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.

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!