Free Anti Virus Software

With a new Internet worm in the news this week. Decided I should do something about updating my anti-virus software but didn't want to pay for it. Decided to start with a trawl using Google and the key words Anti Virus.

A sponsored link from OpiStat (http://www.opistat.com/mp/registration.html?p=53000100&id_language=530,2&cou ntry=30)immediately caught my eye as it promised free AV software and updates ("worth £41") for completing a survey. The software is from a company called Norman which I wasn't familiar with although they claim to have 12 M customers. Checked out how successful the software was at detecting virus's at http://www.virusbtn.com/index.xml and it seems ok when compared with other suppliers.

You're "invited" to fill in a questionnaire while the software downloads but there weren't that many questions and I'd completed it by the time the software downloaded.

Slightly worried about how much spam I'll get (but that's why I used a throw away e-mail address). Suspect you could use a false name and postal address too if you're concerned about junk mail as there didn't seem to be a check on valid address/postcode.

There must be other places to get free anti-virus software too but some of them will be limited to 30 day free trials. The Halifax will also give it to you free if you have an internet account with them (but when I last checked they didn't supply software compatible with Windows XP).

The very good news is that I scanned my machine and didn't find any virus/worm ;D

[The_Baroness]

First, Halifax anti-virus software (PC-Cillin 2000 by Trend) does work with Windows XP. We have both XP and Win 98 at home (different machines) and the virus checker works fine on both, downloading updates every day or two automatically, so we always have the latest virus definitions. You have to download the XP version from a particular place, but I know that the Halifax programme does work with Win XP.

Second, Optistat can be described as spyware. True, you don't pay any money for it, but read this from their website:
OpiStat measures Internet usage anonymously and surveys participants according to their profiles and online habits. Our surveys are short and rewarded.
In their privacy statement, they say,
In order to allow you to take part in surveys in relation to your activity on the Internet, the Software contains an application that anonymously collects your use of the Internet protocols (sites visited, Web pages, advertisements seen, electronic commerce, streaming, etc). On receipt, OpiStat automatically deletes any reference specifying your name concerning the receipt or the dispatch of electronic messages.
It is also interesting to note that
OpiStat is a service trademark of NetValue SA (www.netvalue.com), the leading name in Europe in assessment of the audience and how consumers behave on the Internet. NetValue provides information on the behaviour of users, electronic commerce and Internet trends
And finally, from the user agreement, which you agree to when you download the software:
That you will participate actively, regularly and honestly in the surveys offered to you.

That you accept the collection and use by OpiStat of the information that you pass on within the framework of the Program as indicated in this Contract and in the Privacy Statement.

So if you want a consumer research organisation to track which sites you visit, where you shop on-line and which protocols you use, and you also want them to use this data to send you relevant questionnaires, which (under the terms of the licence agreement) you have to fill in honestly, then by all means download this.

Me? Personally I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole

The Baroness

Hi people
As a network and systems administrator I would strongly reccomend AVG by Grisoft. This is an excellent peice of AV s/w.
The s/w is free for personal (non commercial) use, sure if has a few of the advanced features disabled but if you want some genuinely FREE, reliable, tried & tested s/w you wont go wrong with this.
Check out http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Ben

[debeast]

Thanks for the link to Grisoft !!! Any idea how often they update their virus definitions though ???

I use Grisoft, found it to be excellent, virus datadase updated every 3-4 days on average.

Dean

[Andrea]

Me too. Its really good as long as you remember to keep updating it (ahem) :-[

[MSE Martin]

I use AVG (Grisoft) too and have sent it out as a previous money tip (its in the archives.) !In fact its in my list of ones to resend out again.

Martin

[DJ1UK]

Sadly Grisofts AVG Free edition is coming to the end of its life. The new paid for edition (version 7) has been launched and theres no plans to make a free version.

Not sure how long they will keep sending out updates, but another free AV is free-av.com (www.free-av.com) only difference is you have to manually update it.

Hope thats of some use ;)

[jazzeeeee5]

Hi,
I am student teacher (ahem...mature, of course !;)), who will 'specialise in ICT' and so I have built up a few 'contacts' here and there...here are a few 'freebies' re software for viruses and other software that can help to eliminate spyware (ad's, pop-ups and the like carry all sorts!!):

AVG from Grisoft is a more than adequate virus scanner:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

[list] This one cleans your pc (of many of the most common viruses) and can sit alongside any other checker but is quick and easy to use:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

[list] SPYBOT SEARCH AND DESTROY - A relatively easy and free download. This software, detects all offending pop-ups and ads that are placed on to your PC (you will be suprised what you have got on there you dont know about) :
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10194058.html

[list] A free firewall - essentail these days. Zone Alarm from Zone Labs :
http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10039884.html?part=zonealarm&subj=dlpage&!!!!!butto n

[list] Spyware Blaster. Prevents installation of many of the spyware programs set up by advertisers - (have a look at the site, it will explain better. I was shocked when I saw exactly what just browsing on the internet picks up!):
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

All free!!

Happy tekking
:P

[MSE Martin]

Wonderful post! thank you

;D
Brilliant! Thanks.
It is disgraceful how much you find on your PC that has been put there by these companies. ALL companies, and EVERY site too, even without your knowledge! I think it is about time some rules were laid down about this >:(
It's great that all these site / downloads are free though. I have certainly had my eyes opened. :)
Peter

Running on XP you get pop-ups unless you make a few simple changes to your computer.
Companies send pop-ups and entice you into buying expensive software to stop it.
All I did to stop pop-ups was type in "endads" into google, in there a guy has highlighted this scam and in his own way tells anyone how to easily STOP POP-UPS FOREVER.
It was Microsofts way of opening up the internet to all, they didn't think about the "ne'er do wells" who want to make a quick buck out of us all.
Best regards
Frankkk

[chrisorheather]

Sophos antivirus is also spyware free. The "beta" version is free - see www.sophos.com. You can subscribe for email updates, which Sophos seems to issue pretty promptly.

