AVG/PCGuard

TomsMom

I have the free version of AVG on my computer which has Windows XP Pro, we also have pop up blocker.

We have just gone over to broadband with Virgin and they tell us

"Great news. As a Virgin Broadband customer you are eligible to download
our FREE online security software, PCguard. It helps protect your PC
against viruses, unwanted pop ups and other online nasties."

Not knowing anything about PCguard, do I need it? Does it offer any more than AVG? Can I install it as well as AVG or would I have to disable AVG?

Would welcome any comments.

Browntoa

I would not bother with Pcguard, you already seem to have it covered, what firewall do you use ??

TomsMom

Thanks for that Browntoa. I don't think we've got firewall (I suppose we should be ashamed!). I have a feeling the guy who built our computer a couple of years ago said we didn't need one as he'd never had a problem - I know, don't shout at me please, just a bit green on the techie side.

superscaper

TomsMom wrote: »

Thanks for that Browntoa. I don't think we've got firewall (I suppose we should be ashamed!). I have a feeling the guy who built our computer a couple of years ago said we didn't need one as he'd never had a problem - I know, don't shout at me please, just a bit green on the techie side.

If you've kept windows XP up to date (ie up to service pack 2) then you should have at the very least Windows firewall running unless you've switched it off. If you have neither kept windows up to date nor use any type of firewall then to be honest it doesn't matter what antivirus you use as you're not protected at all really. People get annoyed when others don't keep windows up to date or use a firewall because it's PCs like that, that are usually the source of spamming etc we're all victim to and attacks on websites like the one this site suffered a few months ago.

To put it another way, the very controversial techies in the minority who don't even use anti virus because they believe it's down to browsing habit still use a firewall as a minimum.

TomsMom

Thanks Superscraper.

XP hasn't been kept up to date so it would seem there is no firewall.

Any suggestions about installing one (remember we're totally non-savvy here)? Are there any good free ones that would serve the purpose?

superscaper

Just update Windows. http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

BillScarab

Once Windows is up to date I would recommend getting a different firewall to the one built into Windows as it's not great. Although it's better than nothing. The usual recommendations fro free ones are

Zone Alarm
Comodo
Sunbelt Kerio

Personally I've always used ZA and have never had any problems with it on XP or Vista.

If you do install one of them then make sure the Windows one is turned off, it should be done automatically though. You can check in the Security Center in Control Panel.

superscaper

Although after updating it's probably best going through the malware removal guide sticky first because if you really haven't had a firewall I'd be extremely surprised if you didn't have malware. Last pc I left connected without a firewall got infected within minutes literally.

TomsMom

Well, just to show how naive with computers we are (blushing here!).

I went to the control panel, prompted by BillScarab (thanks), and found Windows Firewall (obviously didn't know we had it) and it was turned off.

So for now we have turned it on and have some protection. Will investigate Zone Alarm.

Thank you all for your help and information and not treating me like an idiot!

superscaper

TomsMom wrote: »

Well, just to show how naive with computers we are (blushing here!).

I went to the control panel, prompted by BillScarab (thanks), and found Windows Firewall (obviously didn't know we had it) and it was turned off.

So for now we have turned it on and have some protection. Will investigate Zone Alarm.

Thank you all for your help and information and not treating me like an idiot!

Well I was wondering because autoupdate is on by default. Anyway, go through the guide http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269 just to give peace of mind that your system is "clean".