View Full Version : Better FREE anti virus software (better than AVG)
MercilessKiller
21-08-2005, 6:07 PM
I posted this in tecchies section as well but anyway:
Hi there.
I have used Anti-Vir for a long time now and it works perfectly. New definition files weekly, and the full ability to delete/wipe/quarantine selected files. It gives full information on the infected files, and is a fast hard working scanner which takes up little background memory.
The installation file for the english version of the german anti virus software is:*Board Guide Edit: I have removed the ".exe" link because it takes you straight to a download without any info - the 2nd link takes you to their website so you can assess the info first.*
And more information can be found at:
http://www.free-av.com (http://www.free-av.com/)
It is free as they offer business and commercial versions which they hope people will upgrade to. If i needed to I know I would. Fantastic piece of software.
Fatboy_NSS
21-08-2005, 9:44 PM
I'm intrigued as to how this is better than AVG when AVG posts updates daily. If there's a new threat I'd rather have my PC covered straight away rather than a week later, especially as my PC is connected to the net pretty much 24/7.
MercilessKiller
21-08-2005, 10:11 PM
It simply uses less memory and has a quicker live scanner.
It is inifintely small the possibility of a brand new virus appearing and infecting your pc within a week of the definition files being released :) Usually takes a good few weeks for a new virus to start getting around, thus you're unlikely to be effected..
I too leave my pc on 24 hours a day, and have done for over a year (with the odd restart). I have not been infected with one virus and when i have, it has cleaned it easily.
Brill piece of software, small, easy to use, and free :)
lucidamike
21-08-2005, 11:30 PM
Another free anti-virus program is Avast (home edition is free)
www.avast.com
Must admit to being a fan of Avast.
And the wife loves the accent of the fella that tells us ' our database has been updated'---so I would not be allowed to change anyway.
chrisvenn
22-08-2005, 9:20 AM
I use AVG and never had a problem with it :)
droopsnout
22-08-2005, 9:41 AM
I just use AVG at the moment, but in the past I ran both AVG and Avast together. Both programs intercepted viruses. However, I'm happy with the way AVG performs in association with other software, and so feel like sticking with the devil I know!
-Jinx-
23-08-2005, 1:29 AM
I'll give these a try thank you, I've used AVG in the past but always happy to try something new :)
balsingh
23-08-2005, 10:48 AM
I can't fault AVG. Been using it for a year and its bang on!
Use to use Norton Antivirus and I hated it as it used to hog all the memory on my PC and slow it right down.
AVG might not be as trendy as the others but then virus checkers arent meant to be trendy ... they are there to work in the background and go unnoticed ... which is a lot less than I can say for some of the bigger more well known packages!!
Well done AVG!!!
deefadog
23-08-2005, 11:50 AM
Cheers will give it a go :)
btw - Anyone had a problem the last few days getting updates on AVG?
droopsnout
23-08-2005, 11:56 AM
Anyone had a problem the last few days getting updates on AVG?
No. Daily updates as usual.
Browntoa
23-08-2005, 12:09 PM
I see the phrase
"New definition files weekly"
AVG and others update daily (sometimes hourly)
a week is a LONG time in the virus world !!
bear that in mind if you are thinking of using this
MercilessKiller
23-08-2005, 12:16 PM
"
a week is a LONG time in the virus world !!
"
I'm going to have to disagree..
viruses takes months to get around. The only ones that don't are windows exploits and no virus scanner can stop them.
weekly updates is fine. Not one virus in over a year with this software.
Browntoa
23-08-2005, 12:39 PM
from Symantecs site :-
The list below provides a synopsis of the latest virus-related threats discovered by Symantec Security Response, including information on: Category Rating (risk), Name of Threat (threat), the day on which the threat was identified (discovered), and the day on which a virus definition was added to protect against the threat (protection). Please click on the name of the threat for additional information.
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_1.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)PWSteal.Flecsip.B (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/pwsteal.flecsip.b.html) August 23, 2005, August 23, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Esbot.C (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.esbot.c.html) August 22, 2005, August 23, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Gaobot.DXO (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.gaobot.dxo.html) August 22, 2005, August 22, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Spybot.UOL (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.spybot.uol.html) August 22, 2005, August 22, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_1.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)Backdoor.Tixanbot (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/backdoor.tixanbot.html) August 22, 2005, August 23, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Zotob.I (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.zotob.i.html) August 20, 2005, August 21, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_1.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)Backdoor.Darkmoon (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/backdoor.darkmoon.html) August 19 2005, August 19, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Zotob.H (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.zotob.h.html) August 17, 2005 August 17, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Esbot.B (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.esbot.b.html)August 17, 2005 August 17, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Zotob.G (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.zotob.g.html) August 17, 2005, August 17, 2005
I make that a weeks worth....like I said, it's for people to make their own mind up
MercilessKiller
23-08-2005, 2:56 PM
No offnece Browntoa, but those viruses listed are sub forms of major viruses!!!!!!!!!
