Which Free Virus Protection ?

macabethiel · 08-05-2011, 07:58

Now that I have the wifes PC running on clean installation looking for free anti virus.

What is the best one to use have used AVG in the past is it still good ?

illy · 08-05-2011, 08:14

I use AVG, I use to use their free version but I opted to up grade when I got my new laptop. I recommended AVG to a friend who was using Norton, it found 54 more problems than Noton. Its also recommended by computer active mag.

illy

PS just search (avg free)

4x4_Gav · 08-05-2011, 08:14

Avast Anti-Virus is by far the best free anti-virus for Windows machines.

clivvy · 08-05-2011, 08:37

Microsoft Security Essentials is very good, im using it now and finding it the best so far for my needs.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx

I did use AntiVir, which was very good, but you get a nag screen once a day.

briggie · 08-05-2011, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivvy

Microsoft Security Essentials is very good, im using it now and finding it the best so far for my needs.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx

I did use AntiVir, which was very good, but you get a nag screen once a day.

i agree with clive , i use mse and its very good , it picked up a trojan i had that norton and macafee didnt .......

4x4_Gav · 08-05-2011, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by briggie

i agree with clive , i use mse and its very good , it picked up a trojan i had that norton and macafee didnt .......

I work in IT and we try and push people away from using that lol.

Although I suppose for the average user who doesnt look at porn sites all day or download torrents its fine.

extreme-4x4 · 08-05-2011, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Gav

I work in IT and we try and push people away from using that lol.

Although I suppose for the average user who doesnt look at porn sites all day or download torrents its fine.

thats me .... and paul stuffed then

paul is always on the torrents

clivvy · 08-05-2011, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Gav

I work in IT and we try and push people away from using that lol.

Although I suppose for the average user who doesnt look at porn sites all day or download torrents its fine.

well, i work in IT also, and yep, I dont use it for client PC's within a business, although if i REALLY had to in an emergency, id be fairly happy installing it. We stick to decent corporate solutions for our AV, but outside a business, MSE is pretty darn good.

briggie · 08-05-2011, 08:59

i download a awfull lot of torrents ... not had a problem yet i know about ..... i sometimes use porn sites for reference and education purposes too

briggie · 08-05-2011, 09:04

my buddy uses avg free , if that helps

clivvy · 08-05-2011, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by briggie

i download a awfull lot of torrents ... not had a problem yet i know about ..... i sometimes use porn sites for reference and education purposes too

youre just a naughty boy.

anyhoo, pretty much every AV package will at some point let a virus or trojan or whatever through, wether its free or paid for, you just gotta use whats best for you. I always say, keep it simple, MSE is just that.

4x4_Gav · 08-05-2011, 09:23

Or you could get an IMac and never worry again

clivvy · 08-05-2011, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Gav

Or you could get an IMac and never worry again

pah! that requires money!! honestly though, id bloody love one!!

jims-terrano · 08-05-2011, 10:02

You know what, this sounds like a lot of other things in life when you ask peoples opinion and this is not meant to be disrespectfull of anyone. Everybody gives their own opnion of likes and dislikes, if you read this thread every AV Prog mentioned is pants and in fairness I hate AV progs because generally speaking they take resources from your PC and slow it down to varying extents but we do need them in reality. Free AV progs are slimmed down so don't offer full protection. This said event all singing all dancing progs don't offer full protection either as they don't control the weak link. We as users are the weak link as we can be easily mislead and think before we click. In my experience most bits of malware are self inflicted due to users actions. We do things like open attachments, install software (some freebies), we browse the internet look for images download things and we get messages on the screens that we just click OK and often it's the ok button that can actually be any part of a popup window that gives the malware permission to install. For every person that is clever enough to write code to stop malware there is someone equally clever to write code to get around it and the cycle goes on and on.

My opinion is YES FREE AV's such as AVG, Avast and Microsoft's version are fine as long as you are carefull and think about what you or others are doing on the computer. I always give people this advice about the internet "why would a complete stranger want to give you something for nowt!!!" think about that when you are down loading things or playing free games on the net.

