Good, budget Antivirus software??

[KarenAylwood]

I need to replace the antivirus software I had on my old computer. The computer was stolen and insurance will pay me back for Norton Antivirus that was factory-installed on it (they priced it about $34.49 or $40 or something like that). I went on to amazon.com and the reviews were less than stellar.

I had always thought Norton was the only thing out there. Is there anything out there that isn't expensive but works well with Windows Vista?

The more money I can save, the better. I can keep the difference in the insurance money if I find something for less and right now the $500 deductible/paying for the warranty on a new computer is killing me!

TIA!

 

[corie161]

I've heard good things about the free AVG Antivirus. Of course you have to have spyware and firewall software on your computer also. Info is available at http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5. I have it on my home computer and when we installed it, it picked up 8 viruses norton missed.

Our computer tech at worked suggested Panda Antivirus for our computers here. http://www.pandasoftware.com/home/particulares/default. I believe 3 computers can be covered for around $70, but I found a coupon code by searching google that knocked about $20 off the price.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Thanks for the reply! I was also just looking at Kapersky Anti-Virus 6.0. The reviews seem pretty good and I think it protects against spyware too (I'll have no protection when I initially get the computer). Norton and McAfee both have pretty bad reviews.

I've heard good things about the AVG you mentioned too, but I'd have to get spyware and firewall on it as well. I will look into how much that'd cost.

 

[ZuZugal]

After reading the latest editions of PC World and Smart Computing, I downloaded AVG. It was a very easy download and works like a charm. I only paid for headaches with Norton. AVG is free for the personal home edition and they charge for the professional. Also, Avast had great marks as a free anti-virus.

If you are worried about a firewall or spyware program, ZoneAlarm was rated highest as the best free firewall and Spybot Search and Destroy got high marks as the best free spyware program. They all ranked as high or higher than fee-based downloads. These programs work well together.

Good luck!

 

[naner]

Look at NOD32 also.

 

[mill4023]

There's really no need to pay for any of that software.
I've used AVG and Spybot for several years without issue. But I'm still running XP, so I don't know anything about their Vista support.

 

[disneysteve]

We use free AVG, Spybot and AdAware and have been trouble free as long as we've owned our computer. I see no reason to ever pay for protection.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I use AVG with Vista and it works perfectly.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

AVGFree for Anti-Virus
ZoneAlarm for Firewall
Ad-Aware for Spy-Ware

All free.

 

[KarenAylwood]

You guys are great. I think I'll just go with the free stuff. I was a little hesitant since... well.... it's free! But if you all are satisfied, I don't see why it wouldn't work for me.

ZoneAlarm was what I was thinking of- my dad had mentioned it one time. So there's more money I don't have to spend!

Maybe I'll add this to the "what did you do to save money this week?" thread

And totally random deal I found while looking into replacing my stolen stuff- $12.40 for a 2GB SanDisk Memory Card on amazon! Check it out.

Thanks again!

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

We use free AVG, Spybot and AdAware and have been trouble free as long as we've owned our computer. I see no reason to ever pay for protection.

Ditto! We use it with XP and Vista.

 

[Bust*A*Stitch]

AVG is awsom,
Spy-bot is great.
my provider comes with firewall protection.