free anti virus sofware

edited April 2008 in Chit chat
does anyone know where i can download some for windows xp. prefereably nice and simple and not some huge file that will take ages to download.

thanks.
Post edited by mile on
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Comments

  • edited February 2008
    Grisoft do a free version of AVG. Been using it for years and I've never had a virus.

    Google AVG free and you'll find it quicker than going to Grisoft's main site.
    Oh, no. Every time you turn up something monumental and terrible happens.
    I don’t think I have the stomach for it.
    --Raziel (Legend of Kain: Soul Reaver 2)

    https://www.youtube.com/user/VincentTSFP
  • edited February 2008
    I'll second AVG Free. Great little bit of AV software.
  • edited February 2008
    Incase you can't be arsed: click me.
    Oh, no. Every time you turn up something monumental and terrible happens.
    I don’t think I have the stomach for it.
    --Raziel (Legend of Kain: Soul Reaver 2)

    https://www.youtube.com/user/VincentTSFP
  • edited February 2008
    VincentAC wrote: »
    Incase you can't be arsed: click me.

    thanks. :)

    when i install it, will it be able to scan my computer for viruses and nasties that are already there?
  • edited February 2008
    I was also going to suggest AVG - has auto updates, etc.

    An alternative that I've also seen (when researching it for somebody) but never used is AntiVir, which also appeared quite professional.
  • edited February 2008
    Used to Use Norton, That just ate up all available resources.

    Now use AVG and you hardly notice its there.
  • RNDRND
    edited February 2008
    Currently using AVG, have also used Avast! and AntiVir, both of which are good.
    Facebook @nick.swarfega Twitter: @sw4rfega
  • edited February 2008
    ClamWin ( http://www.clamwin.com/ ) is a nice simple opensource package.
  • edited February 2008
    mile wrote: »
    thanks. :)

    when i install it, will it be able to scan my computer for viruses and nasties that are already there?

    Yes :-)

    You can even set up a schedule for doing file scans. I never use it though, never know when the pc's going to be busy.
    Oh, no. Every time you turn up something monumental and terrible happens.
    I don’t think I have the stomach for it.
    --Raziel (Legend of Kain: Soul Reaver 2)

    https://www.youtube.com/user/VincentTSFP
  • edited February 2008
    VincentAC wrote: »
    Yes :-)

    You can even set up a schedule for doing file scans. I never use it though, never know when the pc's going to be busy.

    ok thanks, i'll get it installed, my computer has been running really slow, and theres all these progs in the task manager thing trying to do stuff. i tell them they aren't allowed but they don't listen and take up all my cpu usage, hopefully i will be clean from now on. :)
  • edited February 2008
    Comodo AV is free too (and is free for commercial use).
  • edited February 2008
    Comodo AV is free too (and is free for commercial use).

    Sounds like Commodore ...
  • edited February 2008
    I'd also like to recommend AVG Free. I've been using it for years too and never had a single virus. :)

    Necros.
  • edited February 2008
    right, ive formatted my hard drive again

    installed

    AVG 7.5 with new update
    spywareblaster
    ad-aware 6.0
    spy cleaner gold

    im i free from virus threats now?
  • edited February 2008
    mile wrote: »
    right, ive formatted my hard drive again

    installed

    AVG 7.5 with new update
    spywareblaster
    ad-aware 6.0
    spy cleaner gold

    im i free from virus threats now?

    Didn't you just redo your computer...wth are you doing to keep formatting and reinstalling!!
  • edited February 2008
    beanz wrote: »
    Didn't you just redo your computer...wth are you doing to keep formatting and reinstalling!!

    yeah, it just seemed easier than faffing around with all the stuff that was making it sick, it slowed to a crawl.
  • edited February 2008
    http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html

    totally free and even works on vista


    cheers

    Lee B;)
  • edited February 2008
    whats this after so long avg free is no more

    when you go to the site it says trial or BUY!!!!!!!!!!

    oh well i have avast now and it works a treat

    Lee
  • edited February 2008
    Sometimes you may need a scan on start-up. Avg won't do that, but Avast will. Avg is a nice anti-virus if you install it on a computer that is still virus-free.

    And you don't need multiple Spyware removers. Choose one, keep it updated and that's it.