Running on XP you get pop-ups unless you make a few simple changes to your computer.
Companies send pop-ups and entice you into buying expensive software to stop it.
All I did to stop pop-ups was type in "endads" into google, in there a guy has highlighted this scam and in his own way tells anyone how to easily STOP POP-UPS FOREVER.
It was Microsofts way of opening up the internet to all, they didn't think about the "ne'er do wells" who want to make a quick buck out of us all.
Best regards
Frankkk
;D :P

[jazzeeeee5]

A lot of people dont realise the damage that can be caused to their PCs and just what level of spying capability companies have - some can even access your passwords etc by installing undesirable system invaders on your hard drive from you simply surfing on the net! In fact, your every action can be 'recorded' by these companies and they also have the potential for giving you a nasty virus without even opening an email !
Most of the best spyware / pop-up destroyers can block adware servers from your computer as well as
blocking spyware/tracking cookies and potential dial-up servers.
And, dont think it is only those 'nasty' sites that do this...even your common or garden ones do it to some degree. For more info have a look at...

http://www.spyware.co.uk/

Happy surfin' ;D

Jazz :-*

??? :o

Not being very computer compatible i just typed Popups into the Google search engine. Up came lots of Popup blasters such as Ziller for example - but they were all demanding $29 - but at the bottom of the page Google has it's own answer - the Google tool bar. By installing it following their easy instructions it has blocked 41 popup ads in a couple of days :o - I know because it tells you on the tool bar.

[isasmurf]

There is also another thread on free popup blockers in the anything else folder

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Others;action=display;num=106122670 7

[rach]

thanks everyone - especially Jazzeeee. have duly downloaded as much of the stuff as my PC will allow - don;t have administrator priveliges. now i know the viruses i'm dealing with i can hand it back to them to sort out!

thanks again - Rach. :)

On the subject of ant-virus, there is a site where you can check your pc online http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
It's not designed to replace progs' installed on your pc, but I know of one case where it found a virus, the fully updated anti-virus software has missed. I run it about once a month as a back-up.

[alared]

Today`s Times

Re: virus. A threat to your PC or licence to print money?
By Anthony Browne

COMPUTER software companies have been accused of failing to stamp out viruses because they make so much money selling programmes to combat them.
Companies that sell antivirus programmes were also accused of choosing catchy names for the viruses, so they get more publicity.

The row, which reflects the millennium bug furore, when computer experts were accused of hyping the problem to generate work, has erupted after the SoBig.F virus was declared the biggest ever, with e-mail inboxes clogged up around the world. The internet provider AOL said it had stopped more than 23 million copies of the virus.

BT, Britain’s biggest phone company, was yesterday warning internet service providers that its fast internet broadband network was “suffering intermittent degradation of service” because of the extra traffic the virus had generated.

Yesterday Nick Scales, chief executive of software company Avecho, which also makes anti-virus programmes, said the industry had a vested commercial interest in letting the virus attacks continue: “It’s complacent, silly and I’d even go so far as to say there is a cartel there. There is a triangle between the virus writers who get the kudos, the anti-virus software companies and the technical writers who write about it.”

The commercial director of Avecho, Simon Copeland, said that people in other anti-virus companies had told him they chose deliberately provocative names in order to get publicity. “They think its not bad to get some publicity because it scares everyone into buying their product.”

But the claims were denied by other software companies. Simon Conant, of Microsoft, said: “That’s like saying that fire departments want fires.”

[peat]

Mailwasher is also a usefull tool, as well as allowing you to bounce spam back to the sender, it advises of e-mails possibly containing viruses.
Download free from http://www.vnunet.com/Download/1133826

PS I am also an AVG user
PPS Is it viruses or viri?

On the subject of free A/V software, try Zone Alarm for free firewall protection. Again the company will periodically tempt you to upgrade but why bother? I am no computer expert but it seems to do the trick and regularly gets updates.
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?lid=pdb_za1 That link should do it.

[willowwolverine]

Great post Jazzeee5 ;D, but I've encountered a problem running Spyware blaster( Error339, something about a file not regestered) I've downloaded it twice, I wonder if you or anyone else has had this prob? ???
Firewall and search and destroy working great!! 8)

[alared]

Yes I had the same problem so I uninstalled it.
Adaware is just as good.
Try this link for some great freeware including mailwasher,adaware,etc.

http://www.travel.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml;$sessionid$KEX0O0XZKVLNNQFIQMFCFFOAVCBQ YIV0?xml=/connected/2003/08/20/ecrboot19.xml&sSheet=/connected/2003/08/23/ixconnrite.html

[rafi]

Can anyone help? I have Norton SystemWorks running but it has still come up that it has identified the W32 Blaster worm but cannot repair it, and also that access is denied. I have downloaded the repair patch from Microsoft and that verified download. But I have come back from holiday and the virus warning is still there. What next? >:(

[markedgar]

Rafi

What version of Norton SystemWorks (NSW) are you using?

Are your Norton anti-virus (NAV) updates up-to-date?

Do you have Roxio GoBack installed on your PC (this is an integral part of NSW 2003 pro. edition)?

Where is the virus or have you performed a complete system scan to locate the virus?

Let me/us (on this site) know how you get on. A lot of people and organisations were hit this last week again by this virus and I suspect you are one of them who has 'caught' it from an email or the net.

If your PC anti-virus software (presumably NAV) is picking up the virus you should be able to quarantine and then delete it.

;)Mark E

[alared]

This link will show you how to get rid of it.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,1018722,00.html

[jazzeeeee5]

:D ;D ;) :)
No,
In answer to your question, I have had no problems with mine (SPYWARE) and nor have the dozens of people I have recommended it to?? Perhaps not compatible or simply third time lucky?? ???


Zone Alarm is a great free Firewall for most - it doesnt only want you to "upgrade" (and so end up paying) it actually offers a valuable "update" for free - have another butchers at it.

In answer to virus checkers, I have two running happily alongside each other - one being AVG, the other being Norton. I have no idea why I am keeping Norton to be honest as twice now (I am a heavy user) AVG has picked up what Norton hasnt! With regard to updating them, AVG should 'prompt' you to upgrade every now and again so Im never really sure why people find it difficult to do?> :-[ Just follow the links and press the buttons!

Finally, as every so often people seem to come up with PC questions, here is a site or 2 that I can highly recommend. I have never gone more than a day without a 'tekkie bod' answering my question on these forums - sometimes they are as quick as an hour! All sorts of PC questions answered as well as recommendations for good software given. The second site listed here (more about spyware than general PC probs like the other), actually 'rate' their users (bit like this site, where your stars increase - though some of them actually moderate the site so are pretty hot) so the more experience a person or 'tekkie' has, the more you might trust them! Anyway, have a look at them both and save them for future use! Both FREE to join.

http://www.annoyances.org/

http://www.spywareinfo.com/

and look for FORUMS.

