Malware malware everywhere...

[t0p]

Using Windows 8.1 on my new laptop while figuring out how to get the wireless to work with Ubuntu (and if I can figure out the partitioning...) - anyway, using Windows, with Avast anti-virus, and I'm shocked by how much suspect/malware It's detecting and locking in the vault. Can't wait til I can get Ubuntu on the laptop. Luckily I also own a box running Ubuntu 12.04 so not all is lost...

[night_sky2]

It really depends what you're doing with your computer... The best antivirus is common sense and safe habbits, really. If you are downloading dubious softwares bundled with crapwares and such, and clicking on the most bizzare links on the internet, chances are if you'll get infected. Windows is way more targeted than Linux due to it's popularity, so that's a reality you have to deal with.

I use Windows 8.1 with Windows Defender + Malwarebytes Free and never got any viruses. I download only softwares from trusted sources (the official websites), and use a general purpose blocker in Firefox to protect me against malvertising and a growing list of malware domain. You can also use NoScript to be in full control of what loads into your browser though it can be a pain to set up.

Once you know that the most common ways to infect your Windows installation is from untrusted softwares and at the browser-level, you can act accordingly to prevent that.

[Kpenguin]

One of the things I love most about Ubuntu is that you don't have to worry about that stuff. Avast slows down my computer sooo much on Windows.

[night_sky2]

One of the things I love most about Ubuntu is that you don't have to worry about that stuff. Avast slows down my computer sooo much on Windows.

Then don't use Avast.. Microsoft Security Essential is quite decent on Windows 7 and easier on ressources, same thing with Windows Defender on 8.1 which is the same antivirus rebranded.

But I agree that that there much less viruses&malwares on Linux. But that's mostly a security through obscurity, in the sense that the bad guys don't really care about the 1% of geeks who actually use a Linux desktop system so they don't bother with it at this point. If one day Ubuntu should become the leading OS with more than 90% of marketshare, than no doubt the bad guys will start targeting it from all sides, for there lies the masses, and some more protection will be necessery.

[Diandra]

Windows 8.1? Virus? Well, I'm also using windows 8.1 but and using AVG as antivirus instead of AVAST. But until today, there's no serious problem with malware or something like that. Maybe it's depend on what your computer works for

[pretty_whistle]

The best antivirus is common sense and safe habbits, really.

If it were that simple people like me wouldn't have got infected.

Not that this is the topic..........

[chaaderf]

Perhaps one of the most secure intallation is such that there is no internet connection and there is not any (untrusted) devices plugged in... I mean USB-sticks and so on. If one needs even more secure system, then it is better to leave the computer with no power at all.

But I have to agree with night_sky2, common sense and safe habits are good against malware. I'd only add some light suspicion to everything one do while surfing on internet. E.g. what happened to me years ago: I do not have pictures about me on the web. Then, it is pretty much impossible that my friend could send me my picture with .jpg.exe file ending in Messenger... (I was running Win Vista at that time.)

[SeijiSensei]

Then, it is pretty much impossible that my friend could send me my picture with .jpg.exe file ending in Messenger...

Any decent email service would never have delivered that message to you in the first place. Rule number one in filtering email: no executable file attachments allowed.

[orb9220]

Hmmm strange as been running dual boot and Windows 7 with avast last 5 years on older Amd dual-core running smoothly without issue and not being a resource hog. And little in the way of malware. But don't go much maybe once or twice a year to Porn sites. Number 1 Offenders. Also as pointed out dubious torrents and such another vector of dirty virus tricks.

To automatically point fingers at the software is the easy answer. I would take a look at my track record and actions or behaviours of where I'm going and how well I understand what is happening under the hood and what's transpiring on my internet connection.

.

[mastablasta]

we have endpoint protection at work & win 8.1. so far so good.

at home it's avira. once you set it up it does it's job well. comodo can be also a descent choice.