AVG Paid version

kerrypn

Hello

I have just bought a brand new acer pc, which came with avg full version(the one you usually have to pay for) enclosed. I have read on this forum that avast is much better-is this better than the avg I have now? The pc also came with macafee (sp?) and Norton desktop icons which keep prompting me to register-is it OK to delete these please?

Thanks in advance for any guidance, no problems(touch wood) with performance/malware/threats but want to protect the pc as best I can to prevent attacks if poss.

Thanks

leanneloves

No need to pay. Just use free or Avast free version

kerrypn

leanneloves wrote: »

No need to pay. Just use free or Avast free version

Thanks, I didn't pay for it, it just came with the PC. I used AVG free on the previous laptop, then switched to avast, which I found was quite slow, but TBH I think that was more an issue with the laptop than the avast.

RussJK

Generally paid versions of Avira, F-Secure, Kaspersky, and Norton (yes Norton) are independently tested to be the best antivirus programs.

Use Appremover (www.appremover.com) to remove McAfee and Norton if you'd like to.

In terms of free antivirus programs, Avast is a bit better than AVG in terms of effectiveness and resource utilisation - and the free product is basically a full suite (web and network protection, in addition to the file guard). This is the main reason it's recommended here.

If you have the full version of AVG, it won't do any harm to use it.

kerrypn

Thank you, I was just worried I would be leaving myself open to attacks with AVG. Once the free paid version runs out I will switch to Avast Free version.

Thanks for the link-is this better than just removing via remove programmes on control panel?

The_Grandmaster

I can't comment on RussJK's link but I would personally remove them from the control panel and then run the removal tools from the company:
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507
http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN

Sublime_2

I use free:

Avast
Online Armour
Spyware Blaster (uses little or no resources)
Anvir Task manager (uses litlle or no resources, got mine free via Dottech website, else would have had to pay for my version)
CCleaner (Crap Cleaner, exactly what it says, uses no resources)
MalwareBytes Anti Malware (on demand scanner)
SuperAntiSpyware (on demand scanner)

Out of these currently, I am thinking of paying a subscrition to SpywareBlaster. Yes its old, but it blocks harmful sites, before they even cause a problem. Its not updated as frequently as some, but its still very valid. I fell its worth paying to get the instant updates, for a still very good product.

RussJK

kerrypn wrote: »

Thanks for the link-is this better than just removing via remove programmes on control panel?

For removing Norton, McAfee, and Avira I've found it best to use Appremover first. You can use the official McAfee & Norton removal tools after Appremover as well just to be sure (or the other way around if it suits you, as Appremover also has a cleanup mode "check for failed uninstall" but that takes longer).

Avast is easier to uninstall via the control panel and then do cleanup with Appremover or the Avast removal tool.

kerrypn

Sublime wrote: »

I use free:

Avast
Online Armour
Spyware Blaster (uses little or no resources)
Anvir Task manager (uses litlle or no resources, got mine free via Dottech website, else would have had to pay for my version)
CCleaner (Crap Cleaner, exactly what it says, uses no resources)
MalwareBytes Anti Malware (on demand scanner)
SuperAntiSpyware (on demand scanner)

Out of these currently, I am thinking of paying a subscrition to SpywareBlaster. Yes its old, but it blocks harmful sites, before they even cause a problem. Its not updated as frequently as some, but its still very valid. I fell its worth paying to get the instant updates, for a still very good product.

Thanks-but(excuse my ignorance) I am not sure what all of these do/what else they offer on top of what I already have-do I need these as well?? I would appreciate any guidance on this, I used to have AVG, spybot and another anti spyware/anti malware thing I paid for(cant remember the name of now, but was recommended) a couple of years back, then stuck to avast and defender on the old laptop so I havent heard of some of the ones you mentioned

RussJK wrote: »

For removing Norton, McAfee, and Avira I've found it best to use Appremover first. You can use the official McAfee & Norton removal tools after Appremover as well just to be sure (or the other way around if it suits you, as Appremover also has a cleanup mode "check for failed uninstall" but that takes longer).

Avast is easier to uninstall via the control panel and then do cleanup with Appremover or the Avast removal tool.

Many Thanks again for taking the time to reply, I will be removing these later this evening, thanks very much

closed

Put too much resident (ie runs at startup) bloat on, and your new machine will become as slow as the old one (which could be cured if you still have it). Avast 5 free is the fastest, lightest AV with good detection rates, backup with malwarebytes free.

kerrypn

closed wrote: »

Put too much resident (ie runs at startup) bloat on, and your new machine will become as slow as the old one (which could be cured if you still have it). Avast 5 free is the fastest, lightest AV with good detection rates, backup with malwarebytes free.

Yes, i still have the old laptop-I was planning to wipe it and take back to factory settings, but it did survive a rather unfortunate coffee related incident last year and has never been quite the same since. We got it in 2005, it had a major malware problem that almost destroyed it in 2006, and has just gotten slower as time went on, but it has kept going despite everything-its an acer notebook-which is why I bought acer this time, I am amazed the laptop has survived all this time!

Is taking back to factory settings the easiest/best way to go do you think? OS is XP.

Regarding new Desktop, I definitely dont want too many programmes on at once slowing it down-will I be OK with current protection and if a problem occurs then download these programmes, or is prevention always better than cure? Sorry, I am just really confused as to what I absolutely 100% should have to protect the PC.:o