Jim

PS waiting to be shot down in flames!!!

clivvy · 08-05-2011, 10:50

no, youre right Jim, i think it does go without saying that user care is paramount, BUT, most users dont know or understand in the first place and I dont mean that in a bad way, but everyone cant know everything. The tricks used to get virus's onto a PC are very advanced these days, very clever, and working in IT I see it daily almost, where people have fallen pray to these things.

good AV is important, and generally most AV apps do a good job BUT they are designed for general protection. They are designed to protect people against simple attacks or infections. They arent designed for people who are going to surf porn sites or dodgy software download sites, if you do that, you have to take extra precautions such as better software, user account control ,or have your wits about you!

but, for the purpose of this thread, everybodies suggestion is perfectly adequate, as I said previously, its down to personal preference, so, visit each AV site individually and see what it offers and pick one.

As a side note, I find MSE to use the least resources, but it ties in nicely with the MIcrosoft OS BUT be very aware that there are trojans/virus's out there that now mimic MSE, AVG etc....so learn your software!

08-05-2011, 07:58	#1
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Which Free Virus Protection ? Now that I have the wifes PC running on clean installation looking for free anti virus. What is the best one to use have used AVG in the past is it still good ?

08-05-2011, 08:14	#2
illy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rugeley Staffordshire Posts: 233	I use AVG, I use to use their free version but I opted to up grade when I got my new laptop. I recommended AVG to a friend who was using Norton, it found 54 more problems than Noton. Its also recommended by computer active mag. illy PS just search (avg free)

08-05-2011, 08:14	#3
4x4_Gav Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Nottinghamshire Vehicle: Nissan Terrano II 2.7 TDI Posts: 480	Avast Anti-Virus is by far the best free anti-virus for Windows machines.

08-05-2011, 08:37	#4
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	Microsoft Security Essentials is very good, im using it now and finding it the best so far for my needs. http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx I did use AntiVir, which was very good, but you get a nag screen once a day.

08-05-2011, 08:59	#9
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	i download a awfull lot of torrents ... not had a problem yet i know about ..... i sometimes use porn sites for reference and education purposes too

08-05-2011, 09:04	#10
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	my buddy uses avg free , if that helps

08-05-2011, 09:23	#12
4x4_Gav Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Nottinghamshire Vehicle: Nissan Terrano II 2.7 TDI Posts: 480	Or you could get an IMac and never worry again

08-05-2011, 10:02	#14
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	You know what, this sounds like a lot of other things in life when you ask peoples opinion and this is not meant to be disrespectfull of anyone. Everybody gives their own opnion of likes and dislikes, if you read this thread every AV Prog mentioned is pants and in fairness I hate AV progs because generally speaking they take resources from your PC and slow it down to varying extents but we do need them in reality. Free AV progs are slimmed down so don't offer full protection. This said event all singing all dancing progs don't offer full protection either as they don't control the weak link. We as users are the weak link as we can be easily mislead and think before we click. In my experience most bits of malware are self inflicted due to users actions. We do things like open attachments, install software (some freebies), we browse the internet look for images download things and we get messages on the screens that we just click OK and often it's the ok button that can actually be any part of a popup window that gives the malware permission to install. For every person that is clever enough to write code to stop malware there is someone equally clever to write code to get around it and the cycle goes on and on. My opinion is YES FREE AV's such as AVG, Avast and Microsoft's version are fine as long as you are carefull and think about what you or others are doing on the computer. I always give people this advice about the internet "why would a complete stranger want to give you something for nowt!!!" think about that when you are down loading things or playing free games on the net. Jim PS waiting to be shot down in flames!!!

08-05-2011, 10:50	#15
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	no, youre right Jim, i think it does go without saying that user care is paramount, BUT, most users dont know or understand in the first place and I dont mean that in a bad way, but everyone cant know everything. The tricks used to get virus's onto a PC are very advanced these days, very clever, and working in IT I see it daily almost, where people have fallen pray to these things. good AV is important, and generally most AV apps do a good job BUT they are designed for general protection. They are designed to protect people against simple attacks or infections. They arent designed for people who are going to surf porn sites or dodgy software download sites, if you do that, you have to take extra precautions such as better software, user account control ,or have your wits about you! but, for the purpose of this thread, everybodies suggestion is perfectly adequate, as I said previously, its down to personal preference, so, visit each AV site individually and see what it offers and pick one. As a side note, I find MSE to use the least resources, but it ties in nicely with the MIcrosoft OS BUT be very aware that there are trojans/virus's out there that now mimic MSE, AVG etc....so learn your software!