Hi Guys,
Can any one recomend the best FREE antivirus programe for me to download. Mine has run out & im desperate.
Many thanks...........Ray
Can anyone recomend
(12 posts) (11 voices)-
davee
offlineMember"Best" is a matter of personal choice, but I've had good results with Avira, which is generally considered one of the best in terms of detection rates.
I'd suggest you read the following article and the comments to it, and decide what best suits your needs:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-anti-virus-software.htm
Posted 7 months ago # -
penneddragonone
offlineMemberI believe you can update the major paid anti-viruses with their respective update packages on http://www.download.com. Though a free option updated daily is probably a better bet. I like Avast and Comodo. When I can pay for an anti-virus, I choose Kaspersky. Search google for free Kaspersky or free "name of anti-virus" here. Sometimes the Anti-virus companies offer a 6 month or year long subscription to their anti-virus. I find out about these and other good information on Raymond's blog at http://www.raymond.cc. You can sign up for his daily email. He and Gizmo at http://www.techsupportalert.com are info vitamins for the brain, um, soul, um...technophile.
Posted 7 months ago # -
watcher13
offlineMemberObviously, best is really in the eye of the beholder, but Avira (which I use at home) does VERY well in tests and reviews and has an excellent reputation. If anything, it's slightly on the too agressive side, which is more aggravating but probably more desirable. Just had to change my start page from my provider, AT&T, because it was hitting too often on the scripting of AT&Ts ads. I'll have to contact them and also Avira, hoping they can work it out. From what I've read, the particular problem can be as simple as putting a zero in the html coding where a 1 is expected (or vice versa, I forget). But, better safe than sorry. Will nag you for updates every 3 days, which is good, and will flash a popup each time it updates, trying to get you to buy the full version, which is understandable. Probably will when my finances stablize. One bad thing: can't check boot sectors in Vista. They're locked out from it's scan.
One other thing. You'll read about Avira being very slow to update, but I really don't have this problem. I think it's time dependent. I'm sure some are having problems. I read one commentator from Germany, for example, but not me. I usually update in the morning in the US Eastern time zone and it rarely gets anywhere close to even five minutes.
Posted 7 months ago # -
If your anti virus software has run out (download subscriptions) then contact the company and usually they will give you a large discount.
Problem with downloading the update packages manually is they don't usually update the software.
NIS2009 was updated recently via live update.
It's now 16.5.0.35 and works even better.
I have 800 days of subs left.
Posted 7 months ago # -
midori
offlineMemberWow, lots of opinions here, but they're all good ones. (although I have read in plenty of places that there's lots of complaints with Norton... no offense Lakjin!;) I've been using AVG, and it does scan all your emails, which some don't. But gee, looks like I'm gonna have to give Avira a try also and compare the two. I guess we all tend to prefer what we're used to, but I'm always open for a different suggestion. :)
Posted 7 months ago # -
Quantum Dragon
offlineMemberThere is no such animal, not one (Paid or Free) is the BEST !
The rule of thumbs for security is to have a multi-layered protection approach !
So do not use more than one virus scanner on active mode (it is OK to have one active and others in passive (manual scan) mode), one good cleaner, two or three Anti Adware/Spyware/Malware (they each detect something that the others have not seen) but have at least one of each (for security).
You can only use one "software" Firewall (no options there as war between them will shut down your communication system if you have more than one) but, if you have a router, you can also activate its built-in Firewall as they use different methods.
And of course, NEVER have them working scans at the same time.
When you scan, only the Firewall should be running alongside (in learn mode if need be).
Use a methodic "one after the other" kind of scan !
Here are suggestions for free software (I tried all personally at one time or another):
Anti-Virus/Firewall suggestion:
If you need both Virus scanner and firewall, then the Comodo firewall http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html is the top contender.
Use it in combo mode (Antivirus/Firewall) at installation.
The firewall itself is very robust and the just-released version 3 includes a well-designed intrusion detection system and Vista compatibility. Comodo also supports internet connection sharing, whereas the free versions of Kerio and ZoneAlarm do not.
Make sure that you install it in "Advanced" mode, because the "Basic" installation has the HIPS ( Host-based Intrusion-Prevention System ) disabled.
Anti-Malware/Spyware suggestions:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?part=dl-10804572&subj=dl&tag=button is a good choice and has gotten many people out of jams if you keep it updated.
Spybot: http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html?tag=mncol is also a good choice if you use it regularly and keep it updated.
Cleaner suggestion:
Glary Utilities: http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html to remove junk files or remnants of installs (there is always some).
P.S.: AVOID toolbars as they all contain some form of spyware (even the ones from big names)
Hope this helps
Quantum Dragon
Posted 6 months ago # -
GMMan
offlineMemberI suggest using avast! Home for an AV software. It looks closest to commercial AV software than the other free AVs I tried. Its detection is fine and I heard that its heuristics is better than some others. However, it does give false positives some times, usually sensing legit files as generic trojans. But overall, it's pretty good.
Posted 6 months ago # -
I use Kaspersky but here's another free alternative...
for Windows - http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/
for Macs - http://www.iantivirus.com/download/
Regards.
Posted 6 months ago #
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