Best free AntiVirus program

Syxx_Killer · 08-20-06, 10:33 AM

My Norton AV 2004 subscription is expiring today. I don't want to pay $35 for a new subscription, since buying a whole new program would only be a little more. I'm not sure I want to do that, either. Anyway, I have been thinking about the free AV programs out there again. I had AVG before I got NAV 2004. Two days after I had downloaded AVG it let a nasty homepage hijacker/trojan slip through. That is when I got NAV 2004. Since then I have never had an installation of Windows last long enough to have the subscription run out. I was wondering if anyone is using any of the free AV programs and if they are any good. The three that I know of is AVG, Avast, and AntiVir.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

http://www.avast.com/

http://www.free-av.com/

To those that use any of them, what are your thoughts? Pros? Cons?

lesrae · 08-20-06, 10:56 AM

I've used AVG for several years without any problems, can't comment on the others.

TteFAboB · 08-20-06, 11:02 AM

I've been using Avast for quite some time now. Left Norton too. No problems or complaints so far, but I'm a cautious user anyway.

SUBMAN1 · 08-20-06, 11:05 AM

Been using Avast at home for a few years. It has some unique capabilities that other AV solutions don't, including the ability to reconstruct a damaged file that is not repairable by other means. It has also garnered more 100% detection awards than the other free AV alternatives.

All of the free versions work to some degree, but Avast is a little better.

-S

STEED · 08-20-06, 11:14 AM

With free AV's you got to be more cautious where you visit, I am knocking them, as far as I know the top three free AV's are AVG,AVAST and BIT DEFENDER. I am also facing a renew subscription at the end of the year for my Norton 2006 AV & Firewall, which I will have to find out the cost of and way it up.

bradclark1 · 08-20-06, 11:58 AM

I use Norton AV and I have not been bitten since I've had XP. I don't use a firewall I use NAV wormblocker that replaces windows firewall and scriptblocker that comes with NAV. Some stuff has tried to get through but Norton has stopped it every time.
Norton may be resource hungry and probably cost more but it's worth it for security and peace of mind.

WutWuzDat · 08-20-06, 12:58 PM

I use Avast Free and Zonealarm pro.

Fish · 08-20-06, 01:10 PM

I use AVG free edition, windows firewall, windows defender.

STEED · 08-20-06, 01:42 PM

ZONE ALARM & KERIO are the top two free Fire Walls.

STEED · 08-20-06, 02:00 PM

Every other month I run a online virus check as a back up the only problem is it takes hour and half. So far this year it picked up on one thing my Norton missed. It was only a low key problem which was fixed, it's always worth using another AV as a cross scan on line or a free download.

Takeda Shingen · 08-20-06, 02:48 PM

I use both Norton AV and Norton Firewall. I am pleased with both, as I have not been attacked in almost two years. Regardless, I am still a very careful 'surfer'. I think that this is the most important aspect for anyone on the internet, regardless of your protection software.

08-20-06, 03:32 PM

I use Kaspersky AV. I like it! It's low profile, it's fast, and stays out of my way. The interface may be a bit complicated for some but once you get used to it, it's simple.

The Noob · 08-20-06, 04:05 PM

I use Anti Vir and never had a Problem. I love it, simply cos it's Free. Alright, form time to time you have to DL it new since it runs out (I usually use the one from Gaming Magazines) but it remains FREE.

I don't like Kaspersky AV, it's so....Complicated. Plus i can't just quick and easy Shut it down if i want to Play Games an my PC. Or maybe you can and i have overlooked the Button in that whole mess of functions...

:rotfl:
And i think you have to Pay for it, or i'm wrong?

And Norton is just a Nasty Company IMHO. Well, Microsoft is too, but as a Gamer like me you can't avoid it...

So i Recommend Anti Vir.

08-20-06, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Noob

I use Anti Vir and never had a Problem. I love it, simply cos it's Free. Alright, form time to time you have to DL it new since it runs out (I usually use the one from Gaming Magazines) but it remains FREE.

I don't like Kaspersky AV, it's so....Complicated. Plus i can't just quick and easy Shut it down if i want to Play Games an my PC. Or maybe you can and i have overlooked the Button in that whole mess of functions...

:rotfl:
And i think you have to Pay for it, or i'm wrong?

And Norton is just a Nasty Company IMHO. Well, Microsoft is too, but as a Gamer like me you can't avoid it...

So i Recommend Anti Vir.

Yes, Kaspersky does cost money up front, but nearly 4 years of using it I've never had to pay for updates. It's actually not that complicated. Just right click on the taskbar icon and click on ' Exit ' and it is gone without fuss. Simple Simple!

The Noob · 08-20-06, 04:44 PM

ARG! How could i overlook this?!?! DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!