The Gaobot has been around for a LONG Time.. so a definition file for one very rare form of it is not going to be needed within a weke for example.
Those viruses are very rare, very uncommon, and unless your downloading things you shouldn't be you aren't under threat from those.
from Symantecs site :-
The list below provides a synopsis of the latest virus-related threats discovered by Symantec Security Response, including information on: Category Rating (risk), Name of Threat (threat), the day on which the threat was identified (discovered), and the day on which a virus definition was added to protect against the threat (protection). Please click on the name of the threat for additional information.
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_1.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)PWSteal.Flecsip.B (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/pwsteal.flecsip.b.html) August 23, 2005, August 23, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Esbot.C (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.esbot.c.html) August 22, 2005, August 23, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Gaobot.DXO (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.gaobot.dxo.html) August 22, 2005, August 22, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Spybot.UOL (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.spybot.uol.html) August 22, 2005, August 22, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_1.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)Backdoor.Tixanbot (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/backdoor.tixanbot.html) August 22, 2005, August 23, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Zotob.I (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.zotob.i.html) August 20, 2005, August 21, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_1.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)Backdoor.Darkmoon (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/backdoor.darkmoon.html) August 19 2005, August 19, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Zotob.H (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.zotob.h.html) August 17, 2005 August 17, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Esbot.B (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.esbot.b.html)August 17, 2005 August 17, 2005
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/graphics/ssrc/category_2_ffffcc.gif (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/threat.severity.html#category)W32.Zotob.G (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.zotob.g.html) August 17, 2005, August 17, 2005
I make that a weeks worth....like I said, it's for people to make their own mind up
MercilessKiller
23-08-2005, 2:58 PM
Also notice on information of those viruses they do not effect PATCHED legla versions of windows, and some of them can't even be received remotely but only locally through a networked machine!!!!!
None of those are dangerous to home users. A week is nothing in the virus world.
Browntoa
23-08-2005, 3:13 PM
In January 2003 the relatively benign “Slammer” (Sapphire) worm becomes the fastest spreading worm to date, infecting 75,000 computers in approximately ten minutes, doubling its numbers every 8.5 seconds in its first minute of infection. The Sobig worm becomes the one of the first to join the spam community. Infected computer systems have the potential to become spam relay points and spamming techniques are used to mass-mail copies of the worm to potential victims
The Zotob worm is similar to the Sasser worm which struck in May last year and the Blaster worm that crippled companies’ systems in 2003. However, it has spread more quickly than any other worm, leaving companies only a five-day window to protect machines.
pug_in_a_bed
23-08-2005, 6:23 PM
If i use avast, will i need to disable anything in mcafee security suite, like the anti virus. Mcafee is just pants at the moment, its been playing up something rotten.
Rex_Mundi
23-08-2005, 7:08 PM
If i use avast, will i need to disable anything in mcafee security suite, like the anti virus. Mcafee is just pants at the moment, its been playing up something rotten.
It is never recommended to run two antivirus programs on the same computer. There is too much chance of them conflicting with each other. This could be the cause of your problems with your Mcafee.
Ideally you should pick one, and uninstall the other.
MercilessKiller
24-08-2005, 10:26 AM
In January 2003 the relatively benign “Slammer” (Sapphire) worm becomes the fastest spreading worm to date, infecting 75,000 computers in approximately ten minutes, doubling its numbers every 8.5 seconds in its first minute of infection. The Sobig worm becomes the one of the first to join the spam community. Infected computer systems have the potential to become spam relay points and spamming techniques are used to mass-mail copies of the worm to potential victims
The Zotob worm is similar to the Sasser worm which struck in May last year and the Blaster worm that crippled companies’ systems in 2003. However, it has spread more quickly than any other worm, leaving companies only a five-day window to protect machines.
These used windows exploits anyway :/ Virus scanners wouldnt protect the computer, it would just remove it. So it doesn't actually make a difference!!!!!
sloppychops
24-08-2005, 11:23 AM
I use Avast and love it,i think its much better than AVG
MORPH3US
24-08-2005, 12:48 PM
@ MercilessKiller,
Don't take this the wrong way, but it was your initial post that started the AVG / Avast comparison, and you said that Avast was better than AVG. Other people have stated their disagreement with you which is fair enough, but would you like to tell us how Avast is better than AVG?
I use AVG myself and am 110% happy with it. It catches everything the b@$t@rd$ throw at me virus wise, loads of regular updates, its really simple to download and use, seems to intergrate into XP seamlesley and takes up very little memory or processor usage. I would like to know how Avast can beat that!