    Having a good anti-virus and anti-spyware doesn't mean you'll be virus-free, even if you install more than one of these programs (which would be a big mistake). Besides having good programs, caution and general knowledge of computer security is what will keep your computer free from viruses.
    I've fixed computers which had viruses and corrupted Anti-virus programs at the same time! Sometimes the damage is so extensive that a System recovery (not a system restore) is the only option.

    Don't install any toolbars, don't click any internet ads, etc.
  • edited February 2008
    Can I throw Spyware Terminator into the hat
  • RNDRND
    edited February 2008
    Necros wrote: »
    I'd also like to recommend AVG Free. I've been using it for years too and never had a single virus. :)

    Necros.

    Perhaps its missed them all and you have hundreds on there! :p
    Facebook @nick.swarfega Twitter: @sw4rfega
  • RNDRND
    edited February 2008
    zxbruno wrote: »
    Don't install any toolbars, don't click any internet ads, etc.

    I think the IE Live and Google toolbars are the exception to that rule but only if you get them from the official source.
    Facebook @nick.swarfega Twitter: @sw4rfega
  • edited February 2008
    For antivirus, Avast! is pretty good for a freebie. I wouldn't touch Norton anything with a bargepole. McAfee is not to bad, though I only ever use the corporate version so not sure about the home one. OneCare is really nice and non-intrusive (unlike most AV tools) but I've not heard good things about it's detection rates so I am not yet willing to put that much faith in it.

    For antispyware, just go with Windows Defender (and get it from downloads.microsoft.com if you are on XP). There are too many so-called anti-spyware tools that install all kinds of nastiness that it's not worth recommending any by name. Even most of the legit ones are such a significant cause of BSODs, that they're more trouble than they are worth. Adaware is probably the only exception, but unless you fork out for the full version you aren't going to get real-time protection, which is what you really need.

    Don't run multiple virus scanners or anti-spyware tools, as they just tend to cause issues with each other (not to mention overloading the file system filter driver stack with unnecessary crud). If you're on Vista, enable UAC so that IE7 runs in Protected Mode and don't just run any old crap you find on t'internet, especially from less-than-reputable sites.
  • edited February 2008
    AndyC wrote: »
    For antispyware, just go with Windows Defender (and get it from downloads.microsoft.com if you are on XP). There are too many so-called anti-spyware tools that install all kinds of nastiness that it's not worth recommending any by name. Even most of the legit ones are such a significant cause of BSODs, that they're more trouble than they are worth. Adaware is probably the only exception, but unless you fork out for the full version you aren't going to get real-time protection, which is what you really need.

    I would have to say that Spybot Search and Destroy is a great program too.
  • edited February 2008
    Another vote for AVG here.
  • edited February 2008
    wadfm wrote: »
    whats this after so long avg free is no more

    when you go to the site it says trial or BUY!!!!!!!!!!

    oh well i have avast now and it works a treat

    Lee

    Nope, there's still a free version (see here). It can be a pain in the arse to find it on their main site, that's why I posted again with the link to the free version (see here) :-P

    I must really stop posting in invisible ink :lol:

    They do two versions of it, one with the basics for free and the other with loads of other stuff that you've to pay for.
    Oh, no. Every time you turn up something monumental and terrible happens.
    I don’t think I have the stomach for it.
    --Raziel (Legend of Kain: Soul Reaver 2)

    https://www.youtube.com/user/VincentTSFP
  • edited February 2008
    VincentAC wrote: »
    Nope, there's still a free version (see here). It can be a pain in the arse to find it on their main site, that's why I posted again with the link to the free version (see here) :-P

    I must really stop posting in invisible ink :lol:

    They do two versions of it, one with the basics for free and the other with loads of other stuff that you've to pay for.

    yep thats what ive gone for thanks again.

    it was finding all sorts last night as i browsed the web, it kept saying things were trying to get in my back door. (and beanz wasn't even online)
  • edited February 2008
    XTM of TMG wrote: »
    Sounds like Commodore ...

    But much more useful:)
  • edited February 2008
    RND wrote: »
    I think the IE Live and Google toolbars are the exception to that rule but only if you get them from the official source.

    True, but I still prefer a clean browser. ;)

    Someone mentioned Spybot, Adware and Windows defender. I've fixed computers that had one of these programs installed, and they still had spyware and/or viruses. They also remove false positives, which isn't a good thing.
    I've used Super Antispyware many times (the free version), and never had a problem.
  • edited February 2008
    crap cleaner is a handy tool too.
    My test signature
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