Free Anti Virus Software

Cassian

I've tried Norton and McAfee paid services, but neither compare to the free anti-virus software provided by [url][/url]https://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 :-/

System

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&country=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 https://www.hbedv.com for a very good free anti virus product

SONIC_2

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

System

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.

System

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

System

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.