Kit your PC out for free: No cost anti-virus software Discussion Area

espresso

AVG is just an anti-virus but you can also get yourself a free firewall. Read this thread and the article on the main website. You must full un-install your Norton anti-virus before trying to install an alternative by using their un-install application available here

skintarooney

okay, daft question here, I apologise in advance. Why does Norton have to be uninstalled 1st. Will this harm any other files on your system once you uninstall norton (asking this as seem to be a common problem!). Sorry if I am asking something v obvious but I am here to learn from the experts!

espresso

skintarooney wrote:

okay, daft question here, I apologise in advance. Why does Norton have to be uninstalled 1st. Will this harm any other files on your system once you uninstall norton (asking this as seem to be a common problem!). Sorry if I am asking something v obvious but I am here to learn from the experts!

You should not have two anti-virus applications installed at the same time, so it is better to completely un-install it first, as some anti-virus/security suites will not install when another is present anyway. The Symantic tool will un-install all of their products but will not touch any other files on your system.

NB Download your new anti-virus before un-installing your old one.

zax_2

ravenlighte wrote:

Just thought I would mention that AVG gave me a trojan...

When I came to the end of my free trail I got a pop up to say 'do you want to upgrade' to the full version. I clicked no, and my antivirus immediately detected a trojan attached to the AVG setup exe. My antivirus could not quaranteen it so it was deleted, within seconds it reported another 2 incidences of the trojan, which had infected my last 2 restore point files and both those had to be deleted. Of course the rest of AVG could not be uninstalled as the initial file was deleted by my antivirus.

Probably an AVG scam to get you to buy the full version. Thanks AVG...

I guess the saying is true...you don't get nothing for nothing...:mad:

AVG Does not contain any spyware - my guess is that the vault was not removed or you had some spyware before that avg didnot pick up.
AVG, as much as it will do for most users, is not a good antivirus and its main great feature is its price, but it does not harm your computer and does not contain any malware.
Look here for the best in antivirus game

The_Bargain_Hunters

AVG slows down everything when it is running and as that is everyday and for a couple of hours at a time I have to either cancel program or stop using computor. Is ther any way round this??

BillScarab

I'm at work at the moment but from memory AVG schedules a full scan every day, this is what will be slowing down your PC. You should be able to change the schedule, if you right click on the AVG icon on your taskbar and open the control center then

Highlight scheduler.
Click on Scheduled Tasks.
Edit to your liking.

you could change it to just scan once a week or to scan at a time when you're not using the PC

Tardis_2

Can anyone recommend a free "net nanny" program? My kids use the computer alot and am keen to protect them. thank you all out there...this site has been my life saver.......in so many ways...thank you Martyn

mar<

@Tardis

Free: Naomi: http://www.radiance.m6.net/
Commercial: Webwatcher: http://www.awarenesstech.com/Parental/

If you want to bullet proof your PC for free there's the Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit - you can easily lock down a user, set times of PC use, and have the PC not install anything/re-build itself on every boot, yet allowing virus and windows updates. Very nifty - have used it a couple of times now. (you can set My Documents, email, Bookmarks etc to be able to be modified too quite easily).

simonadams_2

This is a great resource for free apps -> http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm

(apologies if its already been mentioned!)

tjfs

If you go to https://www.activevirusshield.com you will see it has been replaced by a free McAfee suite. This is in most respects better as it is a complete security suite not just an antivirus and it's free. I'm using it now.

Tim