Any Good 'Free' Anti-Virus Software Available?
11 June 2010, 10:18 PM
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Any Good 'Free' Anti-Virus Software Available?
I've spent a fortune on Norton over the years and am reluctant to resubscribe. Is there anything free out on the web that is a suitable alternative?
Steve
Steve
12 June 2010, 08:39 AM
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As above ^^^ Avast and I`ve also used AVG, both very good 
You could also consider McAfee (not free but very good and currently what I`m using). Some places are selling it half price...around £25!
You could also consider McAfee (not free but very good and currently what I`m using). Some places are selling it half price...around £25!
Last edited by ScoobySteve69; 12 June 2010 at 08:41 AM.
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12 June 2010, 12:37 PM
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+2 for microsoft got it on my wee netbook, great thing is is doesnt slow the puter down, i got norton 360 on my main puter and had to put a extra gig of mem in it, to make it perform like it did on norton 2009 
12 June 2010, 06:05 PM
#16
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+1. Last time I had AVG I scanned the PC and it found a few things, I got rid of them via AVG and the ****** deleted more than the viruses!!!!! My PC rebooted and wouldn't get past the Windows XP loading screen (The one with the blue loading bar at the bottom) it kept rebooting from there and just looped and looped all the time
. Thank God I had a recovery console on it or I'd of lost everything!!!!
Got rid of that **** and got Microsoft security essentials.
. Thank God I had a recovery console on it or I'd of lost everything!!!!Got rid of that **** and got Microsoft security essentials.
Last edited by Will; 12 June 2010 at 06:08 PM.
12 June 2010, 10:26 PM
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Kaspersky is free with online banking with Barclays, otherwise Microsoft or avast.
13 June 2010, 10:16 AM
#22
Microsoft Security Essentials (great anti-virus; low resource usage)
+
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (on-demand malware scans)
+
CCleaner (Just what it says on the tin; crap cleaning)
Great combination for a smooth running PC.
+
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (on-demand malware scans)
+
CCleaner (Just what it says on the tin; crap cleaning)
Great combination for a smooth running PC.
13 June 2010, 10:21 AM
#23
Microsoft security essentials
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Last edited by slipstream_uk; 13 June 2010 at 10:23 AM.
13 June 2010, 11:24 AM
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My advice would be, be very careful where you spend your cash, the big names are not always the best.
Norton are only well known cos they offered Dixons stores group ( Dixons, Currys, PC World) as many as they want "sale or return" so obviously it was splashed on every advert they ran, in reality their detection rates are poor, and the program is very memory hungry.
I own a retail computer store, so as a result we see huge numbers of infected pc's every week, we also work closely with some of the main av companies, as a result we are in a perfect position to recommend a good av for you.
In our experience our recommendation would fall into two main categories, if you cant afford to buy an av then go for either AVG or Avast coupled with either "spyware Search and Destroy" or "Adaware", if you can run to spending a few quid every year, go for "Kaspersky" (Net Security, NOT just the AV version) At the moment it has the Best detection rates, particularly with the "Fake" anti-virus programs flooding the net, (as mentioned already its also free with Barclays)
If you dont fancy Kaspersky for whatever reason, Microsoft is not bad, Bullguard is ok but not as good as 12 months ago when it had no.1 detection rates, which is a very good example as to why you should do your homework and shop around every year and not just renew, just because your av has always served you well doesnt mean it is the best defence you could have.
What ever you go for there is two main criteria for happy surfing,
1. Keep your software up to date AND Regularly scan your pc (Full scan NOT Quick scan), at least once a week, if not more.
2. No matter what you are running if you regularly use p2p software to download illegal music, films etc such as "Limewire or Bearshare" OR regularly visit er Adult Sites you are living on borrowed time, and as sure as eggs are eggs you will come a cropper sooner or later.
Lastly remember that NOTHING on the market is 100% fullproof, so keep regular backups of all documents you cant afford to loose, usb memory sticks start from just a few quid...
Hope this helps mate.
Norton are only well known cos they offered Dixons stores group ( Dixons, Currys, PC World) as many as they want "sale or return" so obviously it was splashed on every advert they ran, in reality their detection rates are poor, and the program is very memory hungry.
I own a retail computer store, so as a result we see huge numbers of infected pc's every week, we also work closely with some of the main av companies, as a result we are in a perfect position to recommend a good av for you.
In our experience our recommendation would fall into two main categories, if you cant afford to buy an av then go for either AVG or Avast coupled with either "spyware Search and Destroy" or "Adaware", if you can run to spending a few quid every year, go for "Kaspersky" (Net Security, NOT just the AV version) At the moment it has the Best detection rates, particularly with the "Fake" anti-virus programs flooding the net, (as mentioned already its also free with Barclays)
If you dont fancy Kaspersky for whatever reason, Microsoft is not bad, Bullguard is ok but not as good as 12 months ago when it had no.1 detection rates, which is a very good example as to why you should do your homework and shop around every year and not just renew, just because your av has always served you well doesnt mean it is the best defence you could have.
What ever you go for there is two main criteria for happy surfing,
1. Keep your software up to date AND Regularly scan your pc (Full scan NOT Quick scan), at least once a week, if not more.
2. No matter what you are running if you regularly use p2p software to download illegal music, films etc such as "Limewire or Bearshare" OR regularly visit er Adult Sites you are living on borrowed time, and as sure as eggs are eggs you will come a cropper sooner or later.
Lastly remember that NOTHING on the market is 100% fullproof, so keep regular backups of all documents you cant afford to loose, usb memory sticks start from just a few quid...
Hope this helps mate.
13 June 2010, 11:38 AM
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Microsoft security essentials
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Steve
13 June 2010, 09:14 PM
#27
Here is link for user and professionals rewiev may help in your decision
http://freebies.about.com/od/securit...-antivirus.htm
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...s-software.htm
13 June 2010, 09:28 PM
#28
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Have been using Avira Anti Virus Free for a while now. Very lightweight and very good detection. Wouldn't touch AVG anymore as it has got very resource hungry and doesn't fill me with confidence after missing a virus I had.
You can get Avira from here
http://www.avira.com/en/download/index.php or from
http://download.cnet.com/windows/?tag=hdr and search for avira
You can get Avira from here
http://www.avira.com/en/download/index.php or from
http://download.cnet.com/windows/?tag=hdr and search for avira