Thanks
M
It catches everything the b@$t@rd$ throw at me virus wise
Perhaps you've just been lucky http://www.jms101.btinternet.co.uk/basic_sets/special/YaBB_SP1/undecided.gif
I wasn't http://img.moneysavingexpert.com/icons/icon9.gif When I used AVG I got a virus that !!!!!!ed up my pc so i've used Avast since and , touch wood , have had no problems since
MercilessKiller
24-08-2005, 2:29 PM
@ MercilessKiller,
Don't take this the wrong way, but it was your initial post that started the AVG / Avast comparison, and you said that Avast was better than AVG. Other people have stated their disagreement with you which is fair enough, but would you like to tell us how Avast is better than AVG?
I use AVG myself and am 110% happy with it. It catches everything the b@$t@rd$ throw at me virus wise, loads of regular updates, its really simple to download and use, seems to intergrate into XP seamlesley and takes up very little memory or processor usage. I would like to know how Avast can beat that!
Thanks
M
First of all I never once said avast is better than AVG.
I have already said why Anti Vir is better than AVG, due it speed, the little memory it takes in the background, and the ease of use etc.
If you are not going to bother reading posts fully.. Dont even reply!!! You could at least get some facts right, jeez :/
Browntoa
24-08-2005, 2:43 PM
I reckon this has gone off topic......
let's call it a draw between you to and leave it at that...any further arguement ain't worth it :)
MercilessKiller
24-08-2005, 2:48 PM
Actually you have! :)
Your title of this thread is:
Secondly I don't think anyone appreciates comments such as this:
You said this was better than AVG which is why you are getting a discussion with users opinions of the two!
wirm
Im afraid Wirm you have proved my point EVEN MORE!!!!!!!!
READ MY TOPIC PLEASE!
I did not say AVAST WAS BETTER THAN AVG.. I am saying
Anti Vir IS BETTER THAN AVG.
Anti Vir IS NOT AVAST!
Jesus christ :/
MikeFishcake
24-08-2005, 3:02 PM
OK, people are arguing about SOFTWARE here, does it really matter?
For god's sake - try it if you want to, ignore it if you don't, is it that hard to understand?
sheesh....
Some people are acting like their families have been insulted here! http://www.teamfishcake.co.uk/messageboard/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif
I have removed my posts from this thread, the OP obviously cannot get his/her point across without swearing or insulting users.
The OP must not have realised the number one rule of this site:
Please be nice to all MoneySavers
MercilessKiller
24-08-2005, 3:09 PM
I did not swear or insult anyone.
And in fact you have played your fair share in responding nastily so this isn't one way.
Thanks
If you are not going to bother reading posts fully.. Dont even reply!!! You could at least get some facts right, jeez :/
Jesus christ :/
Both back up my post! :)
I have never once responded nastily in this thread. I merely expressed my opinion which you disagreed with. :D
MercilessKiller
24-08-2005, 3:31 PM
Ah well. Ive had a bad day already with problems with Halifax so maybe I'm just taking it out on you wirm!
I apologise :) I just prefer my anti virus :D :P
<3
I just prefer my anti virus :D
Nah, AVG is still better! :rotfl:
MercilessKiller
24-08-2005, 3:43 PM
Well, talking seriously, I used to use AVG all the time. But I'm behind a network and one day it wouldn't update definition files... just timed out. Tried reinstalling etc but I couldnt get it working. Thats why i switched.. and since then never had a prob rlly :)
Ah well
I have tried AntiVir but to be honest I thought AVG was easier to use. AVG updates automatically every day for me, does a complete scan for me and has never (touch wood) missed a virus (i've checked).
In the end it depends on the individual user but it is great that theres not just one anti-virus program to fall back on!
MercilessKiller
24-08-2005, 3:58 PM
That is true!
When AVG failed for me I was rather worried as to what to use. Luckily I found Anti vir and in fact for me its been fantastic :) I'm behind a network so don't see many ip related viruses as such...
and the only worms i end up getting, anti vir always always finds them..
For me it does a brilliant job and very small lil prog so will keep it i suppose :)
Never tried Avast mind you...
Never tried Avast mind you...
:rotfl:
MercilessKiller
24-08-2005, 11:05 PM
I still go to what i said.. anti vir better than avg ;)
Just cos i havent tried avast doesnt mean im saying its worse tho :) Just never tried it :x
sylvey1
24-08-2005, 11:18 PM
Another free anti-virus program is Avast (home edition is free)
www.avast.com
cheers, tried this one yesterday :( dont know if it clashed with avg or something else but my pc crashed, would not use this again.
but thank you anyway.
cw1972
25-08-2005, 11:25 AM
cheers, tried this one yesterday :( dont know if it clashed with avg or something else but my pc crashed, would not use this again.
but thank you anyway.
it's never a good idea to have two AV's installed on a machine - they will clash
MORPH3US
26-08-2005, 10:47 AM
First of all I never once said avast is better than AVG.
