free anti-virus

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

the free trial of mcafee anti-virus is about to expire on my daughters netbook, now with her going on club penguin and the like i cant leave the thing unprotected (moshi monsters is banned due to others telling us they have become infected from it).

any recs for free anti-virus, i subscribe to norton on mine but they wont let me add another user they want another 60 odd quid, or buy the one for 3 users, but i have about7 months left on mine so thats not a good option.

 

[best little spaniard]

i use Avast.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

I use only AVG free, and use no internet security suite at all, though Vista does have windows defender built in.

Unless you are going to use the internet to view everything you've been advised to stay clear of, then you really only need AVG free.
The Pro version is basically just a security suite.

If you type 'msconfig' in the 'run', you can configure which programmes you need to have opening upon startup. I have windows defender, and AVG, and nothing else.

I've had more problems with windows updates corrupting files than I ever have from a virus.

I'm getting the impression that the virus makers are targeting the kids websites, a neighbours pc just wouldn't work, they took it somewhere to be fixed and they told them that there were over 150 viruses that had all originated from Moshi Monsters, kids will click yes when a box comes up, just to get it out of their way so that they can play their game.
I was gonna go for AVG and I don't see any reason not to in this thread, in fact it just tells me i was gonna get the right one.

Cheers Folks.

 

[bluebastardo]

Oh, I forgot.

I'd recommend downloading Spybot Search and destroy, which is also free and very good to run side by side AVG FREE.

Keep both updated.
Set AVG to run at a suitable time ( obviously if the pc gets used for many hours each go ) and run SSD once per week, updating, and immunizing each time.

 

[Dylan]

Ok, Comodo is the best free firewall out there. It is also one of the best firewall's period. If you want the total package for internet security, without paying a penny (and it all be legal too), download Comodo (Cnet's review and download link here, Comodo Internet Security - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com).

For spyware, spybot used to be the best, but other have caught up and surpassed them. Now I use two, SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwaarebyte's Anti-Malware (download them both SUPERAntiSpyware.com - Downloading File and http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol)
They are all top-notch protection, very, very low drain on system resources and properly secure. The other caveat is MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE YOUR PROGRAMS AND DEFINITIONS!!!!!!!

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

I'm getting the impression that the virus makers are targeting the kids websites, a neighbours pc just wouldn't work, they took it somewhere to be fixed and they told them that there were over 150 viruses that had all originated from Moshi Monsters, kids will click yes when a box comes up, just to get it out of their way so that they can play their game.

Anywhere that there's either children or just massive throngs of people, you'll find viruses/trojans and their propagators.

They play the percentage game...this is why M$ will always have more issues than Apple, although Apple would love for you to believe its down to their OS.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

I've put the avg on there but when I look for comodo it's a full anti-virus and firewall job, as opposed to just firewall. should I sack the avg and go for the comodo

Obviously I don't want even a half a groat to be exchanged in the transaction.

 

[Dylan]

Comodo is the best firewall. It isn't the best AV, but it is up there. It is now down to personal choice as either will do the job. I use Comodo AV now, as it is easier to manage in one package, for me.

 

[Dylan]

Oh, what chico was talking about is (I hope) Microsoft Security Essentials. It is actually very, very good. Look into it and you'll be surprised.

 

[Rook]

Comodo is the best firewall. It isn't the best AV, but it is up there. It is now down to personal choice as either will do the job. I use Comodo AV now, as it is easier to manage in one package, for me.

Comodo is a good firewall. It is kind of annoying with all its warnings and such though.

 

[Dylan]

It is doing what it is supposed to. If you remember to 'remember this action' you don't get bombarded. It is only 'annoying' for the first few days, as the program learns your system. Use it more and it disappears into the background and doesn't bother you unless you start installing new programs.