Jazz
:-*

[jazzeeeee5]

After my last posting, I just thought Id share this with you, it did make me laugh!!

http://www.spyware.co.uk/

where it gives you info on annoying popups etc, as recommended in an earlier posting, actually had pop-ups that needed to be blocked by my Spybot S&D!! Hmm :-/

Oh, and the second site I just recommended, above, DOES have a substantial section in the forums on general PC probs - fantastic! ;D

Hope I'm not too late but I had the same problem.
NAV can't get rid of the virus because Windows is using the file and locks it. You need to go to www.norton.com and download their fix program for that virus. Run the fix and that will get rid of the virus. Good luck!

[jazzeeeee5]

AVG from Grisoft (one of many possibilites, from previous postings ::)) will direct you on how to get rid of the worm you are describing.

If for any reason you are opposed to this one, or just cant find your way around the site, try this one:

http://www.bitdefender.com/html/free_tools.php

If you still have probs, get back to me, or sign up on the forums of the other sites I have listed. All helpful folk! ;D

Good luck.
Jazz

[rach]

can someone tell me whether or not i need to install a firewall if i'm running xp professional - new (to me) pc & thought that somewhere in the set up oone was mentioned ???

i know jazz has recommended zonealarm & will happily install it if needed, but i not then won;t bother!!

cheers - Rach :)

[jazzeeeee5]

Hi rach,
have a look at these, they explain better than my waffle ;D

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/securing/enableicf.asp

and

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/wxpmdfrw.htm

Jazz
:D

[rach]

thanks Jazz - got it now!

Rach :)

[1jacks64]

I got PC cillin 2000 free from the Halifax but they no longer give this software free but at a reduced price for customers. I have it running on my Windows 98 machine. I have now bought another computer which has Windows XP from Dell which has Norton free with it but it no longer updates unless i pay a subscription. Whereas with PC cillin 2000 you don't have to pay for updates as they are free for the life of the product.

Does anyone know if I can have the same copy of PC cillin running on 2 machines so that I do not have to buy another copy?

Just for the record, according to PC-cillin website only PC cillin 2000 offers updates. The new versions do not. So I think pc cillin 2000 is a real bargain!

[djnield]

Another completely free product which I haven't seen listed on here yet is avast antivirus.


www.avast.com

They offer a free version to home users, and as long as you don't use it commercially, you get lifetime free virus updates.

It also scans your incoming and outgoing emails :D

[marie]

i currently have avg and it keeps detecting a virus, trojen horses, its says it has healed it but yet it comes back again, does anyone know anything about this virus and how i can get rid of it for good.

any help would be appriecated.....thanks....

TRY www.avast.com
Home Edition....US English.

Seems excellent...I have used AVG ..you have to 'download' quite frequently. however Avast does it automatically when you are on line, without BB it takes about 5 mins for a programme update and less than 2 mins to update the virus file. It has other features also.
I rate it very highly.

[alared]

1jacks64
I updated from win98 to XP but I think I had to go back to Halifax website to download the xp version of Trend PC- cillin which was still free at that time.
In fact if you look further back on this thread other people say that trend 2000 does`nt work with XP.

[robthomas]

help please!- i'm a Win95 user!

after a look at all the postings i downloaded some stuff from "StopSign", whose anti-virus service is called "EAnthology" .

they seem to have given me some stuff, but want subscription for other stuff.

i've apparently got their Threat Scanner and Popup Blocker, but when I tried to get the Email Sensor and Download Guard, a message said I needed to download something from Microsoft called, wait for it..."Winsock 2"- i couldn't find this on this Microsoft site.

All i want is a bit of standard protection- for free, of course! Any suggestions? Should I scrap this StopSign stuff and start again elsewhere?

Thanks

Rob T

[alared]

Yes,uninstall completely and download AVG from Grisoft,also a firewall from Zonealarm,both free.
Search Google for them.

[Galstonian]

I don't think this will avoid having to install winsock2. Winsock2 is the windows "sockets" drivers, an essential part of networking. Unfortunately the original version that shipped with Windows had a number of issues (ever get the feeling that Microsoft should trademark that phrase?) some with reagrd to security vulnerabilities.

They can be found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/contents/WUAdminTools/S_WUNetworkingTools/W95Sockets2/Default.asp

While you are doing this you should perhaps look at installing any security patches and service packs for your operating system. Given that you need winsock2 and it was released over 7 years ago this might be quite a task. Have you considered upgrading your operating system?

[robthomas]

thanks for the firewall tip, it's downloading as i type.

re. Winsock 95- the link you kindly posted didn't work- should i try the avg freebie or do you think it won't work without Winsock?

Secondly, your suggestion of upgrading my system- in principle it seems like a good idea. However i've been told -by an 'expert' and Thinkpad user-that it could make my machine more liable to crash and generally misbehave. (it's an IBM thinkpad that has been wonderfully well behaved for the 3 years i've had it.

Your advice on both points is most welcome. Cheers

[robthomas]

me again.

just completed zonealarm free download, but haven't received any pretty little icon anywhere to show me it's in my system.

nor can i find it in my programs list under Add/Remove programs.

at the end of the download, a pop-up asked if i wanted Zonealarm Pro, which i declined.

But where's my free one? is it hiding somewhere?

[alared]

Run your windows search to find it.
Did you "save it to file" when you downloaded or "to open" straight away?
I always save mine just in case something goes wrong,then you don`t have to download again.
Once it is loaded and working you can delete then.

http://www.ualberta.ca/CNS/hyperdispatch/HyperDispatch7/trouble.html

http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/contents/WUAdminTools/S_WUNetworkingTools/W95Sockets2/Default.asp[/quote]

[Galstonian]

I am not suggesting you upgrade without reason. I think you should install any patches and security updates to your system that have been identied as "critical" or "serious". If you feel there is risk in this then it is entirely up to you but surely this risk needs to be compared to the risks of running an unpatched system? Maybe your 'expert' could tell you more.

I am not sure why the link to winsock2 did not work, I just checked it and it is fine (as is alared's copy). What happens when you click on the link?

[robthomas]

thanks for your perseverance.

the second posting of the link worked; i now have winsock and the win95 service pack. Thanks again.

i also have the avg anti-virus stuff.

re. zonealarm: download.com said it wasn't win95 compatible, so i'm trying something called Sygate- another freebie. my first attempt to download it failed, but i'll have another go...any thoughts on this product/Zonealarm non-compatibility?

