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[MSE Lawrence]

This is the discussion to link on the back of the new article

Protect your PC for free: No cost anti-virus software

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[unrich]

The comodo wasn't loading on my XP system so I've swapped to PCTools free antivirus. So far so good. As easy as AVG.

http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

[dinky meadows]

Hi,

I have been told that if I want to replace my Norton Antivirus and Firewall Protection with other free protection, I may have difficulties completely removing the Norton software from my PC ....supposedly the Norton software doesn't 'let go easily'....and this may cause problems.

Can any one advise me on wether its best to stick with Norton because of this ?

Has anyone had problems replacing Norton Antivirus and Firewall with other free protection ?

Thanks in advance.

[DatabaseError]

the norton removal tool] is a good place to start

[unrich]

See above. I had Norton on a free trial. After it ended I went to comodo and Avast. Comodo has not seemed that robust hence the replacement with PC Tools free firewall. Avast has been good so far.

If you search the forums there is a thread detailing how to do a complete Norton un-install. This technique is so comprehensive that I believe if you try the Norton trial again it won't recognize that it has previously been installed.

There are many complaints about how Norton take up lots of resources.

I'm happy with Avast and PCTools firewall. The first PCTools product I used was back in 1990ish I think, so I have an established trusting relationship with the name. Now if I could only find that 5 1/4" disk.

[tomsolomon]

I was using Avira on my lappy for quite a while, and its awesome compared to the majority of free stuff out there.
Of cause now, It's not really necessary for me to have anti virus due to the fact that I'm running Linux.....

[bazzlad]

Antispyware choices in the article are awful.

I recommend:

A squared.
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

Superb software.

Double that up with occasional runs of Ad Aware and Search and Destroy and you won't have a spyware problem.

[BillScarab]

Why no mention of Zone Alarm, it's an excellent free firewall. I've been using it for years on XP and Vista.

Superantispyware is another good anti spyware tool.

[texasp8]

If anyone has Sophos Anti-Virus installed on their PC at work, you may find you are eligible to use it at home for free.

Talk to your I.T. Dept, and if they don't know about it, point them to section 3.3.2 of the Sophos EULA here:
http://www.sophos.com/legal/eula.html

[muggles]

I don't think this one's been suggested yet...I run a free program called Spybot. Whilst this was originally conceived as a spyware removal tool, it's also a damn good antivirus program. I run it alongside Norton at the moment, although the aforementioned issues with Norton mean that when my subs expire in 16 days time I'll be dumping it.

Spybot seems to be better than Norton anyway - it's faster and it'll also find problems that Norton doesn't. I have personal experience of this - I got a virus in an email that infected my computer despite running a completely up-to-date Norton. I found out when it copied itself to other people in my contacts list, and set Norton about doing a full system scan. Norton was adamant that there was nothing there, and a friend recommended Spybot. It didn't take it long to find the offending file and dispose of it.

It's available in several languages, and also has an accessible version for disabled users.

All Spybot files, downloads and updates are free, although there is a facility for making a donation to the program's authors of any amount you choose, and I think many people will choose to fork out a bit for the service.

Now the scary bit, and a word of warning. Spybot goes deep into your system looking for anything that might be out of the ordinary. This includes looking at your registry. In 'basic' mode this shouldn't be a problem, but it also has an 'advanced' mode where it offers you more options. This is where you could potentionally have problems, as playing with your registry can kill off your computer completely if you get it wrong. I'd say stick with the basic mode unless you really know what you're doing and you'll be fine, but even in this mode it's advisable to go through every file it's found individually and look at the information it provides for the file. Some things it finds are settings that you don't necessarily want to alter or remove, and you'll need to uncheck those before you hit the repair button. Other than that, it's the best free antivirus program you'll come across.

Oh, and the new version will also block adverts and popups in your internet browser if you want it to.

[C_Ronaldo]

I tried spybot but it kept on popping up with warnings about something to do with the registry and i wasnt sure whether to answer yes or no to the warning so i changed to adaware

[chunter]

Good article.

I know the vast majority are going to go to the excellent AVG, but it's worth keeping your options open
Maybe, someday, the owners of the excellent AVG may want private customers to pay for it.

I'd hate to think there were no other free providers left to fill that space.

[espresso]

Originally Posted by muggles

I don't think this one's been suggested yet...I run a free program called Spybot. Whilst this was originally conceived as a spyware removal tool, it's also a damn good antivirus program. I run it alongside Norton at the moment, although the aforementioned issues with Norton mean that when my subs expire in 16 days time I'll be dumping it.

Spybot seems to be better than Norton anyway - it's faster and it'll also find problems that Norton doesn't.................

Spybot Search & Destroy is NOT an anti-virus program! I would suggest that you learn more about what Spybot actually does before making sweeping statements like the above.

[spud17]

Originally Posted by C_Ronaldo

I tried spybot but it kept on popping up with warnings about something to do with the registry and i wasnt sure whether to answer yes or no to the warning so i changed to adaware

That was Teatimer, this continuously monitors the registry. I find it a pain and always untick the box during installation, it can also be switched off after install.

IMO Spybot runs rings around Ad Aware particularly the latest incarnation, (AA2007)

[bookduck]

Another package worth a go is http://www.returnilvirtualsystem.com...vspersonal.htm. Apparently a free Deepfreeze type program. Just rolls you back to your previous state and makes your surfing safe. No spyware and no viruses ever, unless you do something stupid. Who said no downloads either?

This does not protect the whole system http://www.sandboxie.com/ . Personally I prefer the one above, but this app is versatile and there have been untrusted apps that I've run in the sandbox

[mdbarber]

u guys might want to add this one to the list
STAY AWAY FROM WEBSITES OFFERING FREE PORN/VIAGRA/PLASMA TVS

[bazzlad]

Thanks for updating the article MSE Lawrence - ASquared runs rings around the competition in free antispyware (although as stated, occasionally running Spybot Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html and Adaware http://lavasoft.com/single/trialpay.php [even though they're both a bit crap now] helps too!) - Although experts use Hijack this (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html)!

[destructa]

Comodo Firewall can be used for free indefinitely, without registering (updates to new versions when they're available). The article Free Anti-Virus & Other Safety Software states that you must register and give a valid email address, which is not the case. Registering is optional.

I use Comodo Firewall Pro (free edition) on XP an Vista and it is extremely easy to use, and seems more reliable than ZoneAlarm and is easiler to configure than Kerio (and it doesn't nag you to register). With a good router (with firewall) in place this makes for an effective defence against hackers. Passed all tests at ShieldsUP ( https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 ).

Also if you have good anti-spyware protection (Spybot Search & Destroy, Windows defender, Ad-Aware) you can turn off the Defense Plus part of the firewall and just use it as a straight firewall.

The article also states that the firewall is more intrusive, but this tends to be if defense plus is turned on as it works similar to UAC in Vista, so tries to warn you of products trying to do things such as installing, running other programs invisibly. Comodo does learn as it goes so after the initial warnings (and your answers to them) it won't nag as much. Better safe than sorry.

Also being full Vista compatible makes it a good choice. Best of all it's free.

[ken.fearn]

I've used the free AVG 7.5 for a year or so and been very happy with it, with both XP and Vista. I've just tried to upgrade to the free AVG 8.0 on my Vista machine with disastrous results. On completion of uninstalling 7.5 and installing 8.0, Internet Explorer would no longer load. I had to go back to restore point before the 'upgrade' to get the system working again. I reloaded 7.5 to get back my free virus protection. I've had a quick look around the web and haven't found any other similar feedback. If you are going to try AVG 8.0 make sure you have a system restore point to reload.

[simonadams]

See http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm ...