Free anti virus software?

[Sgt Bilco]

The Norton anti virus stuff has just expired on my Samsung notebook and don't really want to pay their annual fee if I can get away with it.

Is there any free stuff out there which is any good?

 

[JayC]

AVG Free download. Used it for years, no probs!

 

[Grey Beard]

AVG or AVAST Anti Virus (free versions)

Grey Beard

 

[Mav]

My tech guys always recommend Avira

http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

“Avira AntiVir should remain on top of every free antivirus users’ list.”
CNET Download.com, March 2009

 

[(RIP) Proff]

I've used AVG and Avast [ free versions only ] for years now, always do the job
One other ESSENTIAL is MALWAREBYTES..
That prog' has saved my bacon many times, also d/l'd it onto a memory stick to recover others pc's and laptops....
Just remember to update at least once a week ..



Posted from Samaur by gibbering post pernod session ape on vintage acer laptop via frog wifi ....................

 

[Myke Rocks]

I was using AVG free until recently

The Norton anti virus stuff has just expired on my Samsung notebook and don't really want to pay their annual fee if I can get away with it.

Is there any free stuff out there which is any good?

and then found microshit had launched Microsoft security essentials.
It is much less intrusive than any other anti virus I have tried, is free, and does not bring the computer to a halt as many others do. A total recommendation. Upgrades without even telling you it is doing so.
My experiences with both McAfee & Norton make me fear them more than viruses.
Myke

 

[Dom]

Avira

 

[CuzGS]

AVG free edition and Malwarebytes, put both on, update daily, don't upgrade, job done.

Used them for years with no dramas whatsoever

 

[cookie]

and then found microshit had launched Microsoft security essentials.
It is much less intrusive than any other anti virus I have tried, is free, and does not bring the computer to a halt as many others do. A total recommendation. Upgrades without even telling you it is doing so.
My experiences with both McAfee & Norton make me fear them more than viruses.
Myke

that's what i now use when i encounter windows machines.

 

[wessie]

Micrfosoft Security essentials on my netbook
Panda Antivirus on my aged desktop.

I've used AVG then Avast on the desktop in the past but I've found recent versions bog down the 6 year old machine - they probably work fine on more recent, speedier systems.

 

[Buz]

Do Mac's need any sort of virus software loaded? I've been using torrents on my macbook and don't want to compromise it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mac]

Avast

 

[cookie]

Do Mac's need any sort of virus software loaded? I've been using torrents on my macbook and don't want to compromise it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i have clam-x AV installed on my iMac. i, very occasionally, run a scan with it if i have reason to*. it's never found anything untoward

it's free.


* a couple of weeks back there was a scare about installing fake Flash updates from a pop up that could appear on macs. i had done that without thinking

 

[mrsroynie]

Used AVG for years until a mate had a virus that disabled it ... He continued to receive reassuring daily messages that the virus definitions were being updated. It was only when his machine was infected with something else that Roynie (who's a bit of a dab hand with computers) discovered that AVG hadn't been updating properly for over six months. Would advise AVG users to double check the date of the latest definition database update.

We've since switched to Avast.

 

[ballistic]

Been using Avast on all my machines for several years now... no problems

 

[longdog]

Just make sure you uninstall Symtec's Norton cr*p before you install the new anti-virus. Then go into regedit and very carefully delete everything Norton leaves behind because it very intrusive.

For my money, the A's have it, Avira or AVG althought Avast is fine too.

 

[cookie]

Norton used to have a tool on their website to remove their AV. I'd be a bit wary of messing with reg edit if you don't know what you are about.

 

[chipsonfriday]

If you use on-line banking you may get free anti-virus software from the bank. Barclays provide free copies of Kasperski (for up to three PCs).

 

[andyclift]

Do Mac's need any sort of virus software loaded? I've been using torrents on my macbook and don't want to compromise it?

I have a free version of Sophos anti-virus on my Mac. It does sometimes flag up some malware (normally from a torrent) but they have always been files that can only affect a PC. Does no harm to install it though, it does not seem to have any adverse effects of the Mac and it does offer some extra security if you pass an infected file to a poor PC user.

 

[repomanbe]

As you can see everybody reSponding is saying xyz is best due mainly because that's the flavour of virus protection they have. Most of us only know the product we use. The best one is the one you feel most comfortable using. If you are OK manually updating once a week pick x, if you're happy running and interpreting scans choose y, if you want to use one with no user intervention pick z. They are all much of a muchness, I personally have used Symantec products since Norton DOS days and know their products very well, I have no evidence it is better than another. I never had a problem with viruses, IsAs you can see everybody reponding is saying xyz is best due mainly because that's the flavour of virus protection they have. Most of us only know the product we use. The best one is the one you feel most comfortable using. If you are OK manually updating once a week pick x, if you're happy running and interpreting scans choose y, if you want to use one with no user intervention pick z. They are all much of a muchness, I personally have used Symantec products since Norton DOS days and know their products very well, I have no evidence it is better than another. I've never had a problem with viruses, is it down to me or AV software?