Thanks!

I'll might try it again then...

08-20-06, 10:33 AM	#1
Syxx_Killer Admiral Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 2,387 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Best free AntiVirus program My Norton AV 2004 subscription is expiring today. I don't want to pay $35 for a new subscription, since buying a whole new program would only be a little more. I'm not sure I want to do that, either. Anyway, I have been thinking about the free AV programs out there again. I had AVG before I got NAV 2004. Two days after I had downloaded AVG it let a nasty homepage hijacker/trojan slip through. That is when I got NAV 2004. Since then I have never had an installation of Windows last long enough to have the subscription run out. I was wondering if anyone is using any of the free AV programs and if they are any good. The three that I know of is AVG, Avast, and AntiVir. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 http://www.avast.com/ http://www.free-av.com/ To those that use any of them, what are your thoughts? Pros? Cons?

08-20-06, 10:56 AM	#2
lesrae Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 932 Downloads: 31 Uploads: 0	I've used AVG for several years without any problems, can't comment on the others. __________________ DOLPHIN 38

08-20-06, 11:02 AM	#3
TteFAboB Admiral Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,247 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I've been using Avast for quite some time now. Left Norton too. No problems or complaints so far, but I'm a cautious user anyway. __________________ "Tout ce qui est exagéré est insignifiant." ("All that is exaggerated is insignificant.") - Talleyrand

08-20-06, 11:05 AM	#4
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Been using Avast at home for a few years. It has some unique capabilities that other AV solutions don't, including the ability to reconstruct a damaged file that is not repairable by other means. It has also garnered more 100% detection awards than the other free AV alternatives. All of the free versions work to some degree, but Avast is a little better. -S __________________

08-20-06, 11:14 AM	#5
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	With free AV's you got to be more cautious where you visit, I am knocking them, as far as I know the top three free AV's are AVG,AVAST and BIT DEFENDER. I am also facing a renew subscription at the end of the year for my Norton 2006 AV & Firewall, which I will have to find out the cost of and way it up. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT! Last edited by STEED; 08-20-06 at 11:16 AM.

08-20-06, 11:58 AM	#6
bradclark1 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA. Posts: 2,794 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	I use Norton AV and I have not been bitten since I've had XP. I don't use a firewall I use NAV wormblocker that replaces windows firewall and scriptblocker that comes with NAV. Some stuff has tried to get through but Norton has stopped it every time. Norton may be resource hungry and probably cost more but it's worth it for security and peace of mind.

08-20-06, 12:58 PM	#7
WutWuzDat Planesman Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: I can't remember... In front of a PC? Posts: 185 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use Avast Free and Zonealarm pro. __________________ - Adam ©1988 - 2008. All rights reserved. Life is like a roll of toliet paper, the older you get, the faster it goes!

08-20-06, 01:10 PM	#8
Fish Eternal Patrol Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,923 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use AVG free edition, windows firewall, windows defender.

08-20-06, 01:42 PM	#9
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	ZONE ALARM & KERIO are the top two free Fire Walls. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

08-20-06, 02:00 PM	#10
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Every other month I run a online virus check as a back up the only problem is it takes hour and half. So far this year it picked up on one thing my Norton missed. It was only a low key problem which was fixed, it's always worth using another AV as a cross scan on line or a free download. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

08-20-06, 02:48 PM	#11
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	I use both Norton AV and Norton Firewall. I am pleased with both, as I have not been attacked in almost two years. Regardless, I am still a very careful 'surfer'. I think that this is the most important aspect for anyone on the internet, regardless of your protection software.

08-20-06, 03:32 PM	#12
SubSerpent Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I use Kaspersky AV. I like it! It's low profile, it's fast, and stays out of my way. The interface may be a bit complicated for some but once you get used to it, it's simple.

08-20-06, 04:05 PM	#13
The Noob The Old Man Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: de_dust2 Posts: 1,417 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use Anti Vir and never had a Problem. I love it, simply cos it's Free. Alright, form time to time you have to DL it new since it runs out (I usually use the one from Gaming Magazines) but it remains FREE. I don't like Kaspersky AV, it's so....Complicated. Plus i can't just quick and easy Shut it down if i want to Play Games an my PC. Or maybe you can and i have overlooked the Button in that whole mess of functions...:rotfl: And i think you have to Pay for it, or i'm wrong? And Norton is just a Nasty Company IMHO. Well, Microsoft is too, but as a Gamer like me you can't avoid it... So i Recommend Anti Vir.

08-20-06, 04:44 PM	#15
The Noob The Old Man Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: de_dust2 Posts: 1,417 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	ARG! How could i overlook this?!?! DAMN! DAMN! DAMN! Thanks! I'll might try it again then...