For free firewall software I have not see mentioned here I'd recommend Sygate Personal Firewall 5.5

http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10049526.html?part=82835%20&subj=dlpage&!!!!!button

[PurestLight]

I am currently using Sygate Personal Firewall alongside Norton Firewall - this happened because I had a system crash and Norton Firewall wouldnt re-install. I managed to fix the prob but I havent taken Sygate off as it appears very reliable and non intrusive. It just goes to show you dont need to shell out £50 like I did. Wish Id known about Sygate and Grisoft before.........ah well. There have been some brilliant tips on here - thanks all you clever peeps :)

re: Grisoft AVG anti virus software. Yes, it's genuinely free and it genuinely works. I've used it on Win XP and Win 2000 for about 2 years. I set it to automatically check for updates every day and to scan my entire hard drive every day. I've only ever got one virus, which was when I had to turn off my free firewall (www.zonealarm.com, which also works well on both of those windows OS) and AVG got rid of it painlessly. Personally, I've had problems with Norton anti-virus - still trying to uninstall the damn thing. Everyone else seems happy with it though, maybe it's just me!

Hi,

the reaon that AVG etc are free is because they are frankly poor quality programmes which don't succeed in finding all viruses.

I find it amazing that people spend thousands on decent computers and software and then skimp on the Anti-Virus and firewall software to protect it.

The important part of any Anti-Virus product is not the bells and whistles, it's whats called the 'engine' - the beating heart which should heuristically scan and detect the malware, quite simply in many cheap or free products it simply does not do it's job properly.

The real test for an AV product is not whether it can detect a virus once it has the updated dat file, it's how it reacts to un-known viruses.

I work for a major Anti-Virus manufacturer, I won't say which one but I would honestly say that skimping on this area is a false economy.

Oh and as far as the earlier poster who suggested that it's the A/V companies who in someway endorse, encourage or worse the writers of these viruses then you are simply wrong, the bad guys do this for kicks - they get respect from their peers for causing mayhem from the comfort of their bedrooms. Many A/V companies isue free Virus removal tool on their web sites - Norton and Mcafee to name but two.

D

Cheers fellow mopney savers. Just downloaded the free spybot and av programs . seem to be doing the job :) Just wondering which company the previous poster works for ,, norton or macafee :o
See yawl later folks :D

[Garret]

If you want to stop po-ups I recommend Avant Browser. This is an improvement of Internet Explorer and is free. It blocks pop-ups, can block pictures if you want and flash animations (good for those on a slow connection) and has a host of other little improvements over IE that you won't go back.

I tried it some months ago and now I'll probably ever use IE again.

http://www.avantbrowser.com/

Garret

Hi, I was having problems for a while with Trojans etc.
I good site i found is
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

you can download free CWshredder which scans for trojans etc.

I also downloaded spybot, this is brilliand and tells you when you are trying to download something without you knowing, happens a lot when your on ebay site, so you get asked whether you want the download or not
.
http://www.safer-networking.org/

Finally i also have the google toolbar this has an option on it for blocking popups or allowing popups which you need for some sites. You can find this on the google homepage.
So although I have Macafee virus protection i still had problems, that was till i found the shredder, spybot and google between them my pc runs faster and no problems.
Neil :D

can anyone please help me as a novice to computers im not really clued up on much stuff but found this stuff on virus' unbeleivable i couldn't beleive the stuff on here and what web sites can do to your computer and personal info.

i have to send a special thank you to jazzeeeee i have downloaded most of the stuff you have warned about

unfortunately i have spyware on my computer and i dont know how to get rid of it. ???

i know you will probably think im a dosy sod but would really appreciate any advice anyone can give :-[

kind regards

Debs x

To avoid viruses in my emails I use an external e-mail provider (Yahoo.co.uk mail) This means that emails sent to me never actually get on my computer they stay with yahoo. I just read the content. If they come with an attachment yahoo virus check the attachment automatically and wont let it download if it has a virus. So I dont think its possible to aquire a virus from this sort of mail. If you download other stuff then you will need to check it.

DM

I've downloaded the free AV software, as recommended by Jazzeeeee5, thanks for the info. Zone Alarm were offering a 15 days free trial of their Zone Alarm Pro system which provided additional protection, not just firewall, which of course I accepted.

However since downloading the software I am no longer able to access my hotmail account. The log in screen appears where I type my e-mail address and password but when I click on the mail tab it just returns me to the log in screen. The weird thing is that it was working o.k. on the day I installed it. Any ideas? ???

I know the obvious one is to uninstall but I still want firewall protection.

[Ra]

just to through another title into the mix, i use a firewall by a company called Kerio

It's free, very user friendly and protects against the lot. Highly recommended

[murphydavid]

Hi Bassa
Im not a computer expert or anything and its hard to tell what you have tried so far but. Did you know that with the free version (and maybe the trial one is the same) you can switch it off temporarily without uninstalling it by right clicking its icon in the sytem bar (bottom right) and selecting "shutdown zone alarm". When you want it on again you can reboot or run it from the "start" programs etc. This should give you a chance to see if zone alarm is your problem. Also from the same icon you can open the control centre and go to "program control" "programs tab" and see which programs zone alarm is stoping access to and change them?

DM

[freedomofchoice]

I have been using AVG for years and found it excellent. Over the last month or so I have downloaded a free update almost every day!

I've been using Norman AV software for about 2 years now - free, but for the life of me I can't remember how I got it. I think it was a similar system (on-line survey). After 10 or 11 months you get a warning that your subscription will soon be up for renewal, but then it renews itself for a further 12 months free of charge!


And it has internet updates, disk scan, mail scan, and seems to catch everything thrown at it

[Cassian]

I've tried Norton and McAfee paid services, but neither compare to the free anti-virus software provided by [url]www.avast.com - it also has the benefit of not slowing up my computer or making it crash, which the McAfee software did. Go AVAST! ::)

[ashleyhouse]

Great thread guys!

I have AVG free version and update it every week, but it can never get rid of something I obviously have called LOVSCAN worm or something. The AVG resident shield pops up all the time on my screen and i click ok again and again until it disappears, but when I run AVG complete test it says it found nothing. Can anyone help?

Thanks :-/

With a new Internet worm in the news this week. Decided I should do something about updating my anti-virus software but didn't want to pay for it. !Decided to start with a trawl using Google and the key words Anti Virus.

A sponsored link from OpiStat (http://www.opistat.com/mp/registration.html?p=53000100&id_language=530,2&cou ntry=30)immediately caught my eye as it promised free AV software and updates ("worth £41") for completing a survey. !The software is from a company called Norman which I wasn't familiar with although they claim to have 12 M customers. !Checked out how successful the software was at detecting virus's at http://www.virusbtn.com/index.xml and it seems ok when compared with other suppliers.

