Control Panel > [in Windows 7/8, click on (view by Category) System and Security first] > Administrative Tools [fourth from bottom] > Local Security Policy > Right click on Software Restriction Policies > Create New Policies SO THAT ADDITIONAL RULES SHOWS UP UNDERNEATH > Right click on Additional Rules > New Path Rule... > Browse... to the path of avnotify.exe default is
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
or
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe

> Set the security level to Disallowed > OK

Also block these two files from accessing the internet, using Comodo Firewall or similar software:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\apnstub.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ipmgui.exe

or

C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\apnstub.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ipmgui.exe


For Windows XP Home or Windows 8 (non-Pro version) you would need to boot into Safe Mode and log in as Administrator, then
go to
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe
and right click on it >
Properties > Security TAB >
[Under Group or usernames] SYSTEM > Edit button > CHECK: Deny for Read & execute > Apply > OK > OK

Make sure SYSTEM is set to Deny for Read & execute before rebooting.


To submit a suspected virus, go to
http://analysis.avira.com/samples/
to upload it.


You can scan multiple drives inside program options: Local Protection > Scanner > CHECK drives you wish to scan. The premium version also offers the option to scan multiple folders here. The free version does not.


In case of error message:

The procedure entry point ?_Xbad@tr1@std@@YAX4error_type@regex_constants@12@@Z could not be located in the dynamic link library MSVCP90.dll

download and install Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=a5c84275-3b97-4ab7-a40d-3802b2af5fc2


Manual updates can be downloaded from:
http://dl.antivir.de/down/vdf/ivdf_fusebundle_nt_en.zip
Unzip the downloaded file and copy all the contents to
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop


Using two Antivirus programs at the same time:
If there are two Antivirus programs installed, you should not have two Antivirus *Guard* programs active at the same time because this would slow the system down, Windows may even have problems booting with two Antivirus guard components being active. So if installing AntiVir on a system where there already is an Antivirus program installed, do not install AntiVir guard.

Also disable the guard component of one program if using another program to scan an entire disk drive.


Default log file location is
C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\LOGFILES
or
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\LOGFILES


For older versions:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\LOGFILES
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic
or
C:\Program Files\Avira AntiVir Personal\
C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Avira AntiVir Personal\LOGFILES

 

[JimmyG]

I resolved the issue by uninstalling Norton. Oh by the way, M$ p___ed me off again about Win 8 because they hide everything. I had to search to find out how to access Windows Defender. Heaven help the poor noob that doesn't have the help of folks like you to find the stuff M$ hides.

 

[jamesedward]

I am personally using immunet 3.0 for window’s.It's working well according to my need and never let’s down the speed of my system.

 

[Woomack]

I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials / integrated av in Win8 ( it's the same ). However I'm disabling Windows Defender service which is useless when MSE is running.
It's free for home usage and for small firms up to 10 computers. Above that you have to use paid business version - Forefront Endpoint which is generally the same product. I don't think it's bad soft if MS is sure it's good for business.
So far I'm not complaining and it's not using as much CPU power as many other AV. Also it's running as only 1 service what I can't say about some other soft.