Solved Avast overworks my system - what's my next best option?

CaseyBee · Jul 23, 2022

Hi all,
I've been using my new Windows 11 machine for two days, and thought I'd install Avast antivirus as a backup to Windows Security.
This morning, I noticed that my fans had suddenly started running full bore, so I uninstalled Avast and restarted my machine.

If I'm going to supplement Windows Defender with something lightweight that can just run in the background, what is my next best option?
Prior to this I was a long term AVG user, but their popups and promotions disguised as alerts started to drive me up the wall.

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

Best wishes,

Casey

RFS · Jul 23, 2022

I just use Windows Defender as my antivirus. Have done since W10 and I'm quite happy with it. Combine it with the usual common sense etc.

jimbo45 · Jul 23, 2022

These days - just remove it. On Domestic machines theres really no need to have anything other than WD - and just regularly run the updates.

A lot go for extra A/V products presumably because they feel mor comfortable with them and until the
W10 days WD was quite hopeless. These days - WD is as robust as anything else out there - at least for HOME machines.

Cheers
jimbo

idgat · Jul 23, 2022

Probably two of the worst choices for a/v - it's no wonder you've been having problems (BTW They're both owned by the same company now anyway)

You don't "supplement" MS Defender, whatever you decide becomes the primary antimalware software.

MS Defender is quite adequate if you practice safe computing and are careful where you roam or what you open.

Otherwise, for mine, Kasperky (and ignore the cr4p about being spied on by the Russians or supporting a Russian company). In Name only.

But not Norton.

jimbo45 · Jul 23, 2022

idgat said:
Probably two of the worst choices for a/v - it's no wonder you've been having problems (BTW They're both owned by the same company now anyway)

You don't "supplement" MS Defender, whatever you decide becomes the primary antimalware software.

MS Defender is quite adequate if you practice safe computing and are careful where you roam or what you open.

Otherwise, for mine, Kasperky (and ignore the cr4p about being spied on by the Russians or supporting a Russian company). In Name only.

But not Norton.

Without some Russian mathematicians, physicists and chemists we'd still be in the Dark Ages. We aren't messing about with "Putins henchmen here".

Scientists from wherever they come from in my experience the world over have always had a heathy "Disrespect" for politicians the world over. !!!! That said I still don't think there is any need for these things on domestic machines.

Cheers
jimbo

glasskuter · Jul 23, 2022

Back in the day, I used Avast on everything I owned, but with all its current add-ons it has become a real resource hog. If one feels they have to have a third-party AV and want it for free, Avira is a much better choice. That said, I agree with everyone else, Windows Defender has come a long way and is a good choice for normal users.

From experience, I have found that Avast does not cleanly uninstall through the normal process. It always leaves traces behind. Use the Avast uninstall tool instead. Avast Removal Tool | Download Avast Clear | Avast
Then restart your computer and enable Defender.

For a little added protection, you can also download the free version of Malwarebytes. It does not run in realtime. Manually run it every week or two and you should be good. Free antivirus | Download Malwarebytes free It will start with 14 day trial but just open MWB from desktop icon-click gear icon-click account-select end free trial. It reverts to free or you can wait for 14 days and it will revert to free on its own, but in the meantime you will see nags to buy it. Then you might have to enable Defender again.

CaseyBee · Jul 23, 2022

Thanks, glasskuter.
I've already removed Avast, and I think I'm going to stick with WD for the time being.
Might install MalwareBytes at some point later on if I have concerns.

idgat · Jul 23, 2022

No finger pointing, but rumours abound about some of the less reputable antimalware programs including their own crypto mining, which sucks the guts outta computer resources

CaseyBee · Jul 23, 2022

Crypto mining as in cryptocurrency? That doesn't sound good.

Badger · Jul 26, 2022

I don't know, after watching this recently I'm not feeling that secure regarding WD.

imanlien2020 · Jul 27, 2022

Tried damn near 30+ different antivirus/malware programs in the past ten years and out of all of them Avast is the only one I use. It is relatively based on user opinion since each of us have different hardware and software installed and alot of times those will affect how one program reacts versus another, so we all can suggest many AVs etc but really its up to you to find one that works for you. Bitdefender is a very rock solid choice but I uninstalled it simplyy because, well one it has way to many settings for me and two it seriously is over the top on being too protective. Eset is good and Kaspersky is pretty good as well. One program I used for years and its firewall was number one in the world for awhile was Comodo. Not a main stream app but it should have gained much more attention and rep then it did. Try their Comodo Internet Security or Total Security once you may like it.