You're "invited" to fill in a questionnaire while the software downloads but there weren't that many questions and I'd completed it by the time the software downloaded.

Slightly worried about how much spam I'll get (but that's why I used a throw away e-mail address). !Suspect you could use a false name and postal address too if you're concerned about junk mail as there didn't seem to be a check on valid address/postcode.

There must be other places to get free anti-virus software too but some of them will be limited to 30 day free trials. !The Halifax will also give it to you free if you have an internet account with them (but when I last checked they didn't supply software compatible with Windows XP).

The very good news is that I scanned my machine and didn't find any virus/worm !;D

[hansi]

Try visiting www.hbedv.com for a very good free anti virus product

[SONIC]

I found the following info whilst looking for something else on Computer Associates website.

They are offering FREE anti virus software and firewall protection to any home user using Microsoft WIndows 2000 / XP. The offer is in partnership with Microsoft!

The offer includes one years free subscription to EZ Armor & tech support. The download is 18mb, but the product is very good, and is far better that most free anti virus products.

As an IT pro, I'm very impressed!

Find it at http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/

ENJOY! 8)

[sorento]

I use Panda scanning which is free and has so far been okay the web address is http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

I too use AVG (paid version) and have had no problems with it. I have used Norton AV in the past (made my machine crawl) and Sophos AV (didn't feel safe for some reason).

With regard to pop-ups, I'm surprised that no-one seems to have mentioned the Google toolbar. It's an excellent search tool, can help you fill in forms quickly aswell as blocking all (in my experience anyway) pop-ups.

Hi,

I work in IT security and can recommend the following for home use as they are free, easy to use and actually work:

to scan your machine for spyware and other malicious programs installed while surfing try Ad-aware from Lavasoft:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

To Stop pop-up windows (which I HATE!) try google tool bar. Has lots of other features such as autofill, google search from your toolbar etc but also stops almost all popup windows:

http://toolbar.google.com/

For free virus scan of your pc try:

http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/products/housecall_launch.php

Trend update their virus patterns regularly, release new ones as soon as new viruses are found so should find even the most recent viruses:

http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/products/housecall_launch.php

Hope that helps

Andy

JUST TO ADD WHAT HAS BEEN SAID BEFORE THAT ZONE ALARM IS FREE AND PROTECTS AT ALL TIMES/JUST LIKE IT SAYS ON THE TIN!
john

[alared]

I`ve just ditched ZAlarm after I updated to the lastest free version and had trouble with my computer.
I`m now running http://www.Kerio.com which is also free to home user.

AVG Works Superbly!

Ben[/quote]

[carrie_sparkle]

hi

thank you all so much for the advice and tips posted on here.
my mcafee trial ran out yesterday and i am too poor to upgrade :'(

i hav downloaded the following:

adaware
AVG
zone-alarm

adaware found lots of evil things and removed them... nasty little b*ggers
and i dont appear to have any viruses ::)

is this all the software i need to be protected ????
am i now safe to surf???

cheers

;D

the bad news is that as the internet is such a dynamic and diverse place you cannot ever be totally safe >:(

The good news is keeping your av etc up to date and being cautious means you are as safe as possible! ;D

[LincsLad]

If you use any of the 'instant chat' programs such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Chat, Trillian, etc then you should take a look at the FREE download of Zonelabs IMSecure. (As with ZoneAlarm, the Pro version costs, but there is also a 'free for home use' version.) Simple to setup and use, and another means of defence against virus/worm/trojan damage to your PC. :)

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_ims.jsp

[rach]

has anyone else had probs recently downloadin updates on AVG free ed? it used to update almost daily but recently seems to get a bit stuck when trying to download updates, and just now detected a virus in an attachment and then said it was unable to send it to the virus vault....i am a little confused!! ???

i have avg, zonealarm free ed & sybot - is there anything else i should have to protect my pc?

on a 150k broadband connection.

thanks - Rach :)

[Westy]

Just to add to the excellent posts already here, i would urge those using Zone Alarm to completely uninstall and try Sygate Personal Firewall instead. First of all, ZA completely saps your PC and internet connection, Sygate just breezes through the entire duration of your PC time and is effectively one of the best firewalls i've ever used.

http://www.sygate.com

Also, there's not much else to say about AVG, Google Toolbar and Spybot - all excellent programmes.

As an aside though, to those who already don't, have people tried not using IE and instead using Mozilla Firefox instead? This is THE best browser i've ever used on my home PC and completely doo doos all over IE from a great height.

Do a search on google to find it to download - it draws pages quicker, is more stable than IE, is customisable with new skins, allows you to preview bookmarked pages in the actual bookmark panel before opening up the page, has built in google support, and generally makes a mockery of Bill Gates and Co's monopolising programmes. To go with it i use the Thunderbird mail program with Mailwasher Pro to provide stable email management.

Awesome stuff and i wouldn't go back to IE or Outlook now even if you persuaded me with lots of cash!! ;D

Cheers

when I upgraded from dial up to NTL's 150k in the dim and distant pat I noticed my AVG stopped obtaing auto updates as it seemingly couldn't detect my network connection. I resorted to doing manual downloads direct from the website directly to keep mine up to date.

I've since moved on again to BT ADSL and now it seems to detect again and update.

The only other problem may be the popularity of AVG and the increase in virus' is having a detrimental effect on the update servers. Maybe try downloading from the .cz site or .com and see if either gives a better performance

[GrizzlyAdams]

Hi

I have been having a whole load of problems.

These include the Internet disconnecting every time I use it after a little while. The system telling me the 'NT host' is shutting down and giving me 60 seconds to do so. The web page I am viewing has been 'flickering' the rounded curves of the top and bottom bars become sharper and squarer for a few seconds -this is usually just prior to disconnection.

The most bizarre thing is that when I am on this (MSE) website, I get pictures and banners telling me what my ISP is and some nasty message. It's usually at the bottom of Scheming_Gypsy's posts for some reason (nothing to do with you Gypsy, I know). I first had this a month or so ago, but didn't realise it was addressed to me. I thought it was Gypsy putting funny pictures up with his posts.

Anyway, I have the updated Norton AVG; have just downloaded Zone Alarm -which tells me I have had 107 intrusions with 5 'high rated' (don't know what this means); have downloaded spybot.

I just got another message on this site telling my ISP address again! I am at my wits end! :( :( :( :(

Haven't had any disconnection, but am still worried.

Help?? :'(Advice??

[Woby_Tide]

you've got a sort of virus by the sounds of it if your pc keeps shutting down, you best try google to find the ocrrect removal tool for the variant if you have


as for the messages appearing on scheming_gypsys posts that is his sig! can't do anything about that it just automatically gets that info about everyone of us and puts a random(sometimes saucy) message out at bottom each time :D

[Tommyk]

Dear All,

I seem to have a virus called;

win32magistr 24876 or similar.

Does anyone know what takes this away.

THX

Just a thank you to all you on this topic, particulary Jazzeeeee5.
I have avg grisoft and zone labs but for a number of reasons (all of them stupid) I opened an attachment against the wishs of zone labs - bingo according to avg I
had around 1000 infected files - a worm called netsky.q
avg could not remove them so in my panic i tried www.spywareinfo.com/forums, someone called mr bones(top man) had already discussed how to remove this worm in simple instructions for all current systems, yes it worked. Just for interest the attachment carried my ISP address in the title- beware

[sspyrou]

I downloaded Kerio having read all your advice but it won't install on my PC >:(

It is saying that it has detected McAfee AV (which I have installed) and I will need to remove it !

I want to keep McAfee but also would like to install Kerio

Has anyone else had this problem ?

Also, I am currently using Windows XP internal Firewall. How does this compare to Kerio or Zone Alarm ?

[dosh]

Hope this helps, please find below a list of free firewall/anti virus/spy-ware software that has kept my PC virus free (so far).

Firewall
Zone Alarm – Can be updated automatically or manually – free.

http://www.zonelabs.com

Your firewall can be "harmlessly" interrogated (to test its effectiveness) using Gibson Research Corporation's - Shields Up - free.

http://www.grc.com

Anti-virus
AVG – Anti Virus Guard gets updated automatically and can be scheduled to scan your PC at a convenient time, e.g !during the early hours – free

http://www.grisoft.com

Use McAfee Avert Stinger on a regular basis, but don’t download onto your hard disk, open it and scan your PC from the McAfee site. The site gets regularly updated with the latest virus protection - free.

http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

Spy-ware
Lavasoft Ad_aware looks for known datamining, aggressive advertising, and tracking components and helps protect your privacy, updated manually – free.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Spybot Search and Destroy looks for tracking components and helps protect your privacy, updated manually – free.

http://www.safer-networking.org/

Useful Software
Your PC's clock (notoriously inaccurate) can be automatically updated to always tell the correct time using Atomic Clock Sync - free.

http://www.worldtimeserver.com

[peat]

I tried a wee experiment that may be of interest.
I got an email from Zone alarm (the free version of which I use) which was advertising a new security scanner for tracking advertising cookies.
I ran adaware which found about 13 tracking cookies which I ditched. I then immediately did an online scan through zonealarm which detected an additional 8 cookies!

[Fran]

Peat - Could it be that Adaware put them there?!

[peat]

I think not, the ones identified by Zonealarm are as follows:

2o7 - 3rd Party Cookie

Com - 3rd Party Cookie

Geocities - 3rd Party Cookie

Maxserving - 3rd Party Cookie

Questionmarket - 3rd Party Cookie

Statcounter - 3rd Party Cookie

Windowsmedia - 3rd Party Cookie

Zdnet - 3rd Party Cookie

Try http://www.pandasoftware.com/home/ for free online virus check.

It's updated every day, and it's completely remote, so you don't have to download and install any software.

The news and "virusometer" is good for keeping tabs on what to watch out for and ways to protect yourself.

Paul

[worc1146]

I installed AVG from Grisoft the other week but haven't managed to solve my problem with pop-ups. While we're on the anti-virus topic I'm hoping someone might be able to give me some advice. I have Windows ME and appear to have some kind of spyware on my p.c. which is producing pop-ups that occur regardless of the site I'm visiting. When I first ran AVG it detected a trojan which I removed but the pop-ups continue to appear. I've downloaded free versions of programs such as spyhunter and ad-aware but running these has not enabled me to get rid of it either. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Nic

[LincsLad]

Anti virus software (of which AVG is just one example)will not stop popups. Some spyware will result in popups, visiting certain web pages or clicking on a link on a website can result in others.

Although Ad-Aware is pretty good, it is not 100% foolproof. You ought to look at things like SpyBot S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download) for more spyware removal and perhaps the Google Toolbar (http://toolbar.google.com/) which is pretty good at pop-up blocking.

[worc1146]

8) Afternoon all!

I tried installing spybot s&d and when running it gets stuck and stops on searching (at 2957/5835 c2 lop) and never finishes. I downloaded it again but it still isn't working properly. Anyone else having this problem?
Also, sygate personal firewall 5.5 has been recommended - I'm having trouble finding the link to download this. Perhaps kerio would be better. What do people think?

Thanks for your help!

Nic

[worc1146]

I forgot to mention...

I have Windows Me with dial-up internet connection. Is it really necessary for me to install a firewall or it is really only essential for xp users or those with broadband?

I have the Trojan horse Downloader Comet B, C and D as well as the T. Horse Keenval C on my Pc , I got a patch from Symatec called Trojan Ohost but the bug still persists, any ideas?

[LincsLad]

I have Windows Me with dial-up internet connection. Is it really necessary for me to install a firewall or it is really only essential for xp users or those with broadband?
You would be well advised to have a firewall in place. Have you looked at ZoneAlarm? www.zonelabs.com

Not seen the SpyBot hang that you describe - you could try excluding C2 Lop (?) to get the scan to finish:
Run Spybot S&D, select "Exclude" in the left bar and there tick the checkbox in front of "C2 LOP". I would also try one of the dedicated S&D Support forums at: http://forums.net-integration.net/

[LincsLad]

I have the Trojan horse Downloader Comet B, C and D as well as the T. Horse Keenval C on my Pc , I got a patch from Symatec called Trojan Ohost but the bug still persists, any ideas?

Sometimes these Trojans are difficult to remove if they are running. (and of course, normally they run every time you boot the PC!)

Boot the PC into Safe Mode, then run your anti-virus software. This should work as the trojans should not be running.

[BigAl94]

If anyone is having difficulty in updating AVG anti virus software caused by their servers being busy, I have a workaround which works for me. In the free edition you only have the one server to download from but this gives a choice of three and the www.grisoft.com one usually works.
Navigate to "C", programmes, Grisoft, AVG6 then open the file called "url" and delete the text it contains and replace by copying and pasting the following:-

[SERVER_NAME]
1=free.grisoft.cz
2=ftp.grisoft.com
3=www.grisoft.com

[SERVER_URL]
1=http://free.grisoft.cz/softw/60/fe
2=ftp.grisoft.com/pub/softw/60/fe/
3=http://www.grisoft.com/softw/60/fe/
Actual URL=3

Then close and restart AVG and this will give the choice of three in the box and default to the third one.

