Free Anti-virus Software..

[pokemon_master]

My Norton Subscription has worn out and since my dad can't be bothered to buy another one for my machine I am contemplating getting another, at least until he can get an upgrade.

Any ideas for free ones from the net???

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

since my dad can't be bothered to buy another one for my machine

What? Tell him from me, he needs to be beaten with a big stick. Ask him if the key to the back door broke would he not bother to buy a new key and lock it? Would he leave all the windows open in the house? Remember, there are over 65,000 "entrances" into your computer and they all need to be guarded.

Have you (your father) considered getting a multiple licence? We have 3 computers in our house; mine, DD's and the laptop. I bought a 3 user licence from McAfee for not much more than a single licence.

 

[pokemon_master]

What? Tell him from me, he needs to be beaten with a big stick. Ask him if the key to the back door broke would he not bother to buy a new key and lock it? Would he leave all the windows open in the house? Remember, there are over 65,000 "entrances" into your computer and they all need to be guarded.

Have you (your father) considered getting a multiple licence? We have 3 computers in our house; mine, DD's and the laptop. I bought a 3 user licence from McAfee for not much more than a single licence.

He said that as long as A) the firewalls intact and B) there are some virus definitions he's not bothered..

I don't know if Symantec do offer a Multi user license or not; it's mostly just grab the software and upload it at will at our house!!!

 

[Deedee]

We have had loads of trouble with our computer recently. Dave was talking to a friend of ours and he was having problems with his too. He changed his security to Bullguard and had no problems. Our norton subscription was up so we down loaded it and ours has been fine since. I think we had to pay £25 but it is much better than Norton.

 

[tony64]

Matt
There are some good free anti-viruses out there but I'm no expert so can't reccommend any in particular. I use the free NTL Netguard but it slows the computer down alot.
Try posting on the tech board.

 

[jockey]

Matt try a google search for AVG - there is a free version you can download. I think the company that make it are called Grisoft.

 

[Cyrano]

Matt try a google search for AVG - there is a free version you can download. I think the company that make it are called Grisoft.

That's what I use as well. If you check most of the spyware checker sites you'll see why installing a virus such as Norton is not recommended

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Another vote for AVG here as well.

It does everything a paid for version does (and a whole lot better than some) including automatic updates.

Use this alongside a firewall and spyware software (such as Ad-Aware) and you have pretty good protection.

Kev

 

[florida sun]

Another vote for AVG here as well.

It does everything a paid for version does (and a whole lot better than some) including automatic updates.

Use this alongside a firewall and spyware software (such as Ad-Aware) and you have pretty good protection.

Kev

I agree, infact I have only today just downloaded the new version of free AVG, took me about 10 mins

 

[irongirlof12]

www.moneysavingexpert.com has loads of info on free anti-virus stuff...I asked I.T. at work and they said AVG is as good as it gets.

 

[Minniespal]

Matt try a google search for AVG - there is a free version you can download. I think the company that make it are called Grisoft.

Another vote here for AVG ~ Very good

 

[Goofyish]

Another vote for AVG

Completely free and my PC runs much faster than it every did with that Norton rubbish installed

 

[Cyrano]

Just to add to the security software conversation as far as firewall is concerned I've been happy with Zonealarm which for the no frills version is free

 

[Queenie]

We run AVG with ZoneAlarm, Spy Sweeper and Ad-Aware, no problems as yet. Still seem to be dealing with the after effects of having McAfee installed for 24 hours though, computer's never been the same.

 

[tony64]

Sorry can I side line the thread slightly?
Can anyone reccommend a good free Firewall to go with the AVG?

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I'm not a fan of AVG, I dont think its updated promptly enough.

Ive always used Sophos, which is what several Govt IT systems use, but its obviosuly not free. Unfortunately Ive moved products due to it becomig unavailable to me from March this year.

My recommendation is Avast ( www.avast.com ), which is a comercial product for business use, but they offer it free to home users.
As its commercial, you get frequent and prompt online updates. Its also quite good for not hogging system resources (ie Norton), which is why I always liked Sophos.

As for a firewall....if you are running Windows XP Service Pack 2, the inbuilt firewall is perfectly adequate, especialy if its backed up by a routers inbuilt hardware firewall. It may not have all the bells and whistles of something like Zone Alarm, where you can see the logs of IPs hitting you, and become paranoid trying to find out what they all are, but it does the important thing, and thats protect you. Ive been running only this since SP2 came out, and at least 1 of my PC's is on 24/7 downloading, and ive never had any problems.

 

[arieliwish]

Hi, I have AVG on the laptop and Bit Defender on my PC, both also have Spy Sweeper. All of these are available as free versions, but when I got my new PC last year I purchased the higher versions of Spy Sweeper and Bit Defender. Touch wood, I've never had a problem.

My old PC didn't like Norton at all, and everything slowed up and jammed. My friend has had Norton installed for a while, but this week her pc is telling her she has trojans and she keeps getting pop ups (not that kind though!), so she's not too pleased!

I looked on Moneysavingexpert for her yesterday and the forums have some links and reccommendations on.

Lynn

 

[Kevin Stringer]

I'm not a fan of AVG, I dont think its updated promptly enough.

Hi tron

I'm not sure how often other virus checkers update, but my version of AVG updates automatically every day.

Not that I have a particular affinity for AVG, it's just that's it's free and I'm a cheapskate!

Kev

 

[jackie2]

When my Norton subscription finishes later this year I was going to put AVG on my computer, with Norton the 'spam' goes into a Norton Antispy Folder how do you deal with 'spam' with AVG please.

 

[Cyrano]

I'm not sure how often other virus checkers update, but my version of AVG updates automatically every day.

I was going to say the same thing.