Badger · Jul 27, 2022

imanlien2020 said:
Tried damn near 30+ different antivirus/malware programs in the past ten years and out of all of them Avast is the only one I use. It is relatively based on user opinion since each of us have different hardware and software installed and alot of times those will affect how one program reacts versus another, so we all can suggest many AVs etc but really its up to you to find one that works for you. Bitdefender is a very rock solid choice but I uninstalled it simplyy because, well one it has way to many settings for me and two it seriously is over the top on being too protective. Eset is good and Kaspersky is pretty good as well. One program I used for years and its firewall was number one in the world for awhile was Comodo. Not a main stream app but it should have gained much more attention and rep then it did. Try their Comodo Internet Security or Total Security once you may like it.

FYI: Avast has consistantly performed badly when tested on the PC Security Channel on youtube.

imanlien2020 · Jul 27, 2022

Badger said:
FYI: Avast has consistantly performed badly when tested on the PC Security Channel on youtube.

Again it is purely user specific. I have not had 1 issue with Avast, It has caught all drive by ads, popups, trojans, blocked every bad site, scripts etc and the nice thing is its very uninvasive. Very little interaction needed to do its thing. Doesnt mean its the perfect software or the right one for all people. My post was purely my experience and Opinion.

jvickers · Jul 27, 2022

idgat said:
No finger pointing, but rumours abound about some of the less reputable antimalware programs including their own crypto mining, which sucks the guts outta computer resources

That crypto mining is, from what I understand, optional. For instance, Norton 360 tells you that you can earn cash during your computer's idle time. It's crypto mining. I don't opt into that.

imanlien2020 · Jul 27, 2022

jvickers said:
That crypto mining is, from what I understand, optional. For instance, Norton 360 tells you that you can earn cash during your computer's idle time. It's crypto mining. I don't opt into that.

Norton is the worst AV to install in your system, Personal experience, try uninstalling it once. It is SO embedded in your PC that the lovely uninstall tools that norton provides doesnt even remove it all and yep even after removal theres code thats still active on your system. I had to delete and install windows from scratch to remove it. Norton was the most invasive AV ive ever installed.

jvickers · Jul 27, 2022

imanlien2020 said:
Norton is the worst AV to install in your system, Personal experience, try uninstalling it once. It is SO embedded in your PC that the lovely uninstall tools that norton provides doesnt even remove it all and yep even after removal theres code thats still active on your system. I had to delete and install windows from scratch to remove it. Norton was the most invasive AV ive ever installed.

Kind of late now that I already have it installed. And I'm not going to do a clean install. I've had zero issues with it. Having read PC Mag reviews on it, they seem to think it's a quality AV. They also don't mention anything you're indicating.

jds63 · Jul 27, 2022

This along with Windows Defender is some peoples choice was always rated good, just use it to scan occasionally

Malwarebytes Cybersecurity for Home and Business | Anti-Malware & Antivirus

jds63 · Jul 27, 2022

jimbo45 said:
Without some Russian mathematicians, physicists and chemists we'd still be in the Dark Ages. We aren't messing about with "Putins henchmen here".

Scientists from wherever they come from in my experience the world over have always had a heathy "Disrespect" for politicians the world over. !!!! That said I still don't think there is any need for these things on domestic machines.

Cheers
jimbo

Speaking of Putin i still use Kaspersky Internet Security always happy with it

TraderGary · Jul 27, 2022

My choice is Microsoft Windows Security (Defender) combined with common sense.

idgat · Jul 27, 2022

imanlien2020 said:
Norton is the worst AV to install in your system, Personal experience, try uninstalling it once. It is SO embedded in your PC that the lovely uninstall tools that norton provides doesnt even remove it all and yep even after removal theres code thats still active on your system. I had to delete and install windows from scratch to remove it. Norton was the most invasive AV ive ever installed.

Not sure I'd be that severe, but I agree with your sentiments. Given it's insidious method of installing, I find it hard to trust its own separate uninstallation program that so many other have sworn by ... the fact that it needs a separate program to make sure alleged complete removal, speaks for itself.

I've found greater success with an independent 3rd (4th?) party uninstallation program like RevoUninstaller (just the freeware version is enough).

A lot of resistance and animosity against Norton harks back to the dark ages when Norton was Symantec - once bitten twice shy, never forgotten never forgiven.