[That Ninja]

I know there's one of these threads all the damn time, but I "ctrl+f"'d through 10 pages (I miss the search function) and didn't find any pre-existing threads on anti-viruses.

So I'm currently using Microsoft Security Essentials, and it's alright, but I noticed that I've got this rather annoying "searchnu" virus messing with IE and Chrome (I use Opera normally, and it's unaffected).
MSE hasn't caught/removed it, and neither has MalwareBytes.

So, I'd like to know what's the most powerful and most effective anti-virus out there right now, both free and paid. Everyone has their opinion on what's best, but I'd like facts and tests, if you can find them. I'm having a hard time finding any sort of consistent comparisons.

Also, if anyone knows how to get rid of the searchnu thing.

Thanks for reading!
And thanks if you help me out.

Edited:

I just re-checked IE, and now it redirects to arccosine.com, which is another virus of the same type apparently.

Help?

[tratzzz]

facepunch.com/search.php

gone, you say?


your hosts file might be fucked.
Best av for scanning is MBAM.

[That Ninja]

Thanks for the search url, I had no idea.

Also, MBAM didn't find anything but 2 files/viruses unrelated to the IE thing.

But I also mean over-all anti virus to use, not just scanning.

[tratzzz]

Scanning is with MBAM, as a real-time thingy it is not that good.

Your hosts file is probably messed up. Go check C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc and open hosts file with Notepad. See if there are any mess-ups. Also google more about the searchnu virus and see other guides and stuff. I haven't had any experiences with many viruses so I can't help much.

[SataniX]

A quick google says that Malwarebytes can't find that virus at the moment.
Download OTL and post the log.

Edited:

Searchnu also adds an add-on to browsers, so check that too.

[SGTNAPALM]

Try downloading a boot disc version of an antivirus like Avira.

[That Ninja]

Alright, I ran OTL, I'm about to post the log when it's done, but I disabled Searchqu or searchnu or whichever one in IE, and apparently it was called Windows Searchqu toolbar instead of just Searchqu, so I uninstalled that.

BUT, the arccosine.com virus is still there.

And I'd still love to know about the best anti-virus.

[SataniX]

OTL is just a diagnostic tool.
MSE/Malwarebytes is usually a normal a safe combo.

[SGTNAPALM]

That Ninja posted:

And I'd still love to know about the best anti-virus.

http://www.av-comparatives.org/en/co...ummary-reports

I'm currently rocking Avira free and Comodo with MSE to be sure.

[KnightVista]

Avast! And AVG are both very good anti-viruses. Avast! Being better at malware already on your computer, and AVG better at real-time detection.

[Kastro]

MBAM - I think it is the best. No just for scanning, but for protection too.

[Thunderbolt]

I've found Spybot to be pretty good at removing malware that redirects your browser
And in my opinion Avast is the best free AV at the moment

[waxrock]

Get rid of MSE. Get something like avast!

[Zerokateo]

avast! is probably the best imho, I love how it automatically updates itself so I don't have to keep track of any of that shit, Plus its already saved me from about 80+ viruses.

[That Ninja]

I've been reading around and it looks like avast! is great because of its many options, while Avira has great detection rates and removal rates.
Although it has this annoying once a day ad (since it updates every day) that pops up telling you to buy it/the mac version.

Edited:

Well, Spybot got rid of 3 IE related adware/spyware, so that's a plus.

[fritzel]

SGTNAPALM posted:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/en/co...ummary-reports

I'm currently rocking Avira free and Comodo with MSE to be sure.

I was using the same combo (without MSE). Uninstalled Avira yesterday when it started popping that annoying facebook contest reminder.

Now with comodo pro.

[SGTNAPALM]

I've heard bad things about Comodo's AV.

[Tucan Sam]

MSE and SAS

Edited:

waxrock posted:

Get rid of MSE. Get something like avast!

MSE is fine if you aren't a dumbass

[Mattk50]

comodo internet security is probably the best if you want to be completely secure, takes some setting up and maintence though. If you'd rather something easier go with avast, malwarebytes, or MSE. (MSE is fine, if theres one thing microsoft can do its protect their own OS)

[lavacano]

That Ninja posted:

(I miss the search function)

???

[waxrock]

Tucan Sam posted:

MSE and SAS

Edited:



MSE is fine if you aren't a dumbass

What kind of logic is that?

Mattk50 posted:

comodo internet security is probably the best if you want to be completely secure, takes some setting up and maintence though. If you'd rather something easier go with avast, malwarebytes, or MSE. (MSE is fine, if theres one thing microsoft can do its protect their own OS)

MSE blows at detection. This is backed by numerous AV reports.

[Mattk50]

waxrock posted:

MSE blows at detection. This is backed by numerous AV reports.

Is it a case of sturgeon's law or did those viruses get caught by other programs when MSE missed them.

[SGTNAPALM]

Mattk50 posted:

or did those viruses get caught by other programs when MSE missed them.

yes

Edited:

I remember last time there was a thread like this, waxrock ( at least I think it was waxrock,) posted a whole bunch of reports from a whole bunch of websites showing that MSE wasn't very good and everyone pretty much said "lol these reports are biased" so there's pretty much no point in having this discussion.

[1solidsnake2]

Of course there isn't, everyone is just going to big up whichever one they use.

There always used to be some guy who always said Comodo was the best, using some blog site as 'proof'.