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Best anti-virus freeware?

  • 10-05-2007 7:17pm
    #1
    MT
    Closed Accounts Posts: 583 ✭✭✭


    Hi, at long last I've finally got around to connecting my new computer up to broadband - 512kps which is probably the best you can get in a rural area outside of an urban centre in NI.

    From what little I know you're far more susceptible to viruses and attack with a broadband connection so I'm looking to download some good anti-virus software. I've also read that some of the free stuff is as good as Firefox and, being a cheapskate, I'll take this option please. So could anyone advise me on which of the programs listed in the freeware thread above is the best of the anti-virus programs?:confused:

    Oh, my hard drive is only 40GB and I'm using Windows XP in case that effects what I'm capable of using.


Comments

  • #2
    The Machine
    Registered Users Posts: 148 ✭✭The Machine


    I find this pretty good: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1


  • #3
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    AVG:
    http://free.grisoft.org/

    /edit: The Machine beat me to it


  • #4
    Ruu_Old
    Closed Accounts Posts: 36,634 ✭✭✭✭Ruu_Old


    Check the Essential Freeware sticky at the top of the forum. AVG, avast! or Anti-Vir all have free versions available and one of them will do the trick.


  • #5
    MT
    Closed Accounts Posts: 583 ✭✭✭MT


    Ruu wrote:
    Check the Essential Freeware sticky at the top of the forum. AVG, avast! or Anti-Vir all have free versions available and one of them will do the trick.
    I did, I just want some advice on which of the ones listed would be best. From the responses so far AVG will seemingly do the trick.


  • #6
    ActorSeeksJob
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,970 ✭✭✭ActorSeeksJob


    I get the impression that you don't have good anti-spyware or a firewall either. So I recommend the following to ensure your pc to be safe in the future

    * To reduce re-infection for malware in the future, I strongly recommend installing these free programs:
    SpywareBlaster protects against bad ActiveX
    IE-SPYAD puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all

    * SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts.

    * I recommend the following anti-spyware programs to protect yourself against spyware, make sure you only use one real-time anti-spyware protection program though :
    AVG anti-spyware
    Spybot - Search and Destroy
    Ad-Aware SE Personal

    * Some good free firewalls are ZoneAlarm, Comodo, or
    Outpost
    Make sure you only use one firewall though. A tutorial on understanding and using firewalls may be found here.

    * Here are some good anti-virusprograms, make sure you only use one though :
    AVG makes an excellent free antivirus client, as do AntiVir or avast!.


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  • #7
    danjo
    Registered Users Posts: 589 ✭✭✭danjo


    A firewall is just as important as anti-virus software. Check out Kerio and Zone Alarm freebies. Also install Spybot to limit spyware.


  • #8
    run_Forrest_run
    Registered Users Posts: 6,390 ✭✭✭run_Forrest_run


    thanks for posting this helpful advice folks.


  • #9
    zilog_jones
    Registered Users Posts: 6,641 ✭✭✭zilog_jones


    I'd also recommend AVG - been using it for years with no trouble. Personally I'd prefer a decent router with a built-in firewall over a software firewall any day - ZoneAlarm et al may potentially offer a higher level of security but in the majority of cases they're not really needed and are mostly just an annoyance.

    My recommendation for anti-spyware is just avoid IE at all costs. I use Opera as my main browser - that coupled with not looking at dodgy websites or downloading dodgy software means spyware is pretty much a non-issue for me.


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