Free Anti Virus Software

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_2

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_2

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_2

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?

System

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&tag=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

System

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 (https://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!

System

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