Sometimes these Trojans are difficult to remove if they are running. !(and of course, normally they run every time you boot the PC!)

Boot the PC into Safe Mode, then run your anti-virus software. !This should work as the trojans should not be running.


Cheers Lincs Lad, I ran the spybot and AVG in Safe Mode and up to now have no probs. I will keep you posted
Cheers Ian Fawkes

Can anyone out there help please? I read with interest the previous comments by jazzeeeee5 about firewalls and anti virus software and decided to go to the sites he mentioned and download.

However, two problems since downloading:

1) I keep getting a message up when trying to enter some sites, which reads "your current security settings prohibit running ActiveX controls on this page. As a result the page may not display properly".

2) Although I downloaded the firewall, I cannot find any nice little icon on my desktop/tray etc.

Any ideas on how to rectify these two problems would be gratefully received!!

[LincsLad]

1) !I keep getting a message up when trying to enter some sites, which reads "your current security settings prohibit running ActiveX controls on this page. !As a result the page may not display properly".


Sounds like your Internet Explorer security settings may have Active X disabled. In IE: Tools, Internet Options, Security. Click on 'Internet' zone, then 'Custom' level. The first few entries should be Active X. Enable those that you wish to.

Which Firewall did you download? And without wishing to teach anyone to suck eggs, after downloading it, you have to install it too. :) Just let us know which one you downloaded and that it did install without any errors.

[Fran]

This thread may help anyone looking for free antivirus software.

[theloft]

Hi there, A load of interesting stuff has already been
discussed on the thread below. It was a post By Debeast called :
INTERNET SECURITY & SAVINGS
and was nominated loads for Post of the Month. I downloaded my firewall (Kerio), Spybot, Adaware all from reading this site. I already had a good Antivirus but was definitely weak in all the other areas.

::) ::) ::)

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Tech;action =display;num=1081380677;start=

[theloft]

BLOCKING POP-UPS

I use the free Google toolbar which includes a pop-up blocker and so far it has blocked 63 in the first week !
Just go to www.google.co.uk and see what you think

::) ::) ::)

[drivelikeUstoleit]

I have zonealarm avast anti virus and just d/l adaware and when i go on the internet it comes up with banners that say action cancelled with a blue i next to them. Why is this happening and is it a bad thing. Nothing else untoward is going on and my page are actually loading quicker. But is it, as i have found with windows messages in the past, the beginning of some crupt file path working its way in.

I have just downloaded AVG Free edition and tried to open it but keep getting a message

avg6698fu_free.exe is not a valid Win32 application.

I have looked at AVG's FAQ page and it says that you need to unzip the file to extract something.

I have now been trying to do this for hours now and must be doing something wrong.

I would appreciate any advice telling me how I can protect my computer with AVG.

I am not very technically minded (in fact this is the first time I have ever posted something onto a chat forum - only managed to read them in the past !!!! :-[)

Can any of you wizzkids give me some easy to follow steps telling me what I should be doing to open AVG.

Thanks

[LincsLad]

Some programs you download come in a "zipped" format to save space. Looks like AVG is one of these but all you need is some software to unzip it.

Go to www.winzip.com and download the latest trial version of WinZip and install it to your PC.

Next time you 'double-click' on the AVG file you downloaded, it should trigger WinZip to unzip the file automatically. Select the folder where you want the unzipped files to go to, and away you go.

Let us know how you get on. :)

[Sly_and_Gobbo]

Thanks for the info Lincslad :)

Done as you said but now getting a message saying

C:\unzipped|avg6698fu_free.exe is not a valid win32 application.

???Don't know what to do next - do you know of an easier free antivirus program to download.

I managed to download spybot and zonealarm without any probs (honest)

[LincsLad]

Instead of saving it, use the 'open' button on the download popup. This will install the software over the 'net.

It's a long time since I installed AVG, but I seem to remember this was a way to do it. If that does not work, I suspect that the file may be corrupt.

Keep at it, you will get there soon! ;D

[isasmurf]

Thanks for the info Lincslad !:)

Done as you said but now getting a message saying

C:\unzipped|avg6698fu_free.exe is not a valid win32 application.

I've taken a look at the AVG FAQ. If the FAQ is correct it sounds like it is trying to use another program to install AVG. Is avg6698fu_free.exe the only file in your folder? If not then try placing it in a folder by itself and installing it from there.

[Fran]

I was using AVG until sometime last year when I had to reinstall Windows. I couldn't get the free version back. A friend tried to install his version by transferring it from his laptop as it was a slightly different version. Both failed so I had to choose another one - this time "Norman" (which I still have and works well). Norman has been mentioned elsewhere - the only thing is you're supposed to fill in a survey sometimes, I've had one short one and one that wasn't relevant over a few months. I don't know if this is the same problem that people are having in trying to install AVG. Norman's address is:- http://www.normanuk.com

[Sly_and_Gobbo]

Thank you all for your help. :)

I tried for several hours to download/open AVG using differnet variations. Got really fed up in the end so tried Norman. Managed to do this ok and so far so good. Thanks again for all your help and advice.

[Geoggy]

Who wants FREE anti virus software that is better than AVG and updates automatically almost daily?

OK: Get the Avast 4 Home Edition for free at:

www.avast.com

Totally free and the best one out there at the moment.

Hope that helps someone.

the best AV software is AVG from Grisoft.com

You should also use this in combination with a good firewall (zonealarm.com) anti-trojan a2 form (emsisoft.com available from http://download.com.com/3000-2239-10262215.html?part=6251182&subj=dlpage&!!!!!button) and anti-spyware spybot search and destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download)

Sorry it is a lot but it is the only way of giving your system some protection.

remember no Anti-virus finds all virused so try going to www.antivirus.com and using their free Housecall onliune scan.

Paul

[LincsLad]

Who wants FREE anti virus software that is better than AVG and updates automatically almost daily?
How is it better than AVG?

I've been having loads of trouble with popups and AVG couldn't sort it out - but my son came back from uni today and downloaded a program called adaware and ran it on my computer and it sorted everything out and I've got my home page back and no popups and no adverts for enlarging parts of my anatomy and no porn and I'm running at a decent speed again. Recommended!

[LincsLad]

Glad to hear it is now working for you Andy.

