Avast is killing me

> Now it gobbled up all of my .exe files and quarantined them.
>
> Some of them are just gone.
>
> Had to totally disable Avast to even be able to function and luckily I had backup of these.
>
> Working now, but kinda scared what is next.
>
> What the heck?

I haven't had any problems with Avast, per se, but I would like to hear from others what they are using, especially for free.

TIA

Carl

> Now it gobbled up all of my .exe files and quarantined them.
>
> Some of them are just gone.
>
> Had to totally disable Avast to even be able to function and luckily I had backup of these.
>
> Working now, but kinda scared what is next.
>
> What the heck?

Did Avast tell you why the .exe files were quarantined, could have been infected.

>...I would like to hear from others what they are using, especially for free.
Windows Defender.

I dropped Avast when it updated and became automatic without a switch to turn that off.

It was eliminating necessary files that were needed to make programs open and be functional.

It was definitely attacking any file that would automatically connect to the internet to confirm license and any file that would connect to the internet to download files needed for GPS data and any other reason.

None of the files it attacked were infected, they did the same function as some trojans and other malicious files do, connect to the internet and perform some function.

Before the update it would allow access to the file list and OK any that were needed for programs to function.

After the update, it just did what it wanted and deleted them.

It took an uninstall and then a search for any remaining portions of the program embedded in programs.

Had to reinstall several programs just the same.

Do not have full function of GNSS and must manually download GPS data.

Since I am wireless and the internet wires end at the connection to the router, less problems have been encountered.

Immunet went the same path and I zapped it too.

I am down to bare bones with Microsoft Defender and run Super Anti Spyware weekly.

Avast at home - never had a problem.

AVG Professional at work - SPAM detection is too sensitive, but after 3 years of adjusting I think IT has it about where it should be.

Windows Defender is said to be excellent.

Nothing free for me. My Grandpa taught me "you get what you pay for."

We bought a server license of Symantec Endpoint Protection, it came with 5 licenses. That covers all my workstations in the main office and my satellite office.

Cost about $1000 7 years ago, but for 5 machines, plus the server makes 6 workstations covered, that's pretty cheap for enterprise quality coverage.

I stopped using and recommending Avast awhile back when they screwed me over on a bunch of client websites. Plus an update at the time made the interface less intuitive so I threw in the towel. I'm now using BitDefender on top of Windows Defender (they work well together).

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

On top of that, I run MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware weekly to make sure everything is clean.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/

Wendell...thanks. I see that bitdefender has a free download. Does that expire, and if so, do you know the full-fee version cost?

Here is the comparison page of their Home products... http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/antivirus-comparison.html

Thanks.

"Nothing free for me."

[sarcasm]Except the Internet, GPS signals, OPUS, etc.[/sarcasm] B-)

I am open to correction but I believe Microsoft Security Essentials gives better protection than Microsoft Defender alone. It is what I use.

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is no longer a very good anti-virus program, according to some forums I read a while ago. Purportedly, some time ago, Microsoft quietly decided not to maintain MSE in the robust manner that users had grown to trust. To wit: 'Holly Stewart, senior program manager of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center, told Dennis Technology Labs that the company only pursues a “baseline strategy.” In other words, MSE isn’t designed to be good, and is instead developed to head off only the most prevalent attacks. She also said that “the natural progression is that we will always be on the bottom of these [antivirus] tests.” This is allegedly because Microsoft actively shares what it knows about security threats with third-party partners.' Quoted from http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/replace-microsoft-security-essentials-proper-antivirus/

> I am open to correction but I believe Microsoft Security Essentials gives better protection than Microsoft Defender alone. It is what I use.
I running Windows 8.1. If you are running W7, you should be using MSE. For W8, the analogous product is branded Windows Defender

cc cleaner has done well for me also

Just say no

I have avast on my home laptop and it is constantly claiming this or that is a threat. I usually know what the "this or that" is and just say no, leave it alone. If something pops up I don't know what it is I check it out before letting avast do anything about it.

I am still happy with SuperAntiSpyware.

But SuperAntiSpyware is made to detect spyware and similar items, but not viruses. It's important to have an arsenal to protect yourself. 🙂

> But SuperAntiSpyware is made to detect spyware and similar items, but not viruses. It's important to have an arsenal to protect yourself. 🙂

Yikes, I have been fooling myself all this time? So I typed "Windows Defender" into the search bar at the Start button and this came up (so I guess I am good):

This is all so confusing.