Free Antivirus for Windows Server

toasterman

Well I don't get that annoyed by viruses. I work in IT support, so not only do I get paid for them, but I'm usually the calmest person in the room when someone's infected 3 machines and claims they weren't doing anything dodgy to do so.
In reality most viruses don't do a lot - just screw with settings, generally make a nuisance of themselves, which (generally) at worst needs a pc reloading. Data can always be recovered from last night's backup (all the clients I deal with have backups). Most viruses don't do a lot that is really dangerous.

If the server is patched, you've got a hardware firewall, nobody is sat at it downloading anything or clicking to accept anything - how does it get infected? Unless you're Barclay's Bank, it's unlikely any professional hacker is going to spend a lot of time trying to take your server down or steal information.

I still rate server-side antivirus because it can be incorporated into exchange/other email server software to scan emails before they get to end users. That I think is still very beneficial.
As the vast majority of users don't download illegal software or browse astalavista, email is where the majority of the innocent ones get caught out....which is scanned on the server before it gets to them.

Proxy servers I've found to be more trouble than they're worth. In any scenario, while there might be 30 users you don't need access to everything, there might be 5 directors who want Skype, MSN video messaging, etc. Getting Skype to work for voice through a proxy is doable, but msn video chat is a nightmare, dcc file transfers can be awkward. If you don't want end users wasting away all day on Facebook/pr0n sites, just tell them they'll be fired if they do. They'll soon learn.

I believe there is software you can get on workstations that stops end users installing anything. Not giving them admin rights to their own machine would stop a lot - although it can become a pain in the a$$ as certain software needs admin rights to work. I found a dvd viewer - like powerdvd but not that one - recently, which wouldn't work without admin rights, for some reason.

Red_Rose_Exile

Personally, I use a Win 2003 box as the router on the subnet, which means it is doing far more than being used as a DNS lookup! Using it as a router and file server, I can protect my network, a darn site cheaper than a cisco setup

All of the files downloaded on my network are stored by default on the Win2003 box, and as it is both my router and file server, I like to have it protected real time. Admittedly, most homes aren't set up like this, but it is fun working out the intricacies.

Donnie

Aubs wrote: »

Hi all,

I have managed to get a licence for Windows Server which is great, as I would like to host my own server at home (act as a small web/file/proxy server).

Problem I'm now faced with is trying to get an antivirus suitable for servers, but to use at home - I.e. I'm not a small business or commercial user so don't think it warrants spending a lot of money on something I will rarely use anyway (Only have it running when I need it to be so not all the time!).

Thanks for reading and any advice is welcome :-)

Aubs

Don't forget to check your private messages from time to time.

Aubs

Thanks for your advice guys/gals/whatever!, very much appreciated. Think I'll at least get some AV sorted, probably ClamWin, as RRE suggested as it's free for Server 2003.

Thanks for your advice too Donnie - The PM line is sooo congested with all the other text at the top of the list!

Aubs