It's important to realise that each program has its own benefits... AVG deals with viruses, not with ads, spyware or popups. In the same way, AdAware deals with some spyware, but cannot help with virus issues.

You need both of these programs, plus a Firewall (ZoneAlarm or Kerio are both well recommended), and to stop spyware in the first place, I would recommend Spyware Blaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html) from Wilder Security.

Remember too that it is not enough just to install these programs and forget about them - to keep their effectiveness to a maximum, they have to be updated on a regular basis. :)

[peat]

I too would recommend SpywareBlaster. I used to find about a dozen or so spyware objects when I ran adaware each week. Since installing SpywareBlaster when I run adaware the number of objects detected is occasionly one or two sometimes zero

wats wrong with norton

[DJ1UK]

wats wrong with norton

It costs Money!!

Its a good program if you want to pay for one, but there are loads of free alternatives out there. Also norton sometimes causes conflicts with other programs.

DJ

[Pat_]

I have alway's used AVG - freeware - ZONEALARM - freeware & ADWARE - freeware --all have been brilliant and still are would recommend to anyone. ;D ;D

[Pat_]

These also update automatically too --AVG & ZONEALARM forgot to add that on my previous post. ADWARE updates also it is just you have to do it - it's not much to ask as it is FREE and does a good job ::)

Not particulary good with computers,so have been trying to put in place these firewalls etc that I have not had in place!! Have just downloaded the Spyware and it has said I have(8) and did I want to remove them. Do I have to pay for this as it looks as if it is asking me to? I also did the free grisoftAVG they also found 3 but cleaned them F.O.C great!!

[Pat_]

There is a section in AVG that you can change which is in the options - and it does automatically update every 24hours !!! - when your computer is on -you can even set the time for it to update so you make sure it will update when you have your computer on -its know good setting it to update at 3AM in the morning if your comp is not usually on at this time . ;D

[LincsLad]

Saddler - if you have downloaded Adaware (Spyware is the generic term for what you are trying to get rid of, so I don't think you have downloaded THAT! :D ), then there is no cost to remove or quarantine what it has found.

Greenoak et al - AVG Scheduled update: Open the AVG Control Center, and click on the Update Manager tab. Tell it at what time and how frequently to update (choose a time when your PC is normally on but quiet - mine is about 7pm) and it will go and auto-update at the time set. There is no harm in doing it daily, and much to be gained. Remember to set up an auto-sweep of your machine too - this can always be cancelled if the PC is busy when it starts.

Wonderful post! !thank you

[LisaB]

on BT broadband, downloaded free zone alarm firewall, but can't get on home page (or anything else)unless i uninstall it! Therefore can't see point of having it, so where am I going wrong ??? As you can gather not very clued up on pcs!

[Fran]

With Zonealarm you have to permit every action on the internet. If you click on the Zonealarm icon on the bottom right, look under the headings on there for a word like "applications" . When you install it, there should be a box that pops up every time there is internet action and it asks whether you want to "allow" or "deny" or similar words. For things such as Internet Explorer for example you would "allow" and also tick the box that asks if you want to remember this answer every time. For ones that you are not sure of, click "deny". If you find you can't do something you wanted to you will then know what the unknown item was and can choose to allow it. There is a list somewhere where you can change the applications that you allow or deny internet access by ticking a box. (I'm not sure of the exact words because I used to have Zonealarm but now use another firewall.) Just keep clicking on all the options until you find something that sounds similar to what I've said above.

[LisaB]

:'(I have just installed it again clicked everything insight, but still no joy! Couldn't even get on emai! I have by mistake downloaded and cant get rid of CNET secure delivery and 180 search assistant keeps asking to be installed, could this have something to do with it or should I just call it a day and install another firewall. Zone alarm worked ok until i updated it! :(

There are issues with the latest version of ZoneAlarm.
I also had a problem with CNET's 'secure download'. Came complete with virus. Avast saved my 'puter here.

You'll need to go back to ZA 4.5.

[alared]

I too had trouble with the latest version of ZA.
I ended up ditching it in favour of Kerio,which is also free.

[LincsLad]

The latest version of ZA is 5.0.590.043 and works fine on my [WindowsXP] machine.

The problems with an earlier release of ZA v5 seem to have been fixed and are no longer an issue.

Kerio firewall has been reported as more complext to set up, especially for the less PC-literate.

Thanks Links-lad, am gathering knowledge all the time, but have tried to scan with adware and every time it comes to something called cookies it shuts down the computer??? so never completes the scan.

[LisaB]

:) Many thanks for everyones help and adivce, have downloaded Kerio and it installed ok, my teenage son is amazed (dare I say it impressed) that I am this much computer literate! Yes, I got no help from him!!

[LincsLad]

...tried to scan with adware and every time it comes to something called cookies it shuts down the computer??? so never completes the scan.

You could try deleting all cookies, then running adaware again before connecting to the Internet (when the cookies will start to appear again).

Be aware though, that cookies hold information about you, such as login IDs (and sometimes passwords) so that you do not have to log in each time you return to a website. If you can remember all your IDs and so on, deleting cookies will not present a problem.

To delete cookies, from Internet Explorer go to Tools, Internet Options, Delete Cookies.

Hello
i have tried to download AVG anti virus free edition, but once my computer has loaded two thirds of the programme, it closes without finishing the rest. Can anyone help me here..........also a friend suggested i use pcpitstop to find out why my computer is running slowly, does anyone have any comments to make about this programme. much appreciated, a very unhappy computer user.

[malcolmord]

Great tips thankyou all

[Lol]

Can anyone recommend free anti virus stuff for macs? ???

[kfb_524]

:)
Not sure if anyone has given this but this Anti-Virus program is top notch - it has been tested against the big name stuff and is out performs many of them in all aspects. Its call NOD32, link below:
http://www.nod32.com/download/trial.htm
The only downside is that it has to be reloaded every month but its very quick and well worth the trouble. The free Grisoft software mentioned in this article is good but is always the "old" AV engine and will not be as sophisticated to pick up new or potential viruses. NOD32 is the latest version. 'nuff said.

[mamazaac]

My computer was absolutely crawling especially when browsing on the net so I thought I would try downloading some of the items suggested. I first tried AVG and it found a few things, but my browsing was still just as slow. I then tried Ad-Aware and it found 157 items that AVG missed. Although browsing on internet is still quite slow, (is this because I don't have broadband?), it is faster than before so thumbs up for Ad-Aware. :D

[peter_the_piper]

mamazaac,
Now do the rest and get Spybot search and destroy and Giant and be surprised at the items these find. :)