Antivirus and Virus Scan? Any suggestions?

[DennisBerc]

Hello
Do you know any FREE antivirus and virus scan software. I have had somу troubles with my PC for two weeks.
Thanks an advance.

[3ncryptabl3_lick]

I use avg but I have no comment on whether its better or worse than any others. 'free virus software' in google will net you some results.

[oddjob]

Hi

Some free AV ..........

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

Avast > http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

Antivir > http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html

Comodo > http://www.antivirus.comodo.com/

AntidoteLite >
http://www.vintage-solutions.com/Eng...per/index.html

Clamwin > http://www.clamwin.com/



Some free F/Ws …..

Zone Alarm > http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten...=en&lid=nav_za

Sygate > http://www.simtel.net/product.downlo...s.php?id=53687

Kerio Firewall > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm

Agnitum > http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/

I’ve heard good things about m0n0wall http://m0n0.ch/wall/
(it takes some setting up though)

Smoothwall > http://www.smoothwall.org/

Tiny Personal > http://www.webmasterfree.com/tpfw.html

Outpost > http://www.agnitum.com/products/outp...e/download.php



The best program to scan your computer with - and give it a good "spring clean" - is AVG Anti Spyware.

Download Ewido/AVG Anti Spyware from here ….

http://www.ewido.net/en/

It has a fully working 30 day trial period.

Install it and update it to the latest definitions.

Do NOT use it yet.


Now boot to safe mode. Here’s a “how to” if you’re not sure ..

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...01052409420406


When in safe mode run a full system scan with AVGAS and let it fix what it wants to.

REMEMBER TO SAVE THE SCAN REPORT and also remember where you saved it in case anyone wants to inspect it if you report trouble.

[FOOTNOTE > this is a good program to use as an “on demand” scanner even after the trial period is over. Keep it updated and use it to scan your computer from time to time].


OJ

[StupidScript]

Clam is one of the best free AV programs out there.

As I understand it, AVG will no longer be supporting their AV program ... but I may be mistaken.

[oddjob]

Originally Posted by StupidScript

As I understand it, AVG will no longer be supporting their AV program ... but I may be mistaken.

Yes, this is (or was) a common mistake when, last year, Grisoft announced they wouldn't be supporting the CURRENT free AV.

What they meant was that users had to upgrade to v.7.5.


OJ

[zinruss]

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0....virus&tag=srch
You may try avast and it is free.

[3ncryptabl3_lick]

Hey thanks for those links, oddjob, imah check some of those other ones out.

[IslaScotts]

Originally Posted by oddjob

Yes, this is (or was) a common mistake when, last year, Grisoft announced they wouldn't be supporting the CURRENT free AV.

What they meant was that users had to upgrade to v.7.5.


OJ

Ya.. I think they will stop supporting it 2/15/07 or something. I just upgraded to the new version like a week ago... also downloaded the anti-spyware too.. never tried theirs before. So far I am pleased.

[comforthost]

Hi DennisBerc,

I can suggest you NOD32. It is very powerful and the best feature is it uses very minimum resource. But it is not totally free. you can try its 30 days trial pack.

Regards,
-Dip..

[Andy06]

NOD32!!!

[Lamaan]

Originally Posted by comforthost

Hi DennisBerc,

I can suggest you NOD32. It is very powerful and the best feature is it uses very minimum resource. But it is not totally free. you can try its 30 days trial pack.

From what I can discover rummaging around the websites that test antivirus programs, all of the mainstream antivirus programs - free or paid - will catch known viruses. The big difference comes when they meet a new virus. According to available research (e.g. AusCERT, Australia's Computer Emergency Response Team), most (60% +, home, small business and corporate) of computers are infected with viruses, and most of these will be soon reinfected if cleaned. This is because, it is claimed, most antivirus programs - particularly including the most popular ones, have poor heuristics. In other words, they are unable to recognize a new virus until it it is too late.

Returning to the antivirus testing sites, we discover that two antivirus programs star when it comes to heuristics: NOD32 and Kaspersky. Of these, NOD32 is by far the most highly rated, not only because its heuristics are superb, but also for factors such as ease of use, speed, and light use of system resources.

If you really want free, then I suggest getting Avast or AVG, and then get a good system backup (e.g. Acronis True Image). The free ones will slow down the rate of infections, but not stop them. So assume that you are going to be infected, this year or next, and be prepared for it. Otherwise, buy NOD32, and sleep well.

(And then get a backup program anyway, so you are ready for when the spyware bites .)

[slimes]

My dear ,i have been using On-access Virus scan for many years......Dont misunderstand the many years - i am using the lastest edition now and i must confess - it serves me best.............
Goodluck

[Lamaan]

Originally Posted by slimes

My dear ,i have been using On-access Virus scan for many years......Dont misunderstand the many years - i am using the lastest edition now and i must confess - it serves me best.............
Goodluck

Good point! Although my computers are armed for bear with antivirus, antispyware, etc etc, I find it worthwhile to use an online scanner occasionally - usually Trend Micro. It has never actually found anything bad, but it gives me a nice virtuous feeling of having done something good. And at very least, it gives a double check on my regular software.

[Bestmiler]

For antispyware, use Spybot - Search and Destroy, SpyBlaster and Ad-aware

[Lamaan]

Originally Posted by Bestmiler

For antispyware, use Spybot - Search and Destroy, SpyBlaster and Ad-aware

Spybot S&D and Ad-aware are well-known and respected, but SpyBlaster??? I can't find any third-party endorsement of it. Do you know of any? It isn't mentioned (for good or evil) by SpywareWarrior.com, which makes it an uncertain thing to me. Given that most antispyware programs are fakes (or worse), I wouldn't dare use anything that didn't come well recommended and tested.

[oddjob]

Maybe the reference is meant to be Spywareblaster (also from javacool).

[Lamaan]

Originally Posted by oddjob

Maybe the reference is meant to be Spywareblaster (also from javacool).

Anything is possible ... but there actually is a program called Spyblaster (at Spyblaster.com/), so I think it is reasonable to assume that BestMiler wrote what BestMiler meant to write.