***Spyware / Anti-Virus / Firewall - Read Me First*** ***UPDATED*** - Page 16

Chris Locke · 03-04-2008, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDot

Guessing this has been covered quite a few times but what would anyone recommend as the best free anti-virus software?

AVG is the better out of AVG and Avast, but I would strongly suggest using a commercial program, like NOD32 or Kaspersky.

Floop · 22-06-2008, 21:32

Hi - I have installed AVG Free on some friends computers but they are now telling me it is saying they have to upgrade to AVG for �47. Is this right? Is AVG canning the free version and expecting people to upgrade or it will stop working?

I would test this myself but I run a Mac and haven't got Bootcamp on this machine. Anybody got any knowledge? And if so... any recommendations what to suggest they replace AVG with?

Alan b · 22-06-2008, 21:43

A quick Google shows that they now need version 8 and that it is still free:

http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe

Floop · 22-06-2008, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan b

A quick Google shows that they now need version 8 and that it is still free:
http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe

Alan I did that quick Google; my friend is already using AVG Free version 8, but they have got a message onscreen saying that it will soon expire. Which is why I was asking the question; I was wondering whether AVG Free is now only 'free' for a trial period, beyond which you have to upgrade. The AVG Free website does not seem to suggest this, which is why I'm confused.

Chris Locke · 23-06-2008, 07:11

Are you sure your friend has successfully installed v8? It might not have successfully installed.
The full complete message they have received would be helpful.

driver8 · 25-06-2008, 08:54

Here are 2 FREE tools from Kaspersky -

Boot disc - http://dnl-eu10.kaspersky-labs.com/d...ds/RescueDisk/ - I've tried this and it works well - 81mb ISO download, burns fine, boots into Linux and a simple Kaspersky 2009 GUI. BUT it is slow (very thorough) and reports outdated definitions file (but will be worth a go if all else has failed, and your system cannot even boot into windows).

Virus Removal Tool (on demand only scanner/cleaner - no real-time & no updater) - http://dnl-eu14.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/ (use the most recent) - . It uses the same technology as Kaspersky Anti-Virus to detect and remove viruses. For a free tool, it is very configurable, allowing you to set what to scan, how much to scan, whether to use heuristics etc. There is another feature called �Manual Cure�. It works similarly as HijackThis.

brendonw · 25-06-2008, 09:31

thanks driver8 - look useful

Guest 5804 · 09-07-2008, 08:26

yesterdays Microsoft XP patch KB951748 has made Zonealarm very secure, it won't let you connect to anything! the quick fix is either uninstall the MS patch, or set net access in zone-alarm to medium for now and await either of them to sort it out. http://forums.zonelabs.com/zonelabs/...ssage.id=18667

Professor Abronsius · 09-07-2008, 08:50

Updated the XP Patch this morning and can't check email or browse.

Will change settings in Zone Alarm later and see if that sorts it.

Cheers.

Steve39 · 02-08-2008, 09:55

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com are offering a-squared Anti-Malware 3.5 for free today.

mullethead · 08-08-2008, 16:22

Since my PC went pop a couple of months ago i've resorted to using an old PC I had gathering dust in the loft - which is very, very basic.

I've connected my old Hard Drive up as a slave to the Hard Drive which was in there. This drive has a copy of Norton AV 2005 which has since expired, the Virus Definitions were last updated on 30/03/2006.

Is it worth removing this and installing a free AV checker until I get my own machine up & running, or would this old version of Norton provide adequate protection - albeit with older virus signatures.

driver8 · 09-08-2008, 07:03

^^ I'm no expert, but pretty sure that a free AV would be better than a 2+year old Norton.

Try Avast (or AVG with linkscanner disabled)

and Kerio (or Comodo if you like tweaking) as firewall (Zonealarm too resource-intensive ?)

Guest 12924 · 09-08-2008, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by mullethead

Since my PC went pop a couple of months ago i've resorted to using an old PC I had gathering dust in the loft - which is very, very basic.

I've connected my old Hard Drive up as a slave to the Hard Drive which was in there. This drive has a copy of Norton AV 2005 which has since expired, the Virus Definitions were last updated on 30/03/2006.

Is it worth removing this and installing a free AV checker until I get my own machine up & running, or would this old version of Norton provide adequate protection - albeit with older virus signatures.

I'd go for the free "antivir" (rated really well and very light) and commodo firewall, also free. Two year old Nortons is pretty much useless and these are free and better anyhoo

liamail · 13-08-2008, 00:41

I'm considering subscribing to NOD32 - is the security suite worth the extra over just the antivirus?

driver8 · 13-08-2008, 06:49

^^ I'd say it depends on you - do you buy an all-in-1 hifi system, or spend the time matching & tweaking separates ? Same principle applies - any single security suite may not give you the VERY best in security, but offers a quick & easy solution out of the box, and peace of mind for most users.

According to PCpro, looks like NOD/Eset and Kaspersky are the all-in-1's ones to beat, although this can change annually, as products strive to be the 'best' (and indeed depends on the tests involved !) - http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/160/secu.../products.html

Personally, I'm a separates man and enjoy tweaking, so have various (freeware) security products (which need adjusting & upgrading). Plenty reading here (firewalls) - http://www.matousec.com/projects/fir...ge/results.php - and here (AV) - http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/comparatives.html - plus - http://www.av-test.org/ .

So go with an all-in-1, unless maybe you're "high risk" and like dabbling in the darkest 'cornerz' of the web! (in which case, you probably wouldn't be asking anyway).

Guest 12924 · 13-08-2008, 07:07

I used to like nod32 until it let in a stinker of a virus, wehich I could see a mile off and it had the blinkers on and it ripped through my system. Tried Kaspersky and it missed it too and also told me Microsoft Office wa a high risk threat and blocked my browsing by default

Mr Silly · 14-08-2008, 18:24

My Dad's new laptop comes with Bullguard internet security. I think its just a trial, but is it any good or should I look to get him something better?

Jimmyboy · 24-08-2008, 00:12

Anybody else been hit with virtumonde? It seems to be everywhere.

Mr Silly · 24-08-2008, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyboy

Anybody else been hit with virtumonde? It seems to be everywhere.

Yes and it was a huge pain to get rid off. Needed all sorts of things to get rid off. Vundo fix seemed to help

Worth a search on google to see what you can find as I can't fully remember how I did it

Guest 1406 · 02-09-2008, 18:29

up till today had zone alarm but uptated and slowed system right down so need a alternative please ?