I have already said why Anti Vir is better than AVG, due it speed, the little memory it takes in the background, and the ease of use etc.
If you are not going to bother reading posts fully.. Dont even reply!!! You could at least get some facts right, jeez :/
@ Mercilesskiller
Thanks for the abuse there, really good of you!!!
One slight mistake in my post and I get flamed for it, is there any need. I meant Anti Vir but typed Avast by mistake, really sorry, promise NEVER to make a mistake in my life again EVER!!!
Can't even be bothered anymore............................
morph3us - mercilesskiller has already appoligised for that!
I apologise :) I just prefer my anti virus :D
MORPH3US
26-08-2005, 3:23 PM
so maybe I'm just taking it out on you wirm!
I apologise :) I just prefer my anti virus :D :P
<3
To you maybe!!! :rolleyes:
MercilessKiller
26-08-2005, 4:46 PM
@ Mercilesskiller
Thanks for the abuse there, really good of you!!!
One slight mistake in my post and I get flamed for it, is there any need. I meant Anti Vir but typed Avast by mistake, really sorry, promise NEVER to make a mistake in my life again EVER!!!
Can't even be bothered anymore............................
You're mistake was rather flaming too ;)
And anyway I've apologised!!! had a bad day that day so yes, sorry for that. Just didn't like being disagreed with due to an off topic comment lol :D
<3
Liverbird
26-08-2005, 8:43 PM
No problems with AVG updates here.
*Board Guide Note*
Please be nice to other money savers. It's the rules. ;)
tim_n
28-08-2005, 10:40 AM
can't say I've ever had any problems with Avast!
Whereas AVG I've had problems with clients receiving email...
Are there any antivirus software packages free to business users?
wrightnick
28-08-2005, 8:00 PM
Hi,
Me to, I after a virus scanner that's free, good quality and funs on Windows 2000 server...
Can anyone recommend anything...?
Hate to throw my 2 pennies into the mix, but I must put my vote in for Avast. Whenever anyone asks me to build a PC for them or reinstall their PC I always install Avast for them and have had a good response back from them re: it's effectiveness and automatic updates. I don't use it any more myself, as I only use a laptop supplied by work which has Mcafee virusscan enterprise 8. But if I didn't have that already installed I probably wouldn't think twice about choosing Avast.
The only problem I can think of having with avast was a few years ago when I had problems with the email scanner loosing it's proxy settings and needing disabling and re-enabling. This happened only a few times during the few months I was using it, and I'm sure it's been fixed by now.
I must also point out I've not used AVG or the other one to offer a comparison.
Munki.
coisty
29-08-2005, 10:13 AM
i have AVG is this really better ??
i have AVG is this really better ??
I think AVG is better. Some users prefer AVG others prefer Anti-Vir. :)
Rex_Mundi
29-08-2005, 10:40 AM
i have AVG is this really better ??
There is nothing wrong with AVG for a free antivirus. The title of the thread is a bit misleading really. It should read Better FREE anti virus software (better than AVG) In My Opinion because it is only in the posters opinion that another antivirus is better.
I've installed AVG and Avast on quite a few computers. In my opinion Avast is the better of the two. That doesn't mean I recommend any users of AVG should uninstall their copy and install Avast. If your AVG has been working fine for you, then carry on with it. Others will think differently, this doesn't mean they are right or wrong.
I pay for Norton myself, a lot of people hate this program. Fair play to them for thinking this way they are free to think what they like. I know it works well for me (and has been for years).
Use what works well for you!!
bad_harry
29-08-2005, 10:54 AM
perhaps someone can help or direct me to a better site for thios query.
I have endless problems with my computer - I blame the children who seemed addicted to 'limewire' - now deleted. I get 'winfix' constantly highjacking me when I go on the net or somehow when i open a new site I get redirected - i've tried avast and that foun things now deleted but the scanner won't work as it conflicts with NortonSymantec (i don't pay for this) - I've tried to disable but still won't work - I guess Ineed to remove Norton?
I've also been using lavasoft ad watch and Spybot - free down loads and I run these and they constantly report problems.
Any help/guidance appreciated.
cheers
Rex_Mundi
29-08-2005, 11:00 AM
It sounds like you have a very bad infection of spyware on your computer. Winfix for sure is a nasty (and can be difficult to remove).
Running 2 antivirus programs on a computer at the same time can cause problems in its own right. You need to pick one and uninstall the other.
Do a search on google 'delete winfix', this will give you results on how to remove this nasty. This would be a good start.
Browntoa
29-08-2005, 11:13 AM
have you run these in "Safe Mode" ??
otherwise they will pop back when you reboot
also worth downloading the microsoft anti-spyware if you use XP
there is also a whole thread in the Techie Faq's (link at the top of the "Techie" section of the forum )
if you are still stuck start your own thread in there rather than tag on this one...:) you will get good help over there :)
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