Anti Virus software recommendations sought

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:57 pm

Now my daughter computer is working, I need to install anti virus software. I have Norton on mine but have heard some say you can dowload free software which is just as good (AVG?).

Any thoughts or recommendations?.

Thanks, Mike.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:11 pm

Yes, AVG is good.

Post by **MarkyB** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:27 pm

Seconded. Works fine and free!

Post by **mickessex** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:51 pm

Thirded, You can't go wrong with AVG.

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:16 pm

Thanks guys...guess what Ive just loadedon my daughters pc...

On a related point - the Norton AV on our main pc runs out in Sept (costs £30ish), does this do any more than AVG? - if not then I could save the money (and get a new tyre!).
All views welomed.
Cheers, Mike.

Post by **Packedup** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:45 pm

I use Avast, having not got on with AVG, but either are fine. Norton is bloaty and expensive IMO, you'll do your PC a favour by removing it, much cheaper than upgrading the internals! ;)

All you ned of an anti virus is regular definition updates, email scanning and scanning of anything entering/ on th computer. AVG and Avast do that perfectly well with far less power used to do so than Norton, which is only really superior in user interface IMO.

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:12 pm

What he said... ^

AVG is good Avast is better.

Post by **Orkney** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:50 pm

You might also try Adaware & Spybot both free and will remove any malicious nasties on your PC
Also do make sure you have the firewall turned on for the normal connection the computer uses - a lot of people don't realise it sometimes has to be manually turned on.
One more tip - make sure the computer is fully updated with security updates from Micro$oft

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:58 pm

Also do make sure you have the firewall turned on for the normal connection the computer uses

One advantage with a router or hub is that the firewall is built it automatically.

Post by **Packedup** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:36 pm

Kevin wrote:
Also do make sure you have the firewall turned on for the normal connection the computer uses
One advantage with a router or hub is that the firewall is built it automatically.

Indeed, though the ultra paranoid might want a s/w firewall to monitor things closely and add another layer of protection.

I've been running a Netgear router for around a year or so now without using s/w firewalls on the 2 PCs connected to it, and had no nasties get through so far

Post by **NZJLY** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:41 am

Load Linux

Ubuntu is not too bad to install, and you can get loads of free pro grammes.

Currently I am running a dual system, Vista (protected with Avast) and Ubuntu.

John

Post by **Judge** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:54 am

I run Vista and use Norton as it comes free with the BT Broadband package I use

Post by **mal** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:34 am

as it comes free

Hey... what's this then... Bill using something for nothing

must be catching

Mal

Post by **Judge** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:44 am

I'm learning Mal, but I am sure I could learn a lot more from the Master

Post by **mal** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:49 am

I hope the weather keeps nice for the weekend, It's cost me £2 for this coming show

I must be slippin

Mal

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:34 am

Thanks for the additional replies....

I will install Avast too on my daughter machine.

How does AVG and Avast work in practice - do they do things automatically, or is it up to you to do things manually?.
Do these programmes tell you when an "intruder" attempts to get into tyour pc (my Norton currently flashes a pop up saying "Worm / Trojan attempt foiled" or something similar and does it automatically. Do AVG and Avast do the same?.

I assume it is OK to have AVG and Avast on at the same time(?).

I will put AVG and Avast on my PC when the Norton subscription runs out in Sept (or should I just do it now?).

Thanks again for your help. Mike.

Post by **MarkyB** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:51 am

Never run two anti virus programs at once on the same PC. They will both be trying to do the same thing at the same time and will slow down or crash the PC.
You can run different scans for spy ware as these tend to pick up different things.
If your Norton product has a firewall as part of the package you will need to install another one.
I use zone alarm (free) personally but there are plenty of good ones out there.
You could turn on the Windows firewall but it only blocks incoming nastys and doesn't look at out going traffic.

Post by **Packedup** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:07 pm

You might want to set Avast so it doesn't scare the hell out of you when it picks up on something - It does like to make loud siren noises that make you check outside that WW3 isn't starting!

But yes, it pretty much sits and does its thing with little intervention needed. When it spots something suspicious it makes you aware. Very aware.