Low resource malware scanners that does not require personal info to register?

[thinkpadcollection]

Topic asks all.

I use forticlient but it is real heavy on CPU if I push computer hard and it does not ask for personal info.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection.

[Dekks]

Malwarebytes Free

[tarvoke]

definitely malwarebytes. although I don't think the free version does active work in the background, you'll need to manually scan files. I don't think the free version even does automated daily system checks or actively monitor memory/execution. pretty sure that in the past you needed the paid version for all those extra conveniences? regardless it's still a great application.

a surprisingly good product is MS Security Essentials (evolved from Windows Defender) - Win8 comes with it by default, but for Win7 you need to DL from microsoft and install yourself. it is a great anti-virus as well as anti-malware, actively scans memory, programs and downloads, etc., and is surprisingly lightweight.
(my previous favorite Avast has been, for years, increasingly turning into an awful heavyweight piece of adware, so I really have to thank whomever at MS...)

also consider something like sandboxie to run your web browser inside of (also your mail client, etc...)
or if you're already using chrome/chromium browser, I'm fairly sure it already operates in its own internal sandbox, which is pretty cool.

also also consider using something like noscript (firefox) or scriptsafe (chrome) to stop unnecessary/potentially-dangerous cross-site scripting. it's a bit of an annoyance starting out, to unblock your common/frequent/trusted websites, until it all works normally again, but once you do, surfing will be a lot safer. with the added bonus of hardly ever seeing ads again.

and consider ghostery (both firefox and chrome) as well. it mainly takes care of 3rd party ads / web-bugs / etc., but the very nature of that means it is also helping prevent cross-site attacks as well.

[ajkula66]

definitely malwarebytes. although I don't think the free version does active work in the background, you'll need to manually scan files. I don't think the free version even does automated daily system checks or actively monitor memory/execution. pretty sure that in the past you needed the paid version for all those extra conveniences? regardless it's still a great application.

Agreed 1001%.

a surprisingly good product is MS Security Essentials (evolved from Windows Defender) - Win8 comes with it by default, but for Win7 you need to DL from microsoft and install yourself. it is a great anti-virus as well as anti-malware, actively scans memory, programs and downloads, etc., and is surprisingly lightweight.

The problem with MSE is that it fails miserably in most of the real world AV testing. Just throw it into any search engine and the results are...duh.

and consider ghostery (both firefox and chrome) as well. it mainly takes care of 3rd party ads / web-bugs / etc., but the very nature of that means it is also helping prevent cross-site attacks as well.

Once again agreed 1001%.

[tarvoke]

The problem with MSE is that it fails miserably in most of the real world AV testing. Just throw it into any search engine and the results are...duh.

ouch! I had no idea dang it.

good thing then that I've finally been using x200t + lunix-mint as my daily workstation - best-beloved x61t now sits there, lid closed, doing nothing, aside from providing comfort

((and, yes, George, the glorious x220t from you is still "too nice for everyday" ))