Confused about Anti Virus on my new PC

[PEV]

Hi all I've been away a while but back and seeking advice again!
I just bought a nearly new HP 'Envy 3 in one' from a local little guy shop not a biggie like PC World so I got all my set up and training for free instead of £100-250 as quoted by PC World who seemed to want to sell me everything in sight rather than what I needed

The guy in local shop was very helpful but what worries me is he was very opposed to me having AVG Free 2 015 as he says all Free AV's are never free as one day they will send you a virus so you need to buy their paid version in the end. TBH I think that notion is outrageous!

In the end to keep him sweet I agreed to stick with the free Avira Av which already was on the Pc (The machine is a year old and was his wife's and was hardly used) says he.
I have looked up some reviewes on You tube and Avira came out as only 'fair' and no where near as good as AVG Free.

My PC is working fine ATM but I am worried I am not well protected and he warned me never to go to or touch the Avira interface or I could cause big problems.
i find this a bit patronising as although no expert I have been using PC 's for about 14 years!. My last machine was HP Pavillion with XP which is why I had to modernise but only time I got infected by a virus when using XP was when I forgot to update AVG every few daysalthough AVG found everything otherwise.
I now have Windows 8.I and would like to ask if I can simply disable/delete the avira and download AVG 2015 or would is cause a problem which would be very embarassing to go back cap in hand to him having allowed him to tell me AVG is not desirable.
Also If I move to AVG FREE will the windowa firewall be compatible is another worry?
I realise some of you guys are going to urge me to think about Avast or other Free AV and I would consider but I have been used to AVG for so long I am very comfortable with it so will need some convincing so as threat detection rate compared to AVG or other AV's.
Look forward to you kind advice guys!
Ray (PEV)

 

[KenB]

Hi Ray

he says all Free AV's are never free as one day they will send you a virus so you need to buy their paid version in the end.

I can't believe that a computer tech would say that !!
I have never heard anything like this - and I have been helping on forums for over 10 years.

would like to ask if I can simply disable/delete the avira and download AVG 2015 or would is cause a problem

I can't see a problem with removing Avira and installing AGV.

If I move to AVG FREE will the windowa firewall be compatible

There will not be a problem.
I have AVG on my Win7 machine.

I have been used to AVG for so long I am very comfortable with it

There is nothing wrong with AVG.
Comparisons between AVs rank them differently but AVG is as good as any. It is a matter of preference.

I am sure that Starbuck or one of our other Security Experts will be able to add to this - so wait for confirmation from one of the experts here

 

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Ray, to add my two pennyworth, I agree entirely with Kens thoughts and conclusions about the technical guy you saw.
We do have to bear in mind that in some cases he might be on a commission from any one of the paid for antivirus companies, so obviously he is going to give bad opinions on free AV's. in order to try and sell you whichever he is being paid to sell.
However, if you bunch the lot together, virus, trojan, worm, spyware, and any other name you can think of, they all come under the now recognised term of "Malware"
A lot of them can be eliminated or avoided by your own sensible approach to what you do on the internet, and to add to your browser one of the add ons that can warn you of dangerous websites such as WOT.
Also of course being very wary of links within E Mails, even from folk you know personally as they might just have had their E Mail account hacked, or maybe even unaware of the malware they have sent.

No doubt our malware guys can add some more, however a lot is down to being aware and vigilant.

If you are happy with AVG free, then go for it as you are used to how it works.

Nev.

 

[PEV]

Thanks for your input guys
Question! If I am installing AVG do I remove Avira before or after? I believe two AV's together could clasg?
Ray

 

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Ray, download the AVG file, then disconnect from the internet to be safe and uninstall Avira before installing AVG. Once installed reconnect to the internet as AVG will no doubt want to update itself.

I don't know for sure, but best to check with the Avira website if they have an uninstaller available, also you may possibly have to disable Avira before it will allow it to be removed.

Nev.

 

[PEV]

Thanks Nev will get it sorted it next couple days. BY THE WAY On booting up just now a message appeared on my desk top entitled 'Luke Filewalker' and somethingI think allegedly from Avira was being downloaded but I stopped it.
Any idea what this is/was?
Ray

 

[seedy21]

Hi Pev

Yes "Luke filewalker" is one of the file scanning engines for Avira.

 

[PEV]

Cant believe a professional installed this AV on my machine!!

Hi all its PEV (Ray again)
Further to all your help and advice re Aviva Free 215 AV I found this review on Youtube the reviewer says to finish 'I can't reccomend this to anyone'
Take a look guys as I dont know who the reviewer is and a 2nd opinion is very welcome.

http://malwaretips.com/threads/avira-free-antivirus-2015-test-malwaredoctor.35780/

I am appauled that this AV is on my newly purchased Desk top!!!
I am going to remove it and replace with AVG 2015 FREE.
Ray

 

[monirkhan]

In my opinion Windows Defender is the best option. No need to use any other antivirus. Although, I am using SafeBytes as a second antivirus.

 

[KenB]

I am using SafeBytes as a second antivirus.

Two AVs on your machine is not a good option.
They will often conflict.
In this case less is more. I suggest you remove SafeBytes if you are happy with Defender.

If you have further comment on this could you start a new thread please as PEV needs control of his thread

 

[Starbuck]

I'd just like to add that “Total System Care” by SafeBytes is a program to steer clear of.

Total System Care is a paid system optimizer program that is typically added when you install another free software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this program.
Very often users have no idea where did it come from, so it’s not surprising at all that most of them assume that Total System Care is a virus.
This program is also bundled within the custom installer on many reputable download sites, so if you have downloaded a software from these websites, chances are that Total System Care was installed during the software setup process.
Total System Care it’s technically not a virus, but it does exhibit plenty of malicious traits, such as rootkit capabilities to hook deep into the operating system, browser hijacking, and in general just interfering with the user experience. The industry generally refers to it as a “PUP,” or potentially unwanted program.

This is certainly NOT a program that we would recommend to our members.

Remove “Total System Care” by SafeBytes (Removal Guide)

Is total system care safe for my PC

Remove Total system Care by Safebytes