New 'Protect Your PC For Free: No-cost Anti-Virus and Other Software' discussion

chunter

Good article.

I know the vast majority are going to go to the excellent AVG, but it's worth keeping your options open
Maybe, someday, the owners of the excellent AVG may want private customers to pay for it.

I'd hate to think there were no other free providers left to fill that space.

espresso

muggles wrote: »

I don't think this one's been suggested yet...I run a free program called Spybot. Whilst this was originally conceived as a spyware removal tool, it's also a damn good antivirus program. I run it alongside Norton at the moment, although the aforementioned issues with Norton mean that when my subs expire in 16 days time I'll be dumping it.

Spybot seems to be better than Norton anyway - it's faster and it'll also find problems that Norton doesn't.................

Spybot Search & Destroy is NOT an anti-virus program! I would suggest that you learn more about what Spybot actually does before making sweeping statements like the above.

spud17

C_Ronaldo wrote: »

I tried spybot but it kept on popping up with warnings about something to do with the registry and i wasnt sure whether to answer yes or no to the warning so i changed to adaware

That was Teatimer, this continuously monitors the registry. I find it a pain and always untick the box during installation, it can also be switched off after install.

IMO Spybot runs rings around Ad Aware particularly the latest incarnation, (AA2007)

bookduck

Another package worth a go is http://www.returnilvirtualsystem.com/index_files/rvspersonal.htm. Apparently a free Deepfreeze type program. Just rolls you back to your previous state and makes your surfing safe. No spyware and no viruses ever, unless you do something stupid. Who said no downloads either?

This does not protect the whole system http://www.sandboxie.com/ . Personally I prefer the one above, but this app is versatile and there have been untrusted apps that I've run in the sandbox

mdbarber

u guys might want to add this one to the list
STAY AWAY FROM WEBSITES OFFERING FREE !!!!!!/VIAGRA/PLASMA TVS

bazzlad

Thanks for updating the article MSE Lawrence - ASquared runs rings around the competition in free antispyware (although as stated, occasionally running Spybot Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html and Adaware http://lavasoft.com/single/trialpay.php [even though they're both a bit crap now] helps too!) - Although experts use Hijack this (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html)!

destructa

Comodo Firewall can be used for free indefinitely, without registering (updates to new versions when they're available). The article Free Anti-Virus & Other Safety Software states that you must register and give a valid email address, which is not the case. Registering is optional.

I use Comodo Firewall Pro (free edition) on XP an Vista and it is extremely easy to use, and seems more reliable than ZoneAlarm and is easiler to configure than Kerio (and it doesn't nag you to register). With a good router (with firewall) in place this makes for an effective defence against hackers. Passed all tests at ShieldsUP ( https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 ).

Also if you have good anti-spyware protection (Spybot Search & Destroy, Windows defender, Ad-Aware) you can turn off the Defense Plus part of the firewall and just use it as a straight firewall.

The article also states that the firewall is more intrusive, but this tends to be if defense plus is turned on as it works similar to UAC in Vista, so tries to warn you of products trying to do things such as installing, running other programs invisibly. Comodo does learn as it goes so after the initial warnings (and your answers to them) it won't nag as much. Better safe than sorry.

Also being full Vista compatible makes it a good choice. Best of all it's free.

ken.fearn

I've used the free AVG 7.5 for a year or so and been very happy with it, with both XP and Vista. I've just tried to upgrade to the free AVG 8.0 on my Vista machine with disastrous results. On completion of uninstalling 7.5 and installing 8.0, Internet Explorer would no longer load. I had to go back to restore point before the 'upgrade' to get the system working again. I reloaded 7.5 to get back my free virus protection. I've had a quick look around the web and haven't found any other similar feedback. If you are going to try AVG 8.0 make sure you have a system restore point to reload.

simonadams_2

See http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm ...

thomas01155

If you want a program which automatically downloads other anti-spyware programs installs them , then scans for you try hitmanpro http://www.hitmanpro.nl/hitmanpro/