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

nitejar

I used to use AVG but found it hard to connect to the server to get updates. Seemed busy a lot. Switched to Avast which is great in my view. There is a compatibility problem running Avast and Zonealarm. There is a fix - but too complicated for me so I have switched to the free firewall Filseclab pro. Seems good to me and not in Martin's list.

http://www.filseclab.com/eng/products/firewall.htm

N

dmcconachie

I am using XP 64-bit and just discovered that AVG Free doesn't support this OS!

Any free a/v software out there for x64?

sra

Avast ?

dmcconachie

Currently giving Active Virus Shield a whirl!

zax_2

When antiviruses are concerned, price should not be the only consideration (in my humble opinion).
If you lost crucial business data, priceless photos, or any thing else for that matter, it might cost you far more than the price of the antivirus update service. there is only one antivirus software that for the past 8 years has never(yes that was NEVER) succumbed to a known virus, or, far more impressive and important an In-The-Wild Virus(a new virus that has come out-one for which the antivirus companies still are not aware of , or don't have a cure for).
The Software is free and the updates are £23/yr or £35/2yr.
Not the cheapest but is recognised in the industry as the BEST.
It's simple to install and if you spend 5 minutes configuring it, you are guaranteed peace of mind. its also one of the fastest to complete a manual scan of the computer and it takes very little resources as it runs in the background protecting you in stealth.
hmmm, sounds like I made the software or at least selling it, doesn't it
You can download it for FREE at the company's website (https://www.eset.co.uk) but you'll probably want to read about it first in one of the leading independent Anti-virus comparison website. https://www.virusbtn.com

the_mountaineer_2

As for AV
Use linux on a PC
Get a Mac no know virus in circulation
I saw this offer today for free digital editing software its all a few releases old and Serif will try to sell you an upgrade,
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/ or if you cant download then call on 0800 376 5472 quote ref ROH/CARA/FOC its 82p for p&p but they will offer an upgrade for more money

wolfman

the_mountaineer wrote:

As for AV
Use linux on a PC

Means you've got to learn Linux though. Not the easiest thing for the less technical. I'm happy on Ubuntu and Gentoo, although I do get occassionally nervous when installing an unsigned/authenticated update as you can never be sure what you're going to get.

the_mountaineer wrote:

Get a Mac no know virus in circulation

All good and well, but it'll cost you £500+. Only really an option if you're buying a new pc, not if you have an existing one.

slysy

Reed_Richards wrote:

I would recommend Active Virus Shield:

http://www.activevirusshield.com/

This is a free version of Kaspersky Antivirus and it seems to be more comprehensive than AVG as it will also detect and remove at least some spyware that AVG ignores. The other major difference is that, as far as I can see, it is it is free to all users, not just non-commercial users.

People may be suspicious that you must submit an email address but I have used Active Virus Shield for several months without receiving any junk emails (you have an opt-out).

I would also recommend this. I did some research on this a while ago and found that Active Virus Shield detects more viruses than the other freebies. See the following example http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82 . Active Virus shield comes joint 1st, Avast is 16th and AVG is 23rd. Other tests I found showed similar results.

I wonder why it was not included in the article?

MikeyB_2

Keep your computer safe (some good advice to start)
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Spyware/index.php?p=733

Practice safe hex on the tinterweb
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/security.htm

Prevent bad sites/domains from ever accessing your computer by changing your HOSTS file to block their addresses. It could help speed up your surfing, block ads and prevent pop-ups as well
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

It's worth noting that not all Firewalls take the same approach. Some firewalls use a stealth approach and keep your machine well hidden by keeping deadly quiet when intruder's probes come asking questions (ZoneAlarm can also adaptively stealth some ports that sadly need to stay open - very cool in a geeky way). Other firewalls spring into action and start the computer equivalent of shouting back as loud as possible in an counter-probing attempt. Opinions vary on which is best, but I would very much recommend the former as it will appear to probes that your computer does not exist

Give your firewall a thorough work out
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Extra tools to turn off Universal PnP, DCOM,[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif,MS Sans Serif][SIZE=-1] Windows Messenger server and other unused (and insecure) Windows services
[/SIZE][/FONT]http://www.grc.com/freepopular.htm


For interests sake, I use (all free, all kosher):

ZoneAlarm - firewall - always running
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
AVG 7.5 - antivirus - always running
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
AVG 7.5 (was Ewido) - antispyware - runs on user command
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-spyware-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
Spybot Search & Destroy - antispyware - runs on user command
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
SpywareBlaster - antispyware - runs on user command
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
SpywareGuard - antispyware - always running
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
Lavasoft Adaware SE - antispyware - runs on user command
http://www.lavasoft.de/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php
WinPatrol - monitors for changes to Windows settings - always running
http://www.winpatrol.com/
IE-SpyAd - blocks bad sites in IE - runs on user command
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm

HTH

paulspin

Also do not forget the excellent Openoffice which is a FREE office alternative.

Its found at https://www.openoffice.org

This will save you having to buy office from Microsoft and gives you everything it has and will most likely ever need for office related (word, spreadsheets, database etc etc). Its also updated alot and FREE

I have a laptop which is completely kitted out with free s/w and its great, no problems. Firefox as well with adblock plus installed will sort out the pesky ads so your webpages are free of clutter.

It can be done.